Once the Orlovs consider you family, you cant escape us. Even fiancés and next-door neighbors, he told her with a smile. You think hell fight you on this. It wasnt a question.
Yes. Hes used to being obeyed. When we lived on opposite sides of the country and I was doing what he expected me to everything was fine. For me anyway. He and my mother were abusing Maybe and I didnt know how bad it was.
She ran a hand through her hair, exposing the delicate shell of her ear, and a nearly insurmountable need to touch it with his mouth hit him square in the head.
Thank Christ the charcuterie showed up so he had something to do with his handsand mouthbefore he hauled her close enough to do it.
I heard the whole thing. On Sunday with your father, he clarified. Her father had shown up angry, ripe for a fight. Hed savagely ripped into his children, trying to pit one against the other so he could control his eldest. So that he could jettison the youngest. Richie Dolan was a poor excuse for a human being and a shit father. You cant blame yourself for that. We talked about this yesterday morning.
No. You said I didnt have anything to apologize for when it came to you seeing how my dad acted. Not that I didnt protect my baby sister.
Shadows then in her gaze and he knew shed remembered those three women whod died in that basement chamber of horrors as shed been waiting, wondering when her time to die would come.
Can I admit something? he asked. He had to lean close to be heard because the place was full of noisy, happy diners. It lent a sort of privacy that even a more empty restaurant couldnt offer.
She turned, her face close enough that he could really see her eyes. The amber fringe of color around the pupil. Yes, she said.
Sometimes Im not entirely sure how to talk about certain things with you. Not because youre fragile or because I pity you. But I dont want to stumble into something that brings up bad memories. So I apologize in advance for the times when Im going to put my foot in it.
She swallowed and then nodded. You didnt. Stumble into something. Its always with me. What happened. Itll never completely go away and thats how it is. So yes, I didnt protect Maybe from my father and I didnt protect those women Price killed before they found me. But theyre not the same thing anyway.
She busied herself with food awhile as they drank wine and were just together, but silent.
I think he will fight. I think he will try to pull strings. I think he will hurt Maybe to get to me. I think he underestimates me and how far Ive come. And I think he overestimates how good he was at his job when he compares his skills to mine, she said at last.
Vic nodded his head. This was good too. She wasnt going to let this stop her from living the life shed worked so hard for.
And it was really fucking hot when she got mad and a little violent.
Yeah? You were a hot shit FBI agent looking all tough and sexy as you brought down the bad guys. Your sister has sung your praises more than once.
Maybe is good for my ego. Rachel shrugged. I was good at it. Better than he ever was. And that never occurred to me until this mess. I was just glad they were proud. I simply had no idea that to them pride was such a poisonous thing. But he wanted to put me and Maybe in enemy boxes and all he managed to do was put himself there instead.
Is there no going back? Nothing he could do to fix this? Vic knew it was easy to be in his place and make judgments about what she should do. He thought Richie Dolan was bad for his daughters. Toxic. Hed done and said things that seemed impossible to get past. But sometimes families did.
I dont think so. I can forgive a lot. But what they did to Maybe? And what theyre trying to do to me now? Take away my freedom. Cage me? No. And that they dont seem to understand why thats a problem? I feel like they should know me better. But I guess I didnt know them very well either. No. There might be a time when I could be in the same room and not want to punch his face, but I dont think Ill ever be happy to see him again. He broke something important and some things cant be fixed.
Some people cant be fixed. Hes an adult. A parent. He makes his own choices. No one can look at you now and think youre not in control of your own life, Rachel.
Im outraged, you know? Like, how dare he try to do this to me? Hes disrespecting me and my life. My friends. My sister and best friend. Their daughter!
He rather liked seeing her this way. Not that she was experiencing emotional upsetbut the passion in her tone, the way she held herself, spine straightit was bold and exciting. Intriguing and sexy as fuck.
And now theyre here on this date in this seriously wonderful little bistro. I apologize, she told him.
