Page 79 of Vitaly

I lower to talk close, keeping my voice low and calm. “I don’t know what you’ve been told, but I did not leave you voluntarily when I was sent to Russia. I wouldneverhave left you behind… I convinced you to take a job that got you tortured and then outcasted, and for that, I will never expect your forgiveness. But you were my brother then, and you are my brother now. Don’t think, for one moment, I would have walked out of that building without you. I would have died for you. I wouldstilldie for you.”

He says nothing as he continues to fight, but his struggle doesn’t have the same intensity to it as before. I let go of his arm and stand, turning to leave but freezing when I spot the two women in the hall gaping at me.

Olive stands with her arms crossed, her eyes moving between me and Alik with concern. Mila’s are latched onto me, wide and stricken.

What is she doing here?

I don’t know what to say to either woman, so I head for the door, Mila at my heels as I make my way down the hall.

“Vitaly, wait,” she calls, grabbing onto my arm.

I turn to her but glance at the other apartment door. She seems to read my thoughts and waits to speak until we’re in the parking garage.

“Are you okay?” she asks, her hands finding my bloodied knuckles. Most of it is from Alik’s nose. I wipe the blood onto my pants and keep walking to my Jeep. I don’t answer. I don’t know why, but I’m bothered that she’s here. I’m bothered by last night.

She keeps leaving me, shutting herself off only to decide later to turn herself back on. I can’t keep up with what she wants. Is it me? Or is it my uncle?

“Did you drive here?” I ask her, hoping she did so I don’t have to give her a ride.

If she didn’t … then Alik did.

What was she doing with him?

Mila slides in front of me and presses her hands against my chest. “Could you slow down,please? What happened back there?”

I look over my shoulder as if the answer is behind me. “Kind of seemed like you were watching, Mila. It was a fight.”

She lets out an exasperated breath. “Why did you come here?”

“Why didyoucome here?” I ask, the accusation clear in my tone.

Her hands leave me like my temperature is rising and she doesn’t want to burn herself. She glares. “What the fuck doesthatmean?”

I don’t respond. She knows what it means.

“Alik picked me up from the bar when I went to meet my father. He brought me here to show me the security footage he has of your bedroom and to warn me that Nikita will know about everything that happened last night soon. Now, what is it you’re suggesting I might be here for,ass-hole?”

Again, I stay silent, but my face relaxes as my anger falls.

“Olive isrightin there.” She stabs a finger behind me. “Do you seriously think so low of me that?—”

“I don’t know what to think of you,” I spit, my shoulders pulling back with a jerk. “Last nightyoucame tome, and then you left without a word. I can’t tell from one day to the next whether or not you’re still interested in my uncle or if it’s me you want. Some clarity would bereallynice, Mila.”

Her face starts to redden as she looks away. “I’m not interested in Nikita anymore.”

“Are you interested inme?”

“Yes,” she says, her head swinging back to me. “Of course.” She holds up her hands as she shifts closer. “Vitaly, please understand. There is more at stake here than my heart.”

I want to protest. My mouth opens to counter like a child, demanding her devotion.

But she’s right.

I close my mouth, my chest loosening as she takes my hands and comes in close. “I’m sorry for leaving last night,” she says, her voice low and apologetic. “I needed to wrap my head around things. It was selfish of me not to take into consideration how that must’ve made you feel.”

“No.” I shake my head. “It was good that you did, now that we know there’s footage. If Nikita had heard your answer…”

“What if my answer had been no?” she asks, her eyebrows knitted even as she smiles. “Are you assuming it would’ve been yes?”

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