Chapter 49

(Emily's POV)

I was relieved to see the dining room sat empty except for a single filled plate in my spot at the table. After grabbing the dish, I slipped on my boots and coat and stepped outside. The men no longer went silent in my presence, now used to me drifting around in the snow. Mali, the youngest among the guards here, even came over to greet me, following my steps to the kennel while trying out some of the English he was attempting to learn. It was awful, but I'd never tell him.

Lucio barked something at Mali, who gave me an apologetic smile "I leave now. Boss teach me how..." As he scratched his head in thought, a weird sense of anticipation ballooned in my stomach at just the mention of Dimitri, knowing he was the only one referred to as "boss" around here. Unable to come up with the word, Lucio moved his hands like they were on a steering wheel.

"Drive?" I supplied.

"Yes. He tells me I suck ass."

A laugh escaped my mouth. Lucio should probably stick to letting Dimitri teac