Page 35 of Wrong Number. Right Don.
Sasha whistles low.
“Careful,” I warn, although my voice lacks bite.
“What?” he asks, laughing. “Are you going to deny it? That woman has you twisted in knots, big brother. And honestly, it’s about time.”
I stare at him for a long second. “She’s not just some woman.”
“I didn’t say she was. I’m saying you look at her like she might bethewoman.”
My jaw tightens, the muscles flexing as I grind my teeth together.
“She’s…” I trail off, unsure how to explain something I barely understand myself. “She’s unexpected.”
Sasha lifts a brow. “You mean she wasn’t part of the plan? Welcome to life, Sergei. Shit happens.”
“It’s not that simple.”
He exhales, still watching me carefully. “Because of our world?”
“Because of all of it.” I glance out the window, at the inky blackness of the garden. “Because of the things I’ve done and the things I’ll probably have to keep doing.”
“So she doesn’t know anything about what you do?” Sasha asks, though it’s not really a question.
I shake my head once.
“Well,” he says slowly, “she’s living in your house, and she’s taking care of Mom. It won’t stay a secret for long. One way or another, she’s probably going to find out.”
“I know.” I sigh, my voice low and rough. “But I don’t know if I can stomach what happens when she does.”
Sasha falls quiet for a moment. Then, in a rare show of seriousness, he says, “You really care about her, don’t you? I’ve never seen you put in so much effort for a woman before.”
“Fine, you little shit. I care about her,” I admit.
A slow smile spreads across his face. “Holy shit. You’re in love with her!”
I roll my eyes, but there’s no bite to it.
“You should tell her,” he says.
I tense. “Tell her what?”
“Don’t play dumb. It doesn’t suit you.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I groan, dropping my head into my hands. “When she finds out what I do, she’ll probably run for the hills.”
“You don’t know that,” he says softly.
“I just don’t want to hand her a reason to run,” I admit. “I don’t think I could handle that. Maybe it’s better you interrupted us tonight.”
He studies me in silence for a moment.
“If she’s the right one, nothing you say will scare her off.” His words carry more wisdom than I’ve ever given him credit for.
“I don’t know if she’s the right one,” I shoot back. “I just know I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her since the night we met.”
Sasha sighs and pushes off the wall. “Look, all I’m saying is you don’t have to be alone just because of what you do. Lots of men in your position are happily married.”
I don’t respond to that. Who said anything about marriage? I shoot him an annoyed look and turn back to the computer, trying in earnest to focus on the numbers swimming before me. He finally gets the hint and leaves, the echo of his boots fading down the hallway.
