Page 10 of Rebellion

Speak.

But for some reason, she couldn’t seem to catch her breath.

What was wrong with her?

“Sofia. Breathe.”

That order came from Colm.

“Now.”

God, he was so damn bossy.

The flash of irritation broke through her panic, and she turned to glare at him. “No.”

His eyebrow rose and amusement flashed through his face before he quickly shut it down.

“You don’t want to breathe?”

Great.

Now she sounded like an idiot.

Instead of replying to him, she turned to Sacha with a forced smile. “Aleksandr, hi. I didn’t know you were coming in this morning.”

That suspicious look on his face didn’t fade. In fact, it seemed to grow.

“No need to look so suspicious,” she told him. “Colm was just helping me unload the van.”

Sacha looked from her to Colm, who crossed his arms over his chest and glared at her cousin.

Not helping, man.

She gave Colm a warning look.

He just raised his eyebrow, clearly amused.

Sofia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Men. So much posturing and pretense. She didn’t know how the hell they ever got anything done with all that testosterone clouding their heads.

Because they have fools like you doing their work for them.

“And what wasColmdoing here this early in the first place? Before we are even open.” Aleksandr stressed his name as though he hadn’t realized they were friends. He didn’t fool her. Her cousin knew everything.

Well, almost everything.

She tugged at her sleeve, immediately wishing she hadn’t as she drew Colm’s suspicious gaze.

“Actually, I’m not sure. Whatareyou doing here?” she asked Colm.

Hey, she wasn’t above taking the pressure off herself when needed.

Besides, she was kind of curious, too.

Colm glanced over at Aleksandr. “Boss sent me over with something for you. It’s in the car.”

She waved her hands. “By all means, both of you go take care of business. I’ve got to open up in an hour anyway.”

Aleksandr frowned and didn’t move. “And why are you opening up? Or unloading things, for that matter? Where isOleg? You’re not supposed to be lifting anything with your back.”

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