my toy. My collateral. She belongs to me, not the other way around.
So I snarl and change my mind. “Let me remind you of what our situation is, Victoria, because you’d be better off remembering how this whole thing works. I own you until your father’s debt is paid. That means I’ll do whatever I want with you. And as for Niko… you’ll never get what that is like. There’s nothing else for you ‘understand.’ Don’t ever ask me that again.”
Her face falls, and I can tell just how badly my words have hurt her. Rather than show it, Victoria nods and straightens up. Her eyes are red-rimmed, but in a shaky voice, she says, “Understood. Have a good day at work. And don’t forget, parents’ night is tomorrow at 6:00.”
Before I can get in a word, she steps out into the hall and closes the door behind her.
It’s not my fault she’s misreading the situation. She can’t possibly seriously believe that there could ever be a future between us. Victoria is supposed to be smart enough to not be blinded by those kinds of feelings.
But even as I sit back at my desk, I’m unable to stop thinking about what a relationship with Victoria might be like.
The following evening, I feel completely out of place dressed up like this. I rarely wear bright colors like the blue striped button-down and red tie Victoria picked out for me. She said she liked those two colors on me, and she decided that if we were going to be the perfect family, I needed to dress the part of the loving dad.
I didn’t fight as hard as I would’ve just a few short weeks ago. So much has changed since then. Doing this is much easier than trying to figure it out on my own.
When we first arrive, there are booths to get our name tags, and after sticking those to our shirts, we wander through various classrooms checking out all the games they’ve set up.
Face painting is in room 102, and beside that, there’s a large game of Duck, Duck, Goose going on. Victoria nudges me when I start to get grumpy and just like that, I force myself to turn on the charm. A few of the moms eye me curiously. That is, until Victoria hooks her arm in mine and steers us away.
“God, I didn’t realize how many single mothers had children here,” she mutters.
“You jealous?” I challenge. Victoria shoots me a nasty look but doesn’t say anything.
Nikolas is having the time of his life, judging by all the laughter. It’s good to see him interacting with other kids. When I first got custody of him, I was worried he would be reclusive all his life. He seemed so far in his shell. Now, he’s running around and laughing with his classmates. He stumbles over to me and says, “Uncle Matvei, can you get me some juice?”
“Sure, Niko. Be right back.” I head down to the cafeteria for refreshments, and when I return, he thanks me and takes a big gulp from his cup. I glance around the room for Victoria, and my eyes land on her talking to a good-looking guy who I overhead mention earlier is a single father.
My mood goes to shit.
She laughs and puts a hand on the man’s arm, her eyes pointed at me for a brief second. Of course, she’s trying to make me jealous by flirting.
This is why monogamy is bullshit. People play too many games. They say one thing and do the other, always trying to manipulate your emotions. Fed up with the childish bullshit, I put my cup down and storm outside in need of a cigarette.
I lean against the wall and close my eyes. I don’t know how I ended up in this mess, but it’s going to kill me, I know it. Between Victoria and her petty games and everything going on with the vigilante, I’m not sure how much more I—
There’s a startling bang, and beside me, the brick chips off. I flinch and turn my head to see a bullet hole in the wall.
Across the street, I see the shooter.
I’d know him anywhere.
The vigilante.
My pulse quickens and I take after him, not letting him get off another shot at me. I speed across the street, gaining on him, but as he runs, he knocks over trash cans and various objects on the sidewalk, tripping me up.
The vigilante cuts across the street and runs through traffic. For