I turn to look at the others, but they aren’t angry like I am. Not at her, anyway. They’re all glaring at me.
“Don’t talk to her like that,” Benedikt says calmly. “If you have a problem with her, we need to discuss it like adults, not scream at each other like savages.”
“This is all her fault!” I blurt out, shocked that they are so blind. “She left the safety of the mansion, and she had us all come running after her. She put herself in danger and then put Ben and Kaz in danger, too. If it wasn’t for her, we’d all be back home at the mansion, relaxing!”How the hell can they not see this?
“Itwasn’tmy fault! I didn’t kidnapmyself!” she snaps at me, kneeling on the bed now, not happy to be looked down upon. “I had every right to try and find my way back home!”
“Oh, go ahead, little mafia princess. Show your true colors. It runs in your family. The lies. The manipulation.”
“Artur, that’s enough,” Joseph demands.
Kazimir shrugs, leaning against the wall in the bedroom with his arms folded across his chest. “Don’t speak for me, Artur. I’m always in danger. That’s the choice I made when becoming a mafia boss. I can’t put that on her.”
Ignoring Kazimir, I spin toward Joseph. “It’ll be enough when you idiots open your eyes and see the truth,” I huff.
Benedikt steps between Maria and me, forcing me to take a step away from the bed. “Walk away, Artur. Walk away before I drag you out of here,” he says with warning.
“Benedikt, are you fucking serious…”
“I won’t say it again,” he mutters.
Maria’s eyes dart from me to Ben. She’s loving this, isn’t she? She loves the fact that they’re all on her side. It’s fucking disgusting.
Shaking my head, I give in and decide they’re all too hooked on her to see the truth. I’ll have to find a way to make them understand, but clearly, now is not the right time.
Pushing past Joseph, I storm out of the room and head downstairs to the living room. Pacing, I am like a trapped tiger. Agitated, frustrated, and angry.
***
Late afternoon, Joseph gets confirmation from his men that there is still suspicious activity in the area. Someone is out there looking for her, or us.
“We should stay here tonight.Allof us,” he says, looking directly at me as though I’m going to argue with the obvious.
“I wonder if there are still enough frozen pizzas,” Benedikt says, glancing toward the kitchen.
“We can order takeout. I’ll have one of my security guys drop it off. No one knows we’re here, so it’s not like it will be an issue,” Kazimir says. “Who wants what?”
“I’d kill for a burger and fries,” Benedikt replies.
“Any specific kind?” Kaz asks.
“Cheeseburger. I don’t really care where it’s from as long as it’s good,” Ben shrugs.
“Can I have chicken chow mein?” Maria asks. I shoot her a steady, accusatory glare. She sneers at me, still not backing down since this morning’s incident. Even though my anger has simmered down, I’m still keeping a close eye on her.
“Chow mein and a burger…and you, Joe?” Kaz asks, punching details into his phone.
“I’ll have a burger, too. Cheeseburger,” he says, waving his hand in the air.
Kazimir looks at me with his brows raised.
“Whatever, man, burger, pizza, I don’t care,” I snap.
“I’m getting sweet and sour pork, I reckon. And crispy duck,” he says thoughtfully. “I’ll order you a burger so the delivery doesn’t have to come from more places, and it might be quicker.”
“I said I don’t care,” I huff, walking away. So we’re stuck here for the night. This place is smaller than the mansion and more cramped. I need space from everyone right now.
I head into the living room and find the bar, a large strip of sleeper wood set into the wall. Browsing his selection, I grab a bottle of bourbon. Single malt. A good year.
