“Yes, good. We will be safe here.”
He carries the luggage up the metal stairs, and I follow him. I’m surprised to find the loft’s walls are freshly painted white and have black and white photographs of the city hanging on them.
The bed is low to the floor, but very big and has a soft gray bedspread.
Alexei goes to the stove and puts on a kettle of water as I admire the pictures of bridges and Central Park in the winter.
“A photographer lived here for a while, and I bought some of her work.”
I stop before a picture of a blackbird that catches my attention and holds it. His glossy black eyes stare straight into mine.
“Hello,” I whisper in Russian. “I envy you your wings.”
My phone buzzes, which makes me frown. There are no happy texts from this phone.
I respond to Polasky and instruct him by text to send a few thousand dollars of my money into my bank account as a show of good faith. Only then will I agree to meet with him, I tell him.
He replies, and I read his latest message. He’s still trying to manipulate me into seeing him alone and in person. He claims he’ll give me cash when he sees me.
I type the word no, and press send.
“Who are you texting with?” Alexei asks, bringing mugs and a tin of tea to the table.
Do I trust Alexei with this? I draw in a breath and exhale slowly, deciding I do… mostly.
“I’m trying to force Polasky to give me some of my money. I must pay people I owe, and every day with you, I make thirty-three hundred dollars. So I say he should give what I earn so far. This is test of him.”
Alexei smirks, takes a loaf from the freezer, and puts it in the microwave. “Are you sure you’re not part of the Russian Mafia yourself?”
“Well, I do not kill people as easy as I kiss someone’s cheeks, so no.” I push my phone away as he pours hot water in our cups.
Alexei hands me my tea, then picks up my phone. He tries to look into it, but can’t because it’s locked. “Show me the messages.”
I look at him over the rim of my mug. “No.”
“Why not?”
I swallow a sip, relishing the warmth that spreads through me. The tea is fruit and spice-flavored, which I like. It smells of apples and cinnamon. “I have private things on my phone.”
“Your phone didn’t even turn on this morning until I—”
“Yes, you paid. This does not mean I let you see inside. Do you want I should pay you back?”
“No, that’s definitely not what I want.” His hands close around my arms, and he leans down. “Rebellious again, huh,kiska?”
“I can have no privacy? You think it is all right to force me to open my phone like you force me to open my body?”
His expression turns serious. “You’re angry I punished you?”
I’m sure my expression is grim. I try to make it less so, but fail. “We have our contract. You have the right to remind me of this when I try to pretend it is not so.”
“But you’re still upset? It’s all right to be honest with me. You should be.”
“I am young, Alexei, but I have no parents. Not for a long time. I must decide things for myself. I must take care of myself. For many years, I do this. You understand?”
He nods. “It’s hard for you to give up control. And hard to let someone take care of you.”
“I do not mind having someone’s help. We are all meant to do this. No one is meant to be alone in the world. But to play as a kitten—I actually like this sometimes—but my mind is stressed now. I do not feel playful.”
