Page 52 of Wicked Arrangement

“What are you thinking?” I ask, studying her face.

She shakes her head gently, letting out a big sigh, “It’s not my place to say.”

“Regardless, I’d like you to tell me anyway,” I push.

“I don’t want to offend you, it’s none of my business,” she insists.

“Please, I promise, I won’t be mad,” I reply, hoping I can keep my promise.

Her eyes search mine for a moment and she puts down her fork, dabbing her mouth with a napkin before speaking. “It’s just… well, the fire has sort of put things into perspective for me. I’ve lost everything, and yet the only thing I really care about is that the people I love are safe.”

I nod, “That makes sense, after all, it’s just stuff, family is the most important thing.”

She stiffens slightly, bracing herself for what she’s about to say. “Can I be blunt?”

“Of course,” I reply, inclining my head.

“You say that family is the most important thing to you, and yet you have a sister you refuse to speak to who is desperate to be a part of your life and a brother who is crying out for your love and attention, and who thinks he’s a burden to you.”

“It’s complicated,” I reply tensely.

“Is it? Because from my perspective it seems like you’re pushing away those who love you the most.”

“Your relationship with your sibling isn’t exactly a bed of roses either,” I point out.

“You’re right, but I’ve told you what he did, and now he could well be responsible for destroying our home, what did your sister ever do to you?” she asks.

She makes a good point, but I’m not sure I’m ready to admit that. “She abandoned us.”

She looks at me sadly, “I know it’s hard, I’m just saying that perhaps it’s time to hear what she has to say.”

“I’ll think about it.”

She smiles softly at me, “Good. And you should spend more time with David, he’s lonely. He wants to get to know your sister, I don’t think it’s fair to refuse him that, even if you choose not to allow her back into your life.”

“You don’t know David well enough yet, he’s vulnerable.”

“He’s stronger than you think,” Kim astutely points out.

I don’t want to talk about David right now, not when I can’t say for certain that he had no involvement with the fire.

“I’ll think about it,” I say, sounding like a broken record.

“Do you miss Russia?” she asks, catching me off-guard.

“A little. But I like it here, America feels like home now,” I reply truthfully.

“What about your family there? You mentioned an uncle. Don’t you miss him?”

I give her a wry smile, “Innokentiy isn’t exactly the warm cuddly type. He was there for us anytime we needed him after my parents died, but I cannot say that he is the kind of man youmiss. I respect him, I trust him, but miss him, no I can’t say I do. He has his own family to worry about. His wife and kids.”

“What are they like?” she asks curiously.

“His wife is a bitch,” I say truthfully, enjoying how she giggles at my bluntness.

“And their kids?”

“Nonexistent.”

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