Broken Together

by K. S. Ruff

  “Thanks.” Frankly, I was relieved that Chance and Konstantin hadn’t caused a scene.

  Paul shuffled his paperwork. “I’m sorry I missed it.”

  “I hope your wife is feeling better,” I offered with a hopeful smile.

  “Turns out she wasn’t sick.” He blushed.

  Cory, Sammi, and I exchanged glances.

  “She’s pregnant,” Paul announced with a sheepish smile.

  Everyone jumped up at once. “Congratulations!” I rushed forward to give him a hug.

  “I’m so happy for you!” Shae followed with her own hug.

  Cory shook Paul’s hand.

  “Do you know if you’re having a boy or a girl?” Sammi kissed his cheek.

  “No. It’s still a little early for that. Vanessa’s only ten weeks pregnant.”

  Jase pushed off from the wall so he could shake Paul’s hand. “Congratulations.”

  Paul’s expression warmed even more. “Thanks, Jase. Why don’t you join us at the table?”

  Jase claimed the chair next to me.

  “So, Rwanda…” Sammi began eagerly.

  “Yes. Rwanda.” Paul sounded as if he’d swallowed something bitter.

  I looked up from my padfolio. “What’s wrong?”

  He handed each of us a copy of a United Nations OHCHR report. “There have been some disturbing developments since President Kagame’s reelection last August. I thought the human rights violations and the increase in government violence would die down after the elections, but the situation has deteriorated even more.”

  Cory eyed Paul intently. “President Kagame’s former army chief was shot in the stomach for disagreeing with him, the acting editor of the Umuvugizi newspaper was murdered for reporting the incident, and the Vice President of the Democratic Green Party was stabbed and nearly beheaded days before the election. How much worse could it be?”

  Frustration shone in Paul’s eyes. “A number of senior government and military officials who have spoken out against President Kagame have disappeared. Others have fled the country and are now living in exile. They’re being tried in absentia by a military court.”

  Sammi shoved the report aside. “For what crimes?”

  Paul studied her over the top of his coffee. “For publically criticizing President Kagame and the Rwandan government.”

  “That’s insane.” I tossed my pen on the notepad.

  “President Kagame is using their laws against genocide to punish anyone who speaks out against the government,” Paul elaborated.

  “That’s not what those laws were intended for,” Shae objected. Her frustration was evident.

  “Regardless, the law is being used to silence and incarcerate critics. Reporters and government officials aren’t the only ones being punished for criticizing state policies. They just arrested a priest for speaking out against the government’s new family planning restrictions during his Christmas Eve sermon. He’s been charged with endangering state security and inciting civil disobedience.” Paul leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “The UN has noted a spike in extrajudicial killings, torture, disappearances, violence against children, human trafficking, gender based violence, and unlawful detention,” Jase read from the report.

  I winced at the mention of torture.

  “So it’s safe to assume that anyone criticizing President Kagame or the Rwandan government will be incarcerated or killed regardless of their prominence,” Cory concluded.

  “But we can’t teach university students how to resolve conflict if they can’t even discuss the problems plaguing their country.” I huffed out a breath.

  “You’re not going,” Jase gritted.

  I spun around to look at him.

  His muscles were coiled tight. Clearly, he wanted to fight.

  Paul sighed. “Jase is right. Not only would we be endangering your lives, but we’d be risking the life of every student participating in the training. It’s too dangerous. We have to shelve this trip.”

  “So what are we going to do? Are we going to schedule a different training?” Shae prodded impatiently.

  He opened his laptop. “That’s why I blocked off the entire morning. We’re going to spend the next few hours choosing a new location.”

  My eyes widened. “I need a refill on my coffee.”

  Shae stood. “I’m going to get my laptop.”

  Paul smiled as the mood lifted. “Sky’s the limit here, folks. I’d like each of you to choose a different country. You have one hour to assess the need and the risks surrounding your location. We’ll debate the merits of each selection. We should be ready to hit the ground running with the new training assignment before we break for lunch. We’re going to have to work hard and fast to get this training organized before April.”

