“If it happens, I’ll let you know,” he says.
I wonder about all the secrets that must be buried inside him. Will he limit what he says or does because of what happened to me with Alberto?
“Same,” I say. “You don’t have to hold back. If things go too far, I’ll tell you.”
His gaze cuts to me for a moment, then back to the hotel’s parking lot. I notice that he never valet parks.
He pulls into a spot and comes around to my door. He opens it and rests his hands on the top of the frame.
I kiss him, slowly, capturing a lingering taste of him on my lips. My lids flutter up, so I’m staring at his jaw. I kiss that as well, breathing on him like a whisper. His groan is a low rumble. I raise my eyes to his.
My fingers come to rest on his neck. “I like the way we kiss.”
He nods.
“I like the way you talk to me without talking.”
He exhales.
“When you say nothing, I pretend you’re thinking exactly what I need to hear.”
His phone buzzes in his pocket. It takes him a moment to focus. He glances around before he removes it. He stares at the number, unrecognizing. I know it and stiffen.
“That’s Alberto’s number.”
Sasha’s thumb swipes the arrow, taking the call.
“What?” Sasha says.
“Is this one of Connor McCann’s guys? Turn Rachel’s phone back on. I need to speak to her.”
The venom in his voice takes me back to the night at Frank’s. I grip the truck’s frame to steady myself.
“I can talk,” I say, but it sounds more like a question. “I’m here,” I force myself to say more loudly. I’m facing this. I’m not going to let him victimize me over and over.
“What do you want?” Sasha says into the phone.
“Anvil?” Alberto sneers. “You’re with fucking Anvil, Rachel? The moron Stroviak? Are you screwing him now for protection? When he dies, that’s on you, you dirty fucking whore.”
I’m stung and want to scream at Berto for insulting Sasha. Alberto’s such a brutal asshole, so much worse than I ever realized.
I expect Sasha to explode with rage, but he’s just quiet for a moment, then he says coolly, “Let’s meet, Leone.”
A chill runs down my spine, and I’m impressed. Sasha’s control over his temper and his fearless challenge are menacing.
The phone goes dark. It must have rattled Alberto too because he ended the call without another word. Sasha glances at his phone’s screen impassively, then slides it back into his pocket.
I swallow, my mouth very dry. “You handled that so well, but he meant what he said. Some people spout off with idle threats, but not Alberto.”
Sasha’s gaze settles on my face. “Good.”
I blink.
“If he’s looking for me, it’ll be easier for me to find him.”
Sasha’s confidence is reassuring, but I don’t like the idea of Sasha going to meet Alberto. It’ll be an ambush. Alberto’s proven that’s the way he operates. He’s a snake, tricking people, luring them into places where he’ll have the advantage.
“What if we leave? The two of us. Go somewhere far away? Where no one knows us?” I say.
