They’re busier trying to figure out who had an interest in the destruction of the event. Uncle Kyle says it’s the Chicago branch, but that’s highly unlikely.
The head of Boston is possibly the only friend Yaroslav has within the Bratva, so he has no reason to ruin his event.
I’m sitting on my room’s balcony, staring down at my conversation with Yulian—or rather, the unread message I sent him before the event. My eyes drift to the horizon, soaking in the orange glow bleeding out behind the trees.
I’ve been stuck in my parents’ house ever since the incident, because whenever one of us gets caught in an attack, they tighten security until it feels like a prison.
My eyes stray to my phone again. I contemplated texting Yulian two days ago, right after the attack, but I wasn’t sure he had the time.
Now, I’m overthinking whether or not he just doesn’t want to talk to me.
It was much easier when he obsessively texted me and I compulsively ignored him.
Fuck it.
My hands move of their own accord as I type him a text.
Me
How is Alina doing?
Seems innocent enough.
He reads the text almost immediately, and I sit straighter in the chair, my leg bouncing as the dots appear and disappear.
Y
She’s much better. Went back to playing piano and being a general pain in the ass, so a good sign, I guess.
Have you talked to her? Did she mention anything about what happened?
She said she heard the gunshots and tried to leave, but something hit her, and the next thing she remembers is seeing my face when she woke up.
At least she’s safe. That’s all that matters.
Yeah. I’m glad I found her before anything happened. She just keeps complaining that she didn’t get to play the piano. A drama queen if I ever met one.
Seems like it runs in the family.
I’ll have you know that I’m the milder version.
Highly unlikely.
Pfft. Your bias is showing, Mishka. By the way, I’m going back to the island next week. You know, in case you miss me.
I don’t miss you.
Liar, liar. But just in case you DO miss me, want to join me there?
Kind of under unofficial house arrest for the moment. Mom and Dad can be overprotective.
They’re just worried about you after trying to play superhero.
That’s you, considering you were injured. How is that, by the way?
I’m dying. Want to come and nurse me back to health?
And you were saying you weren’t dramatic?
