Page 10 of Conceal

Mik and Lev hang back as she walks into the barn, but I walk around to the side, where I know there will be an open window to Juliet's stall.

"Mama," she answers, trying to sound happy.

I can vaguely hear Irina's voice but can't make out the words. She's shouting, though, and the hair on the back of my neck raises. She has no business shouting at Tati for her ex-boyfriend's shitty behavior.

I can hear Tati pacing as she takes the verbal beating.

"I'm sorry, Mama. It's not my fault! He cheated on me. He wanted to get caught!"

More high-pitched screeching from the banshee she calls a mother.

Tati goes to interrupt a few times, only for Irina to shout over her. Tatiana's frustration is clear through her tone.

Whatever Irina says, though, takes the wind out of her sails. "Mama. It's been two days. Can we give it a rest? I'm not heartbroken, but how would that look if I jump right back into dating after a breakup?"

More high-pitched shouting. Goddamn that woman. I'm sure she's just heard about what happened to Tatiana, and instead of offering her any sympathy, she's throwing her right back to the wolves. That woman is relentless and ruthless, and I hate it.

"Yes, mama. Yes, mama." God, she sounds so sad. Tonight's going to be another 'sad Tati' night where she doesn't sleep, and she stays up all night escaping into her paintings or movies or books.

At least when she's lost in a fictional world she can be loved.

Chapter eight

Lev

Thanks to the long sleeves of my sweater, Tati hasn’t noticed my knuckles yet. I trail behind her and Saint Joey into the cafeteria, giddy that my secret could come out at any moment.

I scan the busy room for any threat, like I do every day. We need to switch up our routines so her movements are less predictable, but it’s hard when adhering to a college schedule. Her classes are predictable. Her lunches are predictable. There are only so many ways to walk from their apartment to campus.

Luckily, most of the other students have no idea who she is. I’m sure they assume she’s someone important if it warrants having personal security, but since she and Mik are glued at the hip, maybe they assume it’s him I’m protecting.

And in a sense, I am, because if anything were ever to happen to him, I’m certain it would kill her. I know deep in my bones that she would die of a broken heart.

People are still staring, but not in a gossipy-whispering way. There’s almost an aura of fear over the students now.

I smile.

That fear is because of me and what I got up to last night.

Roman had updated me with texts throughout the night, and because I don’t sleep for shit, it was about three in the morning when she finally went to bed that I got to work.

Roman warned me not to do anything stupid, but I never claimed to be a smart man.

And then he walks into the room, and my grin grows savage. Tati hasn’t seen him yet, but when Mik catches sight of my face as he sits at their normal table, his gaze tracks to where I’m staring, and he flinches.

You idiot, he signs as he frowns down into his lunch.

He tugs Tati’s sleeve and signs Don’t look.

Which, of course, makes her look.

I don’t enjoy watching the color drain from her already fair skin.

Luckily, her shock transforms into anger pretty damn quickly. Satisfaction fills my chest. Not at making her angry, although I do love doing that for some reason, but I much prefer Angry Tati to Sad Tati.

She stands so quickly from her chair that it tips over behind her. She grabs a fistful of my sweatshirt before pulling me towards the nearest exit. I place my hand under my chin and give Leo a cheeky little finger wave.

Not sure he saw it, with how swollen his eye was.