Ilya was annoyed, he was snuggled on the couch with Shane on a rainy day off enjoying British Bake Off when his phone kept ringing from an unknown number. He had sent it to voicemail twice before Shane paused the show and made him answer.
“Ilya! Don’t hang up! Please it is important” the Russian words came frantic and quick over the line.
“Alexei? What the fuck? Why are you calling me? I told you to never speak to me again!” Ilya sat up fully, his body tense.
“I know! I’m sorry but I’m in trouble and I need your help.”
“Of course, money. You always…”
Ilya stopped, something was wrong. Different. Alexei sounded panicked. It was 2 pm in Ottawa which meant it was 9 pm in Moscow. Not terribly late for his brother, he did not sound strung out or drunk either.
“A lot has changed, I am clean. I have been working. I’ve been promoted. I divorced and remarried and have a second daughter. She is 4, her name is Tatiana. Her mother died a year ago. You’re the only family Tati has left and I think….I think they will kill me soon”
Ilya’s head spun. This was too much information too quickly.
“Who is they? Kill you? What are you talking about? Alexei…”
“I am detective. I found out something I shouldn’t. Powerful people are involved, lots of money, embezzlements. It’s not safe for me to say more this line isn’t secure. But they’re coming for me. I need to get Tati safe. I need to send her to you, I can get her out if I pretend to send her to your Hockey camps” Alexei was speaking faster now.
“Wait, the camps don’t start for a few weeks.”
“There’s no time! I have to send her now. I have a friend who will fly with her. She is too young to go alone. The people after me will never let me go on a plane. I don’t want Tati to see me killed. It’s too dangerous to involve her. She will land tomorrow at 1025 am. I had an international lawyer do all the necessary paperwork. It’s all been signed and notarized, it’s in her backpack.”
“Alexei what paperwork? Slow down you sound crazy! You sure you are clean?” Ilya was pacing in front of Shane now who was watching with concern, his Russian was good enough by now he was catching whatever Ilya was saying but he couldn’t hear the full conversation.
“Guardianship. I told you. Her mother is dead, she is from small village and has no siblings. There’s no one else. I cannot let Tati go to an orphanage and Katerina won’t take her. She said she is already raising one of my daughters alone she won’t take another.” Alexei snorted as if is first wife was being unreasonable.
“No listen. I have to go, remember 1025 am I will text you flight number she is already on her way. They will be coming for me soon. I’m sorry I was a bad brother. I was a worse father. I tried to do better. I tried to fix it. But I’m too deep now. It’s too late. Tell her I’m sorry. That I loved her. Don’t let her hate me. I’m so sorry but please, please just love her.” Alexei was sobbing into the phone now as Ilya felt his body go cold. This wasn’t a joke.
There was pounding now. Angry yelling. Alexei swore.
“What is that? What is happening? Alexei where are you?”
“It doesn’t matter. They are here. I’m sorry.”
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