  I rose from my chair. My brain was already spinning with the possibilities.

  * * * * *

  “What did you guys finally decide?” Rafael asked. I’d already summarized the day’s events while trudging up the stairs.

  “Sierra Leone.” I stepped out of my work clothes and tugged a camisole over my head as soon as I stepped foot inside my bedroom. “English is their official language, so we don’t have to learn a new language. That will free up more time to research the issues and develop the training materials.”

  “Sierra Leone,” Rafael repeated contemplatively.

  “There have been no reports of government killings, no politically motivated disappearances, and the government doesn’t punish people for criticizing their policies,” I offered reassuringly. I climbed into bed thoroughly exhausted.

  “Well, that’s certainly an improvement over Ukraine.”

  “And Rwanda.” I rolled over and hugged his pillow.

  Frustration road his next breath. “Jase was in the meeting?”

  “Yes. Jase thought Sierra Leone was a good choice,” I assured him.

  “What type of conflicts will you be discussing in the training?” A cupboard door closed while he spoke.

  I glanced at the phone. I could have sworn I heard the crinkling of a pastry bag. “We’re going to discuss vigilante violence, human rights violations in mining communities, forced initiations into tribal secret societies, and the excessive use of force by law enforcement.”

  “Interesting,” Rafael mumbled around a mouthful of food.

  A pained expression claimed my face. “Please tell me you’re not eating croquettes.”

  He laughed. “That is precisely what I’m eating.”

  “No fair.” I really missed those savory little pastries.

  “I found your note,” he murmured. “Very sweet.”

  “Which one?” I hid a bunch of notes in Rafael’s flat while he was showering so he’d know I was thinking of him when he returned to Lisbon.

  “There’s more than one?” He sounded surprised. “I found the one inside the cupboard.” A number of cupboards and drawers thudded all at once.

  I tried not to laugh. “I hid forty-five notes, but I don’t want you looking for them all at once. I was hoping you’d find a few each day.”

  “Okay,” he conceded agreeably. “I’m game.”

  “I miss you,” I confessed in all seriousness. “How am I supposed to sleep without you lying next to me?”

  “I don’t know.” Rafael sighed. “I was wondering the very same thing.”

  I burrowed under the sheets. “Are you going to bed after you eat?”

  “Yes. I have to go into work early tomorrow morning,” he answered sullenly. “Where are you? Have you climbed into bed yet?”

  “Yes. I wasn’t up to doing anything else. I miss you too much.” A single tear crept through my lashes.

  “I miss you too, baby,” Rafael whispered softly.

  I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “I hope everything goes well at work tomorrow. Say ‘hi’ to Chief D’Souza for me.”

  “I will,” he agreed. “Dream of me.”

  I took a deep breath an
d sighed contentedly. I’d found the soothing scents of his cologne on his pillow. “I already am,” I whispered. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” Rafael ended the call.

  I rolled over and plugged my phone into the charger. The room blurred as my eyes filled with tears. I curled around Rafael’s pillow.

  Jase popped his head inside the doorway a few minutes later. “Rafael asked me to check on you. Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” I answered, but my raspy voice betrayed me.

  “Need tissue?” Brady pushed past Jase. He set the tissue box on my nightstand before checking the windows.

  I grabbed a couple of tissues from the box before propping myself up. “I miss Rafael.”

  “You just need to stay busy; bury yourself in work.” Brady strode toward the closet.

  Jase glanced inside the bathroom. “Can you purchase your books and get an early start on your coursework?” Spring semester was still seventeen days away.

  I rubbed at red rimmed eyes. “That’s a really good idea.”

  “The more coursework you complete now, the less you’ll have to do when Rafael visits,” Brady encouraged.

  I checked the bookstore’s schedule on my phone. “The campus bookstore is closed.”

  Jase shrugged. “So. Order the books from Amazon.”

  I requested the syllabi from my professors and had the books overnighted the very next day.

  * * * * *

  I sliced the French bread, wrapped it in tinfoil, and tossed it inside the oven. The two pans of lasagna I’d layered last night were already bubbling inside the oven, scenting the house with oregano and garlic. I glanced at the clock. Maxim and Oni were due to arrive any minute.

