Maria
It doesn't take long for me to get to the address on Mercy's card, and true to Mikhail's words, it's a bar. The name "Somewhere Bar" is lit up by neon lights, and even though it's not too far from Times Square, it looks surprisingly empty.
I wonder if I've made a mistake when I spot her red hair—same as mine—before she sees me. I wave at her like a fool, and her dark eyes narrow on me for a moment before they light up with recognition. She coughs and tosses her cigarette to the ground.
"Maria!" she calls out. "What the hell! What are you doing here?"
"Hey, Mercy!" I shout back, dodging a pedestrian to reach her.
Mercy wraps me in a tight hug. Her welcome is the reassurance I need right now. She steps back and looks me hard in the eyes. "Where's your dad?"
I swallow hard. "I ran away."
"Ran away?" She laughs loudly, verging on a coughing fit. "You're eighteen, for Chrissake. Call it what it is: you left home." She gives me another bear hug before pulling back, smiling."Well, you just gave Michael Rostova a huge dose of his own goddamn medicine."
Mercy rarely calls Dad anything but his proper name. "The dictator just got dicked over. Gotta love it."
I frown, and Mercy takes it down a notch.
"Sorry, Marie," she mumbles.
"You won't tell him, will you?" I ask.
"Do I look like a snitch?" Her smile turns into a hard frown. "Don't be like that, cousin."
"Sorry," I reply. "I'm just still wrapping my head around everything that's happening."
"All good, cousin." Mercy sighs and then looks to the heavens. "Look, I'll tell my dad because you know yours will call everyone, including him. But until then, let's give you a few days of freedom." She grins. "Got a place to crash?"
"I was kind of hoping I could crash on your couch?" I ask furtively. "I know New York's pressed for space."
"For you, girl? I got all the space in the world!" Mercy smirks. "Come on." She takes my hand and leads me into the bar. "I work here and live upstairs. Once you get settled, I'll introduce you to my coworkers."
"They're nice people, right?" I ask, eyeing the scowling bald man with the tattoos behind the bar.
"Jesus, Joseph, and doggy-style Mary." Mercy gives me a look that's a mix of concern and annoyance. "I keep forgetting you're the closest thing to a cloistered nun in this fucked-up family."
"What's with the name?" I frown at Mercy. "Somewhere Bar."
Mercy laughs, but the scowling man behind the bar breaks out in a friendly smile. "It's always five o'clock somewhere. Get it now?"
I grimace at the terrible pun. "That's clever."
"C'mon, Marie," Mercy gestures at me. "Put your stuff down. Take a deep breath, and let's hit this town!"
We walkthrough the heavy brass doors into a lower Manhattan club. I'm immediately swallowed up by a sea of sweaty bodies. Mercy grips my hand so hard it tingles as she drags me through the crowd. As she searches for her roommate Alyssa, my eyes are drawn to the art adorning the walls—a vivid contrast to the wild vibe in the place.
"Mercy! Maria?" Alyssa's voice cuts through the noise, and I spot her waving. "Maria, what are you doing here?"
"She legged it," announces Mercy.
"I moved out." I try to sound confident, but I sound like a brat. "My dad ... He's just ... suffocating me, you know?"
Alyssa looks at Mercy. They've known each other so long that they can communicate with glances.
"Maybe he'll come around," Alyssa shrugs. "For now, though, let's enjoy your big night. You deserve it."
"Thanks, Alyssa," I say, hugging her tightly.
Alyssa stares at us and then laughs. "Mercy, your cousin looks like the innocent version of you. If you gave up cigarettes and one-night stands."
"Alyssa, I say this with love ..." Mercy laughs. "But you are one opinionated bitch."
As we walk further into the club, I can't help but be drawn to the art again—bold strokes and vibrant colors that defy the commotion around us. I stop momentarily, captivated by a piece that speaks to my disordered feelings as I clutch the purse Mercy lends me for the night.
We can't find an empty table, so Mercy drags me onto the dance floor. Her eyes sparkle with mischief. "Let's tear this place down, baby cousin!" she shouts over the noise.
I can't help but grin, but I feel on display. Back in Holtsville, I was a small fish in a small pond. Now, I'm a small fish in New York City. I don't recognize the songs. My body moves mechanically to the beat, but deep down, I know I'm out of my depth. New York is an exciting and terrifying mix of drive and energy. This world is so different; these people are wild, bold, and confident.
For the past few minutes, a man has hovered near us. He's tall, with dark hair and an unnerving smirk that sets the alarm off in my head.
"Hey." He's holding a phone and grinning at me.
Light flashes from his phone. "You're a star now!"
Before I can respond, Mercy appears between us, her face set in a determined scowl as she snaps her fingers. "Take a hike, bozo!"
