“And then there’s your father,” he continued. “If my family knew what your father did, I would look like a failure to them.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“For three and a half years, my family had been under attack. We only figured out who it was a few months ago and dealt with the problem. But we almost didn’t make it, and the women were dragged into it one way or the other.” He paused, his jaw twitching. “I let things slip when it came to the books, and your father used the chaos to steal from us for over a year. Not a week or a month—a whole damn year.”
His eyes closed again briefly before he looked at me. “I didn’t want to drag my family into this after everything they’ve already been through. This was my mistake, and I need to handle it myself. Your father…he’s just an additional headache they shouldn’t have to worry about.”
“But you seem to have a good relationship with your family. Your world was also turned upside down. Wouldn’t they understand? I doubt they’d see you as a failure or incapable of doing your job in this whole mafia business.”
Pain flickered in his eyes as he replied dryly, “You sound like Pyotr.”
“Well, I guess Pyotr’s the smartest of you all, then,” I smirked.
Avit chuckled. “I beg to differ.”
But the humor faded quickly, replaced by a quiet sadness.
“But Avit,” I pressed gently, “if you told your siblings, wouldn’t you figure this out sooner?”
“I have an IT whiz on my side,” he countered. “Unless you’re saying you can’t get the job done.”
I rolled my eyes but smiled. “What I’m saying is you have a strong support system. Use it. It’s something some of us only dream of.”
When my mother was sick, I didn't have anyone to lean on. I watched my father wither just like she did. I’d wished I had siblings to help with the burden.
“I can’t,” he said, sadly.
“Can't or won't?”
“Won’t. Not when it could put the women and children in danger. When we found out who was behind the attacks, thatbastard sneaked into Lev’s house in a damn delivery box. He couldn’t take down the men, so he went after the women and children.” His jaw tightened. “I can’t let my nephews and nieces grow up without mothers.”
“Did you grow up without a mother?” I asked quietly.
“I was twenty-one when my parents were assassinated. Mariya, Pyotr, and Ninel were still under eighteen. And even though I was technically an adult…I still needed them.” His voice cracked on the last line.
Avit wasn’t the same man who had forced me to marry him. Sitting next to me was someone…unhealed. A man carrying more demons than he’d ever admit. A man who’d had to grow up too fast because of the life he was born into. Something we both understood far too well.
I shifted closer, fighting the instinct to pull him into a hug, to hold him, to take even a fraction of that pain away.
Avit didn’t seem like the type of man who let himself be vulnerable with anyone, so why was he being vulnerable…with me?
A darker thought whispered at the back of my mind: Was this real…or was he just pretending so he could keep his hold on me?
Was everything tonight a sham?
He hadn't been around for the past three days, then suddenly showed up with his family. I found it hard to believe that he really hadn't told his family about us.
Were they all in on this act, his little performance to win me over so I’d trust them…trust him, and turn on my father?
Every laugh, every hug, every polite word suddenly felt like it could be part of some carefully staged play.
Yet, deep down inside, I hoped it wasn't.
Avit stood abruptly, his mask pulled over once again. “It's been a long night. Why don't you go up and get some rest. Wexler told me you weren't feeling well. I'm sorry I didn't ask sooner. How are you feeling now?”
“I'm okay. I think it's just the flu; everyone on campus seems to have it. But I’ve got a few things to help me sleep tonight.”
He nodded. “If you need anything, let me know.”
