Page 131 of Anton

I lift my hand to her face and brush away her tears with a gentleness I never knew I possessed. Her eyes drift shut at my touch, and an unfamiliar ache spreads behind my ribs as I lean down and press my lips to her forehead.

“Tell me what you need.”

“I don’t even know.” Her fingers wrap around my wrist, eyes meeting mine. “I wish I knew who my family was. If I had more. If anyone ever thought about me after I disappeared. I know nothing except my parents’ names, and even those don’t feel real.”

“If you want, I can look them up. Find the address where you lived. We can also see if anyone remembers them or you from back then.” My thumb continues to brush along her cheek.

“Really?” Her brows jump. “You’d do that for me?”

“Of course. Whatever you need.”

Her fingers slide from my wrist and weave through mine, her gaze fixed on the connection as though she sees something I don’t.

“Thanks for being here for me.” She raises my knuckles to her lips and kisses them, sending a sharp rush through me.

I don’t say anything. I’m not even sure how to respond. So I hold her hand instead, vowing to find every single way I can help her.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

ANTON

I held her until dawn, barely sleeping in case she woke upset. But she stayed tucked against me, trusting my arms to keep the worst of it away. That still feels strange, knowing I can give her comfort instead of fear.

Morning has replaced the night, and she’s buckling herself into the passenger seat, preparing to see the place where she once lived while my phone keeps ringing.

Third time this morning. Konstantin again.

Nu blyat. Chto on hochit? Fuck. What does he want?

“Is that your brother?” Thora asks. “My sister keeps calling me too, but I’m not telling them shit.”

A snicker rises in my throat. “Unfortunately, I do not have that luxury. If I don’t answer, they will think I’m dead.”

“Fine, you win. Answer it. I won’t say a word.”

I put the call on speaker as I pull out of the parking lot. “Da.”

“Privet. I’ve been calling you since yesterday. Where are you?”

“I’m on vacation.”

My eyes cut toward Thora, and when she catches me looking, the edge of my mouth lifts.

Silence answers me from the other end of the line, stretching just long enough to become suspicious.

“What do you mean you’re on vacation?”

“I think the word is self-explanatory, no?”

“You never take vacations.”

“Well, I decided to set a new precedent.”

Konstantin chuckles dryly, probably trying to figure out where I am and what I’m actually doing.

“Maybe we should all do the same more often,” he says.

“What’s stopping you, brother?”