  “Does this look like enough?” Brady gave the salad a final toss.

  I joined him at the center island. “I think that looks great. Thanks for chopping everything up.”

  “Table’s set.” Kadyn poked his head inside the refrigerator and popped open a Sprite.

  I pulled the cork out of a bottle of Chianti. “Thanks, Kadyn. Where’s Jase?”

  He leaned against the black and copper speckled countertop. “Outside. He wants to see how many men Maxim plants around your house when he arrives.”

  I took a deep breath and blew it out. “You guys act like Maxim’s planning a hostile takeover. He’s not here to kidnap me. He’s delivering Oni.”

  As if on cue, the doorbell rang. I set the corkscrew on the counter. “I’ll get it.”

  Kadyn pinned me with a look as he pushed off the counter. “Stay. Put.”

  I followed him into the foyer. “That would be extremely rude.”

  Kadyn peered out the window before opening the door. “Maxim.”

  “Kadyn.” A single eyebrow rose along Maxim’s forehead. “I wasn’t aware you lived here.”

  “I don’t.” Kadyn didn’t elaborate.

  I fisted my hands on my hips. “Behave. Both of you.”

  Maxim cracked a smile as they shook hands.

  I gave Maxim a hug after tugging him inside. “Where’s Oni?”

  “Here,” she answered in a small voice. She followed Lev inside.

  I pulled her close. “I can’t believe you’re here. I’m so excited to see you. Did you have a good flight?”

  Oni laughed. “Yes. The flight was fine.”

  Lev reached for my hand. “Kristine. It’s nice to see you again.”

  I followed his handshake with a hug. “What? No coffee?”

  He laughed, recalling an inside joke from Simferopol. “No, although we still make the occasional coffee run.” He shook Kadyn’s hand. “I was happy to hear you survived Mexico.”

  Kadyn nodded. Once.

  Lev patted Brady on the back. “It’s good to see you on your feet again.”

  I pulled Kadyn closer. “Oni, I’d like you to meet Kadyn. He’s one of my dearest friends.”

  Oni’s cheeks pinkened when she reached for his hand. “Hi, Kadyn.”

  Kadyn studied the two of us with an inscrutable look on his face. “Nice to meet you, Oni.”

  “Where’s Rafael?” Maxim inquired from directly behind me.

  I turned around and ran smack dab into his chest. I took a step back. “Rafael’s working tonight.” Thankfully, that wasn’t a lie. He was still working… in Portugal.

  Jase tugged the storm door open before Maxim could ask any more questions.

  Maxim’s eyes narrowed. “And you are?”

  “Your worst nightmare,” Jase announced flatly.

  Maxim laughed. “My nightmares make you look like a fluffy bunny.”

  I choked down a laugh. “Maxim. Be nice. This is my bodyguard, Jase. Jase, these are my friends; Maxim, Oni, and Lev. Please note the emphasis on ‘friends.’”

  Jase offered a brief nod. “Are you going to invite the rest of your men in?”

  Maxim shook his head. “No. They’re guarding the perimeter.”

  Jase locked the door just as the timer went off on the stove. He didn’t mention that Ethan, Aidan, Brogan, and Chance were also guarding the perimeter.

  “Oh! That’s dinner.” I bolted toward the kitchen. “Feel free to wash up or grab a seat at the table. Bathroom is on your right.”

  Jase was on my heels in a single stride. “Maxim has nine additional men positioned outside this house. Why the large security detail?”

  “He had a large security detail in Ukraine,” I answered dismissively. I pulled the lasagna out of the oven.

  “I don’t like it.” Jase grabbed the salad bowl. “And that,” he nodded toward the wine, “is a very bad idea.” He strode toward the dining room.

  I uncorked a second bottle of wine halfway out of spite. I knew Kadyn, Jase, and Brady wouldn’t be drinking, but the rest of us could easily drink two bottles of wine. Brady and Kadyn carried the lasagna. I followed behind with the aforementioned wine.

