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"It looks just as I imagined."

I raised a brow, "Cold and empty?" I curiously asked, closing my bedroom door.

"Clean and organized," Arina corrected me, walking further into my room.

I could not even fathom the idea of sleeping on that couch again.

Much less actually do it.

But I also wanted to spend more time with Arina?

It felt odd to leave her alone after our talk in the kitchen.

So now we are here.

In my room.

I think I am becoming... nice.

Very nice.

And I dislike it very much.

"I have spare toothbrush," I told Arina, walking over to my attached bathroom.

Which she immediately followed behind me to.

"I assume for Sevan," Arina just had to say.

Which immediately made me roll my eyes.

Even if hearing her name made tingles shoot down my spine.

"Nyet," I said, shutting down her assumptions, "I never know when I could use a new one."

Arina only hummed dryly, clearly not believing a word I said.

And I decided to not argue with her about it.

Our night is going very well.

So instead, I decided to grab the spare toothbrush from the drawer—opening it from the packaging and handing it over to Arina.

Who immediately helped herself to the toothpaste in the top drawer.

And as she began brushing her teeth silently, I prepared my own toothbrush with toothpaste—brushing my teeth in silence with her.

But for once it was a calm silence between us.

No hatred or irritation targeted at one another.

Even as she got settled on the usually empty side of the bed and I got settled in on the other, we remained silent.

But it was clear we both preferred the company rather than being alone.

"Your mother," I suddenly spoke, getting more comfortable in the bed, "You said she gave fake promises," I said, wanting to know more.

The air remained silent for a moment, making me weirdly anticipate Arina's answer.

If she answered that is.

"Da," Arina said, almost in a low mumble, "She promised she would not do it anymore when she drinks."

I immediately turned onto my side, "Do what?" I asked, observing the outline of Arina who laid on her back.

Arina let out a visible breath, "Get violent," she whispered, drawing in the breath she just let out.

And I couldn't help but glance down slightly, noticing Arina awkwardly playing with her hands resting on her stomach.

"We do not continue with topic if it makes you uncomfortable," I quickly determined, knowing this was already uncommon territory for us both.

Arina sighed, flipping onto her side to face me, "It feels like I relive it, that is all," she said, and I couldn't tell if that meant she still wanted to talk about it.

So I remained silent for a few moments, staring at her almost wordlessly.

Until I finally found the courage to say—

"You are very safe here—that is not your reality anymore."

Arina forced a weak hum, closing her eyes as she nuzzled deeper into the pillow.

"My father was very good man," Arina suddenly whispered, and I could see the subtle smile on her lips even in the darkness, "He cooked good meals, told the best scary stories before sleep, and... and he stood up to her as much as he could."

I drew in a deep breath, unaccustomed to the dreadful feeling weighing down my chest at Arina's reminiscence.

"He didn't like to because he did not believe in harming women," Arina added, her words so soft even in the silence, "It was very hard for him to fight back."

I furrowed my brows, "But he is allowed to defend himself," I tried to explain, knowing that what her mother was doing was completely wrong.

"Da," Arina forced out, sighing slightly as she held the covers closer to her body, "I tried very hard to convince him."

I remained silent for a moment, realizing that this entire time we had been referring to her father in past tense.

"He always said he would try harder," Arina whispered, her voice heavy with remorse, "I like to think he fought very hard before she pushed him over railing."

I clenched my jaw, mostly at the idea of this terrible woman.

But also at the idea of such a kind man dying.

Kind men are very hard to come by these days.

"I am sure he fought very hard," I whispered, feeling my heart grow weirdly heavier as I spoke the words aloud.

Very unlike me.

Arina forced a hum, but I could tell she was short of words regarding her father.

Someone who I could tell she missed very much.

"My papa fights very hard for me now," Arina said with a soft sigh, now referring to Yuri, "But he can not help that medicine is very expensive."

I blinked a few times, realizing that they were homeless because of his medicine.

Or maybe too many medical bills.

"Why does he need medicine?" I asked her almost curiously.

Yuri always neglected to mention what he was diagnosed with.

I knew it was purposeful and I respected that.

But now it seems I need to know.

Yuri only looks to be getting worse as the days go on.

I hope Arina doesn't notice it.

"There is cancer in his hip," Arina whispered, nearly paralyzing every bone in my body.

Cancer.

Yuri has cancer?

I understand his limp now.

And now I insist he has a walker to use by tomorrow morning.

I'm done respecting Yuri's wishes for me to remain hands-off.

I will be involved.

I have to be.

I have to ensure he is listening to the doctors.

I made sure to have only the best for him, so I hope they are at least doing their jobs and curing him of this vicious disease.

"We sleep now," Arina suddenly mumbled, dragging me away from my thoughts.

I forced a hum, "We do," I said, my voice weaker than I wanted it to be.

But now I feel very... worried.

I do not like this.

???????

The next morning I made sure to purposely be present when Arina woke up, brushing my teeth and doing my morning routine before gently shaking her awake.

