Page 3 of A Sinner's Virtue
Yes, sold. Like I said, I’m recovering from a traumatic event, or rather a series of events. I’m never going to fully recover. I know that, but I refuse to curl up into a ball and cry in the corner. The Petrovs have given me a second chance at life, a chance not many girls like me get. A chance I’m not going to waste.
Which is why two years ago, when Savannah Valentino (one of Izzy’s familial connections) set me up with a job in Melbourne, I jumped at the chance to leave New York and start over. And I haven’t looked back. Being in a different city was exactly the change I needed.
Not that I didn’t love living with the Petrovs. I did. But I couldn’t live with them forever. I had to grow up eventually. Although Mikhail would totally jump at the chance for me to return home. The man is every bit the protective father I never had.
The ringtone stops on my phone’s speaker before it’s replaced by Izzy’s voice. “Well, hello, stranger.”
“Hey, I didn’t wake you, did I?” I ask her.
“No, baby did. Hours ago. But even if you had, I wouldn’t care. What are you doing? Ready to come home?”
“Always ready to come home. But I can’t right now. Work is busy.”
“It always is.” Izzy sighs.
I understand her frustration. I haven’t stepped foot in New York since I left. Izzy and Mikhail have come to visit me in Melbourne. A lot. I feel bad that they have to make such a long flight with little ones. They have three now, Mabilia, Neo… and little Lex, who I’ve yet to meet.
“How’s the baby?” I ask.
“Perfect,” Izzy says. “You should come home and let him meet his big sister.”
“I will, soon.”
“Okay. What else is happening in the world of the diaper-free life you’re living?”
“So I was thinking… Wait… Is Mikhail listening?” No way am I telling my adoptive father what I’m planning to do tonight. He’d have his little Russian soldiers stop over and lock me away in some tower.
“No, why? What are you doing, Zoe?” Izzy sounds more intrigued now.
“I’m going out,” I say. “I was thinking I could, you know, go out. Meet someone, just for the night.”
“Oh my god! You’re going out to hook up? A one-night stand?” she squeals.
“Well, I thought I was, but now I’m not so sure I can go through with it.” I sigh.
“You can do anything you want to do. Is this something you want?”
“I want to. Or I want to try. See if I can, you know.” I pick up the red tube and line my lips.
“I get it. I think you should go out and see what happens. Don’t have any preconceived notions in your head of what’s going to happen. Just go to a bar, order a drink, and see where the night takes you,” Izzy says.
“You’re right. I can do that.” I smile while straightening my shoulders. I can do this.
“You can. But make sure you have protection. Condoms, pistol, knife.” Izzy lists off everything that’s already in my bag.
“I know. I’ve got it all.”
“Good. You know the last one-night stand I had was with Mikhail,” she tells me.
I’ve heard that story so many times already. She and Mikhail hooked up some night in a bar. They were from rival families—though they didn’t know it at the time. And then, well, the rest is history.
“Thanks, Iz. You always know what to say.” She really does. I feel way better about my decision now.
“Anytime, Zoe. Just be smart and safe,” she reminds me. “But also have fun.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Ti amo,” she replies.
