Inessa and I cleared the dinner table, then sat down in the living room.
“What’s happening, Max?”
“You’re not going to be happy about what I’m about to say.”
“What?” she asked, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“I’m sorry, Inessa, but you and the boys have to go into a safe house until Grigoriy and his associates are arrested.”
I waited for my sister to react. It took a few moments.
“Are you fucking crazy?”
“I’m sorry, Sis, but it is what it is.”
“What about Charlie and Jeremy? I can’t leave them, Max. I can’t believe you’re asking me to do this.”
“Charlie and Jeremy have to go with you.”
“But, Charlie doesn’t have a clue that any of this is happening.”
“We’re going to have to tell him. Tonight.”
Inessa got up and paced the living room. She ranted quietly in Russian, just in case her voice carried to where her husband was, blissfully unaware of the shit storm about to hit. I sat quietly. My sister clearly needed her space.
“He’s never going to look at me in the same way again,” I said softly, more to myself than to Inessa.
“I’m mad as hell, Max. But I love you and so does Charlie. We’ll break it to him gently.”
“Thank you, Sis. I’m so sorry.”
“Please, stop apologizing. This isn’t your fault.”
I got up and went across to where my sister was standing. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Max.”
“I need a shot.”
“Better make that two. I could use some liquid courage. This one’s gonna sting.”
“Like a mofo.”
Charlie returned to the living room about half an hour later. He was wearing a new shirt.
“That was a fun splash fest,” he smiled. “What did I miss?” he asked when he saw the two of us. I assumed our faces spoke volumes.
“Have a seat, Babe. We have to talk.”
“Sounds serious.”
“It is,” I answered.
“Okay,” Charlie said once he was seated. “I’m listening.”
“Charlie, you know about Grigoriy. I’ve told you the story,” Inessa started.