Chapter 13
Cricket
There have been several moments in my life crystalized in my memory, preserved perfectly like the mosquito in amber from Jurassic Park.
The day my mum finally walked away from my piece of shit father, the time I saw someone’s heart break right before my eyes…
and right now. The moment I realized that the woman I’d befriended and taken in as a sister had survived gladiatorial slavery and gone on with her life like it was business as usual.
I guess for her, it was. And didn’t that just make me want to bloody punch something.
I was such a piece of shite. I volunteered to escort Indi and Lennon the moment I heard where they were going.
Not because I was “the best brother-boss-conscience in the whole, wide world” like Indigo believed, but because I was a selfish bastard who couldn’t turn down an opportunity for a glimpse of his biggest regret and most wicked temptation: Sutton DeVries.
I hadn’t laid eyes on her since that night so many years ago, the night I’d ballsed everything up and she’d disappeared.
When Indigo had asked Bear and me to accompany her tonight, all I could think was, maybe she’ll be there.
An apology was the least of what I owed Sutton, and if I had to use my clinically quirky adopted sister for the chance that I might see her…
I would. That made me a bastard of the highest order, but I couldn’t pretend otherwise.
Un-fucking-fortunately for me, Sutton was nowhere to be found tonight, and Indigo had steered us into intense conversational waters. Because, of course she did.
I didn’t pretend to understand her madness like Bones did, but I couldn’t deny the connection I’d felt with the crazy girl next to me at Mikhail bloody Petrov’s dinner table, of all places.
Indigo and I shared a cheekiness of spirit that I’d come to value quite highly, not to mention our dark sides.
Indigo’s darkness spilled out chaotically, like a cup that’d been filled to the brim…
and then been handed to someone on a roller coaster.
My darkness…well. It simmered, tucked away in the recesses of my mind, until I unleashed it with precision.
I was able to focus my demons… Indigo’s seemed to take chunks out of her at the earliest opportunity.
I couldn’t say which coping mechanism was the most effective, but I could tell you which was more socially acceptable.
It’d be mine.
“So,” Indi said to Mikhail, “if your bratva ended their membership with The Consortium, why was Gregor there? He doesn’t have an accent and spoke in English, but I swear to Bob I recognize his voice. I heard him speaking with Roark after my last match before I escaped.”
“Rest assured, my niece, I intend to look into the matter seriously. Gregor’s father is one of my vory, my highest ranking men, but even that will not save him if he went against my direct command to end any and all dealings with The Consortium.
” A vicious gleam flashed like quicksilver in Mikhail’s eyes.
“You said he spoke with Roark. Did anything else happen?”
Indi snorted. “A lot happened that night. I’m gonna need you to be more specific.”
“Did Gregor interact with you at all? Did he hurt you?”
Indigo shook her head. “No. I never saw him. I could only hear him.” I noticed Mikhail share a brief look with his son, and it didn’t pass Indi’s notice either.
“Look, I’m not perfect. Is there a chance Gregor has a voice twin out there?
Sure. I’m…” She screwed up her face a bit as if thinking deeply.
“Ninety-five percent sure it was Gregor’s voice I heard.
You tend to remember some things that happen in the arena as clear as day, and other things…
seem to blur. A lot of that night is muddy in my mind, but certain things I can’t forget. His voice is one. For… reasons.”
“I believe you. If you’re right, once I have wrung every ounce of information from the ublyudok, he will die horribly. My gift to you.”
“Oh, uhm… thanks,” Indigo said awkwardly. “That’s a gift you can’t really register for, isn’t it?” She rose from her chair, shooting us a look indicating that she was ready to call it a night. The Petrovs followed her lead and walked us to the elevator.
“You could,” Riordan said, a devilish light shining from his eyes. “Give me a list, lisichka, and I’ll gift you as many of your enemies' corpses as you’d like.”
Mikhail cleared his voice as we waited for the lift. “Riordan will give you our phone numbers. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything. I hope to hear from you, but I understand if you wish for space. Regardless, we will get to the bottom of the Gregor situation and let you know.”
Cara offered Indi a hug, which Indi accepted.
It was awkward at first, but after a few moments, Indi melted into the embrace.
Cara whispered something into Indi’s ear that caused my adopted sister to smile when she pulled away, and Riordan witnessed the interaction with a pleased smirk for orchestrating it.
Indi gave him a smile and a wave as she walked into the elevator, and we left The Goldfinch.
Their penthouse reminded me uncomfortably of my father.
Without the consolation of seeing Sutton again, bitter memories of similarly posh surroundings tugged at my attention.
I gave my head a little shake and resisted the urge to look for her.
Scan the lobby for a glimpse of the woman who’d always felt like she was mine, but never really had been.
It took more willpower than I’d like to admit.
I wasn’t just accompanying Indigo as emotional support, though.
I was also here to help protect her while she’s away from the safety of the LC compound.
Roark had always been a threat to Indi, but now she had to look out for Pyro and the Iron Raiders.
I knew our sprightly little Indi could take care of herself, but she was part of our family now. She didn’t have to go it alone anymore.