“Catch It, Check It, and Change It.”
“You were paying attention,” she praised.
“Yes, I was.”
“When it comes to acting out real-life scenarios as I do with my other patients, I will focus on what you need for your work and family.”
“I d-doubt you’ve ever had p-patients that dealt with B-Bratva needs.”
With a laugh, Sarah said, “Yes, it will certainly be a first. I think my puppet shows would be so much darker.”
“P-Puppets?”
“Yes, I have Polly Positive and Nelly Negative if you’d like me to get them.”
“I t-think I’ll p-pass.”
“Too bad I don’t have any Bratva-themed puppets like Ivan the Instigator or Sasha the Silencer,” Sarah teased.
Smirking, I replied, “Are you always this sassy with your p-patients?”
“Only the ones that kidnap me.”
With a groan, I countered, “Seriously, are you ever g-going to let me live t-that down?”
“I’d like to say soon, but I like how much it pisses you off.”
“If you keep t-this up, I’m g-going to report you to the medical b-board.”
Sarah grinned. “Oh, I can just imagine how that report would go. ‘I would like to report the unprofessionalism of the woman I had an associate kidnap and then who I entered into a contract based on coercion.’”
“Whatever,” I grumbled.
Rising out of her chair, Sarah said, “Come on. We need a break, and I think it would be a good idea to start our first relaxation lesson outside.”
“D-Do you normally g-go on field trips with your patients, or am I special?”
“Of course you’re special, Maksim,” Sarah replied in a singsong way. When I shot her a look, she replied, “Actually, I do take field trips. We have both an indoor and outdoor playground for the kids.”
“Why d-do I have the feeling you’re g-going to have me hiking in t-the woods or swimming in the stream.”
Sarah’s dark eyes lit up. “There’s a stream?”
Groaning, I replied, “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”
CHAPTER TWENTY: MAKSIM
With a frustrated grunt, I focused on the words on the page. It was one of the many activities Sarah had me focusing on. For the last three days, she’d been relentless with my treatment. I worked out in the gym everyday, but nothing had been kicking my ass quite like all the fluency work.
“Read the sentence aloud,” Sarah instructed.
“I’m g-going t-to the–”
She held up her hand. “Stop, slow, and reset.”
Exhaling a ragged breath, I said, “I’m going to the p-pool.”
Sarah opened her mouth, and I growled. “Yeah, yeah, I know. Start over.”
