Page 59 of Vitaly

“Somehow, I doubt they’re catching up for old times’ sake.” I laugh dryly and catch the bitter edge to it. “What, did they have a thing for each other in high school or something? Do you think they could be lovers?”

My pitch raises as I speak, but if Alik notices, he doesn’t mention it. Doesn’t turn his eyes away from the bathroom.

Why? Why do I care about my enemy’s past, or present for that matter? I don’t want him. I have no claim on him. If the traitorous slut wants him, why should it matter to me?

Who cares that he thought so little of me when we met yet somehow sees this woman, thistraitor,as worthy of his time? He’s a deserter, a traitor himself. They were made for each other.

“Everyone had a thing for Alexa in high school,” Alik replies. I don’t know how it’s possible, but I feel shorter all of a sudden. “But much of that had to do with the fact that she was …virtuous. As far as I’m aware, she never gave Vitaly a second look.”

“Seems things have changed,” I mutter.

He’s quiet for several seconds, long enough that I think that’s the end of the conversation.

“He’s infectious, isn’t he?”

Alik’s words are filled with scorn. I’m surprised he doesn’t just kill Vitaly to end the misery seeing him brings. I don’t know if there’s anyone who understands that pain more than me.

It makes me wonder if it wasn’t Alexa Vitaly was meeting with, but aman, someoneAlikresents, if Alik would be the one battling this unusual feeling of inadequacy.

Alik is spot on… Vitaly is infectious. When he enters your life, you can hate him. You can be devoid of respect for the snake, gag at his presence. But when he rejects you, it still stings. You’ll find yourself wishing he chose you and wondering what’s so wrong with you that he didn’t.

Or maybe that’s just me.

Vitaly steps through the door to the bathroom and strides across the grounds toward the church. Alexa stays in the bathroom, and I imagine her reapplying her lipstick, preparing her alibi for her husband.

“Go,” Alik nudges me. “Find out what they were doing.”

My face pinches with confusion as I peer at Alik. “You realize that’ll give us up?”

“He already knows we were following him. Just go. Now.”

My mouth opens, but I don’t voice my protest. Alik is in charge. If he thinks we should give away that we’re following Vitaly, I don’t care to question him. Maybe if I was Alexa, I’d have a voice.

Fucking bitch.

I start to turn but pause at Alik’s words.

“Make sure he knows how hurt you are.”

My spine steels, but I’m hesitant to respond. I’m afraid I’ll snap. IknowI’ll snap if I don’t calm myself.

“Hurt?”

He doesn’t reply.

“I’m not that good of an actress.”

“Exactly. Now go.”

When I don’t move, Alik gives me a light shove, and I start toward the parking lot of the church.

I hope Vitaly’s gone. I hope I waited too long, missed the shot I never wanted to take, and I hope it pisses Alik off. Unlike Nikita, there don’t seem to be serious consequences for disappointing Alik, so I truly don’t care right now what he orders. Fuck him. Fuck Nikita.

Maybe I’ll think differently tomorrow, but right now, nothing would make me happier than for none of these men to get what they want.

When I reach the parking lot, my wish has come true. Vitaly’s Jeep is gone.

I let out a sigh of relief and let myself stand in it for a few moments. There have been so few moments of peace lately. Even this, I wouldn’t callpeace,but I feel lighter. Just a tad lighter.

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