Page 11 of Depraved Royals
I avoid his eyes. “Sorry, Papa. I didn’t know the weather would turn like that.” I smile at him. “But the art show was amazing! I’m so inspired. It’s given me the push I need to finish my exhibition pieces.”
Papa’s eyes soften. “I worry about you,dorogaya.”
I love my Papa so much. His heart is in the right place, even though he isn’t always great at showing it.
“I like that you still call me your sweetheart,” I say.
My father won’t be placated, not today. “I want to know where you were. You don’t have your purse or luggage. You arrived here a full day late, and you don’t seem to have an explanation that makes sense.”
He’s right. I don’t. Because if I tell him the truth, he’ll never let me out of his sight again, and all I want is to break free. To make my own way as an artist and leave this Bratva bullshit behind. I know what’s in store for me if I don’t.
I may be young, but I can see it all playing out before me, like a movie. I’ll go the same way as my sister Mel, married to a Bratva man I barely know and locked into a life I didn’t choose.
Although maybe I’m protesting too much. Unfamiliar criminals are apparently my thing if the last twenty-four hours are anything to go by…
“I told you, Papa,” I say. “I was stranded in Geneva, that’s all. I lost my stuff.”
Papa stares at me, then sighs. “Fine. You don’t want to tell me, Dani. That’s up to you. ”
I open my mouth to say something, but my father raises his hand sharply. This is part of our family’s non-verbal shorthand, which means this conversation is over.
I leave the room and head into the kitchen, where Mama and Mel are chopping vegetables.
My mother puts down her knife. “Did it go well?” she asks.
“Nope,” I reply. “He’s really mad at me, and he’s still deciding what he’s gonna do about it.”
My mother smiles and touches my cheek. “My Dani. We missed you yesterday, and now you’re keeping secrets. What do you expect? You’re the youngest daughter of the Pakhan, and you have to accept that this comes with expectations. If you want to play stupid games, then don’t be shocked if you win stupid prizes.”
I roll my eyes. “I know you’re right. Please go and talk Papa down? He’s working up a head of steam over it all. I’ll finish this for you.”
Mama leaves the kitchen, closing the door behind her. I take her place beside Mel, picking up celeriac. We say nothing for a couple of minutes, and it’s understood that we’re just waiting until we’re sure Mama isn’t coming back.
Mel speaks first.
“So,” she says, slicing scallions, “whatactuallyhappened? Because you haven’t got a good cover story this time, and you aren’t your usual self. Something has rattled you, hasn’t it?”
I wonder if I should lie to Mel but dismiss the idea in a heartbeat. Mel is the only person I trust even more than Pippa. They are both my best friends, but Mel is my sister too, and what’s more important than family?
“I got stranded. That part is true.” I stop cutting the vegetables. “But I got a ride out of there on some guy’s plane. He beat up a scumbag who mugged me in the airport.”
I look at Mel to see her mouth hanging open. “You’re serious?” she asks. “Shit.Who was this mysterious hero?”
I ignore that question. “He was hot. Funny too. We had to ditch in London because of the weather, and he let me stay with him at his place.”
“Oh, youslut!” Mel exclaims, her face splitting into a grin. “You fucked some rich sex god you just met? Tell me you got his number!”
I’m about to watch that smile fall off her face and smash to the ground, just like the espresso cup.
I draw a deep breath and take the knife from her hand. She frowns at me.
“Mel, it was Mikhail Antonov.”
She claps her hand over her mouth.
“Are you fuckinginsane? Why did you do that?” Her expression darkens. “He raped you, didn’t he? Tell me the truth.”
“No, he didn’t,” I say, taking her hand. “Please listen to me. He calls himself Kal, so I never made the connection. I didn’t know who he was until it was too late, and soon as I found out, I got the fuck out of there.”