“Why would you have to do that?”
Marianna squints at me. “My job?”
“Christ,” Sasha mutters behind me.
“Why would you ask this of her?” I direct this at Vanessa. She and Leo look at me with some amount of pity, but also like I might be speaking Russian.
“Probably because Sean’s with Willa and the baby? This isn’t some dealer. Hugh Sullivan is a low-level general for the Donovanns,” Marianna says, and Vanessa nods. “You do know that this is my job, don’t you?”
“That’s the problem.” I’ve heard all the rumors, but I didn’t realize that I would feel this way when actually faced with the truth of her actually out on the street as a hired killer. I turn to Vanessa with my indignation. “You’d have your sister do this grunt work? Like some reaper?”
“Oh, boy,” Leo mutters. Suddenly Vanessa and Marianna’s faces ignite like I’ve said the completely incorrect thing by asking something so reasonable.
“It’s what she wants,sheasked for this despite countless pleas to do something else. And I respect her decisions. Plus,Mary’s the best at the job,” Vanessa says. “You knew when you married her that she wouldn’t just quit working.”
“Yes, but whythisjob?”
“What is your problem?” Marianna asks. “Talking about me like I’m not here. You act like I’ve never killed someone.”
“I just don’t understand why you have to be the one taking out hits,” I say.
“Maybe you don’t need to understand everything,” Marianna snips. I close my mouth and meet her stare, a battle of wills that she could win every time.
I take a breath and get my tone in check. “How will you do it?”
Mary looks to her sister before answering. Vanessa looks to Leo and they both shrug.
“Up to her how she does it,” Leo says. “Sean just said it needs to be today.”
“We don’t make this choice lightly, Orlov. We’ve given him more chances than he deserves, more than any of our fathers would have,” Vanessa defends.
“I’m not questioning your decision, but you’d let her do the work?” I ask, my voice’s volume increasing without my intending.
Marianna scoffs next to me. “Don’t talk about me like I’m some kid.”
“That’s not what I meant, Marianna. You shouldn’t have to be out there killing common criminals.”
“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
“I think it became my business as soon as we got married.”
“Well what’s not your business is how I run mine,” Vanessa interjects before Marianna can fume hotter. “Mary knows the moment she wants another job, she has one. She doesn’t have to do this if she doesn’t want to, but, frankly, when we needsomething done right and done quietly, she’s the best for the job. Now are you done?”
I overstepped, I recognize this, but I still can’t help but feel like when it comes to Marianna, there is no such thing as me overstepping to keep her safe.
“But you want this? You choose this?”
“You’re acting like you’ve never killed before.” Marianna asks. “What, are you learning your wife’s not moral enough for you? Grow up.”
She stands from her chair, the last part spat under her breath like I’m the exasperating one here.
“Where are you going?” I ask, as she retreats from the room.
“To do my job,” she says without turning around.
After a silent moment in the office, I exhale through my nose and follow her out, waving at Sasha to join us.
17
