“And what does it mean?”
I brush hair back from her face. “That maybe we’re not as good at hating each other as we thought.”
She makes a sound that’s half laugh, half sob. “I don’t know how to do this. Be married to you. Raise children with you. Pretend this is normal.”
“We’re not pretending it’s normal. We’re making it work anyway.”
“How?”
“Day by day. Like I said.”
“That’s exhausting.”
“So is fighting me constantly.”
“I know.” She slides off my lap and fixes her clothes. Pushes her hair out of her face. “I should check on the twins.”
“They’re asleep.”
“I know. But I need to see them. Make sure they’re okay.”
I don’t stop her. Just watch as she walks to the door.
She pauses with her hand on the doorknob. Doesn’t turn around. “Luca?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. For tonight. For defending us against Maxim.”
“You already said that.”
“I mean it this time.”
Then she leaves.
I sit alone in my bed. Still naked.
My phone buzzes. Text from Pavel:Maxim called. Wants to meet tomorrow.
I text back:Tell him I’ll consider it after he apologizes to Anna.
Three dots appear. Disappear. Appear again.
He says that’s not happening.
Then neither is the meeting.
I set the phone down and stare at the door Anna just walked through.
Something between us shifted tonight. The anger is still there. The distrust. All the damage we’ve done to each other. But something else is there now too. Something neither of us knows how to handle.
My phone buzzes again.
He’s threatening to go to the Kozlovs. Says if you choose her over him, he’ll find allies elsewhere.
I read the message twice.
Then I call Pavel.