  Jase pulled the chair at the head of the table. He used every last one of his nonverbal communication skills to demand I sit in it. Of course, Maxim was sitting at the opposite end of the table.

  I sidestepped Jase so I could set a bottle next to Maxim. “Would you mind doing the honors?”

  Maxim’s hand clamped around my wrist. “Where’s my ring?” His eyes darkened as he rose to his feet.

  I raised my left hand before Jase could intervene. “Here, on my left hand.” I’d retrieved the ring from my jewelry box this morning because I knew he’d react like this.

  “So, Rafael finally proposed.” He released my wrist.

  “Yes. Shortly before Christmas.”

  “Then we should celebrate,” Maxim conceded in a dark tone. He sampled the wine, then motioned for my glass. He poured wine for Lev and Oni before filling his own glass. Kadyn, Brady, and Jase weren’t drinking wine. They were drinking Sprite.

  Maxim tucked a glass of wine in my hand before raising his glass. The room fell away when his penetrating eyes met mine. “To those who dare to love despite the tragedies surrounding them.”

  My heart stalled. I couldn’t tell if Maxim was referring to himself, Rafael, or me as the one who dared to love. He worded the toast so that it could be perceived either way. “To those who dare to love,” I repeated cautiously.

  Lev and Oni joined in the toast. Kadyn, Brady, and Jase did not.

  Maxim kissed both of my cheeks before whispering in my ear. “You still owe me a kiss, kotyonok.”

  I backed away. “Kadyn, do you mind cutting the lasagna?” I sank into the chair between Brady and Jase. Oni was sitting between Kadyn and Maxim. Lev was sitting on the other side of Jase.

  Brady heaped salad onto his plate before passing the bowl to me. “How are things in Ukraine?”

  Maxim’s eyes darkened. “Aside from the fact that President Yanukovych embezzled more than one hundred and thirty billion dollars’ worth of public funds and fled the country?”

  I handed the salad bowl to Jase. “When did he flee the country?” I’d been following the protests in Ukraine, but I
hadn’t seen the news over the past few days.

  “Yesterday,” Maxim growled. “He fled to Russia after ordering our security forces to kill the protestors.”

  “Yanukovych belongs in Russia,” Oni opined, “since every domestic and foreign policy he’s ever implemented has helped Russia destroy Ukraine.”

  “His decision to seek refuge in Russia will bring a fitting end. Putin will have him killed for his cowardice and for compromising his ability to manipulate Ukraine,” Lev weighed in.

  Kadyn dug into his lasagna. “Who’s serving as president in Yanukovych’s absence?”

  “The Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament will serve as the acting president until the special election in April,” Lev answered over the top of his wine.

  An awkward silence fell over my Ukrainian friends.

  My eyes narrowed. “What?”

  “The People’s Front has asked me to run as their presidential candidate,” Maxim revealed rather stoically.

  My jaw dropped. Everyone stopped talking at once.

  “But you’re in the mafia,” Jase sputtered.

  “Not anymore,” Lev rebutted. “He resigned from the mafia so he could run for president.”

  “You resigned from the mafia?” Kadyn repeated.

  Maxim nodded. Once.

  I felt extremely nauseous. Running for office seemed far more dangerous than working for the mafia, especially in Ukraine. “Do you want to be president?”

  A shadow passed briefly through his eyes. “I will do whatever it takes to free my people from the corruptive elements that hold my country hostage.”

  “What is your political platform based on?” Kadyn inquired curiously.

  “I intend to strengthen our economy, improve democracy, end government corruption, end Russia’s meddling in our domestic and foreign affairs, join NATO, and join the EU,” Maxim replied.

  Brady whistled. “How are you going to accomplish that?”

  Maxim’s eyes locked on mine. “By collecting on a promise.”

  My heart collided with my toes. “What?”

  “We’ll discuss this later,” Maxim answered dismissively. “I would prefer to enjoy the meal you so thoughtfully prepared.”

  I glanced at his uneaten lasagna and mine. “Okay. What would you like to discuss then?”