Page 69 of Crave

Every since getting away from Kirill, I’ve been fighting the urge to eat anything that tastes good.

Fuck that.

On my way to the casino, I stop at a place I haven’t been to in forever.

The doughnut shop.

God, it smells amazing here.

I bet if I get a dozen, Mikhail would want some.

The sweet aroma permeates my car on the drive, and I can’t resist pulling one of the sticky glazed ones from the box and sampling.

Absolutely delicious. It’s as if I’ve been starved for months, and this is the first bite.

Licking my fingers, I finish it before I pull into the parking garage.

I’m just reaching the doors when the guilt starts to pour in.

What did I do?

All of that sugar? It’s going to make me bloated and fat for the rest of the day.

Pushing into Mikhail’s office, I toss the eleven remaining desserts onto his large oak desk.

“What’s this?” He looks up from his computer.

“I can’t eat any more of them.” I’m already half sick thinking about the horrible calories running rampant to my hips.

His dark eyes narrow as he stares at me for a long minute. “Lara…when are you going back to the cabin?”

That irritates me. “What, getting rid of me so soon after escaping being kidnapped and tortured?” I jab my finger towards my face as emphasis.

His brows raise and he takes a deep breath. “No. I know how relaxing your visits are out there, and after everything you went through, I thought maybe you could use some quiet time.”

He leans back and laces his hand behind his head. “You know I love you, Lara. I’d do anything to help you. We burned this city down looking for you. But I can’t do anything about what’s hurting you from the inside. I wish I could.”

His chair creaks under his muscular frame as he reaches over and picks up a doughnut. “But I guess if I have to eat these to do my part to save you, I’ll suffer in sugar for you.” The mask over his cheeks tightens as he smiles at me.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, distracting me from answering him.

“Alexei?” Why does my heartbeat turn into a snare drum?

“Lara! I need a huge favor, please? Life saving! It’s an urgent emergency!” He has a lilt of panic in his voice.

“What? Of course,” I answer automatically. All of my doubt disappears as he begs.

“It’s Sheila,” he yells. “She’s gone from my cameras. I need you to check on her.”

“Your bird?” I glance at Mikhail who shakes his head and rolls his eyes.

“She’s more than that. She’s important to me.”

“Alexei, do you think maybe she just flew away?” I say quietly.

“Lara.” He speaks slowly. “Did I just let you go when you disappeared?”

Ouch.

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