The first drag hit my lungs and plunged me into a dizzy fit instantly. I coughed loudly and Vova tapped me on the back.Helping.
"You no smoke. Dat goot. One time okay."
“T-thank you,” I choked out, feeling the weight of the cigarette between my fingers.
I placed it to my lips again, inhaling the scent and letting my mind wander to Alex. He smelled of cigarettes when I first met him. And then less and less. The more time he spent with me, the less he smoked.
So Vova and I smoked, and that’s how I slowly relaxed.
The yacht pierced through the waves for the next hour, and Xavier sat on his knees in front of his pinned hand, bloodied, gasping, whimpering, and out of energy.
My hands no longer shook and my legs held no fear, but dread was creeping into me with every passing minute because my father awaited somewhere on shore.
“Dzhayd,” Vova called out to me about half an hour before we were due to arrive. “Go inside. Relax. Cool down. And vee take care here.”
I looked around the deck, noticing that all the men were waiting. Waiting for me to leave so they couldtake care here.
I nodded and stood, slowly heading into the cool air of the cabin and knowing that nothing was the same anymore.
And the biggest change was me.
29
Too Late For All That
Alex
Jade was gone and I was…disoriented. What was I supposed to do? WhatdidI do before she came into my life? Where did I spend my time if not with her? What did I think about if not her?
I watched the yacht depart. Watched the woman I loved, the woman who was my light, my life…leave with the man who almost killed her.
And I wondered if I was any better than Xavier because putting a bullet in Gianna’s forehead seemed like the most attractive option. At the same time, it didn’t feelenough.
I wanted more. I wanted hertears. Wanted her to understand—to make her soul suffer.
So I went to Andrei’s and laid out my plan. He listened without interrupting, now full of life that his wife was back, but still angry, still reeling, also thirsty for accountability.
It took a day to make the right calls, and at nine in the evening, I dialed her number. The phone rang and rang, but finally, she picked up.
“You have very big balls calling me right now,” Gianna spat into the phone.
I took a deep breath in and said the words, “I’m sorry, baby. I fucked up. I’m sorry I lied, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I…I cheated.”
Olga and Andrei stared at me from across their dining table, listening with bated breath to the call on speaker.
“Alex…” Gianna trailed off, inevitably gearing up for something. “What the fuck? I come over, some bitch is half naked and you’re in hershower?!Did you fuck her? How longhaveyou been fucking her?” Gianna demanded, playing with the last of my patience.
“I’m sorry, baby. Let me…let me make it up to you. Just let me see you and I can—”
“No,” Gianna interrupted, and I gritted my teeth. The fucking psychotic bitch wanted to play hard to get and hearmebeg.
“Please.Please.There’s so much I want to talk to you about. So much I want to say. Please. I’ll take you someplace now. I’ll make a reservation now. Just don’t…don’t end it like this.”
I ran a hand down my cheek, watching the way Olga stifled her laugh. It was good to know she was safe and sound, and so heartbreaking to exist without Jade.
“It better be areallynice fucking place, Alex. And youbetterapologize.”
Oh. Oh, there would be an apology tonight.
