“Rick was doing it for the cause—”
“If the cause was flimsy enough to fail over him keeping the girl he wanted, it was destined to fail from the beginning.”
I giggle at his superior attitude. “You sound like you’re an expert.”
“I know a few things.”
I tilt my head, regarding him. I never, ever asked him, even when I helped bring his son to America. “Did you love her?”
“Who?”
“Lyosha’s mom.”
“I loved her as much as I was capable.”
Wow. That’s like a vow of undying love coming from Tolyan. “How’s Lyosha doing these days, by the way?”
“Typical teen. He thinks he was born fully formed with everything he needs to know embedded in his brain.”
Despite his dry tone, the corners of his eyes crinkle. It’s adorable how devoted he is, how much he loves his son.
But then his phone buzzes, and his usual scowl comes back. “Yes?” He goes still, a leopard sensing something wrong in his territory. “How bad is it?” A minute tremor runs underneath the flat voice, something I’ve never heard before.
The walls of my stomach jitter, and I swallow. The moment he hangs up, I say, “What’s wrong?”
His raises a forefinger. “I need to verify this.” He dials a number, then speaks for a few minutes, his face becoming grimmer. The last time I saw that expression was when he burst into Andy’s house and dislocated his jaw.
Tolyan hangs up. “It’s Lyosha. He was in a car crash earlier this morning.”
“Oh no! Is he all right?”
“He’s in surgery.” Tolyan’s eyes narrow. “Hit-and-run.”
“You should go to him.”
He nibbles his lower lip, then shakes his head. “There’s nothing I can do there. I told Dominic and Antoine I’ve got you. So I’m staying.”
I stare at him. I always thought his loyalty was to whoever could give him what he wanted. He chose me because I helped expedite the immigration process so he could be reunited with his son as quickly as possible. But I always believed he’d turn his back on me—the way he did to Shirley—if somebody offered him something better.
“What?” Tolyan says.
“I…I don’t know what to say. Lyosha’s your son.”
“You were there for my family, Lizochka. I’ll never forget that.”
My throat tightens. “Tolyan…”
He leans heavily against the back of the couch and runs his fingers through his tightly cropped hair. “They’ll call me when the surgery’s over.”
I sit next to him, my leg against his, and pat his knee. “Don’t. He needs you to be by his side. His spirit’s going to know if you don’t go.”
“But—”
“I promise I’m not leaving this penthouse or letting anybody in until Dominic and Antoine are back.”
“Not good enough.”
I firm my mouth and stand. “Fine. I’ll go to the hospital with you.”