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“You know, it’s funny how he said I was creating a distance between us when he’s the one who’s digging a hole right in the middle of us.” I breathe harshly. “And what’s with staying with Viktor all the time?”
Maks smiles, and I narrow my eyes at him. I had Viktor bring me here because I needed a breather from the tension in the house.
I was glad to actually find Anton and Maks joking and teasingly hitting each other. When I came the last time, Anton said that Maks lets him out all the time as long as he promises not to run away.
Not sure how long my brother can forget about his duties and keep that promise, but it’s going well so far. He doesn’t appear strained or stressed. In fact, I don’t think he’s ever looked as peaceful as he has these past few weeks.
“What are you smiling at?” I ask Maks.
He does a shitty job of trying to hide his amusement. “Is it just me, or do you sound jealous of Viktor?”
“That’s not true.”
“It is, actually,” Anton supplies needlessly.
“Now that I think about it, you were always jealous of him in some way,” Maks continues.
“Right. She was personally offended whenever Kirill had a one-on-one meeting with him.”
“Tosha!” I nudge him with an elbow. “What’s with you two ganging up on me? I didn’t come here for this.”
“It’s true, though.” Maks strokes my shoulder. “You need to get used to the fact that Viktor is there to stay. He’ll only leave Kirill when he dies.”
Anton subtly pushes Maks’s hand from my shoulder.
I smile at him with unconcealed gloating. “Who’s the jealous one now?”
Anton side-eyes me. “I don’t like anyone touching my sister.”
“Liar. You didn’t like Maks touching anyone in the past, not just me.”
“He’s too clingy. It’s revolting.”
My friend grins, completely ignoring Anton’s comments. “Oh? What’s that about, Sasha?”
“Don’t,” my brother mouths, but I’m already turning toward Maks.
“Remember when he twisted your arm and got suddenly violent occasionally?”
“Oh, right. He had moments where he acted out of character.”
“More like, he lost control because he didn’t like how you were so touchy with everyone. Especially me since he thought you liked me.”
“Someone was jealous, huh?” Maks’s expression lights up as he looks over my shoulder at Anton, who’s wearing an unamused expression.
“Are you done?” He glares at both of us.
“No. I actually like this.” Maks leans closer to me. “How was he when he was a child?”
“An adult.” I smile. “I don’t remember Anton ever being a child, except when you dragged him into all those games during the past few years.”
Maks forms an L at his chin. “So that means I’m a good influence?”
“The best.”
“Stop inflating his dick-shaped ego,” Anton grumbles. “He already thinks he’s God’s gift to humans.”
“I sure as fuck am. Right, Sasha?”
“Yeah.” I laugh. “You’re too extra. I love it.”
“Hear that, Antosha?” Maks nudges my brother’s foot with his. “You need to take appreciation lessons from your sister. She’s more emotionally mature than you.”
“If she were, she wouldn’t have fallen in love with a literal sociopath.”
My humor dampens, and my shoulders hunch. “Ouch.”
This time, Maks hits Anton’s foot. “Read the room, dick.”
“What? It’s true.”
“She didn’t come here to be reminded of that, now, did she?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Is it better to bury her head in the sand and pretend all of this is okay and that our family isn’t coming for us or something?”
Both Maks and I tense.
“And you can’t wait for that, right?” my friend asks in a tight tone.
“Of course. You think it’s my dream to be locked up in here?”
Maks’s face hardens, and his muscles tighten to the point I think he’ll punch something—or, more accurately, someone.
Instead, he stands in one swift movement. “I’m going to see if Viktor has anything for me.”
“Maks…” I say, not sure how to dilute the tension.
“You’re a fucking asshole,” he tells Anton, then storms out of the room.
My brother watches him the whole time, his brow furrowed. When Maks is out, Anton rubs the back of his head and curses under his breath.
“You shouldn’t have said that, Tosha.”
“I’m not you or him. I can’t just forget about the looming battle that’ll take place sooner or later.” He rubs his hair again, harder this time. “None of us can stop it.”
“You can. If you talk to Uncle and Babushka, they’ll listen. You’re their hope for the future, and if you tell them you’ve given up on whatever crazy coup they’re thinking of carrying out—”
“That’s not how it works. Picking up where Papa left off is my duty.”
“What’s more important to you? Maks or your duty?”
His Adam’s apple moves with a swallow, but he says nothing.
“If you go down this path, you’ll lose him. So if you’re fine with that, by all means.” I touch his hand and soften my tone. “I can see that he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you, Tosha. You need someone like him by your side so you’ll stop thinking about duty and wars. You’ve never lived your life or had dreams of your own. This is your chance to.”