And she seemed to be as much of a morning person as I was.

Which meant she wasn't.

She was mute.

Very quiet as she slid out of my bed to go head over to her own room so she could get ready for school.

Meanwhile, I got ready for the day in my typical short black dress and stockings—pulling on one of my typical fur coats.

And once I sprayed my perfume and slid my heels on, I was ready to head downstairs for breakfast.

Of course, after greeting my beautiful dogs who were more than excited to be in my presence.

"You are cutest dogs," I told them both as I scratched behind their ears.

Their tails only wagged more in excitement as I continued to pet them, finding solace in their presence.

"Koslov," I heard one of my men say, which immediately made my attention divert away from my dogs.

And as soon as I noticed two of my men approaching me, I raised up to my original height—allowing my dogs to sit by my sharp stilettos.

"What is it?" I said as the two men stopped in front of me.

"We have The Executor's exact whereabouts," one of them said.

I raised a sharp brow, "And?" I said, growing irritated at their vagueness.

"She is in Bogotá, Colombia—we have address from source," the other one said, which made me hesitantly nod my head.

Mostly because I am wondering what the fuck she is doing in Bogotá.

Where I knew Mireya stayed.

And her old fuck body whom I had previously killed.

What else is there for her?

Who else?

Surely no one who isn't disposable.

"We leave today," I suddenly determined, wanting to be on that plane as quickly as possible.

Until I recalled one thing

"After breakfast," I specified, walking past them both as I snapped two times for my dogs to follow, "Have the plane and bags ready," I called over my shoulder.

"We are on it, Koslov," One of them said, not hesitating to confirm the newly made plans.

Meanwhile, I focused on heading down to the dining room where everyone seemed to already be seated.

My two right-hand men and then Yuri and Arina.

There were brief murmurs, but otherwise, the conversation wasn't that lively.

"Good morning Via," Yuri said as soon as I walked into the dining room, earning a nod of acknowledgment from me.

"I have unexpected business to handle after breakfast," I told them all as I walked further into the dining room.

"Business?" Arina curiously asked before Nikolai had a chance.

But I could still tell he was just as curious as Arina.

"Da, I will be gone until further notice so—" I suddenly glanced over to Nikolai and Ivan, "You will ensure everything runs smoothly until I return."

They immediately both nodded in confirmation, earning a hum of approval from me.

"We enjoy breakfast then," I determined, glancing over to Arina.

Who nodded contently, taking a bite of her toast smeared with butter and strawberry jelly.

"A very nice breakfast too," Yuri added with his usual smile as he took a bite of his oatmeal.

I hummed, "Da, very nice breakfast," I said in agreement, now beginning to scoop eggs onto my plate.

A calmness filled the room as we settled into breakfast—interrupted only by the light clinking of silverware against plates and the occasional murmur of contentment.

Despite the early hour, the energy felt lighter—everyone seemed at ease for once.

Even Ivan, sitting rigidly beside Nikolai, seemed softened by the morning's warmth.

But eventually, the moment between us all passed, leaving us with full stomachs and the table lingering with half-empty plates or dishes.

Barely halfway through breakfast, I began anticipating what Sevan was possibly fucking up to in Colombia.

Especially if she has not answered my last three texts.

Showing up in Colombia is really my only option.

Well, not only one.

But it's the best one.

And it's very effective.

I also am very literal—I said I would find her and I did.

Now I show up and see what mess she will drag me into next.

"I see you all very soon," I said as I walked toward the double doors that my men stood by.

At least until I could feel a presence suddenly begin to follow me.

Arina.

I halted my steps, turning slightly to face her.

And for once Arina flashed me a small smile, "Have safe travels," she whispered, lightly nudging my arm, which made my lips twitch up slightly, "And have fun with Sevan," she subtly added.

Which earned an eye roll from me, "You are too much," I mumbled almost in amusement.

Because she's irritatingly right with her assumption.

"And you are not denying anything," Arina countered back with a raised brow.

I hummed almost sarcastically, "I see you soon Arina," I said, gently nudging her arm just as she had done mine.

"Very soon," Arina confirmed back to me, turning around on her heel to walk over to Yuri.

Who seemed to be in awe of Arina and I's brief conversation—which was probably the most cordial one we have had in front of him.

It was probably the happiest I had witnessed him.

And Yuri is naturally a very happy person so I think that means a lot.

I waved one more time to both Yuri and Arina, nodding in Nikolai and Ivan's direction before I turned back on my heel to walk toward the doors.

Which my men immediately opened for me, allowing me out into the cold air.

But only for a moment.

The SUV was already generously warm when I slid into the backseat, preparing my glass of vodka and a small white pill to take.

I would definitely need a Xanax if I wanted to handle whatever the fuck Sevan had going on.

Especially if it involved another woman.

I think we will both need Xanax if that is the case.

Because I can solemnly promise that I will cause Sevan enough stress to last a lifetime.