“Bullshit.”
“Seriously.”
“That isn’t living, Sienna. It’s existing. And you deserve better.”
“You’re making it sound worse than it is.” I move my phone to my other hand. “I’m okay like this.”
“You’re lying, but I think you’re lying more to yourself than me, so I’ll forgive it for now.” She sighs, putting her phone down and leaning it against something so she can both hands to work her hair up into a ponytail.
“Is he at least good in bed? I mean I know what you said about him when he was Dmitrii, but now that he’s Kaz…how’s that going?”
Before I can answer the bedroom door opens and Sergei fills the doorway. I jump at the sudden intrusion, dropping my phone onto the bed.
“Sienna? You okay?” Kara’s voice carries through.
“You have a visitor,” he announces.
I pick up the phone and gesture to Kara to give me a minute.
“Do you know who it is?” I swing my legs over the side of the bed.
“Your cousin.”
My stomach clenches. He’s not specific but doesn’t really matter. I don’t have any good cousins.
“Kara, I’ll call you back later tonight.”
“I’ll be out. Call me in the morning. Sooner if you need a rescue.”
I roll my eyes at her. “I’m fine. Talk tomorrow.” I end the call and hop off the bed, wiggling my feet into my clogs.
“I’ll be down in a second. Can you just put him in the living room for now?”
He nods.
After he leaves, I quickly change out of my pajama pants and T-shirt into a pair of jeans and a light blue blouse. I pull out the messy bun I’m sporting and quickly braid my hair.
Mrs. Popova is at the foot of the stairs waiting with a firm smile.
“Everything okay?” I ask, stopping on the last stair.
“Of course. I just wanted to ask if you and your guest will be wanting tea or coffee or some snacks? I have a coffee cake I can cut up on bring in, or maybe some cookies?”
Her tone is tight, like she’s doing her best to sound pleasant.
“No. That’s all right. Thank you, though.” I glance toward the living room doorway. “I doubt he’ll stay that long.”
She straightens her back and gives a soft nod. “If you need anything while your visitor is here, there’s a button on the underside of the mantel. It will alert the guards.”
“The guards? Why would I need the guards?”
She pats my hand. “It’s there if you need it.”
This isn’t a normal house. This isn’t a normal life. It’s not normal to have an alarm in the living room.
Deciding to unpack my panic later, I smooth my hands down my sides and enter the living room.
Dante stands at the front window, the curtains pushed aside with one hand as he stares down at the front walkway. My throat dries at the sight of my oldest cousin.
