My brows furrow together. “Is it that obvious?”
“To me, yes. I don’t want to see you lose yourself to Pavel. That’s why I’m helping you.”
“It might be a little late for that.”
She smiles sympathetically. “I hope not, Liya. Because all the help in the world can’t make your decisions for you. You have to do some things for yourself.”
It makes my heart twitch to realize she’s acting like the family I never quite had.
But I smash that feeling down in favor of whispering, “Like?”
“Like figure out how he thinks,” she suggests. “Get inside his head a little bit. And don’t be scared by the darkness you discover.”
“Do you know how he thinks?”
She shakes her head. “If I did, I would tell you all about it.”
“I guess I have to sort that out for myself.”
“I have faith in you.” She beams. “That’s why I participated in your interview. And I trust that you’ll either find a way, or make one.”
I return the grin, feeling a flushed warmth that makes me want to throw my arms around this woman. But I don’t do that. I thank her for the crackers, give her a quick hug, and then leave, thinking about the one person who would be able to tell me all about Pavel’s brain.
Viktoria.
***
Afternoon tea and cookies wait for me on the terrace. Part of me expects to see Zoya and Pavel out there, but the table is empty, inviting me to plop into it and shed the striped blazer I wore to my interview. I toss it over the back of the nearest chair and slump forward, inhaling the fresh scent of herbs, spices, cream, and chocolate.
“My own blend today,krolik,” Viktoria announces. I’ve gotten used to her appearing out of nowhere. And today, I’m glad she has. She lifts the teapot and pours me a cup. “Turmeric will help with the cramps.”
I raise my eyebrows. “How do you know I’m having cramps?”
She sets the pot firmly on the table. “Because I hear you complaining about cramps.”
“Why are you listening to me use the bathroom, Viktoria?”
Her expression doesn’t change. “You think Iwantto hear that?”
I smile and motion for her to sit. She dips her head with appreciation, the corners of her eyes crinkling as she pours herself a cup of tea.
“Hey, Viktoria?”
“Yes,krolik?”
“Can you tell me more about Pavel’s world?”
She stirs a couple of sugar cubes into her cup. “I’m not aware of the inner workings of the Bratva.”
I laugh. “What are you talking about? You said your son was in the Bratva. And your husband, too. You’ve been caring for Pavel for like literallyever.”
Her eyes appear as two precious stones, cold and hard as ever.
I deflate slightly. “I’m not looking for how things work. Just what goes on in his brain. How does a man like him think?”
Her face shifts, and what little warmth was there earlier disappears. “Why do you need to know?” she asks coldly.
My mood sours. She’s never been closed off like this before. As I open my mouth to explain, she raises a hand to silence me.