Chapter 43

“Your language skills are improving daily, little mouse.” Alexei abruptly changed the subject.

“I had no one to talk to outside of the other boys and Apuso, and none of them were educated or wanted to better themselves. All they wanted was their next fix and to get away from Apuso. I had Julio so I didn’t go insane.”

“Julio is a good friend to you.”

Donal smiled. “Did you know that Julio is three-quarters Irish? His mother was Irish and his father was half Puerto Rican and half Irish. He gets his slightly tan complexion from his father, but his dirty blond hair comes from his mother along with his green eyes. His eyes are like a stormy sea off Cape Cod. I’ve seen the photographs in galleries.”

“His hair is dirty blond, I wouldn’t know. I’ve only seen it blue. Should I be jealous?” Alexei asked, thinking that Julio’s new salon might be located in California.