98 Soggy Bread

- DOMINIK -

When Ivan and I lived here, it wasn't in this wing. To be staying in these rooms is strange, because this is where international visitors typically stayed—men who were big and intimidating and dangerous and brought an entourage of other big and intimidating and dangerous men.

My thoughts skim past the years when we were made into the same kind of men—the cruelty and training, the lack of a loving, supportive family unit. Ivan and I were each other's family when the rest of our world was about becoming ruthless killers. I could always connect with him—always thought we held the same resistance to the worst of this world. Until recently when that part of Ivan clearly died.

"I'm going to check on Ivan and see how bad he is. Then I'm getting you something to eat," I tell Vanessa, kissing her forehead.