“Have you ever been?”
He shoots me a look that immediately reminds me of the recent war between the two mobs running the countries. “And have the Bratva tear me apart? Nah. Too pretty for that.”
Nearby, air staff unload my bags from the SUV onto the plane. It’s only a few, but like everyone else, Nero reacts by whistling. “Your luggage suggests otherwise. You’ll be moving there for good, mark my words.” He swings an arm to yank me into a side-hug. “Keep in touch, mini-Mancini. Be safe. Kick assat school and all that. Don’t let them bully the new girl. Not sure how many Italians they get up there, but show them you’re not someone to mess with, ’kay?”
“It’s university.” I roll my eyes at his outlandish, dramatic comments. “We’re not children.”
“At heart, we all are.” With a wink and a final hair ruffle that irritates me, he heads to Zeno and Vanessa standing nearby.
On the drive, Zeno mentioned staying behind to start dealing with the Vitales, even if he would have preferred helping me settle into Moscow. In truth, it speaks to the trust he has for Vanessa, and by extension, her family and the Bratva.
In the corner of my eye, Lev ascends the plane’s steps, so with a final wave at Nero, I follow him. The pilot greets me at the top before turning for the cockpit, and I trail Lev into the sitting area.
He’s claimed a seat at the very back in a cushioned single chair, his laptop already open on the small table. It’s unsurprising, and I gain a second of his attention when settling in the chair across from him.
“We’ll have no service in the air, which means no working.”
My own reminder prompts me to check my phone one more time, but every message I’ve sent to Amara since leaving Madre’s has bounced back. It’s strange, but considering everything else happening, I can’t worry about her either. Whatever happened at the party, something shifted in our friendship. If only I knew what and why.
“Not every task needs service.”
What we spoke about outside Madre’s home reminded me of the Lev I’d been living with before Zeno and Vanessa’s arrival, the one I’ve been slowly figuring out…even if there are still so many unknowns about him. Other than him being a Bratva Elite, proficient with technology, and having a twin sister, I really know nothing about him.
As much as I’d prefer this engagement stuff be dealt with quickly…maybe not too quickly. It’d be a shame to start discovering all the unknowns only to have to pack back up and leave.
“I can feel you staring.”
“Just thinking.”
“About?”
“Everything got so complicated suddenly.” Not the complete truth, but not a lie either.
“You’ll be allowed home soon. Don’t worry.”
That wasn’t my concern.
Vanessa bounds up the plane, greeting Zeno’s flight staff before joining us in the back. Outside, Nero and Zeno are backing their cars a safe distance away before watching the flight preparation.
Feigning sleepiness, I bring my knees up and rest my head on the back of the chair and close my eyes.
Lev returns to ignoring me, but every so often, his eyes pass over me.
Seeing as this isn’t my first visit to the mansion, Vanessa and Anastasia’s tour ends quickly, specifically on the second floor in front of a shut door.
“This is your room.” Vanessa reaches for its knob.
“Had all the sheets refreshed,” Anastasia announces before pointing to a door across from us. “That room’s mine, and this one”—she points to the other shut door beside mine, —“is Lev’s. Figured the guest wing would be lonely, so I put you near us. Noting that, Lev doesn’t really sleep in his room.”
“Where’s he stay?” The idea of him next door thrills a part of me because it reminds me of the dorm.
“Basement. It’s his domain. Don’t ask.”
Lev disappeared seconds after arriving and carrying in my bags. I blinked, and suddenly, he was gone, as though we didn’t spend nearly every waking minute over the past week together.
Of course, he’d want to be alone after you forced yourself into his life.
Vanessa’s Doberman puppy, Veles, a gift from my brother, bolts past us and into the bedroom they’re calling mine. Anastasia and Vanessa follow him in, leaving me to enter last.
