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I stare at him curiously, as he finds mismatched mugs, fills a pan with water, then moves it to the stove.
No microwave. Interesting, but the bigger deal is that it’s true—men outside of my family are capable of functioning in a kitchen.
“What are your plans, Lilia?”
No male has ever asked me what my plans are. They’ve told me. Without any idea who he is or why he’s doing this, I play it safe. “I guess it depends what’s happening here. If you recall, I was carrying out my plan when you kidnapped me. You tell me your plan, then I’ll decide if I’ll tell you mine.”
“Where were you going? Do you have a job lined up? How are you going to make ends meet? You couldn’t just drive forever.”
“I have a place to stay. I have money. I just want to figure out who I am. I’ve watched enough beauty tutorials, I could get trained and work at a salon. That’s one of the things I’ve told my dad, anyway. It always pissed him off.”
“You’re smart.”
“I’m aware of that.” But if he wants to lay the praise on, I’m listening.
“You’re clever…in a useful way.”
I shrug. “I got away from my family, but not from you.” I’m still curious what he’s getting at. I offer a little more. “My plans involve not being involved in criminal activity or benefiting from it. And yes, I do see the irony that the money I have is dirty, and I dabbled in kidnapping, but all’s well that ends well, right?”
“That kidnapping… I’d love to hear how you pulled it off.”
“I’m not giving up all my secrets just yet. I’m not just a stupid teenager.”
He shakes his head. “You’re not stupid at all. In fact, you’re wise beyond your years.” He tears the white packet open, then pours the chocolatey powder in a mug.
“I spent years listening tothe mentalk, not realizing I would never earn their respect. I learned a lot.”
He studies me intently as I answer. It’s nice not to be blown off or ignored. It’s also unsettling. My eyes move from him, surveying the walls of my confinement again, with even more intrigue. He’s so kind and relaxed. I feel more comfortable in this tiny cabin with log walls than I ever felt in the pristine opulence of my house or my father’s house.
“Here’s the deal.” He hands the warm mug to me and returns to the counter. “We could work together to stop their criminal activity.”
Nine
Erik
Abarrageoftextsfrom Nikolai come in. We have a tracker in the getaway car, so he should be headed this way. I start reading through the text then say to Lilia, “Sorry, this is work.”
“You’re employed by my father…”
I drag a hand over my face. “It’s something else. Make yourself at home.”
“Looks like I already did. Maybe I found my calling. I’m going to be a professional lazy chair tester.” A youthful freeness lifts her words as she pushes the lever, returning the leg kick-out to the lowered position, then raises it again. “It’s going to be these little things in life that I’m not used to that are going to be the biggest surprises.”
“You’re going to be in for a lot of surprises. Your life’s been very controlled.”
“Yeah, like you, a man, making me hot chocolate. That’s pretty cool.”
I set the phone down and make myself a mug. “Your family has some pretty rigid rules. It’s been a real eyeopener becoming one of the Soloniks.”
“Becoming one of them. All I want to do is escape, while people like you fall over yourself to please my father.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“You’ve worked your way up. I don’t see how I’m wrong.”
“I want to help you do more than just escape your family.”
“Meaning?”
