Page 122 of Between Us

“I hear we're being cellmates for the night.”

Alessandra started at the sound of the voice coming from behind her. Tatyana stood at the entrance to the closet, hands parked on her hips. Her dark hair was swept up in a high ponytail, and she was wearing a similar outfit of jeans and a sweater.

“Looks like it.”

Blue eyes fixed on Alessandra’s face. “What is Roman doing?”

She looked away from the intense gaze that was almost identical to her husband's. She zipped up the bag and shrugged. “I have no idea.”

“He hasn’t told you anything?”

“Other than we’re being sent to a safe house? No, he hasn’t.”

After a moment, Tatyana sighed and there was resignation in her voice. “I was hoping it wouldn't get to this.”

“I trust Roman. You should, too.”

“When did I say that I don't?”

Alessandra walked out of the closet to set the bag on the bed. She turned to her sister-in-law, noticing the dark circles under her eyes. They were less pronounced than before, but still there. “How have you been?”

“I went to see Dad today. They're feeding him through a tube, but he's lost so much weight already. It's scary to see him like that—immobilized and unaware of everything happening around him.”

“He will recover.” Alessandra’s voice was softer. “Just give him time.”

“Everyone keeps saying that, but I don't know if he will.”

“You two ready?”

Both girls jumped at Alek’s voice coming from thedoorway. He stood just inside the bedroom, wearing all black, hands into his pockets. He looked more like himself, the worry and fatigue gone from his face almost entirely.

Alessandra gave him a smile. “Hey, stranger.”

“Miss me?” He took a few steps inside, broad shoulders looking intimidating despite the black of his clothes. For a twenty-two-year-old, he was almost as tall and muscular as his older brother.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she joked.

“So, you ready or not? We should get going.”

Alessandra looked around for her black sneakers that she spotted at the foot of the bed. “I think so. Does this look enough to you?” She gestured to her bag. “I don't know how much to pack.”

He peered down at the pile of clothes inside. “That’s fine. You shouldn't be away for more than one night if everything goes as planned.”

Alessandra exchanged a glance with Tatyana who looked just as uneasy as her. “Please be careful, Alek.”

“Don't worry about it.” He sounded confident, though that didn’t exactly put her mind at ease.

“I need a drink,” Tatyana announced with another sigh. “Where do you keep the booze?”

“Roman's office.”

“I’ll only have a sip,” she told Alek when he gave her a hard look. “I’ll be quick.”

“We’re supposed to leave as soon as Alessandra finishes packing, Anya.”

“Two more minutes won’t kill anyone.”

“Where’s your stuff?”

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