Page 132 of Caged

Leaving me awkwardly standing in the hall with Lara, who looks like she wants to smash my head against the wall repeatedly.

“Hi, Lara.” I break the silence and smile.

“Mila is it now?” She chews on her lip.

I nod. “Mila is my real name, yes.”

“Good to know.” She goes to step around me and stops, turning to face me.

“If you so much as bring a single tear to Elena’s eyes, or hurt my brother in any capacity again, I will kill you myself.”

There is a clear warning in her tone, I wouldn’t underestimate her either. She’s a Volkov. She may look skinny and well-manicured, but I bet she’s seen some things and has tricks of her own.

“I swear on my life, and my brother’s life, never again.”

She holds my stare.

“Nikolai is smart enough to make his own decisions, I trust him, for now.”

Phew.

This is going better than I had planned.

“Thank you. I love your brother, with all my heart. And Elena. I’ll earn your trust too, Lara.”

She gives me a smile, her features softening.

“You look like you’re in agony, want a coffee and some painkillers?”

I let out a laugh. I like this girl.

“That sounds perfect.”

Just as we get to the kitchen, Elena wraps around my legs tugging at my cardigan.

“Can we bake some pancakes?”

“We can have some for dinner, they are Mila’s specialty after all,” Nikolai announces as he walks into the room.

Lara turns, I can see the worry on her face and the tears welling in her eyes as she launches herself at her brother.

He awkwardly returns the hug.

They speak in hushed tones and she bats his arm lightly.

Kind of reminds me of me and Daniil.

“Where is Alexei? I thought he would be coming here?”

She twirls the rings on her fingers, averting her brother’s gaze. Hmm.

“He had to get back to Sheila.”

“Odd name,” I reply.

“For a flamingo. Yes.” he replies matter of factly.

“Do I want to ask why he has a flamingo?”

---