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Although the majority of the conversation was in Russian, for the parts that weren’t, he made it clear that he wasn’t someone to be fucked with. I wondered why the person on the receiving end would ever question his authority in the first place. Wasn’t it common knowledge that he was the top dog?
I then began to wonder if maybe there was a shift in power. Had someone challenged his throne? It all seemed like a storyline out of a bad mafia movie, but I can’t stop thinking about Chow’s last words.
You’re going to regret this.
Has Alek’s time come? Someone stronger, someone more powerful is always biding their time. If someone did challenge him, who would remain standing, loyal by his side? This is a dog-eat-dog world where loyalty is few and far between.
My thoughts drift to Astra. Something about her encounter with Alek has played at the back of my mind. She mentioned Chow, but he immediately shut that conversation down. Why?
This entire thing grows far more complicated by the second, and even though Saint has a plan, I can’t help but believe that getting out of here seems close to impossible. I can’t shake the feeling that something wicked is coming this way.
And the melancholy of the piano keys only confirms this thought.
Deciding to find the source of the poignant music, I walk the quiet halls in the direction of one of the living areas where I’ve seen a piano. I peek my head around the doorjamb to find Alek lost in the music. His fingers work skillfully over the ivory keys as he plays a sorrowful yet beautiful piece.
I watch him for a moment, wondering what emotion he’s tapping into to play something clearly from the heart. Which is ironic because I’m doubtful he has one. But seeing him this way, with his guard lowered, and the way he was at the orphanage, I’m beginning to see that Alek has many sides.
“Hello,???????.”
His voice jars me from my thoughts, and seeing as my ruse is up, I step into the room without a word.
Alek continues playing, exhibiting his true talent as he closes his eyes and allows the music to take him over. As much as I hate to admit it, seeing him this way is…fascinating. There is something about seeing a man of his stature being this way. Being vulnerable.
He continues playing for minutes, each note even more desolate than the one before it. It pains me, but he is a superb pianist. Some people are musically gifted, and he is one of them. When he’s done, he hangs his head low, his chest rising and falling steadily.
“I didn’t realize you played,” I say, needing to break the sudden silence.
He exhales, then lifts his steel blue eyes. “All my life. It’s the only thing that brings me peace.”
I blink once, stunned by his honesty. “You are really talented.”
“Thank you.” A gentle smile splays across his weary face. It’s only now do I realize how exhausted he appears. “I have something for you.”
He rises from the polished piano, and I watch on with curiosity as he walks over to the mantel and retrieves a blue box. A white ribbon is wrapped around it.
“I-I don’t want anything.” I know I sound awfully ungrateful, but I don’t want his gifts.
“I know, but please, just open it.” He offers me the box while I peer down at it like it’s a live grenade. “It’s something I’d like for you to wear tomorrow.”
“I definitely don’t want it now.” I take a step backward, shaking my head as images of obscene items come to mind.
Alek sighs, his last tether surely about to snap. I am actually surprised he hasn’t reprimanded me sooner. God knows he wouldn’t have let Zoey get away with being so disobedient. But with me, he seems to make an exception, which leaves me wondering why.
“It’s not what you think. It’s something to remind you just who you are.”
I arch a brow, a little curious. “Who I am?”
“Go on. Humor me.”
Goddamn my inquisitiveness.
He shakes the box, coaxing me to take it. With a heavy sigh, I accept.
I untie the ribbon, astounded at how soft the silk feels beneath my fingertips. Whoever tied it did so with the utmost care. Deciding this is best to do quick, I yank open the lid, but what I see leaves me speechless.
I can feel Alek watching me, attempting to gauge my response. “Do you like it? I know it’s a little over the top, but I thought it was fitting.”
“H-how?” I ask when I finally find my voice.
