Page 108 of Dark Truths

“Yes, her family takes some getting used to. I’ll admit.”

“But I guess they could be worse,” he contemplates.

I laugh and we fall into a comfortable silence, both of us watching the distant ocean.

“I never said thank you,” Jacob says, breaking the quiet.

“For what?”

“For saving me from the fire. I never said thank you.”

“It’s what friends do,” I say automatically before I bow my head. “If we are still friends, that is.”

“Life for a life, right?”

I can’t help but notice how he doesn’t answer my question. The realization I’ve likely lost a close friend hurts, but I also anticipated it too. Jacob knew Dimitri Clark and then Dimitri Volkov and both are dead now. I’m a stranger and maybe it should stay that way. If that’s what he wants, I’ll honor his wish.

Jacob glances at his watch and then reaches for his cane. I watch him climb to his feet slowly. He turns toward the open sliding door before he pauses and glances back at me. “Hey, can you do me a favor?”

“Of course.”

“Send me a postcard from wherever you end up,” he says. “I like to keep track of my friends.”

"I can do that," I promise with a relieved smile.

“You’re mister popular today,” Enzo says as his way of greeting me an hour later.

“Now what?”

“Alexei’s here.”

I freeze and then take a deep breath. More than anyone, even Jacob, seeing Alexei has me the most anxious.

“He’s not here to kill you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

It’s not, but it is now.Thanks Enzo.

“Tell him to stop being a little pussy bitch and talk to me,” Alexei calls out loud enough to reach my ears.

Enzo smirks. “I kinda like the guy. Never really got to work with him before.”

“I’m touched,” Alexei says, appearing next to Enzo. “Move aside, you blond hulk. Let me through.”

Enzo grumbles under his breath, something along the lines of ‘I’m a viking, you dick’before he leaves us alone. At first, I wasn’t too sure about him, but he sure beats the alternatives. Michael may have rescued me and I’m forever grateful, but it’s not about to make us besties. Meanwhile, his twin, Raphael, is okay. He’s on the quieter side often, but much more reasonable. And just as I thought, Enzo, is loud and obnoxious. He jokes way too much and loves trying to get Gabriella to laugh. If she wasn’t so in love with me, I’d be worried. But she’s assured me he is like her third brother and worships the ground a girl called Evie walks.

Alexei settles into a chair, stretching his long legs out in front of him. He nudges my oxygen tank with his foot, and follows the plastic tube up to my face where it's taped to my nose. I let himtake in my haggard appearance, determined not to be the first to speak, and allow him the space he needs to gather his thoughts.

“Well,” he finally starts. “You look like shit.”

I snort lightly and shake my head. “Still better looking than you.”

He laughs.“That’ll never happen.”

Our exchange lifts my anxiety and tension from my shoulders. It feels like old times with him. Like nothing’s changed…but everything has.

“How’s the Bratva?” May as well stop beating around the bush and jump right in.Alexei is the new Pakhan as of yesterday, after he married Sophia, the last surviving Mikailhov. He’s kind of perfect for the role when I think about it. After all, I trained him. He’s young, but he's wise beyond his years and, most important, the men respect him.

“Confused and a little chaotic, but I’m managing.”

---