Page 23 of Den of Thieves

“Don’t fret over little old me. That’s what these overpaid doctors are for.”

“Dr. Armstrong is the best in the country.”

“The world,” he coughed into his hand.

“Arrogance requires advertising. Confidence speaks for itself,” her mother chastised. It was the same phrase she heard growing up whenever she mastered a new skill or aced a hard test.

The receptionist poked her head back in the door, interrupting the doctor’s rebuttal. “Mr. Moore left not too long ago. Would you like me to let him know you’re awake?”

“No, let him shower and rest. Poor man hasn’t had a chance to breathe in the past 48 hours.” Anita coughed and then winced.

“What is it? What hurts?” Karina hovered over her mother, not knowing where to touch.

“Everything.” Anita rolled her eyes. “There is a limit to what the morphine can do.”

Karina sighed in defeat, dropping back into her chair. Dr. Armstrong excused himself, assuring the both of them that he was only a button press away.

Silence enveloped the room. Karina waited for her mother to relax against her pillows and close her eyes before allowing herself a deep breath.

“I’m sorry for the way I treated you.”

Karina startled at her words. She couldn’t remember her mother ever apologizing for anything. Remorse is for the guilty. Another favorite quote of Anita’s that Karina loathed as a teenager.

“Mom—”

“No, let me say this.” Anita looked around the room before settling her eyes back on her daughter. “I don’t agree with how you have chosen to live your life. And you may not agree with how your children live theirs. But that is no reason for me to criticize. Your father and I immersed ourselves in the academic world and looked down on anyone with a different point of view. For thirty years, I thought of myself as perfect. But if I was so perfect, why did my daughter never visit? Why have I not met my grandchildren?”

Karina looked down at her hands, not knowing what words to say to ease the pain in her mother’s voice.

“I may not be the mother you wanted, but I’m the only one you got. It’s downright foolish the way Donald and I treated you. I know that now.”

Karina smiled through her tears, reaching over to squeeze Anita’s good hand. “Let’s not dwell on the past. It’s not important.”

Anita winced, shielding her eyes.

“Did I hurt you?” Karina gasped.

“Do you see my sunglasses anywhere? I’m blinded by the light.”

Karina frowned, checking the room for a dimmer until she realized that was her mother’s attempt at joking. “Ha, ha,” she deadpanned.

“How much did he spend on your rings?”

“Honestly, I’m afraid to ask.”

The two of them delved into laughter, dissipating what little tension remained. Karina stayed until visiting hours were over, even though her mother fell asleep long before then.

She wanted to stay stateside longer, to explore the new relationship with her mother, but Vladimir needed her. He sent a small army of men with her to Illinois. Men he needed in Moscow to watch his back.

Karina busied herself packing the next day when the doorbell rang. Whoever it was passed clearance at the front gate, so she bounded down the stairs to get the door.

“No, it’s fine, Andrei. I got it.” He nodded, but pulled out his phone to check the cameras anyway.

“Dad?” Karina gasped, secretly glad she sent most of the staff home. Before yesterday, it’d been almost ten years since she’d seen him last. A house full of staff would put him on edge and sour his mood.

“Are you going to let an old man in? It’s hot out here.”

“Yes, come in.” She opened the door wider and there was a moment of awkwardness, as neither of them were accustomed to hugging each other.

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