Page 57 of Depraved Royals

“They’ve been gone a while.”

Mama is uncharacteristically jittery. She’s usually calm and collected, but now she’s pacing the room, pausing every minute to look out the window.

Brutus stands guard by the gates at the end of our driveway, Kalashnikov in hand. I can’t remember a time when he’s ever felt the need to do that before.

Mel is watching Mama, her brow furrowed. I can tell she’s worried too. It’s maddening just sitting around and waiting for a resolution.

I can hear the grandfather clock in the hallway ticking away as it has always done. I used to love the sound, but right now, I want to take a sledgehammer to it because every second that passes is torture.

The two men I love most in the world are deciding my future. It’s precisely what I’ve always tried to avoid - a total loss of my autonomy.

Either Kal will convince my father to let us leave, or my father will prevent it from happening, in which case Kal might abandon me. And I’m caught in the middle, a pawn in these fucking stupid games.

No matter what happens now, it won’t bemychoice.

My mother makes her thousandth window check and frowns.

“There’s someone outside.”

The question is out before I can stop myself.

“Is it Kal?”

“Jesus, Dani,” Mel says. “I thought you were better than this. That guy wanted to take you away from us for no better reason than he thought you were in danger. He’s the one who brought all this bullshit to our lives. And now you’re pining for the bastard?” She slumps back into her chair. “We shouldallhave known better. Fucking Antonovs!”

I ignore her and join Mama at the window.

It’s a woman, maybe about the same age as me. She’s shouting at Brutus through the gate, but I can’t hear the words. The security light catches her movements and bathes her in cold white light.

She looks straight at me, and I know who she is. The eyes are unmistakable.

“That’s Kal’s sister,” I say. “Vera.”

Mel is on her feet. “Why would she be here?” she asks me.

“I don’t know. I’m gonna talk to her.”

“Your father has gone somewhere with Kal and hasn’t returned, and you want us to let another Antonov into our home?” Mama says. “No. She’s not coming in here.”

I look again at Vera. She’s wearing a sweater dress and long boots. Nowhere to hide a weapon. She’s still mouthing off at Brutus.

I go to the front door and open it, my mother and sister behind me. Vera looks past Brutus, calling to me.

“Dani! I need to talk to you, bitch. Open the fucking gate.”

“I’m gonna see what she wants,” I say, taking my coat from the stand and putting it on. “She might know what’s happening.”

I walk down the path.

“Brutus, it’s alright. Just let her in. Nothing’s gonna happen.”

He unlocks the gate. Vera pushes it open, nearly knocking him over. Brutus retreats and sits on the wall.

“Asshole,” Vera sneers at him.

We’re standing in the garden, a few feet of space between us. The air is so cold that I can see my breath.

“Is your father here?” she asks. “Where’s Kal?”