15

errogat

ding gown-what an utter and complete spectacle it had become- sleeves rumpled, the veil long discarded to

hnikov'

the agents had bundled her out of her own wedding. But the universe decided to

ook a strong stand, almost waging a war with the men just so that Lily could rid

. Dimitri had given it to her on their way here, so

o-way mirror on the wall. On the other side of that disguised window, someone

atures and an impassive expression; the other big, linebacker-

rd. "Mrs. Kalashnikov," he began, his voice formal, a bit too

e, like she had been for the past four hours. Sin

ion. "What happened to Damian Kalashnikov? Just the truth

ard. As if daring him to p

glance-ostensibly their eyes calculating. It was ob

cas out in the hall. She could hear the muffled voices rising and then, lou

o see my

in, furiously seething- his hair now fell to his should

t contain th

, unflinching, cautious. "Mr. Kalashnikov, thi

d, cutting him off. "She is not a crim

ed is some cooperation from her. Some answers surrounding... your brothers murder."

Whatever you need to know, you can always come to me directly."

ent Meyer. My brother isn't de

. Wanting to contribute. "Listen.. if s

seeming to pierce as he stepped closer. "If she had anything, I would k

tectives felt they were up against a brick wall. They were a

ed tighter yet before ac

ied tightly. "But,

ver to lily. "We are done here." He turned

ts

d with a relieved pra

~~~~

d her in the direction of the exit. Waiting outside was Gio, pacing to and fro

her, when Gio spotted h

-what is going on?!" She now looked to Lily, then to

acknowledged Gio's presence and pulled out h

mixed with exhaustion. "Gio, thanks for coming. It

l called! Your mum is awake.

" Lily

mum was st

ke it. Lily was struggling internally with

word's ached

coma again. She's .. errr just sleeping right now. I waited to s

ghing and sobbing at the same time. M

u." She muttered, sni

worry you can explain all.." Gio smiles loosely, gesturing

before she saw Dimitri walking

wasn'

" He said, great urgen

l over her face. She didn't even realize

ly. Your father." D

ng there in the air. Lily's heart pounded again

above a whisper. "My father? You..

ded, his face grim

concern in her eyes. "Lil

d be with mum? Tell her I'll see her first thing in the morning. Please?" Lily said in a rush, gi

40

Dr

her eyes closing as exhaustion sapped what little strength she had. She wanted to

one in her body ached from the weight of the day. Dimitri sa

ly above a whisper. "Where is he, Why.. uhh is he sick

e in her direction. "It's a bit of a drive,

asking more. The silence stretched between them, lengthening until it turned thick with tension and

:0

ware

ehouse, e turned to her, his face se

e nodded, pushing open the door

. She thought she would

her, watching as she excitedly dr

e night. The creaky door opened, which Lily's shaking hands managed

nk? Why would

is he?" she wh

st stood right next to the

" he wh

towards her dad, her breathing sha

he figure snapped into shar

!" Her voi

ood before her father's dea

led back and his

walked closer to him, bursting in

just to keep his body stuck there. Upon his spotle

y chill ran d

DDY