That good, huh? Lots of homework?
Me
Classes don’t begin for another two days. She’s unpacking. Mancini just left. People here are young as fuck and just as annoying as you are.
Annoying Twin
You say that like we’re ancient.
Me
We? You’re not the one uprooted from home.
Annoying Twin
WE because we’re the same, dumbass. Also, YOU agreed. Why did you, btw? Could have said no.
Me
She’s Vanessa’s half-sister. Pretty sure that constitutes her being a Volkov by extension and therefore someone we’re duty-bound to protect.
Annoying Twin
Whatever. Can’t wait to hear about your classes, study sessions in the library. Trailing her as she hangs out with friends. Stalking her dates. That’ll be fun. The late nights when she doesn’t sleep because she’s busy working. You two already have something in common.
Me
It won’t be that bad.
It’ll suck.
Annoying Twin
Let’s not forget about the parties.
On second thought, I should be the one with her!
Parties was one of many things on my list when Zeno asked me to do this, one of the main reasons to deny him. They’re noisy and make me want to crawl inside my own skin. Downright painfully uncomfortable, and something that’s ceased since Vanessa’s takeover. Bratva parties are political and well-mannered, and they nearly do me in, but here? The alcohol will be cheap beer and flavoured, fruity canned drinks versus the delicacy of Russian-brewed vodka. Music will be loud and brash. Kids will make it a competition over who can get the most drunk, fuck the most people, and be the loudest. These events will be seared into my brain, a trauma to carry forever.
Me
She might prefer to stay in.
Annoying Twin
Only if you’re lucky.
The door to Serafina’s room opens, and she slips out in, scowling when spotting me. “Oh. You’re back.”
“You sound thrilled.”
“Sorry. I just…” She crosses her arms, her expression flickering between the soft woman who sat by my bedside and the scowling creature she is around her brother. “Having a bodyguard isn’t what I want. When I envisioned moving away from home, you were never in the picture.”
“Ditto,printessa.”
Princess? Where the fuck did the nickname come from? I don’t nickname people—ever. Anastasia becomes Ana because her name is a mouthful and she’s bothered me enough times. Besides, sharing a womb gives me that right. But everyone else has names. Why do they insist on shortening them or calling them something else entirely? Always found it stupid, but hers one flies out before I can stop it.
First an angel, then a princess. A Cosa Nostra princess, the same thought that struck me when she climbed into my bed.
