Page 79 of Darkest Game
“You should tell her,” I say to Nico. “She doesn’t trust me.”
“It’s not like she trusts me either,” he mutters but nods and steps forward. Sasha, Ana, and Tatiana are all here as well. I notice that they all tense when they see me. The only one happy that I’m here is Irina, given the smile she gives me. I try to smile back but this isn’t going to go well.
“Natalya,” Nico says. “There was an accident when we tried to go after Elaine. We were ambushed. An explosion.”
She goes eerily still. “What are you saying?”
“Mikhail is alive. But he’s in the ER. He was hurt in the blast.”
“Then take me to him.” Her eyes settle on me and a rage seethes in them. “Did you have something to do with this?”
“What? No –,”
She slaps me across the face. “My husband left to help you. And now he’s hurt? This is your fault. He’s trying to help you with an enemy you caused. And now you’re going to drag my own sister right into it. How dare you. How dare you.” She hits my chest over and over until Nico draws her away.
“Come on,” he says to her. “Let me take you to Mikhail. Sasha, come with.”
“I’m not sure I’m the best one to comfort her,” Sasha says. Interesting. I know nothing of the sisters’ dynamics. Who’s the closest with who. From that one comment alone, I’m guessing Sasha and Natalya are not that close. Judging from how protective Natalya is of Irina, I’d guess they were friends growing up.
“Just come,” Nico says. “Your sister needs you. Come on, Natalya.” He practically drags her out of the room and after a beat, Sasha leaves with them.
I stare at Irina, Ana, and Tatiana, not having a fucking clue what to say. “I… I didn’t ask for this to happen.”
“Are you… hurt?” Irina asks, her voice still raspy.
“My ears are ringing but I managed to hide under a table before the explosion went off. Mikhail wasn’t so lucky.”
Tatiana stands up and shields Ana behind her. “How do we know we can trust you? My daughter’s husband was hurt tonight helping you. Irina claims you’ve saved her life multiple times now but I haven’t seen it. So far, all I’ve seen is my daughter get hurt and now Mikhail. All because they’re tied to you. I think you should go.”
“Mom,” Irina objects.
“No,” she says in a voice that meant no disagreements. “I will not let him drag you down, Irina. He can deal with this Elaine woman himself. You are coming home with us where you will be safe.” She sets her fierce eyes back onto me. “Leave my daughter alone.”
“She’s my wife,” I say.
“That doesn’t matter. Go.”
“It’s not safe here. Elaine could show back up. Elaine could hurt you.”
“I can handle her,” Tatiana says with a lot of confidence. “Just go. You’ve done enough damage.”
There’s no point in telling her how I technically saved Mikhail’s life. I threw him further back from the explosion. If I hadn’t done that, there’s a good chance Mikhail would be dead right now.
But Tatiana wont listen to me.
My word means nothing to her.
I want to fight for Irina but now is not the time. She needs to be with her family while her throat heals. If Elaine were to find us together, it would put us both into danger. By leaving, I’ll be fighting to keep Irina safe.
“Don’t go,” Irina says, holding out her hand.
“Irina,” Tatiana snaps. “Do not trust him. You only like him because you’ve been through something traumatic together. He cannot be trusted. Go. Just go.”
I give Irina one more look before I walk away. It’s not until I’m out of the hospital that I realize I didn’t tell them about Denis.
Irina
In the morning, I’m allowed to go home. Natalya remains at the hospital as Mikhail is still in the ER but he made it through the worst of it last night. I don’t know Mikhail well but he seems like a tough man and for Natalya’s sake, I want him to live. She’ll be crushed without him.
