Page 89 of Where the Wind Whispers

“Ma,” Kaz said, his arms outstretched toward Irina, “he’s in surgery, we’ll know more—”

“You have one job that matters,” Irina interrupted softly.

Kaz’s back tensed, his next words hesitant. “You don’t understand what happened, Ma.”

Violet doubted he was about to explain it to his mother.

He hadn’t even explained it to her yet.

“One job, Kazimir,” Irina repeated, “and that is to protect your family—all of them.”

Kaz said nothing, but Violet could see the pain reflecting in his profile as he glanced away.

The twins began to ask questions, shooting one after the other.

“What happened?” Dina asked.

Nika’s question came at the same time. “Will Rus be okay?”

“How long before we know something?”

“Can we see him as soon as he’s out of surgery?”

Dina peered over at Violet. “Why is she all bloody?”

“Was she there too?” Nika asked.

The questions kept coming.

One after the other.

Violet could see Kaz’s control beginning to wane with each one.

Finally, he said, “That’s enough.”

His words came out quiet but forceful.

It was a tone she rarely heard Kaz take with his younger sisters.

Still, it did the job, and the girls quieted.

Irina pushed the girls toward a line of chairs, ordering them to sit and be quiet for a while. Once the twins settled, phones in hand, she turned her attention back to her son.

“What will you tell me?” Irina asked.

Kaz’s gaze traveled over the people around them. Many watched the exchange, but they were too far away to get the full conversation.

“Things happened,” Kaz offered blandly.

“Your brother was nearly kill—”

“I know, Ma.” Letting out a harsh sigh, Kaz scrubbed a hand down his face. “I just … mind the girls, I have calls to make.”

His cold, sterile response gave away nothing.

Irina only stared at her son, sadness dawning her gaze. “I’m so tired of doing this, Kazimir. I have been doing this—getting these calls and spending nights in these same rooms—for years. You have one job that truly matters, do it well.”

Kaz hadn’t even allowed his mother to finish talking completely before he was walking away, leaving the waiting room entirely without so much as a look over his shoulder.