Page 20 of Rebellion

She was certain that Olegcouldn’thandle closing up. But how did she say that?

“Right, Oleg?” Colm challenged.

“Of course,” Oleg replied. “You go,Kulkolka.”

She wondered if Miller and Colm could hear the note of anger in the other man’s voice.

Sofia knew he wouldn’t be happy about having to close, but at least he couldn’t access the safe. She’d already taken care of all the cash.

Surely he couldn’t fuck things up too badly?

“All right. Thanks.” Sofia forced herself to turn and give him a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving her office. When Oleg didn’t follow, some of the tension escaped her.

“Are you sure you’re all right, Sofia?” Miller asked. “You’re moving stiffly.”

“Is it your back?” Colm asked sharply.

Shoot.

She had to do a better job at guarding her thoughts and reactions.

“Uh, yes,” she said as she tapped out a message to her driver.

Arseni had been her driver for years. Thankfully, she didn’t have to bring a bodyguard with her to work. Solynshko was pretty safe with Sacha’s men in and out all night—including Sacha himself.

Still, she knew Arseni was close by because she’d seen him in the back of the restaurant eating dinner about an hour ago.

“What did you do to it?” Colm demanded. “Do you take medication? Are you seeing someone for it? What makes it worse?”

Sofia paused and gaped up at him. “Um. Uh.” There were so many questions that her brain couldn’t sort through them all. What should she tell him?

Well, obviously, not the whole truth.

“I had an... an accident. It’s really fine. I just can’t stand for too long or lift anything too heavy.”

Colm grunted as they reached the front door. He reached out and touched her arm, making her jump.

“Where is your jacket?”

“Uh, I didn’t bring one.” It wasn’t that cold out and she’d left home in a hurry.

“You should have a jacket,” he stated.

“But I don’t. And I don’t have that far to walk.”

He grumbled something to himself as he took off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. It dwarfed her much smaller frame. She immediately grabbed hold of it, trying to take it off.

“I couldn’t?—”

“You can,” he countered.

“I couldn’t take it. You need it.” She lifted it off her shoulders, and he let out a low warning noise that made her freeze. Grabbing hold of it, he resettled it on her shoulders.

“Leave it on,” he ordered.

Sofia narrowed her eyes at him. She didn’t have to walk that far before she’d reach the car. What was the point of wearing his jacket?

“Please,” Miller whispered, making Sofia jump.

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