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“I don’t know what I was trying to prove,” she shrugged. “The drinks were flowing, and I was having a good time. But now that I replay the events of the night, I’m pretty sure it was intentional on his part,” Alisa admitted. “He kept talking about the future, and security, and I haven’t decoded any of it.”
Her shy gaze roamed the room, first landing on her brothers, before settling on something to the left. Her throat closed, forcing her to abruptly cut to the end. “I wished to have something of my own,” she rushed out.
The questions were visible in her brother’s expressions, but I shut down their attempts. She’ll come to us when she’s ready. When she’s at peace with her choices and their consequences. When she identifies the reasons that drove her. Until it clicks into place, the conversation is closed.
Luka understood her hesitancy perhaps the most, since he held a few unrevealed cards of his own. With his sister in mind, he changed the topic entirely. “You actually met with the Jungles?”
“I did. In terms of crazy, they’ll give you a run for your money,” I joked, leaning back in my seat.
Luka raised an eyebrow, clearly interested. “What were they like?”
I took a moment, trying to find the right words. “Like us. Making it work,” I said. “But unlike us, or I guess you, they’re young.”
Since I was the youngest in the group, I had to remind them now and then. Sue me, it was fun watching their slightly offended faces. I couldn’t help but enjoy their reactions for a second, but I didn’t let them dwell on it, continuing, “Speaking of money, they’re filthy rich. I mean, obnoxiously rich. It really surprised me when they suggested they would collect the bounty on my head. As if they needed it,” I puffed.
Luka’s eyes widened, clearly impressed, but it was Enzo’s voice that cut through the room. “They did what?”
His raised voice echoed off the wallpapered walls. For a second, I forgot he was there. He insisted on coming along. The man was dead set on not letting me out of his sight. I swear, he was one thought away from handcuffing us together.
He agreed to stay behind with Alisa in their family home while we dealt with the situation.
“I handled them.” I knew my answer didn’t give him much, but it was just enough to settle his worry.
Luka, always keen for more details, poured himself some tea from the pot.
“Who did you even meet?”
“The three guys. The Colombian, Brazilian, and the French.”
Andrei caught on quickly, seeking confirmation. “They’re in alliance, then?”
I nodded. “It seems that way.”
Fascinated, Luka leaned in, the questions coming faster. “How did you get there?”
“I flew, took a bus. The French kid picked me up in a buggy,” I said, simplifying the details.
“What did he look like?”
“Bleached hair, tall, skinny. Why? Do you know any of them?” It was unlike him to show so much interest, and I couldn’t help but notice.
“I met them once, but they were wearing bandanas.”
I itched to ask more, but seeing the confused looks the rest of the family gave him, I decided to let it rest for now. I’d ask later, in private, if we ever got the chance.
Doing Luka a favor, I quickly redirected the conversation. “Met Daddy Don too.”
Enzo’s jaw snapped shut, his eyes narrowing. “You did not just call him that.” His chest swelled with the weight of his words. “People lose their heads for it.”
“I said the same to his face,” I replied, beaming. “And mine is still on,” I gestured to it. “He even smiled at me.”
I turned to Alisa, my partner in crime, and we exchanged a mischievous smile. It was enough to agitate Enzo even more.
“Isn’t it enough that we have his big mouth to deal with?” Enzo pointed at Maxim. “Now you join him?”
“It runs in the family.” I used the same phrase the Galkins often tossed around.
This was my moment to set the record straight, and I wasn’t going to waste it. I had months to organize my thoughts, but the words still escaped me no matter how many times I rehearsed my speech.