“Hey, Sweetheart,” she answers almost immediately.
“Hi, Mom. How are you?”
“Same old but good. And you?”
“I’m great. I’m sitting on a bench by the Aare river. The view is gorgeous.”
“I’m glad you’re getting to see the world. Are you still in Saint Luc?”
“Yes, I’ll only look at moving to another town in two months.”
“Good, take your time and see everything. Remember to send photos. I’m uploading them all so I can make a collage of every country you visit.”
My mom’s a photo hoarder. If my dad gave her half a chance, every inch of the house would be covered with photos.
I let out a chuckle. “I’ll definitely send some of Bern. It’s so pretty here.”
“Have you made any friends in the village?”
“One.” There’s a stab of heartache. “But he’s a recluse, and I think I scared him off with my incessant talking.”
“I doubt that, sweetheart.”
There’s a moment’s pause, then I admit, “I really like him.”
“What’s his name?”
“Carson.”
“What does he do for a living?” the interrogation begins.
I chuckle again. “It doesn’t matter because I doubt I’ll see him again.”
“You said the village is small. I’m sure you’ll run into him from time to time.”
I get the weird feeling again, and glancing to my right, I see the shadowy outline of someone near a tree.
“Mom, I have to go. I’ll call again,” I say as I get up, my eyes on the figure.
“Okay. Be safe. We love you,” Mom quickly calls out.
“Love you too.” I end the call, but as soon as I glance back up again, the figure is gone.
A frown forms on my forehead.
Did I imagine it?
I’m sure I saw someone standing there.
Feeling freaked out, I pick up the apple and bottle of water, and shoving them in my backpack, I quickly walk in the direction of the hostel.
Chapter 8
CARSON
When the motion sensor begins to beep, I turn it off and walk to the front door. Opening it, I watch as the armored SUV comes to a standstill, and then Alexei and Demitri get out.
My lips curve up as I walk toward my brother and his personal guard.
With Alexei being five years older than me, we look like twins, both of us taking after our father. The only difference is the worry lines etched between his eyebrows. It makes him look deadlier than I remember.
As soon as Alexei’s eyes land on me, a grin spreads over his face, and then he opens his arms wide. When we hug, the heaviness that’s been weighing on my heart lifts a little.
We stand holding each other for a long moment before Alexei pulls back. With his hands resting on my shoulders, his eyes meet mine. “It’s been too long.”
I nod, then turn to give Demitri a quick hug.
“Come in,” I say as I lead the way.
Alexei takes in the place I call home, and I let him inspect every room. He doesn’t make any comments until we walk into the armory.
“Good,” he mutters, seemingly happy. “Did you get the weapons from Lucian?”
Lucian’s the head of the Italian Mafia and a close friend of the family.
“Yes.”
“Good,” Alexei says again. “Let’s drink.”
I let out a chuckle, my brother’s favorite words settling warm in my chest.
We head up the stairs and walking into the living room, Alexei and Demitri take a seat while I pour each of us a vodka.
When I’ve handed them their drinks, I sit down on the other couch.
“Na zdoróv'je,” we toast, and after Alexei’s taken a sip, he asks, “Who’s the girl?”
Fuck.
I should’ve known better than trying to hide Hailey from him.
“How did you find out?” I want to know who betrayed me.
“Demitri,” Alexei mutters.
When I glance at my brother’s custodian and best friend, he only shrugs apologetically.
My brother’s tone turns hard as he asks, “Who’s the fucking girl?”
“Just a local in the village. She works at the bar.”
“A fucking local,” he barks. “Have I taught you nothing?”
“There’s nothing to be worried about,” I snap back at him.
Alexei stares at me for so long, I can actually feel the minutes tick by.
“Christ,” he mutters, and then he downs his drink. Getting up, he goes to pour himself another. “You’re going to get her killed. She’s not from our world.”
“I know.”
“Do you?” Alexei asks as he turns around with the tumbler in his hand.
“I do. That’s why I broke all contact with her.”
Slowly Alexei nods, and then he takes his phone out of his pocket, and a moment later, my own beeps. I pull the device out and open the message from him.
Fuck.
It’s photos of Hailey and me in Zürich, outside her house, and in Bern.
“Lie to me again, and I’m going to beat you up,” Alexei threatens.
I drop my phone on the couch, and letting out a sigh, I slump back against the cushion.
This is why my brother is the best in the world. He fucking knows when you’re going to take a shit before you even think of taking one.