Page 147 of Sadistic

"This is our normal." He takes my hand. "Might as well get used to it."

We window shop, grab coffee from a local place, pretend the weight of our names doesn't follow us everywhere.

People recognize Doran—some with fear, some with respect.

"Does it bother you?" I ask as yet another person crosses the street to avoid us.

"Used to it." He squeezes my hand. "Does it bother you?"

"I don't know yet."

"Honest. I like that."

My phone rings.

Greer's name flashes on the screen.

"Darling," she says when I answer. "I hope I'm not interrupting the honeymoon."

"Just walking around the town."

"Perfect. I wanted to talk to you about Dalla."

"The internship?"

"If she's interested. But more than that." Her voice warms. "She's family now. I'd like to help her find her path, whatever that might be."

"I think she'd love that."

"Wonderful. We'll set something up when you're back." She pauses. "How's my son treating you?"

I glance at Doran, who's pretending not to eavesdrop. "Like a princess."

"Good. He better. I have photos from his emo phase if you need blackmail material."

"Mum," Doran groans.

"Is that him? Tell him to call me later. Olyvar's in town."

The temperature seems to drop. "He told me."

"Of course he did. Good. Partners share these things." Her voice sharpens. "Be careful, both of you. That boy is unpredictable."

"We will."

After she hangs up, Doran's mood has shifted.

The easy happiness is gone, replaced by him being on guard.

"We should head back," he says.

"Because of your brother?"

"Because I don't like not knowing why he's here." He signals Mikhail. "But first, one more stop."

He leads me to a jewelry store, the kind with security guards and no prices in the windows.

"Doran—"

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