Page 28 of The Virgin I Desire

“You bet. I had a class on the circulatory system this morning.”

“I'm sure you'll be a good doctor.”

“I don't think it will be that simple.” I withered as I hugged the book with all my strength. “When I get married...”

“How about a little positive thinking?”

“You're right.” I placed the book on my legs and opened it to the chapter that talked about what I was studying.

I even tried to concentrate, and I should have, because learning was the best thing I could do for myself and all that was left, but Mikhail's image kept flashing as I remembered the call and video.

I didn't tell Uncle Mateo about him like I should have, or my dad, my mom, or anyone else. I felt like I was making a mistake and at the same time I couldn't avoid it. He attracted me more than responsibility for my family could stop me. I felt butterflies in my stomach and a terrible fear when I thought about him. Mikhail was a dangerous man, but I lived with men like that every day.

A part of me even thought about what my father would really think about a union with Russia. He wanted allies. Would there be a better one than the boss of another mafia as importantand feared as ours? I wanted to think it was that simple and for a moment I had that hope.

“Grandma?”

“Yes, my dear.” She left my sister, with whom she was talking about the painting she was doing and stopped next to me again.

“What does Dad think of the Russians?”

“Russians?” She raised her eyebrows and frowned, surprised by my question.

“Yes, the Russian mafia.”

“They are cruel pigs, monsters who don't care about anything or anyone. They do not respect women and children and are not worthy of anyone's trust.”

“I see...” I was disconcerted by her response. If my grandmother had that vision, I didn't even want to think about my father's opinion.

“Why?”

“Nothing. I was just curious.”

“May God save us from those monsters.”

“Amen,” I murmured awkwardly and then laughed at my grandmother who caressed my face and smiled at me back.

I felt my cell phone vibrate in my pocket, and I didn't pull it out until my grandmother walked away again and went to pay attention to Nina. Thanks to her mother's gypsy origins, she wore long skirts and more colorful clothes than the rest of us.

The cell phone vibrated again, and I was overcome by curiosity.

Mikhail:

Hello, Pietra.

How was your night?

Pietra:

Good.

Mikhail:

Was I in your dreams?

Pietra:

No.

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