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“What? You are not keeping her. She’s not a fucking stray you can just claim as yours.”
“Of course, I can.”
“Jesus Christ!” There is a labored sigh on the other side. I can imagine his reaction like he’s here in front of me, pressing the bridge of his nose and shaking his head. “You know, I don’t have the energy to deal with your fucked-up view of reality at this moment. Call me if she says anything.”
“Sure,” I lie. I have no intention of sharing anything Angelina-related with him because I plan on dealing with my little liar myself.
I take another spoonful of soup and shoot a look at Sergei. He watched me the whole time I ate the first bowl, which took less than two minutes. Then, he went downstairs and brought more. I’m on the third bowl now, and he still hasn’t said a thing. He just sits in the recliner near the bookshelf and keeps his vulture-like gaze on me.
Could he be onto me? If he is, he probably would have confronted me already, so I guess I’m good.
He said he’ll let me call my parents after I finish with the food, and since they are both dead, I plan to call Regina, a friend from college. I have no clothes, no phone, and no documents. I need money so I can buy the essentials and get myself setup in a motel for a few days. From there, I’ll be able to contact O’Neil to help me with the documents, because without those I can’t access my accounts. I don’t plan on going back to Mexico, but I need to get Nana Guadalupe out of there, too.
I put the platter with the empty bowl on the nightstand, drink the juice, then look up at Sergei. He grabbed some clothes from the armoire before he went to get me more soup and put on a white shirt before returning. It looks good on him, and with his tats covered, he looks less harsh.
“Can I borrow your phone to call my parents now?”
“Of course.” He takes the phone from his pocket and throws it to me.
I catch it, type Regina’s number, and pray to God she answers.
“Yes?”
“Hey, Mom. It’s me,” I say, “Angelina.”
“Mom?” She giggles. “Have you been drinking?”
“I’m good,” I say, ignoring her question. “Yes, the trip was great. I’m in Chicago now.”
“Chicago? You said you were staying home for at least two weeks. What are you doing in Chicago?”
“Yeah, I’m with some friends. Listen, I got robbed. They took my money and my documents. I remembered Aunt Liliana lives here, could you send her some money for me?”
“Aunt? You mean my sister?” A few seconds of silence pass on the other side. “What’s happening? Are you in danger?”
“Perfect. I’ll drop by her place later today. Thanks, Mom. Say hi to Dad.”
I cut the call and throw the phone back to Sergei, who is lying back in the recliner, watching me with a barely visible smirk.
“You got robbed?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Yeah, I... well, I couldn’t tell her I’ve been kidnapped. She would die of worry. I’ll tell her everything when I get home.”
“You seem to be very composed for someone who just went through a traumatic experience. Do you get kidnapped often?”
No, I wouldn’t say often. Only twice so far, but I don’t plan on sharing that detail. Maybe I should have cried, but well, that ship has sailed. “I... I’m very good at functioning under pressure.”
He smiles. “Indeed.”
“Listen,” I continue, “I’m really grateful for you guys getting me out of that truck and saving me, but I should be on my merry way. My mom will send me some money, so I’ll compensate you for the food and the clothes. I’ll just leave now. Sounds good?”
Sergei stands up from his spot, walks toward the bed where I’m sitting, and crouches in front of me. Cocking his head to the side, he regards me and shakes his head, smiling. “You are a terrible liar.”
My eyes widen. “Excuse me?”
“You’re excused.” He nods, then reaches with his hand over and takes my chin between his fingers. “Now, the truth, please.”
I take a deep breath and stare at those pale blue eyes which are glued to mine, while his thumb moves along the line of my jaw. The skin of his hand is rough but his touch is so light that I barely register it. His finger reaches the side of my jaw, just over the almost-faded bruise and stops there.
