“How in the world do you get up so early for gym?” she asks.
“Exercise gives me the energy to get up that early,” I remark, flicking the coffee machine back on.
“Come on, girls, upstairs to get your things together. You’ve got fifteen minutes before Stella takes you to school.”
There is a yelp as either Kelsey or Kira gets up to more trouble upstairs. Kayla rolls her eyes and mumbles, “Be right back.”
I grin and reply, “Take your time.”
Alone in the kitchen, I sip my second cup of coffee, wondering if it’s a good idea when my nerves are already a little twisted and hyped up.
I think about my brother. Illyin can be so freaking difficult and stubborn at times. He’s another reason I haven’t rushed to tell Kayla, even recently. He’s very protective of me, which I understand, considering the world we grew up in, and he hasn’t made up his mind how he feels about the Belovs yet.
Except the Belovs are practically my second family now, so I need him to trust me that they are good people. But he doesn’t like to take other people’s word for it. He likes to decide for himself.
Unfortunately, he’s taking too long.
He might be uncomfortable with how close I have grown to them, but I’m not. And besides, it’s about time I started making choices for myself instead of waiting for my brother to make them for me.
I’m done with his control over me. Even if it comes from a good place, I want to be the one holding the reins on my own life.
“Okay, Stella has them, and my morning duties are fulfilled,” Kayla says, walking back into the kitchen.
“Why aren’t you dressed for work?” I ask, noting her jeans and casual sweater.
“Working from home today. I’ve got so much to do that I figured it would be less distracting.”
“Nice. Um….” My heart jumps into my throat.
She looks up at me, tilting her head to the side. “You, okay?”
I nod, grinning nervously. “I was wondering if we could talk.”
“Of course, sweetie, what’s going on? Is something wrong?” She is immediately filled with tender concern for me, and I quickly shake my head.
“No, no, everything is great. But there’s some stuff I want to tell you. Important stuff.”
“Okay,” she says curiously. “Well, let’s take our coffee to the living room?”
I nod, gesturing for her to lead the way.
In the living room, I find myself sitting right on the edge of the sofa, unable to settle down because my nerves are getting worse. I really don’t want to lose her friendship.
She reaches out and touches my leg, which is bouncing in agitation.
“Hey, Izzy, you know you can tell me anything, right?”
I giggle nervously again. “Yes, but this is, it’s….”
I shake my head and take a deep breath. Just go for it. Just get it out. “We’ve been friends for a long time now, and there’s something that I have been keeping from you. Not because I wanted to…but because I needed to. I only kept it from you to keep you and the girls safe.”
She nods; her brows are furrowed. She sits patiently, waiting for me to go on.
“Kayla, my brother’s name is Illyin Toloff. He is the Bratva leader of Milwaukee. I grew up in a Bratva family. I grew up in the mafia.”
Her mouth drops open in surprise. Her eyes are wide, not in anger, but in shock.
“Your family is mafia?” she stammers.
