Page 131 of Capuleto

"But last time, Aleksa came in alone, right?" I inquired, hiding the anxiety gnawing at my insides. I was convinced it was Andrey looking for evidence. Maybe he heard or saw something that gave him the clues he needed and bolted.

"Yes, but this time was different. Your husband's dog had come on a reconnaissance mission; R wouldn't do the same thing twice. My maid saw him jump the fence, he was tall, muscular, dressed in all black, with very short hair. Does that ring a bell?" I shook my head.

"That description is very vague."

"She didn't see his face or hair because he wore a hat in the same color and she was far away."

Yuri looked at me with suspicion. He had more than enough reasons, even if he didn't know. Or did he know and was testing me? I stuck to my stance.

"Sorry, I'm a bit dense, the fever isn't letting me think straight," I excused myself, bringing my fingers to my temples. "Do you think it could have been a messenger from Jing? They say ninjas dress in all black." My brother laughed.

"Surely you have a fever, your observation has been somewhat absurd. Jing doesn't have ninjas in his ranks, maybe in China, but not here."

"And if he sent one to look for his daughter?"

"No, I already told you your idea is bullshit. I beg you not to be offended by what I'm about to ask, but... wasn't it you, dear Kalinka?"

His left hand grabbed my hair without any care and pulled. I felt nauseous. I didn't have the strength to resist or fight back.

"Stop! You have absurd ideas! How can you think it was me?!"

"I don't know. Maybe ambition has gotten the better of you. The other day the power went out, and a Ukrainian came to the house looking more like a soldier than someone fixing cables." I looked at him with hatred.

"Then have him check your cables better, but the ones in your head. What the hell do I have to do with a Ukrainian electrician? Your accusation offends me," I growled. His hand was still like a shackle in my hair. My eyes shot daggers. I had to be very convincing if I wanted it to stick. Although I felt terrible, I needed to find a believable way out; with Yuri, I had to tread carefully. "I'm not the one who faked his death, who ruined the family's reputation to force his sister to marry the enemy!"

"Again with that damn refrain when what I've offered you is glory?! I don't recognize you, Kalinka!" He finally let go of me. I felt relieved.

"The one who doesn't recognize you is me..." I muttered, massaging my scalp.

"Get up, we're leaving," he ordered.

"What?"

"You can't stay here; we have too much at stake. We'll change our strategy."

"I'm not well, Yuri," I complained.

"Better not well than not being. If your husband finds out, he'll put a bullet between your eyes." If only he knew.

"You yourself said the person who broke in tonight wasn't one of Romeo's men and that Aleksa is dead." That thought churned my stomach, I felt a nausea that shook me from head to toe.

"Govnó[7]!"

I had just splashed my brother's pants and filled his shoes and part of the floor with vomit.

He stepped away in disgust.

The door swung open, and I looked towards it, distraught.

My husband stood in the doorway. He looked from one to the other, filled with rage. In his right hand, he held his weapon.

Another retch overcame me, and I let go of the liquid Yuri had given me. R's eyes shifted towards me. That brief distraction was all my brother needed to aim his gun at him. He was always very quick to draw.

"Long time no see, brother-in-law..." he greeted, waving the pistol.

"Figlio di puttana[8]!"

"Don't insult your mother-in-law in front of her children; it looks bad."