“It’s okay,” I sign and go to find Maya in the sitting room close to the entrance, arms crossed as she studies some of the crowns we made for class as children.
For some reason, Mom chose to display them above the fireplace like some sort of decoration. Maya’s were always more sophisticated than mine, but the teacher praised my crazy patterns. They’re different, she said. Art is about being different, not neat.
“They look so ugly now,” Maya says, still turned away from me. “I don’t know why Mom is being sentimental all of a sudden.”
I won’t step in front of her so she can see me talk. She’s the one who asked me here, so she has to face me. If she ignores me like Nikolai…
Maya turns around, her cheeks red and her eyes glittery. She looks out of sorts, which is so unlike her public image.
“I still love the crowns. They remind me of the times we had fun together,” she says, then sighs. “I’m sorry. I was being irrational and overprotective. I guess it’s hard for me to let you go and I was a bitch about it. I just don’t want to lose you.”
All the anger washes away as easily as it settled there. I simply can’t stay mad at her for long.
“You won’t,” I sign. “We’re twins for life.”
“Does that mean you forgive me?”
“Only if you don’t interfere in my life so negatively again.”
“I won’t. I will try to accept the psycho Landon, I guess.”
“That’s all I need from you, Maya. You’re my best friend and it hurts when you don’t talk to me.”
“I’m sorry.” She hugs me so tight, I can barely breathe. “I’m so sorry, Mia.”
I pat her shoulder to tell her it’s okay. Actually, the thought of never speaking to her again makes me sick, so I’m glad all’s well now.
We hear a commotion at the front door and we head there together.
My steps come to a halt when I see the last person I expected on our front porch.
His face is a map of bruises and one of his eyes is purple, but he still smiles at my parents as he says, “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Hunter and Mrs. Sokolov. My name is Landon King and I’m Mia’s boyfriend. May I come in?”
36
KYLE
Having lived my life amongst wolves, I recognize one when I see it.
And this Landon, who claims to be my baby girl’s boyfriend, is undeniably one. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the leader of the pack.
His face is fucked up with a rainbow of colors, but he’s wearing a spotless dress shirt, pressed black trousers, and premium Italian shoes.
Despite the disadvantage of his bruises and the bandage that peeks from the cuff of his shirt and slithers to the back of his hand, he smiles like a respectable gentleman.
Or more like someone who was either taught or learned the specific ways to act like the perfect socially-accepted man.
He stares behind me and my wife and his grin widens as he mouths, “Surprise.”
Mia, who’s accompanied by a frowning Maya, walks carefully toward him, eyes bemused but cheeks tinted in red.
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is the first time I’ve ever seen my youngest daughter blush.
“What are you doing here?” she signs.
“I figured since you were going home, I’d join you and introduce myself. I’m a bit late since my grandfather’s private jet took longer than expected to arrive at the island. Please accept my sincerest apologies for my sudden appearance at your door, Mr. Hunter and Mrs. Sokolov. I wanted to surprise Mia.”
“Not sure if it’s a welcome surprise,” Maya mutters under her breath, then when Mia elbows her, she groans. “Fine, fine, maybe it’s like a tiny bit welcome.”
“Thanks, Maya.” He smiles with no humor whatsoever. “I’m glad you could welcome me.”
Rai ushers him inside. “Don’t just stand there. Come in.”
“You mentioned a grandfather,” I say, trying not to strangle the fucker and throw him to coyotes. “Judging by your last name, could that by any chance be Jonathan King?”
“The one and only.” He walks inside my fucking house between Rai and Mia as if he’s been here countless times. “I know Grandpa has a reputation that stretches around the globe, but I didn’t realize it would reach you as well. Have you dealt with him in business matters?”
“You could say that.”
Now, it makes sense why I found his face, brutalized as it is, exceptionally familiar. Of course Jonathan’s grandchild shares his absolutely domineering and highly irritating personality.