Page 62 of Fractured Ties

“He didn’t even run,” she whispered.

Konstantin sighed. “Listen, my car is down the way. I have to keep a watch on this fool until someone comes to pick him up. Do you think you can quietly make your way to my car, and not move?”

Maya nodded again.

“Good—get going, then.”

She didn’t need to be told twice.

• • •

“Are you usually this quiet?”

Maya glanced away from the passing buildings that were nothing more than a blur in her vision. She heard Konstantin pose the question, but she wasn’t really listening. Or maybe … she was still trying to figure out what exactly had happened, and how they’d gotten here. Or rather, how she’d gotten in this car, driving down these streets, and—

“Are you listening?”

“Is this why Kolya is snappy with you?” Maya asked.

Konstantin took his eyes away from the road to pass her a look. “What?”

“Because you pester people, I mean. People just want to be quiet and alone with their thoughts, but you can’t let them be. Is that why he’s snappy with you—do you pester him, too?”

“First, everybody pesters Kolya … they just have to be in his presence.” Konstantin raised his brows as if to dare her to challenge his statement. “Second, he’s snappy with everyone. I don’t get to be a special case there, Maya.”

Her brow dipped, and she peered down at a sleeping Sumerki in her lap as she said quietly, “He’s not snappy with me.”

Konstantin stilled, and gave the road his full attention once more. “At all?”

Why did he sound as though that was the strangest thing he had ever heard?

“It can’t be a foreign concept, no?” Maya asked. “Kolya can be—”

“Difficult. Moody. Perpetually pissed off. Violent. I can continue,” Konstantin said, shrugging one shoulder, “if you would like me to. He owns a whole list of adjectives that are not necessarily to his favor.”

Not particularly.

The urge to defend Kolya, or even, protect him in some way rose up strong and fast in Maya’s gut. Like a punch of heat had come to slam right into her stomach, and the words fell out of her scowling lips before she could stop them.

Nobody said Kolya was perfect, but he wasn’t some monster, either. Maya knew that firsthand. She couldn’t help that Konstantin—Kolya’s own brother—didn’t look hard enough to see the things she did.

She could correct it, though.

“He’s also soft-spoken when he’s being thoughtful and soft-handed when comfort is needed. He’s mindful and careful. Sure, he has his moments, but I bet you do, too. Just like everyone does.”

Konstantin blinked and arched one brow as though he were considering Maya’s words. He said nothing as he took an exit ramp onto the freeway, and merged onto the semi-congested road.

“Huh,” he finally muttered.

To himself, sure.

It didn’t sound like it was for her.

Maya still asked, “What?”

She didn’t mean it to come out so sharply, and yet, it still had. Konstantin didn’t miss it, if his answering chuckle was any indication.

“It’s just …” Konstantin trailed off, and frowned before saying, “Kolya’s moments, as you said, happen more often than not when it comes to those around him. He’s not exactly the pleasant one of the family, and people tend to keep their distance because he’s usually given them a reason—or more than one—to do so, yes? If you get my drift.”