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“Fine. I need you to call the Irish and sweet-talk them. First time you’ll have talked in ages, I’m sure.”
“And why would I do that?”
“My favor, Morozov. Or are you breaking your word?”
I grit my teeth. “I’m not breaking anything. It’s a delicate situation, as I’m sure you can appreciate.”
“Of course.” I can hear him smiling. “Look, my brother is in Dublin.”
“Business?”
“No. He was there, visiting a friend. Got involved in a skirmish in a pub and—”
“They realized who he is,” I finish.
“Yes.”
“It will likely cost you.”
“That’s not much of a favor.”
I flex my jaw. It hurts like a motherfucker, thanks to the butt of Dmitriy’s gun. The skin didn’t break, but I can feel one hell of a bruise forming. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Good.” Luca hangs up before I can, which is annoying and predictable.
The timing is either terrible or fortuitous—I can’t decide. I won’t be here when Lyla and Leo leave.
Delaying the slew of phone calls I need to make, I stare out the window until the sun rises. Most of the snow has melted. We’re creeping toward the end of March, so it’s possible there won’t be any more this winter.
I’ve never noticed howemptythe grounds are. There’s nothing but open land until the tree line and the fence. I’m sure my father saw it as ideal for security purposes. But I think it’s also one of the many symbols of how he never bothered to make this estate feel like a home. Growing up here was like living at a boarding school. Set schedules and more time spent with staff than family.
When I walk into the dining room after spending an hour on the phone, making arrangements, Leo is already there, munching on a bowl of cereal.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, buddy. You feeling okay this morning?”
I study him carefully. His coloring is good. No dark circles suggesting he didn’t sleep. And he’s munching away at the cereal like he hasn’t eaten in weeks.
“Yep. I was actually wondering…could we maybe go to the park with Darya this morning? Mom said I can skip school today.”
I swallow, my heart sinking like a stone. “Did she say anything else about plans for today?”
Leo’s brow wrinkles. “No. Why? Are we doing something?”
His face is alight with excitement at the idea. I wish I still had his curiosity and optimism. I hope he always has it. Yesterday, an outing resulted in a kidnapping. But here he is, hoping we have some expedition planned.
“You and your mom are headed home today,” I tell him, holding his gaze, even as his expression falls. “Back to Philadelphia,” I clarify, as if that needs explaining.
“You aren’t coming with us?”
I shake my head, walking over and taking the seat next to him. “I have to stay here, Leo. This is whereIlive.”
Leo plays with his spoon. “I don’t want to go,” he says quietly. “I like living here.”
“It’s what is best for you,” I tell him. “You’ll be able to go back to your old school. See your friends again. You said AJ is your best friend, right? You’ll get to play with him again.”
“I don’t care.” His jaw sets stubbornly.
