Page 208 of Bona Fide

“We’ll be leaving soon,” he quips then throws his thumb. “Go pack your shit.”

“Don’t dismiss me,” I snarl, letting my foot take a step. “I’m not fucking leaving if you don’t tell me what is going on.”

“Good luck.”

“Marty...I’m serious…”

“You’re not seeing that bullshit.” His nostrils flare as he grounds his jaw. I’ve made Marty mad plenty of times before, but right now, it looks like he wants to strangle me.

“What bullshit?” I press.

He shakes his head. “No, Tsarina. I’m not submitting you to that.”

“Let me in...are you keeping things from me? Obviously, you are. You’ve been lying to me and—”

“I haven’t lied.”

“Then tell me, who is the man in front of me? Who are you?”

“I’m your brother,” he seizes. “And someone fucked with my family so I’m handling it.”

“Who?” He throws his hands in the air and pivots away from me. My gaze trails his movements as he begins to make his way towards the back door. “Marty.”

“I can’t, Tsarina. I cannot right the fuck now.”

“Marty,” I say softly. “Please. What did you do?” Slowly, ever so slowly and gradually, he comes back to face me. He doesn’t want to hurt me, and I know that. But what he is going to say will.

“I’m protecting you and Mama...and this country.”

“From who?” He raises his arm, extending his palm for me to take his hand.

I do it without thinking, wrapping mine around his to offer some silent comfort to however he’s feeling right now.

“Will you still love me?” he mutters.

“Of course, I will. Nothing will ever change that.”

“This will—” His chin lowers into his chest. “—after tonight...everything about you and I will change forever.”

I force a light scoff. “You’re my brother, the only person who ever protected me when Mama couldn’t. You are the world to me, always have been.”

“You don’t...there is so much.” He slowly shakes his head. “So, so much, Tsarina.”

I squeeze his hand. “I’ll be here. I’m not leaving you—ever.”

“Do you promise?” He pulls his head up. “No matter what because it’s not good. At all.”

“I promise.”

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