Page 52 of Silent Ties

The wary gives into pity and I bit down on my lip. This is hardly how Gia Akatov would handle herself, but her daughter’s empathy is too strong to handle right now.

Lennie turns to the door. “Tell Yelena I needed a tampon.”

It takes me a second to understand. As quiet as she is, Lennie knows how to strategize like the best of them.

I’m thankful for it because when I sit down Yelena is frowning.

“Sorry.” I flip my hair back and reach for the wine. “Turns out Lennie is here.”

Her frown deepens. Cold blue eyes search the room, rolling when they spot the Akatov.

“I had to track down a tampon for her.”

“Stay away from the ugly one.”

My mouth drops. “Hey!”

A brow rises in response.

I lean forward. “That’s rude.”

My defense causes the temperature to drop.

But I’m not done. I cross my arms, tired and raw from the day. “She’s my friend.”

If I think that’s going to cure Yelena’s bitchiness, I’m sorely mistaken.

“She is a useless, entitled brat.” Yelena spats every word, her accent thickening. “Who will bring shame to her family.”

“Hardly.” Yelena hates the Akatovs but her intensity takes me back.

“Well I suppose whores do understand one another don’t they.”

Lennie’s anxiety rolls off her in waves. I doubt she’s even dated. “I don’t know, do they?”

The pointed toe of her stiletto spikes into my shin. I bump into the table, my breath leaving me for a second.

Yelena smiles. “What was that?”

It’s a pity Marissa didn’t decide to kill her today too.

CHAPTER 15

Russet

Ablur of a month goes by.

Paublino simmers down over the death of the woman he loved. Or at least promises Lev and Max I won’t be a target anymore.

Lev called and told me a few days after I made contact with Daisy.

“You okay?” he asked in a voice I’ve noticed he only uses with me. Sometimes I worry at the idea of him treating me like an actual daughter.

“Yes,” I answered gazing out the car window. Pavel slowly crawled in traffic, Sergei beside him in the front seat. I wanted to walk to a coffee shop to treat myself to a caramel macchiato but got denied.

“I admire how you always keep your chin up, Russie.”

No one other than Daisy calls me that, but his voice left me blinking for another reason. I couldn’t remember the last time I received a compliment.