The man raises his hands defensively as his face twists into a scowl. He mutters a string of curses under his breath and disappears into the crowd, leaving me feeling weird. Mercy wraps an arm around my waist, her grip firm and protective.
"You need a good radar here, Marie," she says. "Some men don't bother with being decent. Just stick with me, okay?"
"Why did he just take a picture of me?" I ask.
"People do that all the time at clubs." She scoffs. "And you've got this innocence about you, Marie. It's the same kind of innocence that assholes gravitate toward."
"Oh," I say dejectedly, remembering the man who tried to grab me. Suddenly I feel annoyed, and my evening is ruined.
Mercy looks at me, clearly recognizing my newfound discomfort. "Look, if you wanna bounce, just say the word."
"Yeah." I nod. "It's just too much to take in right now."
"No worries, cousin." She turns to Alyssa. "Hey, cover me for the drinks, will ya? I'll pay you back next time."
"That's the third time this month, Mercy!" Alyssa fakes indignation and waves us away as she heads back to the dance floor.
"You gotta have some backbone in this city," Mercy says as we walk out into the still night air. Overhead, the sky is starting to turn light. "Otherwise, someone's bound to take advantage of you."
"I know." I may not be tough like Mercy, but I'm not clueless.
"Maria," Mercy says hesitantly. "I'm serious. Being tough is real important in this city."
"I hear you," I respond coolly. "I'll keep it in mind."
As we walk in silence, I can't help but feel a tinge of guilt for snapping at her. After all, Mercy is doing me a massive favor. But something about her words sting—maybe she thinks I should turn around and go home.
"Look, Marie, I'm sorry if I sound too harsh," Mercy breaks the silence. "I just worry about you, that's all."
Now she's starting to sound like Dad.
"Thanks, Mercy," I murmur, touched by her concern. "But I promise, I can take care of myself."
"You sure?" she asks, her eyes searching mine.
"Trust me, I'll be fine," I insist, forcing a smile. "I'm tougher than I look."
As we continue walking, I feel a mix of gratitude and irritation. I know Mercy means well, but why is she underestimating me? I only need a chance.
It isn't until after we finally return to Mercy's apartment with the rising sun that I pull out the card from Mikhail. I walk over to the map of New York hanging on Mercy's living room wall as she steps into the bathroom and find the street I'm looking for.
It's surprisingly close.
An art gallery, I think. I wonder what kind of art he shows. I wonder if there's any that I might like.
I glance at the bathroom door, listening to Mercy sing off-key in the shower. Something tells me that she'll try and tell me not to go, especially after what happened in the club earlier.
But this is why I've come to New York, isn't it?
To live life on my own terms.
MikhailI stand tall in the dusty and stuffy anteroom of Sorokin Castle, my heart racing as I adjust the cuffs of my Saville Row suit. My reflection stares back at me in the mirror and I try hard not to grimace.For years, I've both anticipated and dreaded this moment. And with my father, Gennady's, recent passing, it somehow doesn't feel real.Inhaling, I exit the small room and enter the grand hall where my coronation is taking place. I kneel before the head of an ornate conference table and lift my head to heaven while the others remain standing. Grigori Schevchenko, the priest, nods and begins the liturgy of ascension, reciting the familiar words as my late father's gun is placed before me."You care for no one but the Bratva," he drones. "And you shall love none other than the Bratva."This was never supposed to be my burden, I think bitterly as I repeat the words. It was always supposed to be yours, Desmier.Father lost the son he loved—the son he always wanted to pass the Bratv
MikhailA dark cloud lingers over my thoughts. Andrei Barinov's war has put unnecessary scrutiny over all of the Bratvas of the East Coast. A web of violence and deceit is slowly unfurling, and the threat of outside interference has only grown in the months since. To prepare, Father and I had begun a massive recruitment and armament drive. But his untimely death threatens to throw the entire thing off balance.And with the Lanzzare circling like sharks around us, looking for any and all moments of weakness, there is not a moment of rest to be had.Our conversation continues, and the brigadiers each rattle off information about our manpower, reserves, and operations. Each bit of news is accompanied by praise for my father and flattery for me, but I see through their attempts. They're probing me to gauge my reaction. But they played their hand already when Gunsyn disrespected me the moment I walked into my own home.And when it is time for them to leave, I gaze at the eastern horizon, p
MariaI run up the subway stairs and out onto the busy streets of SoHo, clutching the card from Mikhail the other night. The city buzzes around me, making my heart race with excitement. I'm going to my first contemporary art gallery! It's a feeling I've never experienced before, and I feel giddy on the inside while doing my best to keep my cool on the outside.My gaze is drawn to a sleek concrete and glass building with teal banners above the door, displaying the name "Chrysanthea" in bold gold letters. This is it. I stare at the abstract painting in the window by Kimoto Kaori, briefly wondering if I might actually meet her. I step inside, immediately captivated by her work adorning the walls.The air-conditioned space is a welcome relief from the humid summer heat. The room is alive with the hum of other patrons commenting on the art on display. Finally, I have found my tribe.I feel a sense of pride for going out alone and avoiding Mercy's club scene. The low lights and loud music w
