Page 83 of Lethal Alliance

I stare at Inger. At the tight, discontented lines of her face, the way she can’t quite meet my eyes, the pathetic way she clings to Ilyan, as if she truly thinks he’s going to somehow save her. I think of the years I’ve spent twisting myself inside out, trying to get the smallest hint of real affection from her, when all that time she resented my very existence.

I think of the nights I’ve woken to Masha’s screams. Of how many times I’ve reassured her that she’s done nothing wrong, that she’s not the reason her mama is never home.

I remember the times I’ve seen Mickey’s face crumble when Inger has made fun of his computer skills or ridiculed his previously thin frame.

And I think of all the times I’ve defended Inger. To Papa. To Roman. To the old Russian grandmas, the teachers at my schools... to anyone who has tried to criticize her.

Because she is my mother.

Because I believed Papa when he told us that we stand by family, no matter what they do.

And most of all, I defended Inger because, somewhere deep inside myself, I’ve always believed it was my fault that she didn’t love me. That there was something wrong with me, something inherently unlovable about who I am.

But now, listening to her complain about how unfair her life has been, while casually abandoning Masha and me to rape and possible death, I know, with a deep, comforting certainty, that the problem was never me.

Sitting here in a torn, bloodstained dress, with my baby sister terrified and shaking in my arms because of Inger’s betrayal, I know I’m done with our so-called mother forever.

“Goodbye, Inger.” I stare at her, even though her eyes can’t meet mine. “I hope you and Nikolai are very happy together. Because I can promise you this: even if by some miracle Masha and I survive, you won’t ever see us, or Mickey, again. We’re done.”

She doesn’t react at all, just looks at the floor, as if all she wants is to get out of here.

“Come now, Inger.” Ilyan has watched the entire scene with complete disinterest. “I only brought you here to remind you of what will happen if you double-cross me. Your daughters are lost to you, but you can still have Nikolai.” He cuts his eyes to Vilnus, and for the first time, his lips almost curl, though the flicker of humor doesn’t meet his eyes. “I know you’re disappointed, Orlov. All those years and money you wasted on Inger, only to discover it is Nikolai she wants. But that’s women, I’m afraid.”

“What do I care?” Vilnus shrugs, but his attempt at nonchalance isn’t fooling anyone. “I’ll enjoy the daughter more anyway.”

I shudder, pulling Masha closer. Inger doesn’t even look at me.

“Well.” Ilyan looks at his watch. “This has certainly been entertaining, but Inger and I have a plane to catch. Stay by the phone, Orlov.” He gives Vilnus a hard stare. “When this is done, you can do whatever you wish to Roman’s daughters. But for now, we need those girls in good enough shape to bring Borovsky here. That means that no matter how hard your cock is, you need to keep it in your pants until this is over. And make sure you keep that lying Petrovsky dog on a tight leash.” His eyes, black and dead, rest on Alexei, and the evil in them is the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen. “When this is done, Sergei Petrovsky’s devil-spawned son belongs to me.”

If I’d thought Ilyan sinister before, I find him utterly chilling now.

He glances at Masha and me.

“A pleasure, my dears. Though sadly, I doubt we’ll meet again.”

His eyes fix on Alexei again, and when he speaks, his voice is as dead and flat as his eyes. “My people are watching your every fucking move, Petrovsky. You so much as twitch in the wrong direction, and I’ll take your other eye. Then I’ll take your cock and feed it to your cunt of a father, while I torture his daughter until she’s mad with it.”

Alexei stares straight ahead, his face the opaque mask I’ve come to dread.

It’s like he’s not even inside his body.

Then again, if I had to endure the kind of sadism Alexei has clearly lived with since he was a teenager, I’d have probably found a way to escape as well.

Ilyan glances at Vilnus. “Get Petrovsky out of this room, and keep him under lock and key until this is over. I don’t want him anywhere near these two girls again, do you understand me?”

Vilnus gives a sullen nod.

A moment later, the door closes, and all of them are gone.

Masha and I hold each other on the floor, but my tears have all dried.

Somehow, I doubt I’ll cry again anytime soon.

Not that it matters.

We’ll be dead soon anyway.

I look over Masha’s shoulder, but the corner is empty.

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