"To Leonid." Myles raises his glass. "The worst man I've ever met. Who did one good thing in life, despite all his best efforts to undo it. Cheers, you miserable fuck."
The vodka burns sweet and clean down my throat. Nova sips her water, one hand still locked in mine beneath the desk.
Myles pours again, faster this time, and passes my glass back to me. "And to you, Samuil. The one good thing."
I throw back the second shot. The alcohol works quickly to numb the ache in my chest. When I stand, my legs feel steadier.
Nova wraps her arms around my waist, face pressed to my chest. Her tears soak through my shirt---silent drops of grief for a man who never deserved them.
Then Myles is there, too, pulling us both into a bear hug that smells like vodka and friendship and loyalty. I thump his