MariaOur conversation flows effortlessly from there, moving from art to the city. I'm careful not to reveal too much about myself, but I can't help but be drawn to him. His charisma is intoxicating, and I find myself flirting with him more than I ever have with anyone before. I can't help but let myself be swept away by the possibility of falling in love. Maybe not with him—he's still a total stranger—but I want it to happen one day.Mikhail is nothing like the high school boys I know, and I feel embarrassed for being so eager when Trevor's hands were groping me at the party. I inhale as discreetly as I can when he looks away for a moment.In New York, I can create myself, just like a work of art."There's something about Kaori's art that transports a person into another world," I say breathlessly as we finally walk away from the painting and move on through the gallery. "I'd love to be in her world, even for a moment."Mikhail nods as he smiles knowingly and leads me over to a self-
MikhailMaria tries to run the moment we take her out of the limo beneath my building. Rurik catches her quickly, but not before she kicks him in the shin. Cursing, he hands her to me. My grip on her arm is unyielding as she stumbles off the elevator and into my penthouse.When the door opens at the penthouse, her fear is displaced by wonder and awe. She stares slack-jawed at the pristine floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a panoramic view of the city below us, and then she does a double take at the artwork on the walls.Warhol, Basquiat, Malevich, Mapplethorpe, Nevelson. And, of course, Rothko.The open-concept living area is filled with modern-era furniture, a sleek fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with books and artifacts. There is undeniable admiration in her eyes as she tries to take in every detail of her new luxurious surroundings.Maria walks in a trance toward a wall that's not there. Her fingers touch the glass as she looks out at the world at midnight. The lig
MikhailThe spacious bedroom has a king-sized bed, an impressive walk-in closet, and a lavish ensuite bathroom. The locked windows offer a breathtaking view of the city. A beautiful cage for beautiful women. I won’t deny Maria’s beauty, but I also know the dangers hidden behind her beauty: it’s a distraction that will kill a lesser man.She stumbles and unexpectedly, I reach out to catch her. A current rushes through us when my fingers close around her wrist. Her breath catches in her throat, but she doesn’t pull away. She blinks, and the ferocity that had been erased earlier returns to the surface.“Let me go,” she hisses.I oblige, but only because I know she has nowhere to run. Maria rubs her wrist where my fingers were and throws a baleful look my way.“I don’t know what you think I’ve done,” she says, trying to keep her voice even. “Or what you want from me, but I swear I didn’t do anything.”“Your phone.” I ignore her and extend my hand.“I don’t have one,” she insists. “I told
MariaThe sound of the lock latching echoes through the room like a death knell. I fight to catch my breath as panic rises through my body. My gaze stays on the door, waiting for it to open again.Oh God, no!Sobbing, I remain in the corner. The cool glass presses against my forehead as I curl up in a ball, and the reality of my situation settles around me like a thick fog. I've been imprisoned by a madman who tells me I'm going to marry him. This is exactly what my dad warned me about. But how did he even know?As I sit there, I feel a sense of bigger betrayal. I had faith in my future, and this man stole it away. Mikhail has shown me his true nature. He isn't charming or smart. He's evil, and I don't want to think about what he wants to do with me.... What he already did to me.Memories of his hands roaming across my body enter my mind, and shame bubbles up in my mind. The way he held me down underneath the weight of his body as I struggled awoke something inside of me. Something t
MariaOutside, the steady points of light from skyscrapers appear impossibly distant. I stick my head out the window, and fear laces into my stomach when I see nothing below me. But there's a ledge that extends a bit further to a perpendicular wall with a metal ladder.I have no idea where the ladder goes, but I know that it's away from here.Deep breaths. I'm just sneaking out of the house. This is no different than climbing down the trellis in Holtsville. It's just a matter of scale.Except if you fall, it's a long way down."What choices do you have, Maria?" I whisper. "You wanna stay here and marry this maniac?"With that, I push the window wide open, turn around, and wiggle through the small opening. My toe touches a narrow ledge. Crap. It's not only narrow, it's slippery. Even if I want to, I can't go back now, not from this bent position. Sliding down, I kick off my shoes as I cling to the side of the building, and the wind whips my hair into my face.Don't look down. Don't loo