“THE END.” I close the book, but Irina’s small fingers overlap mine, hinting we’re not done. Unable to control my laughter, I give in. “Are you sure you don’t want me to read you another story?”
She looks at me as though I’ve gone mad.
She isn’t too far off the mark, however. It’s been two days since I was swathed in Ella’s sweetness, and it’s been two days since she’s said a word to me.
I don’t blame her. I got what I wanted—her hating me. But that doesn’t make it any easier to breathe.
My cell rings. It’s Pavel. “Hello.”
“Can you meet me today?”
“Why? You have a job?” I ask, rubbing Irina’s cheek when she pouts.
“Not a job. But I have something I want to show you. Meet me at the usual place. It’s Friday, just in case you forgot.” And he hangs up.
This is typical, paranoid Pavel.
