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I also know this because some days I purposely stay out of his way while stalking him, just to see how long it takes before he starts getting restless.
“You hear what you want.”
“Yes.” I change lanes. “Is he eating?”
“Sometimes.”
“Sleeping?”
“Define sleeping.”
“Unconscious for more than five hours without a knife in reach.”
She huffs. “Then no.”
Good. Bad. Both. The thought of him awake and angry in that house sits warm under my tongue.
“Did he ask about me?”
Alya turns her head, studying my profile like she’s deciding whether to lie. “Not in a nice way.”
That makes me smile. Not in a nice way? Who the fuck cares? He asked about me. He missed me. I’m choosing to focus on the important part.
“You two are exhausting.”
“I’m patient. He’s the exhausting one. It’s part of the appeal.”
She laughs under her breath, then sobers. “Don’t hurt him.”
I look at the road, then at her. “I’d rather hurt everyone else.” I would. I’ve made sure of it. He can call me a whore all he wants, but Ilya has never exactly struggled to find someone willing to fuck him either. Plenty of girls have had their turn. None of them kept their lives for very long afterward.
She laughs under her breath. “You’re hopeless.”
“I prefer dedicated.”
“To my brother?”
“Exactly.” I’ve been dedicated to Ilya for a long time. Too long, probably. At this point, it’s less a choice and more a fact of my existence. I chose him years ago, and nothing that’s happened since has made me want to choose differently.
She shakes her head, amused, and looks back out at the passing lights. By the time we reach her house, I park, get out, and come around to her side.
Sure enough, her father’s already waiting at the door.
The moment he spots me, his entire face transforms. His back straightens, his smile widens, and suddenly he looks less like the powerful businessman everyone else fears and more like a dog.
“Kento,” he greets warmly. “Always good to see you.”
I give him a nod, and his smile somehow widens further.
“Dinner went well, I hope?” he asks.
“Perfectly.”
“Excellent. Excellent.” He clasps his hands together. “You know, Alya has always spoken very highly of you.”
I glance at her. “I’m sure she has.”
Her father laughs a little too loudly. He really needs to work on that.
