I walked over to the sofa and sat down.
“Please, come sit down.”
“Talk, Max,” she said and stayed where she was.
“My father used to work for Grigoriy. My family was under his protection. When my father died unexpectedly, Grigoriy took Inessa and me in.”
I stopped to take a breath. Angel didn’t move a muscle. She said nothing, so I carried on talking.
“I’ve always known the kind of man Grigoriy is. And, yes, I’m sure you’re wondering, he is the head of organized crime in Moscow. It isn’t my fault I was born into this life, Angel. I’m not making excuses, but that’s the hand I was dealt.”
“I’m listening,” she said when I paused.
“I never wanted this for Inessa and myself. That’s why I moved away as soon as I was old enough to start a life here in the US.”
“Then why the hell would you choose to smuggle drugs for the Russian mafia, Max? I don’t understand.”
“I didn’t choose this, Angel. Grigoriy led me to believe that I was free. I was just a stupid, naive fucking kid when heallowedus to leave Moscow. The truth is Grigoriy has been waiting in the wings for years. He never had any intention of letting me get a clean break.”
“When did this start? How long have you been lying to me?”
Her words cut me deep.
“It started after you, and I left Russia.”
“I see. So, what was the plan, Max? Distract the gullible girlfriend by showing her the pretty lights of Moscow while you planned our future of lies and deceit. I can’t believe this.”
“No, Angel. That’s not it. I took you with me because I wanted you to see my Moscow. The one I lived in before Grigoriy ripped the fucking joy out of it. I love you, Angel. I’m sorry.”
“I can’t deal with this right now. Give me the car keys.”
“Angel, please.”
“Keys, Max!”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the car keys. I held them out. Angel took the keys from my hand without stopping to look at me and headed for the door. She flung the door open with such force that the knob scuffed the wall.
“Find your own way home,” she snapped and walked away.
I felt sick. I needed a drink. Thankfully, the liquor cabinet in my office was well stocked for emergencies such as these, so I poured myself a stiff drink and threw it back.
“Fuck!” I shouted at the top of my voice.
I called Vlad next and asked him to come to my office. He arrived twenty minutes later. I was a good few shot of whiskey ahead of my cousin by then.
“What’s going on, Max?”
“She knows.”
He stared at me blankly for a while. Then the penny dropped.
“Fuck, Max. How?”
“Does it matter? I’m so screwed, Vlad.”
“Where is Angel now?”
“She stormed out and left me here without wheels.”