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“Strength is overrated if all it does is strip away the ones we love. I’d rather be weak with my family around me, than strong and drowning in grief.”
Her voice is so hoarse it threatens to drag me back into the black void of anger and resentment. I shake my head in determination, trying to keep that door firmly sealed in the furthest recesses of my mind.
“Grief is what proves to us that we have something worth fighting for.”
She leans her head on me, tears free-flowing now as I hold her close. “I’m so frickin done fighting, Damien. When will we finally win this war and find peace?”
I squeeze her tighter. “I don’t know.” I sigh, letting her get it out.
She hasn’t talked to anyone in almost two weeks now. She’s shut us all out. So the fact that she's letting me in now isan opportunity I refuse to miss. If Evie finds out I didn’t do everything I could for Laney, she might actually cut my balls off. And I’m quite fond of Harry and Quincy.
“I do know that lying here on this sofa and wasting away isn’t the answer. We aren’t done fighting this war. So, do you think you can help me get to the next battle? I have an idea.”
Laney sits up, wiping her nose as she sniffles. “What can I do?”
“You’re friends with Akio, right?”
“Yes, why?”
“His father wants to expand his banks into Russia. He tried to make a deal with us, but we knew he was messy. Do you think Akio would do right by us?”
She nods. “Akio is nothing like his father. He wants to expand banking in order to help his people, not just to make a profit for himself. I think aligning with him is a good idea. There’s only one problem though.”
“What’s that?”
“He only speaks Mandarin and Japanese. He can understand English, but he doesn’t speak it well. I’m in the process of learning Mandarin, but I can speak fluent Japanese. That’s normally how we communicate. Can you speak Mandarin or Japanese?”
I rub my eyes, not foreseeing this outcome. In Russia, we learn English as children. I assumed that was how most of the world worked. Except for Americans, they stick with English and that’s about it. Some of them occasionally know another language, but it’s not common. So much for a melting pot.
That’s why most of the island uses English as the overall language with just how many of our organizations come from America. But Asian languages are much more difficult, and I’m not sure how to learn that. Lev speaks some form of Chinese, butwith him not talking, I don’t want to add to the pressure on him right now.
“Do you think you could help me talk to him?”
I hate to add more to her plate, but I also think this might help her too. Give her a purpose right now. She looks from me to Arrow and closes her eyes.
“What if he never comes back to me, Damien?”
I scoff. “That man loves you more than life itself. He will come back. I have a feeling he’s just waiting for the right moment.” I have to keep telling myself the same thing about Evie. We will find her when we are meant to. For now, we just have to keep it together long enough to form a plan.
“Go to the estate and take a shower. You need a reset. I’ll take you and get us food, then we can come back here to video call Akio. I’m assuming you have his number, right?”
“I do.” She stands and takes Arrow’s hand. “I’ll be back soon,” she whispers to him before kissing him on the forehead. I know he’s in a coma and all, but I swear his features relax at her touch.
I text Havoc, knowing he’s going crazy not getting to see Arrow.
Damien: I convinced Laney to go home and take a shower. You should be in the clear to come sit with your man.
Havoc: He’s not my man.
Okay. Someone’s in denial.I chuckle to myself knowing that what Lev and I have found with Evie and Alexi is unique, but that they’ve got it too. I can see it.
Plus, he asked for shibari tips, and I sure as shit taught him techniques for men and women athisrequest. He’s not fooling anyone.Well, except maybe himself.
Damien: Are you coming or not?
Havoc: I’ll be right there. Take Laney home. I don’t want her alone right now.
Damien: Already on it.
