Page 2 of The Brat: Prequel

I can’t.

But I’ll make that fucker trip or⁠—

“I’m so s-scared, M-Max.”

Gently dislodging her arms from my waist, I crouch in front of her like I did when she was little and I didn’t want her to be frightened of my size. “I know you are. But you don’t need to be. I’m here, aren’t I? Do you think you could stay with a friend for the next couple nights?”

Her lips part. “He’ll never⁠—”

“I already asked Svetlana and she said yes.”

Relief has her stammering, “K-Karine will d-definitely let me sleep over for one night. Maybe R-Rafaella, too?”

“Good. Call them, da? You’ll be at school tomorrow. If we can get you away for a couple nights, that’ll give him a chance to cool off.”

She shudders. “He was so mad, Max.”

I’d honestly applaud O’Donnelly for dislocating my Pakhan’s shoulder if the women Inessa left behind didn’t have to deal with the consequences of that injury.

“I told you before what happens when you prick an idiot’s pride…”

Her lips form a moue. “They say girls are the ones who are emotional. Why is Papa the most emotional person I’ve ever met, then?”

Grinning, I bop her on the nose. “Don’t tell him that, katyonok. You’re right, but I don’t feel like scraping you off the ceiling in his office.”

Her gaze darts to her feet. “I wish he weren’t here anymore, Max.”

I hide a wince. “I know. I understand.”

“Do you?”

“I do. I promise. But he’s not going anywhere for a while⁠—”

“Do you think one of our enemies will kill him?” she asks.

Eagerly.

Blyad.

“I doubt it. Not now that there’s an alliance between us and the Irish.”

She gnaws on her bottom lip. “You think I’m horrible for wishing that, don’t you?”

“I don’t. I think it means you have common sense. Who wouldn’t want to get rid of their bully?”

“So, what you’re saying is that I’m being logical?”

I smirk. “Girls often are.”

Vicky harrumphs, but the sound’s loaded with her triumph at my concession. “Okay, I’ll ring Karine and Rafaella.”

“How do you feel about calling them on the road?”

“It’ll get me out of here faster so I love that idea.”

Before I can tell her to get her things together, she scampers off, snatching a bag from the closet on the way.

I watch her shove clothes into it. She grabs her school backpack shortly after and piles books inside.