Biting back my irritation, I say, “This is the day you decide to behave like a snotty teenager? Was there an occasion or you just wanted to be unpredictable?”
She gives me the stink eye and starts loading my plate with food, still pointedly not answering any of my questions.
“You haven’t poisoned those, have you?” I drawl. Her lips twitch but she refuses to smile. I clear my throat and try again. “So what have you been up to today?”
“Oh you know, same ol, same ol. Watched TV, went for a walk, read a book. Met the woman you’ve got trapped down in the basement.”
Wait.
“What?”
She pushes the plate towards me. “Alyssa. You know her? The pretty blonde in the basement. She and I had a little chat while Lev played video games. She’s really got a way with him. He seems so comfortable around her.”
I take a deep breath to steady myself, even though it feels like I’m being tossed around on a boat in the middle of a storm. “Did Lev tell you?”
“We literally just established that Lev barely talks to me. No, I followed him down there. I’m sure you’ve noticed that he’s not the stealthiest of people. Or the most secretive.”
“I told you to stay out of the basement,” I grit out.
“Well, I didn’t listen.” She jabs a finger in my direction. “You should have told me the reason why.”
“It’s none of your business, Polina. This is a Bratva issue and I don’t want you getting involved in it.”
“She’s miserable down there.”
“I’m aware.”
My sister’s eyes narrow. “She’s obviously down there because I’m up here. Now that I know, you can at least offer her a bedroom. No point in secrecy if the cat’s out of the bag.”
My jaw clenches. That would have made sense a few weeks ago. But now? After everything that’s gone down between Alyssa and me? I can’t imagine anything worse than having her around, in my space, spending time with my siblings. They only met today and already, Polly is in my face, championing Alyssa’s cause. The little narushitel must have some fucking witchcraft power when it comes to the Bugrov clan.
“You need to forget about her.”
Polina’s jaw drops. “You’re not gonna let her out?”
“It’s better this way. She won’t stay in the basement forever. But for right now—”
“That’s inhuman!” she snaps. “And you are not inhuman, Uri.”
“I am when I have to be. You only know me as your brother. I am much more than just your brother, Polina.”
She shakes her head with disappointment. “Say whatever you want; I don’t believe you.”
“You don’t have to believe me. But you do have to trust me. I know what’s best—”
“Don’t!” Polly screams in a voice that I’ve never heard her use before. She sounds so damn sad all of a sudden. So damn angry. “Don’t tell me that you know what’s best for me. It’s a lie. It’s a fucking lie!”
“Polina—”
“I’m serious. That’s exactly what Dad said to me before they left on that stupid drive with Lev. I had to stay behind because I had soccer practice and he refused to let me miss it. Honor your commitments, Polina, he told me. You’ll thank me later. I know what’s best for you. It’s all fucking bullshit!”
I stare at her. “You’ve been keeping that in a long time.”
She sighs and runs her hands over her face as all the fight dissipates from her body just as suddenly as it appeared. “I didn’t mean to scream.”
“It’s okay. Screaming is healthy from time to time.”
“I’m fourteen years old. I know right from wrong, Uri. I know exactly who you are. Being pakhan doesn’t make you a villain. But keeping a woman locked in a basement against her will… that most certainly does.”
I bite back my own anger. “You don’t know the whole story.”
“Yes, I do. Alyssa told me.”
Goddammit.
“How long were you down there with her?”
“Long enough,” she retorts, crossing her hands over her chest. “What’s going on between the two of you?”
“Your new best friend didn’t fill you in?”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh, real mature. You know I’m supposed to be the teenager here, right?”
“I’m not doing this right now. Go to your room, Polly.”
“You can’t just send me to my room when you don’t like the way the conversation is going. You’re not my father.”
I advance on her. “I’m the closest fucking thing you have to it. Alyssa is down there for her own safety and she will stay down there until the threat has passed. Now, go to your room.”
She sizes me up. Then her jaw tightens in a gesture that looks all too familiar—because I see it every time I look in the mirror. “Enjoy your food,” she snaps. Then she drops the plate right to the floor. It cracks and shatters, dough and porcelain flying in every direction.
Polina doesn’t stick around to see the mess. She storms off, leaving a trail of melancholy rage in her wake.
The moment she’s disappeared upstairs, I turn and go to the basement. Alyssa’s already got Lev.
I’m not gonna let her get to Polly, too.
53
ALYSSA
He storms in like a tornado, all rage and chaos and turmoil. I’m guessing Polly went and spilled the beans, because there’s no other reason for this visit. No other reason for that wild, unhinged look in his face.
I back up a little despite swearing internally that I was going to stand my ground this time. “For a man who says he doesn’t want anything to do with me, you sure come down here a lot.”
His eyes flare with azure flame and I bite my tongue. Why are you goading him? I tell myself Uri would never hurt me, but I’ve also never seen him look so angry.
He charges forward, forcing me against the far wall. He doesn’t stop until his body is an inch from mine and his nose is almost touching my own. “So I hear you met my sister,” he growls. His voice is deep and guttural. There’s definitely anger there… but there’s passion, too.
“You’re acting as though I conned her into coming down here,” I snap back. “She’s the one who followed Lev. That’s not my fault!”
“Maybe not, but shooting your mouth off about everything sure as hell is.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. You can keep me hostage here but I can’t talk about it? You get to treat me like shit but I can’t react to it? You get to push your way into my space and I can’t push—” I put my hands on his chest and shove. “—back!”
He doesn’t budge an inch. Instead, his hands slam down on either side of me, trapping me. I should feel claustrophobic but all I feel is hot. Really, really hot.
“You can do whatever the fuck you want. Just don’t do it with my siblings. Those two are off-limits.”
“Mhmm, and have you told them that?” I demand. “Because they’re the ones that came looking for me.”
“Lev doesn’t know any better and Polly wasn’t looking for shit. She just—”
“You don’t think she’s looking for anything?” I scoff. “Try attention. Try affection. Try honesty.”