Page 26 of The Game

I never thought it would be something I enjoy listening to, but the depth of wrath infused into most of these songs now resonates with me on an intrinsic level.

Shoving my way through the door and into the dressing room hallways, it’s easy to spot the new girl—or woman, I should say. She stands against the wall, glaring so vehemently at Daniel as he grins wickedly down at her that I’m immediately on high alert. And then, my eyes drop to the little girl’s hand she is holding, and my stomach knots up.

“Hey,” I say, breaking the tension as Daniel straightens and takes a step back. The woman’s hollow black eyes fall to mine, her hair equally as dark. “You must be the new trainee.”

Her glare now falls to me, but Daniel is quick to pipe up.

“Alice here will make sure you’re ready to work tonight, and if you ever question or threaten me again, you’ll fucking regret it,” he hisses, jabbing a finger at her chest. Her lips screw up into a furious sneer before she spits her response.

“If I catch you looking at my daughter again,podonok, then I’ll gouge your eyes out. Are we clear now?”

Her heavy accent and familiar words strike me as much as they calm me, but I keep my mouth shut as Daniel seethes down at her before he grins.

“Careful. You have more to lose than most.”

His threat hangs between us as he stomps out, a petulant child that is used to always getting his way. Crossing my arms, I lean against the opposite wall and take in the woman before me. She’s stunningly beautiful, dark features with ivory skin, her daughter no older than five, at most, and with the same raven’s shade of hair. Only, her big round eyes are a piercing blue, set in stark contrast with her delicate features. A little beautiful cherub surrounded by wolves.

“Privet,” I say, and the woman’s eyes flash to mine, sparking with intrigue. “Menya…zovutAlice.”

She snorts softly at my fumbling.

“Oksana, and English is fine.”

Offering her a small smile, I shrug.

“I’m a little rusty. I was learning it before…” I pause, letting the reality sink in. “Before I came here.”

She rolls her eyes, and already I feel we’re going to be close. The Russian culture is something I was half-raised in, something that brings me comfort and a sense of belonging. They are tough, to the point, and unafraid to speak their minds.

I’ve missed that.

“This place is a shithole.”

It’s my turn to snort.

“You’ve got that right. What…uhh…brings you here?”

Her thick lips painted a bright red twist down, and she raises her daughter’s hand in hers, giving it a slight shake before she speaks softly in Russian to the little girl. Her big blue eyes blink up at me, and she presses her free hand to her mouth, nervously biting her fingers as she peeks at her mother. Oksana rolls her eyes.

“This is Alina, my daughter. She has a rare disorder that affects her immune system. It’s attacking her organs, and chemo…it hasn’t worked. She needs a bone marrow transplant.”

My heart clenches, but I paint a smile on my face for the little girl.

“Privet, Alina.Ty tak krasiva,” I say, stumbling over my words as Oksana grins, glancing down at her daughter. A little smile finally paints her lips, and she quips back a quiet thank you, curling further into her mother’s side.

“How do you speak it so well?” Oksana asks. I shrug, not fully ready to divulge everything to a complete stranger, even one whom I resonate with.

“My step-father was from Russia.”

She nods, patting Alina’s head before smoothing down her silky hair.

“I miss Moscow, but we needed treatment here. When we got to Seattle Children’s Hospital, the bone marrow donor had died and already been cremated,” she says softly. My stomach sinks at their misfortune, and the puzzle pieces click into place. I wish I could point her to my twins for help—anywhere but here—but this is something I think I need Teddy’s help with if I want to cross that boundary.

Either way, the next words out of my mouth are meant to be received lightly.

“I’m really sorry to hear that. We’ll help keep an eye on her here,” I say with a smile before adding with a flick of my wrist, “because if anyone hurts her, they’ll have to deal with the fury of a Stefanov.”

She clutches Alina and backs away from me, her brows scrunching together in confusion and a flicker of fear. My stomach plummets. I’ve become so used to speaking freely with Teddy, I don’t realize I’ve just broken my own self-imposed rule; never allow anyone else to know why I am here, who I am affiliated with. And judging by her striking reaction, I’d say she probably has an inkling as to who they are.

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