“She’s dead. Died before I was even born. It was a surprise that I survived.”
“I’m sorry about your mother.”
Carina nods. “I think not having memories of her is better. It’s harder when you know what you’re missing.” She sips some cider, glass full in comparison to mine. “Is your mother alive?”
“Yes.”
“What is she like?”
“She’s practical.” That’s all I plan on saying, but more words slip out. “She and my father have a distant marriage. They’ve both had affairs for as long as I can remember. It works well for them; it’s still strange to me.”
“You’re loyal.” Carina states it like a fact.
Her confidence is wonderful and awful.
“Not that loyal.”
Sitting here with her proves that. I swore allegiance, yet I’m disobeying a direct order.
Carina looks away, studying the logo printed on the side of her glass. “I wasn’t talking about … obviously, I assumed you were with other women when we weren’t …” She clears her throat, then takes another sip. The level of her glass is creeping closer to mine.
Unpleasant emotions churn in my chest as her misunderstanding registers.
“This is me being loyal toyou, Carina. I was supposed to … collect you.”
“You mean, kidnap me.”
“You are not a child.”
“Did you think about doing it?”
“I didn’t do it.”
“I know. But did you consider it?”
I remain silent. Not because I don’t know the answer, but because I do.
Her eyes narrow. “You said you’d answer.”
“I asked two questions. You asked lots.”
“You never said there was a limit.”
I sigh. “No, Carina. I was never going to do it.”
She nods once, then changes the subject. “What are your brothers like?”
“Aleksandr is the oldest,” I state like that explains everything about my brother.
It does explain a lot about his attitude. It’s akin to being a king’s heir, knowing the responsibilities you’re born with and expected to carry one day. A very different sort of ruling, but still a position of power. There is literal royalty with less money and influence than the Sokolovs possess.
“I would have guessed you were the oldest,” Carina comments.
“Why?”
She shrugs a shoulder. “I can’t imagine a group where you’re not the one in charge. Usually, that’s the oldest.”
“Aleksandr is plenty capable,” I state.
