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“Because her name is Angelina Sofia Sandoval,” I say. “She’s Manny Sandoval’s daughter, Roman.”
Mimi runs toward Angelina at mad speed and, halfway there, starts making a wide circle, to intercept her. Angelina changes her course, veering right, but Mimi keeps running a few meters in front of her, having a great time.
“She’s herding me like cattle,”
“She’s guarding you.”
“Like I’m a cow.”
“Yup.” I bend and grab her around the waist, then put her over my shoulder. “Today’s Prison Break episode ends here.”
“Please hold any further escape attempts until I’m back. Albert is too old for chasing after you. He could have a heart attack, and who would cook for me then?”
Consider your late wife before you even think about tangling yourself up with this girl.”
Placing my palm on the window in front of me, I watch the man who’s been the center of my thoughts since the first moment I saw him.
“Relax. She won’t bite you,”
“Are you sure?”
“She only bites people when I tell her to. And you’re too bony for her taste, anyway.”
“Well, that’s a relief, I guess.”
“She wants you to pet her.” I nod toward the dog. “If you don’t, she is going to pester you all day.”
“She doesn’t exactly look like a cuddly type.”
“You were right. He cheats.”
“What did you lose?”
“I have to prepare dinner.”
“You were lucky. The last time I played with him, I lost my car.”
“Seriously?”
“Yup. Then, I had to buy it back from him. He charged me twice the actual price. Asshole.”
“Why didn’t you just buy a new one?”
“I like that car. And I didn’t want to deal with going to a car dealership.”
“The dynamics between you two are really strange,”
“You still don’t want to tell me why you did it?”
“Nope.”
“Then I guess you’ll be staying with us.”
“Not really. I need a few days to gather more strength, then I’ll try running away again.”
“Thanks for the heads up.”
“Yes.” I say, “Why wouldn’t I be?” Angelina tilts her head and looks at me with concern. “You had that empty look in your eyes. And you weren’t answering when I called your name.” “I was just deep in thought.” I say and let go of her neck. “We should go back.” “Sure?” “Yeah.”
“I also found the cleaver you keep under the mattress. Albert is particular with his favorite kitchen gadget shit. He’ll go ballistic if he sees the cleaver gone. Can you swap it with the santoku knife? He never uses that one.”
“Why didn’t I take them away?” I smile. “Why would I? You haven’t tried anything with them so far. And I think it’s cute.”
“Me keeping a meat cleaver under the mattress is . . . cute?”
“Very.”
“You’re weird.”
“I’m not the one keeping a kitchen utensil in bed.”
“It’s a weapon!”
“I’m keeping you, lisichka,” I say against her lips and slam in her again. “You’re mine.”
“That’s an awful habit.”
“Does it bother you?”
“Nope. I’m just saying.”
I extinguish the cigarette and move the ashtray away.
“I don’t think you could ever hurt me, Sergei. Intentionally or not.” She tilts her head up until her lips press softly against mine. “I’m not afraid of you, big guy.” “You should be, Angelina,” I say into her mouth. “You never saw me lose it completely, baby. If you did, you would have run away and never looked back.”
“Did it ever occur to you that, maybe, if everyone stopped treating him like he’s a wild animal, he may get better?”
“You’re the only thing that keeps my darkness away, lisichka.” I kiss her shoulder. “If, one day, you decide you’ve had enough of my shit, just leave and never look back. And make sure you hide very well.”
“Sergei!” she calls again, jumps over a dead soldier, and leaps into my arms. “You came for me.”
“Of course I came for you,” I say and kiss her like my life depends on it. “I will always come for you, baby.”
“You owe me a house.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. I got a little carried away.”
“So . . . you’re coming back? With me?”
