Page 71 of Under Control

“That’s not what I mean.”

“Mama’s been drowning. You know that, right? We barely have enough to get by.”

“I send money home,” he says, sounding frustrated. “And you know I have my own debt.”

“Right, your med school. What a burden.”

“Are you seriously doing this right now?” He cocks his head, glaring at me. “You think I don’t love our mother?”

“I know you do,” I say but refuse to let him goad me. “I just don’t want you to be here now, when you have to be, and disappear again once it’s convenient. That’s all I’m saying.”

He doesn’t look at me. I’m suddenly aware that Luka’s only twenty-six, a few years older than me, and still very much a young man. Honestly, compared to Valentin, he seems like a child.

“I get it. I haven’t been as present as I should be. But you and Mama always were so much closer, and after Dad died—” He clears his throat. “You two have your own thing going.”

I laugh at him. I can’t help it. He’s so damn dense that he doesn’t even see past his own privilege. “I’m close with Mama because she did everything in her power to keep me in the house. You went to college. You went to med school. You think I didn’t have good grades? I could’ve gotten in anywhere.”

“Karine—” he says, frustrated.

“No, you listen to me. I’m tired of being quiet about this. Mama and Papa gave you everything because you’re the oldest boy, and I was expected to stay home and be a good daughter. You think that means I’m closer to them? Of course I am, I was stuck in the house while you were out having a life. Don’t give me that excuse, because I don’t want to hear it. I have no sympathy for you. When Mama wakes up, if she gets through this, you’re going to be around more for her. You’re visiting on weekends. You’re coming over for dinner at least once a week. Do you hear me?”

Anger flashes across his face. I’m sure he wants to argue right now. That’s the dynamic we’ve always had: bickering siblings.

Except his rage slowly fades as he looks at Mama’s unconscious body.

“All right,” he says at last. “I’m sorry, for what it’s worth. They should’ve done more for you.”

“Yeah, I know.” I sink back, suddenly so tired I can barely keep myself upright. “But that isn’t your fault.”

Quiet falls over the room. Luka’s in his own thoughts, and I’m in mine. After a while, he asks me about Valentin, and I tell him a sanitized version of my marriage to the RussianPakhan. Part of me wants to drag Luka into this mess, but it’s better if he doesn’t know anything.

“The guy’s scary,” he says as he gets up to leave. “Seriously, everything’s good there? You know, with him?”

“Yeah, it’s all good, but what would you do if I said it wasn’t? Try to fight him?”

He snorts and waves a hand in the air. “Hell no. I’d call in the National Guard.”

That makes me laugh, and a lot of the tension between us fades. We’re never going to be best friends—but maybe Luka and I can have a civil future together.

Valentin’s waiting in the hallway, as promised. He gives me a hard stare once Luka’s out of sight then roughly pulls me into his arms. He buries my mouth with a kiss like he’s marking his territory.

The possessive psychopath.

“You need to get in bed,” I tell him, pushing him away.

“I’d prefer getting into bed withyou.” A dark smile comes across his lips. “Come upstairs with me. I have a private room.”

This man. He’s absolutely insane.

“Give me a few more minutes with Mama, then I’ll come up.”

“Fine.” He kisses my neck. “I’ll have my men guarding the room.”

This time, I don’t bother arguing, because even though I don’t think my uncle is evil enough to try to kill someone in a hospital, I can’t put it past him.

Chapter 25

Valentin

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