And God… I couldn’t help but worry about the big Russian.
Would he be okay? Would he be locked up for the rest of his life?
I felt that sour feeling in my stomach intensify. I placed a hand on my belly and had to bite my lip to distract myself from my thoughts.
“Okay,” I whispered, turning back to Amara. “I’ll gather my stuff.”
And just like that, things sucked all over again.
Chapter 13
Claudia
ONE MONTH LATER
Dmitry,
I don’t know if this is appropriate, sending you letters.
Amara doesn’t want me getting involved. She told me I shouldn’t be worried about you, that I should focus on school.
Please don’t tell your brother I’m writing you. He’ll tell Amara, and they’ll think I have a crush on you.
I talk to Amara daily. Her and Nikolai are watching Sasha while you’re away. Amara says Nikolai complains that he should give Sasha kibble instead of the steaks you demand. She said she knows he’s kidding, that him bitching is his way of dealing with you in prison.
Do you get good coffee there? Probably not. I remember when Nikolai gave you a hard time about it.
I overheard Nikolai and Amara talking about where they’d sent you.
That’s a lie.
I was totally eavesdropping. That’s how I knew where they’d taken you, and where to send the letters. I figured it couldn’t hurt to let you know someone is thinking about you.
I know we don’t really know each other aside from the few times we actually met. But if I’m lonely, I can’t imagine how much worse it is for you being in prison.
Or maybe it isn’t for men like you. Maybe you have a lot of people to talk to. I know I don’t. But even the strongest person needs a friend, right? I could be that person for you, Dmitry. I know I'm a lot younger than you, and you probably think of me as some stupid little girl, but I feel like I’ve experienced a lot.
Maybe I can tell you what’s going on out here? Or maybe you’ll already know all of that. I’m sure your brother will keep you updated. I know when Gio got locked up, he always knew everything.
The night of the raid, they made me leave Desolation. Gio ordered it. A part of me is afraid that he’ll turn out like our father. Overbearing and controlling. He’d never be cruel, never hurt me with violence, but I know being in certain positions of power means things change for you. You start thinking differently.
I really hope he doesn't change, but I can already see it in his eyes. He’s hardly home, and when he is, I notice how it looks like he got into a fight. Father never did things like that. But Gio is cut from a different cloth.
I hope he learned that it’s better to have a kind heart and rule than to have people afraid of you.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know some things going on. I hope you’re doing okay, and I hope you know I’m thinking about you and I’ll keep writing until you tell me to stop.
Claudia
Chapter 14
Claudia
ONE YEAR LATER
Dmitry,
I should probably take the hint that you don’t want to talk since you haven’t written me back. But you haven’t specifically told me to stop sending letters, so here I am.
I hope you’re doing well. I ask more about you every time I talk to Amara, but she’s always evasive. I know she still thinks of me as a little kid.
She doesn’t want to scare me or have me get hurt. She’d probably love to take me to a deserted island and leave me there, so I was far away from all of… this.
School is okay. I’m trying to focus on getting straight A’s this year. My teachers are idiots though.
I’ve actually had to correct them on some of their lesson plans. Let me tell you… they don’t particularly like someone they are supposed to be teaching telling them they’re wrong.
Amara had her baby. I’m sure you know, obviously. Luca is so gorgeous. He’s got a head of thick black hair and the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.
He won’t be able to keep the girls away when he’s older. He looks just like Nikolai.
I visited Amara over the summer and stayed at their penthouse. It’s the first time I saw Sasha since everything happened. I was afraid she wouldn’t remember me, but she came right up to me and nudged my hand to pet her.
She didn’t leave my side the entire time I was there.
I talked to her about you, letting her know you’ll be back as soon as you can. I know some people think animals can’t miss or feel sad, but I can see there’s a big difference with her because you’re not around.
Ever since the raid, Gio has been obnoxiously overbearing. He worries so much. I mean, he always has, but ever since… well, my father’s death, I can see the stress piling on him.