Page 10 of Dmitri

“You’ve been in a good mood, Dae.” Addie taste tests the sauce and smacks her lips. “You get laid or something?”

Snatching the spoon from her, I lick the back of it.Ohhh that’s good. “Can’t I just be happy because I’m with you?”

“Oh pah-lease.” She dips her finger into the ricotta mixture and wipes it on the tip of my nose. “You’re a horrible bullshitter.”

True, but I’ll keep practicing. “I’m just in a good mood, that’s all.”

There’s no way I can tell Addie that I fucked a stranger two nights ago as my last job for Kaleb. She doesn’t even know I’ve been in debt to him all this time.

There’s a lot Addie doesn’t know about, actually. I envy her ignorance. Sometimes I want to tell her stuff, but she’s had to grow up fast enough and dragging her deeper into my shitshow won’t help her. It’ll kill her spirit or worse, make her think my actions are acceptable.

“Preheat that oven, baby.” Addie rubs her hands together and stares at the assembly line of noodles, filling, cheese, and sauce. “It’s time to put this bad boy together.”

My stomach flip-flops as I hit the digits on the oven and get it going. As great as it is to be out of Kaleb’s debt, I still can’t shake the feeling that it’s too good to be true. I’ve done a lot of shady shit for him. A lot of illegal shit, too. Fucking that fighter the other night was the easiest job he’s ever given me, and I don’t trust it. So, I check my cell for the hundred-billionth time today.

No missed calls. No messages.

Nothing.

My heart stirs restlessly in my chest. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that guy since I left him in the warehouse bedroom.

Ace dropped me off at that shithole on the edge of town with direct orders to find a man named Silas and do what he says. I had no clue what I was getting into honestly, and the rundown building was scary.

Even so, I went in.

If that doesn’t tell you the level of desperation I’ve reached, nothing will.

I risked the very real possibility of being kidnapped, raped, or murdered, and walked into it with no fear.

I need therapy.

Lots and lots of it.

It’s just that I’m completely numb. If Addie had to grow up fast, then I’ve had to grow up at lightning speed. I’m twenty-five and have lived through more nightmares than a fucking horror movie convention. Hence my detachment to life and desperation to survive.

Hell, Addie’s not even my real sister. We’re trauma bonded foster kids. But I’d die for her without hesitation. She’s been my motivator for a very long time.

“Beautiful.” Addie sprinkles the final layer of cheese on the dish. “We should have made two, so we don’t have to share.”

She can eat this whole thing because I don’t have anappetite anymore. Especially not when I hear the sound of a particular engine pull up to the front of our house.

Addie hears it too, only her eyes light up. “Ace is here.”

Glancing cautiously out my front window, I watch him park, get out, and lean against his car. He crosses his arms over his chest and stares directly at me.

Fuck.

“Stay,” I order, jabbing my finger at Addie. “And don’t forget to set the timer for the lasagna.” Then I turn up the volume to the music playing on our little Bluetooth speaker so it will drown out the conversation I’m about to have outside with Ace.

Numbness runs up my body, starting at my feet and reaching my cheeks by the time I step onto my tiny lawn. “What are you doing here?”

“What do you think?”

“Kaleb and I are done. I did my last job for him two nights ago.”

Ace opens the passenger door. “Get in the car.”

“No.” I step back. “I’m serious, Ace. We’re done. I’mout.”

---