Page 156 of Capuleto

“I’m good at turning you into a pincushion, not at mending. I was too busy learning how to kill efficiently; I didn’t have time for cross-stitch.”

“That’s true, but Dad also helped us face unexpected situations. Come on, little sister, are you going to leave me like this?” Yuri pouted like a child; he reminded me of Adriano when we didn’t get along well. I hoped he would take after his mother more than him.

“I’m going to make a mess of you.”

“I’ll settle for you treating my wound with the same delicacy you use to draw that black line around your eyes. It can’t be that bad.” I gave him a tense smile; Yuri wasn’t going to relent.

“And where am I supposed to get the tools?”

“Cheng, there’s a sewing kit in that cabinet. Cauterize one of the needles and thread it with the thread you find. My little sister is going to honor me with a scar that will remind me of how glorious this day has been.”

I gagged at the thought of it.

“If you wanted a maid, you should have paid for one, Korolev.”

Yuri looked at her with displeasure.

“Is it so hard to do what I asked? Remember, I’m your ally, and thanks to me, you’re not a married woman.”

“Leave it, bratishka, I’d rather do it myself.”

I went to fetch the sewing kit, thinking of how to take advantage of the situation. I couldn’t stand being there any longer, nor without Romeo.

“You know, I talked to your future ex-husband.”

At the mention of him, I flinched. Luckily, I was facing away from Yuri, and he didn’t see my reaction.

“Oh, really?” I tried to keep my voice steady. My pulse was racing inside my chest.

“A courtesy call. I wanted him to know that today I caused a few casualties in his ranks. He’s such an idiot. Such a coward. So predictable. You know, the more you destabilize and provoke the enemy, the better; nerves are not good allies. Did you find it?”

I already had the needle and thread, just stalling to calm myself.

“Yes, here it is. Give me a minute.”

I had seen a needle threaded hundreds of times. Rare was the garment my mother bought that didn’t pass through the skilled hands of our maid in Saint Petersburg. I knew I had to tie a knot at the end of the thread so it wouldn’t slip through. I tied it, grabbed the kitchen lighter, and lit the flame to burn the tip of the needle.

“Her Royal Highness, Princess Cheng,” Yuri announced mockingly, “would you be so kind as to bring the vodka? In the absence of local anesthesia, alcohol in the veins will do, plus it surely kills any bacteria.”

"That only works if you pour it on the wound, not if you drink it."

"It works the same for me." She huffed and opted to hand him the bottle.

My brother took a long swig. I blew on the cauterized tip and approached the table.

"Where did they attack you?"

Discomfort shadowed his eyes.

"At Huang's restaurant."

The Chinese woman jumped while I crouched.

"You went to see Huang without telling me anything?!"

"Calm down, dear. I just wanted to gather some information about the steps your father was taking. I prefer to be safe rather than sorry." Cheng's hermetic expression wavered. She was no longer as inscrutable to me after spending the last few days together. I detected the tic of distrust in her thin lips. She no longer believed my brother. The seed I planted in her had germinated.

"And what happened?" I urged him to continue talking.

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