Page 94 of Cruel Romeo

I’m still pissed about her lies. But after what just happened downstairs, the knot between my shoulders has started to loosen.

She’s not in an easy position, either. If I’m willing to be graceful with Kira, I should at least afford Sima the benefit of the doubt.

For now.

I tidy up the books, undress, and slip into bed. Sima reaches for me immediately in her sleep. The feel of her body, the sight of her… it all comes together to work that knot looser and looser.

I don’t even realize I’m falling asleep until I feel myself go under.

36

SIMA

It’s been another week, and I’m going fucking crazy.

Don’t get me wrong—I love school. But when the only time I set foot outside of the house is to go coop myself up into yet another dusty room filled with weird smells and too much furniture, that’s when I start to crave a paper bag to breathe in.

I need to getout.Like, STAT.

The house is stifling without Petyr. And Petyr is literally never here. I get that he’s got importantpakhanduties to attend to—plus a fake company to run—but without him around, the available options for human interaction are slim. It’s either a moody widow-in-the-making with a drinking problem or an octogenarian housekeeper who keeps glaring at me like my every step is tracking mud across her hardwood floors. Not exactly the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

So, yeah, I’m growing a little restless here. A tiny bit stir-crazy. One missed broom swipe away from breaking into a Broadway number just to entertain myself. Sue me.

“I want out.”

Petyr stops buttoning up his crisp white shirt. God, his abs should be outlawed. “Of the contract?”

“No!” I blurt, far too quickly for the casual vibe I’d been going for. “Just, like, out of the house. For one day.”

Petyr’s eyes narrow instantly. “I didn’t realize your schedule had filled up.”

“That’s actually the complete opposite of what’s going on here.” I sit up, cross-legged in a sea of scattered books and bunched-up sheets. “I’ve got nothing to do. Zilch, zero, nada.”

“You have school. That gets you out.”

“School doesn’t count. School is homework and fluorescent lighting and classmates who haven’t yet learned that you have to apply the deodorant for it to be effective. I’m talking about outside.”

“Outside,” he echoes.

“Yes, outside. Where the people are.” I start gesturing. “Coffee shops! Parks! Bookstores! Places where the sunlight hits something. Preferably without Luka’s shadow stealing it all.”

Petyr turns and watches me for a beat. “You’re saying you’re bored.”

I flop back dramatically on the bed. “‘Bored’ is an understatement. I’m developing actual symptoms. Restless legs. Cabin fever. Early-onset dramatics.”

Petyr’s mouth twitches, which is about as close as he ever gets to laughing. He shrugs into his jacket, but instead of reaching for his phone like he usually does to check hisbazillion morning messages, he sits on the edge of the bed. “Well, we can’t have that.”

“Can’t we?”

“No, we can’t.” He rubs my back a little. “So I guess I’ll just call in sick today.”

I sit up so fast, the room spins. “You… you can do that? Just—call in sick to the mob?”

“No.” My mood deflates a little until he says, “But I’m going to do it anyway.”

Silly as it is, that makes my heart soar. But the realization of what a huge baby I’m being hits at the same time, making me groan into the pillow.

“You don’t have to do that,” I mumble despite myself. “I’m sorry. I really shouldn’t have asked.”