I nod, licking my lips. Then I go to the window and push the drapes back to look out. Where would I go if I could go anywhere? I would have to work. Maybe even two jobs at first to get on my feet. But wouldn’t that be an exciting challenge?
“Come back from the window,” he says.
I look at the city lights for another moment. What if I just left my troubled life behind and became someone new? I care about Sasha, but he’s right. His life is with C Crue. C and Trick are his brothers. He doesn’t want to give them up. I understand that. But it will be a taunt to Frank if I stay with them, dating Sasha. Frank will never let us live in peace. Sooner or later, he’ll kill one of us and the other will have to live with that. I couldn’t.
I step back and pull the edge of the drapes. The fabric slides, covering the window.
I’m startled when Sasha’s big hands close around my arms. He lifts me and brings me back to the bed. I don’t mind. I love the feel of his body and love the way he can make my body feel. I should enjoy this for as long as I can. Because deep down, I’ve decided the best thing I can do for both of us is leave.
Chapter Sixteen
Anvil
We’ve switched hotels, and we’re alone in an elevator when Rachel asks, “What’s wrong, Sasha?”
The corner of my mouth cocks up. She knows me well. I reach into the inside pocket of my suit jacket and retrieve a platinum locket on its chain and hold it out to her. There’s a feather engraved on the front.
Her eyes widen.
“Wait,” I say before she has a chance to react. “It’s tech. GPS. So I’ll know... so I can find you if we get separated.”
She looks at the locket. “It’s beautiful. Do I have to do something to turn it on?”
I shake my head, waiting.
She doesn’t say a thing about the fact that I’ll be able to track her every movement every minute of the day. She’s as cool as ever about the things that are fucked up in her life.
She opens the front door to the locket. It’s empty inside. “I need a picture of you,” she says.
I frown, unable to imagine that. “Maybe. Or one of your mom,” I say.
She hooks it around her neck and lets the locket fall between her breasts. I think about the taste of her nipples and want to chase the locket’s path with my mouth.
“You’re mine, too.”
I drag my gaze from her chest to her face. “What?”
