Page 38 of Lethal Abduction

She shakes her head. “That’s the other reason I think something is wrong. I understood her needing time, and I knew it would be hard for her to take that time if she was still talking to me. It hurt, but I understood it.

“But not so much as a text message? After I’ve left a dozen calls and messages on her phone, and even sent her a photo of Aleksander?” She shakes her head, frowning. “Abby’s a lot of things, Dimitry, but she’s also my best friend. And she’s notcapable of being cruel, especially not to me. It just doesn’t add up.”

The hospital is siesta quiet, and in Darya’s private room the only sound is the little snuffling of her baby breathing. Even though this is maybe the only conversation I can stand to have today, it’s still hard.

“Don’t try to find excuses for her.” My voice rasps in the quiet. “Believe me, I’ve been down that road. Tried to tell myself there must be a good reason for her silence, just like I want to believe that maybe a message will still come. But at some point, Darya, I’m going to have to accept facts, and so are you. Sometimes, the most obvious explanation is simply the truth. And the truth is that Abby kept a lot of secrets. We both know she hated everything about our world, the bratva life. Maybe she just decided to make a clean break.”

“She loves you, Dimitry.” Her voice is soft, but it breaks my heart all the fucking same.

“Don’t.” I spin away from her, staring out the window at the city below. “Please don’t.”

The silence that falls is anything but peaceful. I know Darya is as hurt as I am, but I don’t have the words to comfort her.

“What are you going to do?” she asks eventually.

“I don’t know. Go back to Miami, I guess.” I turn around, forcing myself to face her, though the concern in her face just reminds me of how fucked-up I am. “I can’t stay here. Not without her.”

“Roman misses you. Can’t you talk to him—”

“No.” I cut her off as calmly as I can manage. “Not about this. He’s furious at Abby for leaving you, and frankly, I can’t deal with it.”

She is shaking her head, her face a picture of dismay. “I’mnot the reason Roman is furious at Abby. He’s furious at her because Abby hurtyou,Dimitry.She hurt you badly, and heknows it. Loyalty is everything to him. You’re his closest friend. He’s angry because he doesn’t know how to fix it, and we both know how much Roman hates not being able to fix things.”

She smiles wryly, and even I smile at that.

“Yes,” she goes on, “he is also angry that she hurt me. But it’s really you that he’s worried about. Most of all, I think he’s worried that you won’t ever come back to Malaga.” She looks at me anxiously.

I know what she wants me to say: thatof courseI’ll be back.

Of courseI’ll always be here to have Roman’s back.

But I can’t find it in me to give those kinds of reassurances. Not today.

“At least stay awhile,” she says when I don’t answer. “Talk to Roman about this.”

“Talk to Roman about what?” The man himself comes through the door, carrying a tray with a teapot on it. He looks between Darya and me, and his open smile fades really fucking fast. He puts the tea tray down.

“Something you need to say, brother?” His eyes aren’t shining and joyful anymore. Roman is standing in front of his wife and child, and every inch of his body screams that if I’ve done anything to upset his piece of paradise, I’m about to pay.

And suddenly, I just don’t have the energy for it.

“I was just telling your beautiful wife about the jewelry piece I have to deliver in Barcelona tomorrow.” I force myself to smile at him. “It was actually made by your grandfather Borovsky, can you believe that? It’s a pendant, a really nice piece of work. I’ve taken some photographs of it, I’ll send them to you.”

“Ha!” Roman’s eyes light up again.

Christ, he’s obtuse sometimes.

“But wait.” He frowns. “You didn’t mention this last night. Does this mean you’re leaving already?”

“I have to, brother, I’m sorry. And I did mention it, actually. You were just too far up on cloud nine to notice.” I turn away, taking a slightly savage satisfaction in his confused expression. It might be the only day in history I get away with lying to Roman’s face. “I’m so happy for you both,” I say again, leaning down to give Darya a kiss on the cheek. “I hope you love the gift. And Aleksander is beautiful. Congratulations again.” I grip Roman’s shoulder briefly. “I’ll call you from Barcelona. Look after yourselves, okay?”

Darya’s smile is strained, her frown still clearly visible as I turn away.

I think I’ve made it free and clear when I hear Roman running down the corridor after me. “Dimitry. Hold up.”

Dammit.

I stop reluctantly and turn, plastering a smile on my face. Roman isn’t smiling anymore, though.

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