Page 194 of Cashmere Ruin

Claim me in a damp, dirty cell.

Verbally, that is.

“You slykoshka,” Petra punches me on the shoulder as we make our way down the tunnel. “You didn’t tell me you got engaged!”

I laugh awkwardly. “It all happened so fast. Also, I wasn’t sure how to… um…”

“What, you thought I’d be jealous?” she scoffs. “Please. I can’t wait to be rid of this ball and chain.”

“This ball and chain is right here, you know,” Matvey remarks dryly.

Petra ignores him. “Besides, the whole thing’s pointless now anyway. My father knows. Apparently, he’s always known.”

Her voice tells me she’s trying to be strong, but I can only imagine the betrayal she must feel. “I’m sorry,” I murmur. “First, your dad, and then…”

I leave it unspoken. There’s no need to say it. We all know who we’re talking about.

Petra clicks her tongue in disdain. “Thatmudak’s dead to me. He can be Carmine’s puppet for the rest of his miserable life.”

I place my hand on her arm. She’s angry right now, and she has every right to be. I don’t think she means what she’s saying—or maybe she does. What do I know?

All I know is the look I saw on Yuri’s face.

“I don’t think he’s been told everything,” I whisper. “When I woke up, he promised me we wouldn’t be harmed if Matvey surrendered, but when I was alone with Carmine…”

“You were alone with him?” Matvey growls, hackles rising instantly. “Did that piece of shit?—?”

“He didn’t do anything,” I quickly promise him. “But he didn’t sound like he was intending to keep that promise. I think Yuri’s being lied to.”

“That’s his own fucking problem,” Matvey snarls. “He’s the one who threw his lot in with Carmine. He can handle the consequences.”

“Maybe,” I concede. “But I still think it’s odd.”

“What’s odd?”

“That he’s the one acting betrayed. The way he spoke to me…” I feel a pang of sympathy in my chest. “It’s like he didn’t think he had a choice. Like it was him or you.”

Matvey falls silent. Again, I can’t blame him, either. Yuri’s betrayal—it hit deep. Deeper than any of us was prepared to handle.

But then why did he look so sad?

Petra purses her lips, lost in thought. “He said something earlier. When I accused him of having betrayed his brother.”

“What?” Matvey asks, irritated.

“He said, ‘It’s not so simple.’” Petra’s eyes lock with his. “Do you know what he meant by that? Did you…?”

“If you’re going to ask, just ask.”

“Did you do something to him, Matvey?”

He clenches his fists at his sides. “The only thing I’m guilty of is my blood.”

“What does that even mean?”

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