When all is said and done, I’m sure Zane is the one truly in charge and with the upper hand in that little group.
“We’ll let you guys get back to your time together,” Cain says. “Just… keep her close, okay? We were never going to hurt her, but the fucking Prophet will.”
Zane slaps Cain’s back as we leave as if to say thanks. Or at least that’s how I read it.
Once we’re out of their house and in the woods, I let out a long breath. “I feel bad about it. Taking Vani that time, I mean.”
“Yeah.” Cain scratches his cheek again, a sure sign he’s feeling a bit shitty, too. “It fucked with their heads, though.” He laughs softly.
It did indeed, but, as outside threats grow, I’m seeing our stupid college rivalries as ridiculous compared to facing up to someone like the Prophet.
We reach the college and head up the stairs to the living quarters where Mackenzie and her three men share the space. I hope this visit goes a little more smoothly.
I knock on the door, and it opens immediately, none of the bullshit we got at the mansion.
“Yes?” It’s Dom, and in that moment, he sounds just like his father. There’s music coming from inside the apartment behind him.
“Can we come in for a minute?”
“I suppose.”
How gracious. We step inside, and the scene that greets us makes me smile, despite myself.
Mackenzie is on the couch, holding their daughter’s hands, moving her chubby little arms in time to the music on the screen, and Kirill is dancing on one of those mats that lights up, facing his daughter.
Every now and then, when Kirill does an especially silly move, she squeals with happiness.
It tugs at something in my soul. This is what childhood should be. Not what I went through, or Ophelia, or my friends. If we have a kid, I want to give them this and more.
“You wanted something?” Dom asks. “Or do you want to join the dance party over there?”
“Where’s Tino?” I ask automatically.
“In the library, studying. At least some people around here still fucking do.”
He’s not wrong with his observation. Class attendance here has always been flaky, but recently, it’s downright appalling. I wonder if the dean even cares so long as he’s washing all that lovely money.
“You seem annoyed,” Cain astutely observes as he watches Dom.
“I’ve been trying to work.” He shakes his head. “I swear, living full time with Kirill is like living with a golden retriever. He’s got so much fucking energy. Do you want to adopt him?”
“We’ve got our own issues, but thanks,” I deadpan, and a smile tugs at his lips. “That’s why we’re here. We need to warn you that we’re going away for a few days. And you know there’sbeen the threat from the leader of the cult that Ophelia grew up in. Well, we’re worried he might come here. If he does when we’re not here, he might target other people. So just be aware.”
“We will,” he says.
“Okay, then. Call if any shit goes down.”
He nods, and we go to leave. As we step out into the hallway, Dom calls after us, “Thanks for the heads up.”
“No worries.”
We’re done. We’ve given the guys a warning, and maybe Dom will get his father to put on extra protection for a while.
“Do you think we might be able to stay in the water tower, even if we weren’t in college any longer?” Cain glances at me as we wind our way down the stairs.
“Would you want to?” I ask.
“I suppose it feels like home these days.”
