Page 26 of Unbroken

And why does that make me feel so sad?

Luka comes trotting out, holding a bag of cookies, a smear of frosting on his lip.

"Looks like you had a taste," I say with a smile, trying to keep my tone light and airy.

I glance at my phone and realize I’ve missed five messages and phone calls from Vadka. My heart leaps into my throat. Even while I feel that leap, I also feel momentary relief. He did try to reach me. Us.

"Oh my god," I whisper. "I didn’t realize…"

"What happened?" Semyon is immediately alert. His shoulders pull back, and his eyes snap to mine.

"Vadkadidtry to reach me, but my phone was on silent. Shit. I think I know what happened—Luka had my phone. He was watching a show back at your house, and he must’ve accidentally put it on silent."

Shit.

I shake my head. The kid is smarter than I think. Probably didn’t want his show interrupted.

"That tracks," Semyon says. "Call Vadka back—and tell me what he wants you to do."

I nod, feeling like I’m almost in a sort of daze.

Okay, all right, I can do this. One step at a time.

I’m safe right now. Luka’s safe right now.

I’ve got this.

"Auntie Ruthie? Are we going home?" Luka asks, and I can tell he’s already tired.

"Soon, baby. But right now, you’re gonna go back with Grandfather and Auntie Zoya, okay?"

"Can I go with you to bring Grandma her cookies?"

"Not this time. I’m sorry," I say quietly. "Grandma doesn’t feel well. We have to wait until she’s better, okay?"

He nods, thankfully oblivious to the lump in my throat and the way my voice wavers. Semyon may be too—but his wife isn’t. She gives me a smile, warm and full of encouragement, and I realize then that Icanhandle sympathy. I can handle encouragement. But pity?

Pity makes me feel like I’m not capable of handling hard things.

And I am.

I’m still here, aren’t I?

It doesn’t take long to get back to the Kopolov family mansion. By the time we arrive, Rodion, the youngest Kopolov brother, and his wife Ember are there. He’s got an adorable, fluffy puppy on a leash with him.

"The newest addition to the family," he says brightly, and Luka drops the cookies in the back seat of the car and runs to go see the puppy, who licks his face with so much excitement and enthusiasm—then promptly pees in the garden.

"Good boy!" Rodion says with a big grin. "See? I told you he’d train quickly."

Red-haired Ember gives him a smile.

"He peed because he was excited, not because he’s trained, Rodion. But I think you’re right. I’m pretty sure he is going to train really quickly. Aren’t you, baby?" she says, scratching his ears.

"Uh, does Rafail know you’re bringing a puppy into the house?" I ask.

Ember still talks in her baby voice to the dog, though she’s answering my question.

"Would be bad if Rafail doesn’t know, but it won’t hurt him, will it?" she says, and I can’t help but crack a smile.

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