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EFREM
As I finish my guard duties for the evening, outside my pakhan’s office—when I’m not witnessing his emotional response to my accusation—my confidence in Pyotr’s innocence wavers. Because too many things point to his motivations to kill Ben. But if I’m going to convince Dani of my innocence in the matter, I have to believe Pyotr was telling me the truth. All I can do is hope he wouldn’t be that ruthless.
I’ve given Dani as much space as I can bear. After I finish my shift for the evening, I head to her house. I hope she’s managed to cool down and will be able to see things a bit more clearly since we last spoke. Or at least she will be more willing to listen to me.
My walk is reminiscent of the first night I passed by Dani’s house, pausing to watch her through her bedroom window. And as I stop beneath the same tall tree on the far side of the street, I can see that night with perfect clarity in my mind.
What I wouldn’t give to take us back to that night. To find a way to change things so Dani wouldn’t have to lose her brother at all. It doesn’t feel like enough to give Dani the truth, to tell her that she lost Ben but doesn’t have to lose Pyotr too.
She doesn’t have to lose me.
I’m a poor consolation prize compared to her brother, and I know that. But I’m eager for the moment I can hold Dani again, for when I can comfort her like I wanted to so desperately the day he died.
It’s earlier tonight than it was the first time I stopped by to watch her. But it’s just as dark as that night, now that we’re so late in the fall. The family’s security guard stands out front, his eyes focused on the street, scanning for any potential threats, and for the first time, I wonder if Ben’s murder might not have been political.
It’s rare for political battles to extend out to the family members of politicians, but I imagine it’s not unheard of. It would help put my mind at ease about Pyotr’s involvement.
As I contemplate the possibility, I lean against my tree, knowing I’m going to have a bit of a wait. It’s not like I can stroll up to the front door like any other acquaintance coming to offer my condolences.
Security would likely have me arrested on the spot. Especially if Dani and her family believe Pyotr is responsible for Ben’s murder. And if Dani believes so, why wouldn’t her family by now? No, I’m confident I won’t be welcome at the Richelieu household when I wasn’t even at the best of times.
The windows glow with soft golden light that looks warm in comparison to the mood of the grieving household, and I let my gaze linger on Dani’s bedroom window as I hope to catch a glimpse of her.
Movement in the front room catches my attention as the family enters there. To my utter horror, I watch as Mikhail Sidorov follows Dani and her father into the sitting area. The scene unfolds before me like a silent horror film, dousing me with feelings of hurt and betrayal as I watch the man who’s caused so much violence and conflict make himself at home in their living room.
He seems perfectly at ease, as though he’s used to a warm welcome from the Richelieu family, and it makes my blood boil. When I look at it that way, I was doomed to failure from the start. Dani’s family would never dream of letting me into their home like that. So, of course, as soon as Dani could be turned against me, she would find solace in the man who stands for everything I’m not.
He’s rich, polished, a brilliant liar, and willing to do anything—no matter how abhorrent—to get what he wants.
A moment later, Dani’s mother enters with a tray of drinks. Mikhail accepts a glass of what looks like whiskey and settles back in a chair across from Dani. His attention shifts to her, his eyes lingering hungrily on her face as Dani takes a mug from her mom.
My temper rises as she seems perfectly at ease with the bastard who nearly broke her arm and used her as a human shield just weeks ago. The man who tried to kill not just Pyotr but his wife and daughter as well. Silvia’s one of Dani’s best friends. She’s been nothing but kind and open-hearted to Dani, and it shocks me to see Dani so willing to sit in the same room as Mikhail after everything he’s done.
Even if she believes Pyotr is responsible for Ben’s death, the betrayal to Silva and Dani herself feels grossly out of proportion. Heart hammering, I watch the scene unfold, wishing I could hear just what Mikhail has to say for himself.
It doesn’t take long before Dani sets her mug aside and excuses herself, seeming to offer up apologies before she leaves the room to head upstairs. It gives me an intense sense of relief to see her out of Mikhail’s reach, though it bothers me that he’s in her house at all.
Like the stalker she so playfully accused me of being at the onset of our relationship, I watch Dani as she appears in her upstairs bedroom and moves about, getting ready for bed. It’s a relief to see her functioning like a normal human being. After witnessing how broken she looked the day Ben died, I wasn’t sure she could.
I hadn’t been confident she would be able to come out of that deep sadness. But Dani’s resilient. She’s a fighter, and it seems she’s determined to survive the loss of her brother. At least, that’s what I can hope as I watch her from a distance.
Mikhail leaves a short time later, seeming to have decided he’s imposed on the Richelieu family long enough. Or maybe his sole interest in coming was Dani, and once she went to bed, he had no reason to linger.
Bastard.
I’m sorely tempted to cross the street and strangle him with my bare hands. Put an end to this whole bloody war. But the increased security around Dani’s house would make my attempt impossible, I’m sure. And a moment later, a car pulls up to spirit the Zhivoder pakhan away.
Dani’s parents vanish into the depths of the house, signaling that it’s almost time for me to approach. Now I just have to wait for security to make their rounds and leave me a window of opportunity.
There it is.
As the head of security descends the brownstone building’s stairs to take his customary stroll around the block, I slip from the shadows and approach the Richelieu residence. Dani’s light went out only a few minutes ago, so I’m sure she’s still awake even if she intends to go to bed.
Like a scene from a Hollywood movie, I stoop to collect a handful of pebbles from the rock garden lining the cement staircase. And after another cursory glance to ensure I’m alone, I send one flying toward Dani’s window.
It hits with a satisfying tap, not breaking the window but definitely making enough noise that Dani wouldn’t miss it if she’s in her room. I throw a second one for good measure, then wait to see if she’ll appear.
Growing impatient, I try a third time, then a fourth in quick succession. I’m rewarded by the sound of her window whispering open, the wood softly sliding against the frame.
