Chapter 43 #2
His lips twitch. “Fine, yes, she’s all of that, but she’s also one of the only reasons this entire plan worked.
The parts of her that she had to sacrifice to get it done, and the lives she saved in the process.
You may hate her, but without her, you’d be dead, I would be dead, and countless men, women, and children would be going through hundreds of pipelines throughout the world right now.
She went about it in a way few will understand, but I think the result justifies the means. ”
I stare at him, and I hate that I can see his point. Damn it. I don’t want to feel bad for her. I don’t want to feel anything for her.
“I’m never going to be her best friend.”
“I doubt she wants that either. You have too much between you, and you’re connected to the world that put her here in the first place.
” I narrow my eyes at him. Wait, she told him her story?
“She’s told me enough. I know how she got to that school, and I know that her family sent her away.
Now, you’re here, and you’re going into a family where her biological sister and cousins are living their happy lives, only just wise to her existence.
And none of them like or trust her. She can’t have what you will. ”
Damn it. Damn it. Damn it.
I don’t want to understand this. Or feel pity for her. But he’s right
“Is that why she’s fixated on Ilya? She sees a chance for herself to have a family?”
“I think she’s finally realized that there’s more to life than death and contracts. To hiding who she is. Maybe that will be enough for her, maybe it won’t, but it’s up to her to figure that out.”
“So she’s going to give up the assassin work?”
“I don’t know. Right now, the only thing I want to focus on is getting my father’s territory and men under control.
I have some dismantling to do, and some men to get rid of.
It was the agreement I made with Lane when we started this.
Get my home back, and I’d make sure that no more trafficking happened here.
And I’d work with Ilya to keep it that way. ”
That last part came out on a grumble, and I chuckle. “Not a fan of him, huh?”
“Remains to be seen. And his security was lacking. I got into that house multiple times without ever being seen or caught.”
A thought hits me. “It was you that left the rose on my pillow, wasn’t it? Not Simeon.”
He nods. “I thought it might clue you in, but I never considered you’d think it was my idiot brother.
He never even left his room, so there was no way he could have done it.
” He gives me a pointed look and I try not to flush.
Yeah, yeah, I missed the obvious. I was tired, sue me.
“But I saw the way you looked when you thought it was your man. You’ve got it bad for him. ”
I grin, not the least bit embarrassed. “I really do. I think you two could actually like each other if you tried.”
“Don’t push it, solnyshko.” But there’s another small smile pulling at his lips. “All I care about is that you’re happy. Past that, we’re on opposite sides of the crime world, and that’s where things will stay.”
“Fine.” I don’t bother to point out that being in my life means he’s going to have to deal with Alonzo, and probably his family and the Carusos, too. He’ll figure that out soon enough.
I look back at the house and see Alonzo standing there, watching us, arms crossed over his chest. I look back at Mishka. “I hope you find this one day. Someone to love, and who will love you back just as fiercely.”
“Love is a pipe dream in my position, Aurora. And I have no interest or time to worry myself with these things. I’ll leave that to you. Now, go back and soothe your man before he has a coronary.”
I chuckle. “Alright. When are you leaving?”
Before he can answer, I hear Lane behind me. “We’re leaving now.”
I whirl, seeing her standing there in the darkness, an unreadable expression on her face. I really don’t like having her sneak up on me. Old habits die hard, I guess, and I don’t fully trust that she won’t still try to maim me.
I glance around, and I don’t see Ilya. “Where’s your man?”
“He’s asleep.” I see the smug smile pull at her lips. “He’ll wake up in about twelve hours, but we’ll be long gone by then.”
I stare at her, slowly computing what she’s just said. “What the hell? You drugged him?”
“It’s our thing. Trust me, he might be a little pissed when he wakes up, but then he’ll be pleased when he sees what I’ve left him. The thrill of the chase and all that. I’ve already made it clear he’s mine, and no one else will ever get to have him.” Her smile turns lethal.
I look at Mishka, but he just shrugs and eases away to stand with Lane.
“You know what, it’s been a long fucking day, and I don’t want to try and figure out your weird-ass foreplay. You have your reasons, but I’m not about to help your ass when he figures out where you are,” I warn her.
She chuckles. “Bitch, I want him to come after me. I have some business to finish first, and then I’ll let him catch me. Maybe. Or I’ll catch him. Depending on my mood that day. For now, we have some things we have to deal with, and you can fly back to be with your friends.”
I look at her, really look at her, and there, just under the facade is the bitterness and pain.
It’s hard to see, and she hides it well.
Instead of letting the snarky retort fall from my lips, I say softly, “I’ll tell them you say hello.
I’m sure Amara will want to see you again.
She’s been without family until now, and she wants nothing more than to get to know her sister. Even if it’s from afar.”
I see it then, the small freeze, the small light of hope that flashes.
Then it’s gone, and the walls are back. “Maybe some day. For now, this is what we’re going to be.
Now, we have places to be, and things to handle.
See you around, Ms. O’Brien.” Then she turns and walks back into the darkness, disappearing, not even a sound of her footsteps.
Mishka gives me a nod. “Goodbye, Rayea.”
“Bye, Mishka.” I want to hug him, but I hold myself back. This has to be enough for now.
But he surprises me by moving forward and grabbing me up in a tight hug. I hug him back, feeling sad that I’ll be losing him again, but elated that it won’t be forever. When he pulls away, he leans down to kiss my cheek, before turning on his heel.
He follows the direction Lane took, and I stare after him until I can’t see or hear him anymore. I don’t move, watching the darkness, and even though I’m sad, the pain of it is ebbed knowing that this isn’t goodbye.
Alonzo’s arms wrap around me, pulling me into him, and that final piece, the little sliver trying to find its place, settles. This, this is right. This is all I needed.
“Are you alright, orsetta?” he murmurs.
“I am now,” I murmur, resting my head on his chest and relaxing into him. This is all I ever needed. Rayea Antonova is dead, and Aurora O’Brien has finally found her place.