You apologize too much for things you dont own.
You brought me flowers again. Daffodils and larkspur. And pastry shaped like a heart. Youre bringing your A game.
That pleased him. That she teased and opened up a little bit, sharing a private part of herself, though he hadnt failed to notice her changing the subject about always apologizing for things other people did.
I dont do anything halfway, he said of his courtship game.
So, today I dealt with that stuff with my parents. The attorney is going to handle all the response to this conservatorship stuff as well. Then I went back to work, but on my way stopped at that little clothing shop between my bus stop and Ink Sisters. There was a sale. Always a good thing. So I then went to work, where theyd just ordered lunch including a burrito for me. Also a good thing. Then it was super busy until I got off work and met you at the curb. And now Im here with you.
He took her hand, turning it to kiss her wrist before letting it go. And now youre here with me. Which is most definitely the best thing in my day.
Ive told you all about my day. Tell me about yours.
He watched the deliberate way she moved, the choices she made, how she combined and tried new things as they arrived at the table.
Work. Stayed after we closed to help with cookie baking for this group my mom and aunts are all into at the church. They bake and then take the stuff to all the older people who are on their own. Visit with them a little, you know? She sent me and Evie over here to the market to pick up some fruit. Then made me bake for them and drink tea. They were heading out when I left to come get you.
Of course all those babushkas wanted you to cook for them and make tea. I mean, look at you. Anyway, its nice. Your whole brood are just really nice people. Except Rada. Shes a jackwagon.
Vic nearly choked at the mention of Alexseis ex, who had been less than friendly to Maybe. To be fair, she did give him a heads up about your sister looking like she might need help. Rada was complicated. As Evies best friend, shed been part of their family a long time. Shed been worried Maybe would push her out of the family for good since she and Alexsei had already been broken up for nearly a year.
I didnt say she was an evil master villain. But shes not nice. Im not nice either, its how some of us are.
He thought about that for a bit. I think youre nice.
I do nice things sometimes. But Im not nice. Its not an insult. Its just a personality type.
He thought about that for a bit. I think youre nice.
I do nice things sometimes. But Im not nice. Its not an insult. Its just a personality type.
Huh. Okay, Im going to ruminate over that awhile because Im not sure if I agree or disagree. Were you... Never mind.
What? Was I nice before? she asked the question he hadnt known if he had the right to.
Yes.
I think I did all the things I was expected to. I helped people in trouble in my job. I had a fiancé who had a very good job and very nice teeth.
Always important, he said to make her snicker.
Anyway, it was a good life. I dont want to make it seem like before I was taken I hated my situation. It was a life I was happy in. And then something happened and turned it all upside down. A lot of things werent strong enough to survive the carnage. But some of those, like the fiancé, werent quite what I believed they were from the start.
And after Id come through it all, after everything insubstantial had burned away, I started a different life. And I wasnt nice anymore.
He ate as he got himself back together. She unraveled him. Not something he was entirely comfortable with.
Okay. I can see that. Though he thought she was pretty damned nice, he sure as hell wasnt going to tell her what she felt and who she was. What are you doing this weekend? Ive got both days off and I was thinking of a hike up at Tiger Mountain. Itll be cold, but clear. Have you hiked it?
No, but its on my list.
Its not super strenuous, but a good workout. I promise to take it easy on you.
She snorted. How do you know you wont need it the other way around?
Who says I want you to take it easy? Maybe I like it hard.
He hadnt meant to say it. Or maybe he did but he hadnt meant it to sound so very suggestive.
But she wasnt offended. Not at all, unless he was misreading the way her eyelids went half-mast.
Perhaps I like it hard too.
Holy shit. What the hell was he supposed to do with that image? Except think about how to make it reality.
I think we need hot chocolate. And a fire, he said around a suddenly thick tongue. I even have the supplies to make whipped cream for it. Ill walk you home afterward.
* * *
SHE SHOULD HAVE said no but she didnt.
