Page 30 of Love to Defy You
“Is that what you were doing Saturday night?” I step forward and shove my finger into his chest. “Protecting me while someone smashed my face in?”
“You and I both know you can handle yourself in a fight.” Mikhail walks over to one of the sinks and turns on the faucet to cold, then splashes water on his face. “These trials aren’t easy, but if you cooperate, you’ll make it out the other side with your life intact. But I need you to do what they say.”
I meet his gaze in the mirror. “You know following orders isn’t my strong suit.”
He gives me a withering look. “Yeah, I know. But you’re gonna have to get over it if you want to live.”
It’s so outlandish I can’t believe it, but I’ve never seen Mikhail, the perpetual buffoon, be this serious about anything in his life. Doubt weaves its way through my mind, making me question everything I thought I knew growing up.
Is that how my grandfather became the first president of Andarusia? Because he was part of this elite brotherhood? Is that why my father took over next? Is that why Grigor assumed I would follow in his footsteps, because he knew I’d be initiated into this secret society?
Grigor once told me,When you are ready to take over, Russia will ensure our victory. They always do.
But was it Russia? Or was it this secret brotherhood puppeting Andarusia from the shadows?
Before my father died, my future was already decided for me. I would one day become the president of Andarusia like my father before me and his father before him. But when I was exiled from my homeland, the future opened up to opportunity.
All I want is to figure out who I am and what I want to be, and I plan to do that with Willow by my side.
But my father’s ghost haunts me from the grave, and this secret society is just a cruel reminder that I can never escape him or the destiny he laid out for me.
Mikhail approaches and puts a hand on my shoulder. “Look, the next trial will be easy, but they’ll get harder. It’s nothing you can’t handle, but you’re going to have to make some tough choices. Do things you won’t like.”
“Such as?”
His hand slips from my shoulder. “I’ve already said too much. Just... be there on Saturday night. Make sure you’re early, just to be safe.”
“Fine, I’ll play along. For now, anyway.” I spin around to face him. “But I need to know how they have access to my apartment.”
“I could tell you,” Mikhail says, the corner of his mouth twitching. “But then I’d have to kill you.”
I shake my head. “Of course you’d turn this into a joke.” Making light of serious subjects has always been in his nature, even if it’s at the most inappropriate times. I cross the bathroom to retrieve my backpack and sling it over my shoulder. “I need to know if Willow will be safe while I’m gone.”
“She’ll be safe. I’ll send Josie over to keep an eye on her if that makes you feel better?”
“The last time Josie hung out with her, Willow came home drunk off her ass.” I pause. “Hold on... did you ask Josie to take Willow out on Saturday so she’d be out of the apartment?”
“Perhaps.” Mikhail rocks back and forth on the balls of his feet. “Anyway, I hope this doesn’t mean I’m uninvited for Christmas? We missed you at the chalet last year.”
Mikhail and his parents spend every Christmas with my family at our ski chalet in the Swiss Alps, until his mother started to skip the trips as we got older. But last year, Willow and I spent the holiday with Mr. Baker and his fiancée in Dresden touring the Christmas markets.
I sigh. “Yes, you’re still invited. But I’m banning all parents this year. That includes yours.”
“Hey, you won’t hear any complaints from me. A parent-free Christmas sounds heavenly.” He glances at the floor and kicks a small pebble on the tile. “Does that mean Ana will be staying with your mother in Paris?”
“I’m not sure yet,” I answer. “Why?”
“No reason. Just curious.” He heads over to pick up his book bag. “Anyway, I’ll see you later. Remember, don’t be late Saturday. I’m serious.” Mikhail slides the lock on the door and exits, and when it shuts behind him, the heavy thud echoes in the empty bathroom.
Chapter 8
Alek
Once again, Weltner’s campus is quiet on this Saturday night. An eerie silence hangs over the quad, punctuated only by my footsteps on the sidewalk.
Most professors are already in bed, and the students are either studying in the library or are off-campus exploring the nightlife in Zurich. Before I left the apartment, I made it clear to Willow that she was not to leave the penthouse, not even to hang out with Josie.Especiallynot Josie. I don’t need Willow wandering the streets drunk without me there to watch out for her.
But I can’t keep her locked up in the apartment for the next three years. Willow Baker is a restless soul who craves excitement, and if this secret society bullshit keeps me preoccupied every weekend, I’ll be furious. So furious I might be driven to murder, and I’ll add the skulls of my victims to the collection gathering in that underground chamber.
