Page 66 of Unbreakable Vow

“It stinks down here,” I say as my stomach rolls a little.

“It’s a garage,” he says. The car beeps and he opens the passenger side door, gently putting me inside. The cool leather feels so nice against my face when I turn toward it.

“What did you drink, Cora?” he asks again while pulling the seat belt over me.

“I dunno. Margaritas and wine.” I press the button on the side of the seat and lay it down until he stops me.

“You can’t lay all the way, that’s enough.” He cups my face, pulling my attention to him. “You’re mad at me.”

“I am?” I blink. “Oh, yes. I am. But it’s fine. We’re just business associates. It’s okay. You don’t have to love me.” I try to smile, but there are tears rolling down my cheeks. I have no idea where they came from.

“No, Cora. We’re not business associates,” he corrects me, wiping the tears from my face.

“We’re not?”

He shakes his head. “No.”

“Oh.” I nod because he seems to want me to, not because I understand. Because I don’t understand anything right now, other than I’m really tired, and my head is spinning.

“You know, you are really sexy when you smile. I wish you’d do it more often.” I touch his cheek, pulling it upward until I’ve stretched his mouth into an awkward grin.

“I’ll smile more then,” he promises while moving my hand back to my lap. “Do you think you’re going to throw up?”

I shake my head a little. “I don’t know.” But even as I say it, my stomach rolls. I swallow hard then close my eyes. It would help if the car would stop spinning so much.

“All right.” He goes to the trunk then comes back and hands me a black duffel bag. “It’s here if you need it.” He puts it on the floor by my feet.

I nod.

“You’re so good to me, Sergei.” I smile.

He grunts. The door shuts. A moment later it dips when he gets in.

“I’m tired.”

“Then go to sleep,” he says as he slowly pulls the car into traffic. It’s dark outside now, and he’s put on the air conditioning in the car. It feels so nice. I turn the vent so it’s blowing right on me.

“Always so bossy,” I grumble as I close my eyes. “I know you don’t love me, and that’s okay, but maybe someday you’ll like me a little.” I sigh again.

“Sleep,” he says quietly, his hand resting on my knee.

It’s okay if he doesn’t love me. I think I love him enough for both of us.

Drinkthis and take these

My eyes comeinto focus on the note stuck to the bottle of water sitting on my nightstand.

Even his notes are bossy.

I sit up, immediately regretting every sip I took last night as the first bang of the hammer hits my skull.

After swallowing the tablets and drinking most of the bottle of water, I shove the heavy comforter away and drag myself to the bathroom to get cleaned up.

Sergei’s words come back to me in full force and my chest aches with the memory. It shouldn’t. I know it shouldn’t. We have an arrangement. Nothing he said last night was unknown. Our relationship doesn’t involve feelings.

Amazing, mind-blowing sex, yes, and often. But feelings aren’t part of the question. I knew that going in.

I have to set my mind right about this. Mom has a safe place to live with the best care I could ask for. I have a roof over my head and my debts are all paid.

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