Chapter 23: Loyalty Is Earned
(TYLER)
Sasha’s gaze shifts to studying his mother as he chews on a piece of bacon. "How is father this morning?"
"He had a bad night." Lucia’s smile fades
"I assume he’s up in his office working." A frown works up on Sasha’s face.
"Of course, is that a question?" Jericho mumbles.
"Yes, at least he has something to focus on." Lucia picks up her cup from the table, and I notice her hands tremble. I don’t know about her relationship with her husband, but if I had to guess, her emotions seem to have taken a toll on her. I wonder if she married him for love. Are violent thugs like him even capable of love? Lucia however seems to love her sons, and they love her back.
As I take a bite of the crispy bacon, I have to admit there’s something odd about seeing Sasha around his family. Well, he is more reserved than Lucia and Jericho. He almost seems normal, which is far much different than the version of him that he showed me and I got to experience. All he has ever shown me are threats. Yet right now, he’s sitting across from me having a conversation with his family. Anyone who didn’t know could almost mistake him for a normal person.
Almost.
Sasha turns to look at me and when he catches me staring at him, my stomach does a weird somersault thing. I try to downplay the act, but I think it’s too late, he already noticed. "Father will want to see you." He says in a cool voice. "I’ll take you to meet him I’m his study after breakfast. I’m sure he wants to meet you too."