70

SASHA “If it isn’t Kirill’s weak bodyguard.” I straighten and turn around at the familiar deep voice and nod. Damien studies me in that calculative way that always looks like he’s up to no good. He’s been constant about his intentions to fight Kirill, going as far as crashing dinners at the main house, announcing a fight to the death in front of the Pakhan, and everything in between. He still hasn’t gotten the okay from Kirill, and while that would’ve made anyone else give up, that’s not the case for Damien. If anything, he’s become even more insistent about getting what he considers is his ‘rightful fight.’ This morning, we’re at the Pakhan’s house for the weekly meeting, an occurrence that I heard Damien never gave a fuck about but has been attending religiously ever since his imaginary rivalry with Kirill started. He came out of the meeting before everyone else, though, since he gets bored of these things, which is why he’s talking to me. He retrieves a cigarette and stuffs it in hi