“I got my acceptance letter! Juilliard wants me for their piano performance program!” She’s talking so fast the words tumble over each other. “Full scholarship, starting next fall. They said my audition was one of the strongest they’ve seen in years. Can you believe it?”
“Of course I can, Malen’kaya. You’re the very best,” I say and mean it. Pride swells in my chest.
“You have to say that. You’re my brother and that makes you biased.”
“I’m saying it because it’s true. You’ve worked your ass off for this, Katya. You deserve it.”
“Thanks.” She sniffles, laughing. “Ugh, I’m crying. I’m being ridiculous.”
“It’s not ridiculous. It’s a big deal.”
“I know and I am, but…” She sighs, and her voice drops, losing its spark. “If the marriage to Elio happens, there’s no way he’ll allow me to go to school.”
“It’s not happening so you don’t have to worry about that,” I insist.
The deal with my father doesn’t even matter anymore. I’ll be the pakhan soon and Katya will be free to live her life however she wants. But even with her freedom, I can’t give her back what was stolen. The chance to know her mother.
“Such confidence.” She pauses. “I hope that means you’re finally closing in on this Ghost?”
“We’re close,” I confirm. “But I still need you to stay put and be careful.”
As much as I hate that she has to live under the same roof as Ruslan, his compound is as secure as they come. Still, if shit goes down, Sasha—one of her bodyguards on my payroll—is under strict orders to get her out.
“On a lighter note,” she teases. “How is that beautiful wife of yours?”
A smile tugs at my mouth despite everything. “She’s good. Busy right now, but good.”
“I know your marriage is like, top-secret, and all that but you deserve to be happy, and she clearly makes you happy.” She pauses. “Does this mean I get to hang out with her again soon?”
“As soon as this shit is behind us, you and Dinara can hang out as much as you want. Do whatever girly stuff you’ve been missing out on. And…” I take a breath. “You can move to the city to attend school. With an army of bodyguards of course.”
“As long as they carry my books, I don’t care how many there are.” She lets out a shaky laugh. “I’m holding you to that. I want to get away from here and never look back. I’ve had enough of Ruslan to last me a dozen lifetimes.”
She has no idea.
“Speaking of our father,” I say, keeping my tone casual, “is he around much these days?”
“He’s been in meetings all afternoon. The Morozov family is still here for a while apparently. I think he’s trying to finalize some deal he’s working on with them.” She sighs. “He asked meto join them for dinner tonight. Varvara is so fucking boring. I can barely manage to stay awake through an entire meal.”
Ice runs through my veins. “Don’t get too close to them, Katya. They’re not people we can trust.”
“I know. Trust me, I get bad vibes.”
“Just hang tight a little longer,” I tell her. “And if anything feels off, anything at all, you call me immediately. Or you go straight to Sasha. Understood?”
Her voice softens. “I’ll be fine, Kirill. I know you’re worried, but I can handle Papa and his irritating guests for a few more days.”
A few more days. That’s all I need.
“I know you can. And I’m so fucking proud of you. You’re going to kill it at Juilliard.”
“Don’t jinx it,” she says, but happiness colors her voice. “But yeah, I’m pretty excited.”
“I love you, malen’kaya. Remember, stay close to Sasha.”
“Okay, now you’re really freaking me out.” She laughs, but there’s worry underneath it. “I love you too. And tell Dinara I said hi.”
“I will.”
