Page 23 of Bred To Be Owned

“It’s not a school night, malenkaya lisichka.” I smiled, not bothering to turn around.

“Hmmph, that depends on who you ask. My father says that I still have a lot to learn.” She took a step forward, so that we were standing shoulder-to-shoulder, staring at the dancers on the floor. “How’s your investment?” she asked.

“Is it safe to say you’re in the black for the night?” She wouldn’t recoup all the costs in one night, but if the traffic was any sign, she’d cover them in a few months. The kitchen ran independently, and as long as she brought people through the door, I was golden.

“Yes. The take has cleared seven figures, and it’s not even midnight.” She crossed her arms, but when I looked down at her, she didn’t appear happy. She should have been ecstatic. This was her night to shine, and she looked like she could go ten rounds in a boxing ring.

“That’s incredible, considering what you had to work with. Why are you not happy about your success?” I watched as she smoothed out her features and plastered a fake smile on. It was a survival tactic, but I hated it. With me, she should always feel comfortable enough not to hide.

“I’m happy,” she said, but her forehead still puckered.

“Tell me,” I pushed.

“You can’t fix this. You can’t send your men to deal with my problems.”

She knew. I’d been in her father’s office when the gang leader had made the extortion call. The right play would have been to say no to Saint’s demands and then follow it with a show of force. The only problem was the don had said no but had either thought that would fix it or didn’t care that he’d placed Toula in harm’s way. I had sat with her as she picked out the glassware, and Adrik had taken care of the rest. “How did you know?”

“It doesn’t matter. I know the basics, and I can assume the rest. You shouldn’t have had to step in. My father should have taken care of it, or does he only give a shit when you’re making him money?” Her lips puckered as if she’d tasted something sour.

“Easy. He has eyes and ears in this place, and you shouldn’t say things like that openly.”

“He can’t deny it when it’s all true.” She ran a hand through her hair. “He was here earlier, and you know what he said to me? ‘I knew you’d figure it out. Maybe I’ll give you a bigger challenge next time.’This was all one big ruse. School, the club, everything. It makes me want to hop on the first flight to anywhere but here.”

“You’re talking nonsense.” I wouldn’t let her run. It was purely selfish on my part, but I longed for her. At the end of this game, I needed to be able to tell the world she was mine. Yet, there were whispers in the back of my mind that said she would be better off leaving.

“This is supposed to be the best night of my life, and I want to burn the whole thing down. If I run, vow you won’t leave Irini unattended. Promise me.”

I didn’t have a choice. There was no quick plan for this situation.

“Let me go,” she whispered in my ear. Her heels clicked on the floor as she walked away, but I didn’t watch her leave. I wasn’t saying goodbye.

Chapter 14

Ilya, the Russian, Year 7

I stood at the stove, stirring the chicken soup I was making. Irini’s nurse had called me earlier, asking if I would come sit with my wife for a few hours. I didn’t have a problem with that, but I wanted to know what the situation was. I’d hired an experienced nurse, but she had told me she didn’t have the words to describe it. She had just asked that I come as quickly as possible and see for myself.

When I’d walked through the front door, I’d been told that Irini had retired to her room. The staff had checked on her, but she hadn’t moved from underneath the covers on her bed. I had thanked the nurse and given her the rest of the night off, promising to call if I needed her. I had figured I might get Irini to eat something.

It’d been a while since I’d cooked, but once the first ingredient hit the pot, it all came rushing back. I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed being in the kitchen. There was something about making sure I had the perfect combination that satisfied the planner in me. When I was a kid, I had pretended I was the evil doctor coming up with poisonsthat would morph my family into monsters. That dream would fade when I was a teenager. Adrik and I had had to survive, and there was no time for such foolishness.

I was standing at the sink, washing my hands, when I heard feet shuffle into the kitchen behind me. It wasn’t a member of the staff. They normally didn’t seek me out unless they needed to discuss Irini’s condition. If I was here, they faded into the background unless called upon. Turning around, I had to grab a hold of the counter to make sure I didn’t fall over from shock.

Irini walked into the kitchen with her head held high, swinging her arms. I’d never seen her move fluidly before, which was why I always offered her my arm for stability. She’d always shuffled her feet before, never taking a full step. Something was definitely off as I watched Irini pull out a kitchen barstool and easily sit down unassisted. The nurse hadn’t told me what to expect, but when Irini raised her head, my jaw dropped. Her eyes were bright and full of life.Has her catatonic state broken? What the fuck am I going to do if it has?

“Hey,” I whispered, not sure where to start or what to do.

I’d never seen her lips move beyond a twitch, so when she smiled at me, I gripped the counter even tighter. I had been through plenty of near-death experiences, but she was scaring me.

“Hello,” she answered, with a slight wave. Her voice was no higher than a whisper. Kat was notorious for telling family stories, and I had heard enough to know this was the real Irini.

“Are you alright? The nurse said you weren’t feeling well, but I can call the doctor, if you prefer.”I should call the doctor, anyway. One of us is going to need him.

“I’m fine. There’s no need.” She shifted in her chair. “My time has come, and I’m alright with that, but I wanted to speak to you first.” She crossed her arms and rested them on the kitchen island.

“Are you sure I shouldn’t call the doctor? I’ll pay extra to get him here quicker,” I tried again.Her time had come? Is she dying, and this is goodbye?

She laughed, the sound floating around her. “No, Ilya. I don’t want to waste the doctor’s time when I already know what he’ll say.”

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