Instead, he tucked her up on his couch and made them both hot chocolate with fresh whipped cream while she basked in the heat of the fire and watched him.
His house was the same sort of tri-level ranch house their neighborhood was dotted with, but with a modern touch. Dark wood floors with burnished steel. The overstuffed couch she was on was plush and deep green with nail head accents.
It was a decidedly chic, adult space. Classic. Sophisticated. He was way more than shed expected. Her mistake really, she should have paid better attention. But naturally she got caught up in that face of his.
She was only human, after all.
So tell me about your favorite tattoo lately, he said as he joined her.
That Ive given?
He nodded.
Im still giving it. A half sleeve. Its a cardinal. Full color. She indicated the way the bird lay around the curve and muscle of the upper arm. Wings open. Theres a lot of fine line work with the feathers.
What about it makes you so proud of it?
She thought awhile about the exact words to use. It takes a steady hand. Its scary at first when youre inking someone. This is a big piece. A mistake is forever. I was nervous but since I just jumped and did it, its turning out really awesome.
Youre a risk taker.
Not so much anymore.
Making art is taking risk. You create something and throw it out there to rise or fall. That takes guts. And tattooing is forever. Well, theres cover-ups and removal but you know what I mean.
I do. She hadnt thought of it like that but he was sort of right. Youve got the heart of a poet.
Evie says the same. I cant see it.
Without thinking about it, she reached out and pulled his hair free to tumble down. You even have the hair and the face of a fallen angel. It had been intended to tease but damn it if it wasnt true.
I tell myself Im going to keep it slow and easy and then you go and say things like that. So delicious, right here under my nose for three years. Youd think after three years Id have more chill, but I dont.
She drew a shaky breath. I really shouldnt be doing this. I shouldnt be here. I shouldnt be telling you all this stuff and thinking about how you kiss. Theres something about you, Vic. I say things I dont intend to. I want things I shouldnt. It scares the hell out of me.
It was only the second date, but it was way deeper than that. Theyd been developing a relationship for years and it seemed like now that theyd finally stepped into this new romantic thing between them, the intimacy had sharpened.
After years of living a very pared-down life, focused on herself and surviving, it was tender, nearly raw to let someone as close to her as she found herself doing with Vic.
Im not that person. I make good choices. Im responsible. I pay my bills on time and I turn the water off when Im brushing my teeth, she told him.
He put his mug down, taking hers as well before turning back to her and enfolding her hands with his own.
Are you suggesting Im a bad choice? he asked, teasing.
Do these pants make my butt look big?
He leaned closer, touching his lips to her cheek quickly. You have an amazing butt and anything you wear makes it look great.
Youre not a bad choice. Especially when he said stuff like that. Im just being weird. I did warn you. Lets make out.
His smirk told her he knew she was changing the subject and also that he was down with a lot of kissing.
He pulled her closer and then into his arms, crosswise over his lap. She squirmed just enough to get a lay of the land, so to speak.
Well now. There was some big country going on.
With a growl, he cupped her jaw, turning her to angle her mouth just how he wanted it. Their first kisses the day before had been sweet and sexy. But this...this was an utter devastation.
He nipped and nibbled, licked and sucked every part of her mouth until she was a warm puddle of purring woman, arms around his neck to keep from drowning in him.
He branded himself all over her. The heat of his handsone splayed on her thigh, the other at her hipseared. His taste burned itself into her memory so deep she knew shed never forget.
A sexual fire within her burst into life, sending sparks of need through her as she urged him closer.
Yes. Fuck yes. More. More. More. She shifted her hold, fingers digging into his shoulders, holding him to her.
He hummed, as if she were delicious. Gonna take a while to get down to the center of you, he said against her lips.
She might have come just hearing those words.
Against her ass, his cock was hard and ready and big. All the protestations that she wasnt a size queen flew out the window in the face of the very large penis that came along with this very hot Russian.
Im not going anywhere, so feel free to be thorough.