Chapter Twenty-Three
TWO WEEKS LATER
Being back home in New York with Addison has been incredible. We’ve settled into a routine. We’ve both started studying different courses online. During the day, we study and fool around. At night, we fool around more. She still has her own room, but she hasn’t slept in it since we returned.
“Stop,” Addison hisses at me. We’re sitting in one of the living rooms, where she insisted we study today because she’s claiming we’re not studying enough when we’re closed in a bedroom together.
Over the last two weeks, I’ve noticed Addison become lighter, more at ease. Especially when it’s just the two of us together. I have fallen more and more in love with her every single day. I’ve also hated myself for not following my dad’s advice and chasing after her when she left.
“Hey, I need you to go and run an errand with your brother,” Dad says, popping his head into the room.
I look at Addison and then back at my father. “What kind of errand?” I ask him in Russian.
“The kind where your depravity will be useful,” Dad replies, also in Russian, before looking to Addison. “You want to come and sit in my office to study while Lex is gone?”
“Um, are you sure? It won’t be for long. Mabilia is stopping by to see me,” Addison says.
My head turns to her. “Since when?”
“Since she messaged me this morning.”
“You didn’t tell me.”
“I didn’t know I had to,” Addison retorts.
“My sister isn’t the type of friend you need,” I groan. My sister is fucking insane and always finding herself in trouble.
“Well, she says she’s my sister now and we need to do sisterly things,” Addison huffs.
“Lex, Mabilia is perfect. Stop trying to scare the girl,” Dad says. “Come in when you’re ready, Addison.”
“Thanks, Mikhail.” Addison smiles at my dad. It’s still fucking weird when she calls him that. “Do you really not want me to be friends with your sister?” she asks me.
“No, yes. I mean, she’s just… she’s always in trouble. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Trust me, I will always steer clear of trouble, Lex,” Addi assures me.
“Mabilia is more than capable of handling herself. She once took down three mobsters on her own,” I say. “If you are ever out with her, she’ll keep you safe, Addi. I would just prefer I was always with you.”
“Maybe I should learn to take care of myself,” she suggests. “I mean, I’m marrying into the mafia, right? I should at the very least know how to use a gun.”
“You don’t know how to shoot?” I ask, mortified. Why have I not thought of that already?
“I’ve never had a reason to.”
“Okay. I’m going to teach you. Everything. But right now, I do need to go and see what my brother needs help with.”
“Whatever it is you’re doing, be safe.” Addison picks up her books and stands. “I’m going to go talk to your dad.”
After hours of torturing some fucker for information, I snuck in, took a shower in one of the guest bathrooms, and then walked through the entire house looking for Addison. I can’t find anyone.
I have to give it to the guy. He held on longer than I thought he would. It was Addison’s suggestion of adding nails to the bat that finally broke him.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I dial her number. “Hey,” she answers on the second ring.
“Where are you?”
“Well, I’m good. Thanks for asking, Lex,” she says.