Page 230 of Sexting His Assistant

He has not said it in so many words. Luka does not say most things in so many words. But I see him checking his phone more often. I see him pause before answering Pavel’s calls. I see the way his face hardens whenever my phone rings and it is not Misha.

On the fourth morning, I find him in the breakfast room, standing by the windows with his phone in his hand and untouched coffee on the table behind him.

Yelena is not there. For once, the room is empty except for us.

I’m wearing one of the soft sweaters she bought me and loose trousers that make me feel like an invalid with excellent fabric options. My head still hurts if I move too fast, but the dizziness is better.

Luka turns when I enter.

“Did you sleep?” Luka asks.

I say, “Some.”

“That is not an answer,” Luka says.

“It is the answer you’re getting,” I mumble.

His mouth moves faintly, but it does not become a smile.

He looks tired again. I hate that I notice.

I sit at the table and pour myself tea. “Any news?”

Luka looks at me for a second too long.

My hand stills around the teapot. “What?”

“Alina is missing,” Luka says.

I blink. “Missing?”

“Yes,” Luka says.

“Since when?” I ask.

“Since the night you were brought to the hospital,” Luka says. “She disappeared from her apartment where she was being watched.”

I absorb that slowly.

I know this is serious. I know it probably connects to everything else. I know a missing pregnant woman is not something I should turn into a personal feeling.

Still, jealousy moves through me before I can stop it.

It’s ugly and unwanted, and I say nothing because I’m not proud of it.

Luka watches me. “Nina.”

I pour the tea too carefully. “You’re trying to find her?”

“Yes,” Luka says.

“Good,” I say.

He comes to the table and sits across from me. “She’s part of this.”

“I figured,” I say.

“That’s the only reason I’m telling you now,” Luka says.