Page 19

“Wait a minute…You sent him in there to watch me, didn’t you?!” I wheel on Vanya, pointing a finger. I jerk it back just in time to avoid her breaking it.

“Do not get big dick over this. All of Volk in the Gulag report back on progress of plebs to me.”

“So much for the vote of confidence.”

“Uh oh,sestra, you hurt leetlemalysh’sfeelings!”

“She can call me baby anytime she wants,” I mutter, ducking into my room as Vanya grumbles behind me. It needs some work, for sure. Not that I was ever neat and tidy, but I’ve always liked things…a certain way. Probably because Adriano always made us keep our quarters spotless.

Captain asshat.

Miss that fucker too. I hope he and Gloria are far away on a beach somewhere.

Sitting on the edge of my bed, I listen to the siblings outside my door bicker over who knows what in Russian for a few moments, content to catch my breath. Until my stomach suddenly rumbles loudly.

“Sounds like someone needs dinner,” Mat snickers, leaning in the doorway.

“I could eat.”

“Then we go to mess hall.”

“Will you be joining us?”

“Nah, Vanya does not like to eat with the men often.”

“Oh yeah? Too good for us lowly soldiers, Van?”

“Nonsense. I am happy to eat with anyone. I simply…”

“Stay far away from the barracks when Fyodor is around,” Matvey taunts, wagging his eyebrows. “He’s got it in his head that she is for him.”

“Shut the fuck up, Mat! I can handle Fyodor just fine,” Vanya snaps. I would never have thought someone could get a rise out of her like he does.

“He would love for her to handle him, if you know what I mean!”

“See? Youdoknow how to make a joke, Matty!” I laugh, rising to join them again.

Things might just be interesting spending time with these two. Plus, it reminds me of being home with my own family.

Heading down to the mess hall near the common room, Vanya and Matvey show me the rest of the amenities. There’s a game room, kitchen, TV area where there is always some sort of sporting event playing.

“Ey! Vanya, your brother made it out alive!”

“No surprise there, Alec. They give him easy time!” Another giant man elbows Mat in the ribs. Immediately, Mat twists the wrist attached to that elbow, garnering hoots and hollers from the men and a yelp from his harasser.

“Not as easy as your sister, Varo.” Matvey releases the bigger man with a shove.

“Hey! She has to make a living somehow, no?”

The antics continue as Vanya leads me over to where a man in a dirty apron with the most glorious beard I’ve ever seen is stirring a pot in the big open kitchen. Instantly, the smell hits me in the gut, making my stomach growl.

“This is your recruit, eh, Miss Sokolov?”

“Always so polite, Igor. Make him a plate, will you? I’m sick of looking at his ribs through his skin.”

“Have to rename him Scarecrow if he doesn’t put meat on him,da?”

“He’ll be food for crows if he doesn’t. It’s getting cold early this year.”