Leonid snapped his fingers, and one of the women workers hurried over. “Bring her something to calm her down.”
I didn’t need a drink, but I remained silent. My hands twisted together in my lap. I was miles away from everyone, but I hoped they wouldn’t rush to act. I had it all planned, even though it was all in Dmitri’s hands.
Rodion would get the kidney. That was all that mattered.
The worker returned with a glass of water. I took it, not wanting to argue. My hand trembled as I set it in the holder built into the armrest. My eyes drifted back to the window.
We were headed to Italy. Vincenzo said he wanted an Italian wedding, and his father agreed. I was only playing along, staying obedient so nothing would come up to destroy everything.
I folded my arms and told myself again that someday it would make sense. All this pain had a reason. Even if I wasn’t sure, I believed it.
By the time the plane touched the ground, I felt lifeless. Hours in the air had drained me, and even when I closed my eyes, I wasonly pretending to sleep.
A driver took us straight to Leonid’s mansion, a sprawling beach house. It should have been beautiful, but exhaustion dulled everything. My body ached for a shower and a bed. But Leonid said I had to freshen up and join them for dinner. I would obey; it was the only way to survive.
My relatives here didn’t know I had come. I wouldn’t drag them into this, even though I knew Papa would make calls. Carina had also asked me to look for Alonzo since he had returned, but I didn’t even know where in Italy he was. And what would I tell him if I did? It wasn’t like we were close.
The room prepared for me faced the sea. I stood in the doorway, my bag heavy in my hand, but my mind barely registered the comfort. My thoughts were already in California. It must be morning there. If things had gone well, Rodion was either in surgery or being prepared for it.
I missed him so much it hurt, yet instead of despair, I found myself smiling. If the surgery went well, he would finally be free from gasping for breath. There would be no more oxygen masks waiting by his side, no more pills he swallowed thinking no one noticed. The only medication he would take then would be for recovery, not survival.
That was all that mattered, that the surgery would go well.
I sighed and went for a shower. After a quick rinse, I dressed and left the room. I was still unfamiliar with the house, but I found my way to the dining table easily. The sooner dinner ended, the sooner I could return to bed—to sleep, think, or simply breathe alone.
As I walked in, a lady greeted me. “Buona sera.”
I managed a smile. “Buona sera.”
She led me to the table, where Leonid was already seated. His smile deepened when he saw me.
“You are here,” he said.
I lowered myself into the chair across from him, my hands folded in my lap.
He turned to the woman. “Call Vincenzo.” She hurried off while Leonid leaned back, his eyes fixed on me. “Do you like the room?”
“Yes,” I answered.
“I thought so.” He took a sip from his glass. “You have family here?”
“Yes.”
“I will let you know if you are allowed to meet them,” he said. “I want you to have a normal life, as long as you remember our agreement.”
His voice was calm, but every word felt empty to me. Before I could respond, Vincenzo entered the room and pulled out a chair beside his father. He dropped into it with a glance at him. “You’ve already started with the threats?”
Leonid smiled. “Just reminders.” His gaze swept over Vincenzo’s attire. “You are all dressed up. Going somewhere?”
“Yes,” Vincenzo said. “I have people to meet.”
Leonid’s jaw tightened. “We are not delaying this wedding. Within a week, I need everything ready.”
The words sank into me, panic crawling through my stomach. In seven days, would I have found a phone to reach home? Would our plan work in time?
Vincenzo’s lips curved in a smirk. “I thought it was my wedding?”
Leonid’s eyes narrowed. “It is.”