Page 70 of Unspoken

"Oh, you have no idea how fucking fine your mouth actually is."

A compliment. From Logan. My cheeks immediately heat up and I burrow my head further into his body, wanting to be as close as possible.

"Hey," he whispers a little later when our breathing is finally under control. "You want to take it to the bedroom? Cuddle and watch X-Files?"

"Only if you have crisps."

CHAPTER 23

LOGAN

The sun's hesitant rays stretch over the bright yellow umbrella and bathe Sasha in a transfusing gold. The morning light, gentle as it could be in the desert, casts his scratched-up cheek into a work of violently painted beauty–an abstract canvas I can't help but gaze at. He removed the bandage to let the scars heal faster before Vlad's return.

We sit at a small outdoor cafe somewhere in Vegas, our hands subtly brushing against each other as we wait for breakfast to arrive.

"Sasha," I say, my voice low with concern. "You know this is dangerous, right? You, being out of the house for so long, spending the night at my place, again?"

"Vlad's out of town for a while," he replies nonchalantly, although the tension in his body betrays his fear.

"Like last time?" I ask skeptically, remembering the chaos that Vlad’s sudden appearance prompted.

Sasha offers a weak grin, adding, "I've got my phone handy this time." He pats the pocket of his jacket.

I want to tell him that we need to be more careful, that every second spent together raises the stakes higher. Someone could be tailing us even now. He’s a target until his brother saysotherwise. But I can’t. Secretly, I’m glad I was the first one he thought to call last night. I’m glad he crashed my apartment. Glad he let me clean up his face. Glad he pouted like the spoiled kid he is when I didn't let him pay me with a blow job. Glad we had that moment of intimacy on my couch. Glad we cuddled and watched reruns of X-Files until we both fell asleep.

I’m glad and I’m terrified that he's in my life and that he makes me forget all the dark shit that has been happening to me ever since the moment my father got shot.

But before I can articulate my thoughts, before I can tell him how I feel, the waitress arrives with our food.

"Here you go, guys," she chirps, placing plates piled high with eggs, bacon, and toast before us.

"Thank you." Sasha flashes her a dazzling grin despite his busted lip. His resilience leaves me in awe, and I'm reminded of how deep my emotions run for him.

"Dig in," I say, trying to shift the focus to the meal before us. As I begin eating, my mind wanders back to the attempt on Sasha’s life back in the casino and my instincts scream at me to protect him at all costs. Not as an employer but as someone else, someone closer.

"Logan," he whispers, drawing my attention back to the present. "I wanted to... thank you. For everything."

"Of course," I reply gruffly, not knowing what else to say. My heart swells with an emotion I can't quite name, and I watch him as he takes a bite of his omelet.

"Anytime you need me," I add, my voice barely audible. "I'll be there."

"Even on the moon?"

"Even on the moon."

Sasha spears a bit of omelet on his fork and brings it to his lips, but hesitates. After a single bite he sets the fork down andtakes a deep breath. His brows are furrowed all of a sudden, his face tense.

"Is something wrong?" I ask. "Is the food okay? This place is supposed to be the best breakfast joint in town. Not up to your taste?"

He chuckles, though it lacks its usual snark. "No, the food is great. It's just..." His voice drops to a whisper, barely audible above the hum of conversation from nearby tables. He leans in, shrinking the distance between us a little. "I think Vlad had our father killed."

I feel my chest tighten. The former cop in me takes over, various questions already forming. So, it's not just word on the street. Sasha's somewhat aware of the possibility.

"Why do you believe that?" I ask quietly.

He shrugs. "It just seems like a very Vlad thing to do. Our father had enemies but they wouldn't be able to get to him. Vlad was the only one who knew how he operated. Plus Vlad and Yuri always had a strained relationship," he explains. "But Vlad knew how to manipulate Father into loving him. I could never do what Vlad does—to have people like me."

"I like you and you didn't have to do a damn thing to make me."

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