Page 59 of Possess Me
“We made a pact that we don’t kid about hot men. Remember?”
She snorted. “We did. Spill the tea, girlfriend.”
“Let’s just say he’s GQ perfect with the kind of money to jet all over the world several times over.”
“Is he single?”
“I think so.”
“Mmm… Do you want me to do some digging?” Jasmine laughed. “He might be perfect, but you never know. Men are vile animals.”
“Did you break up with one of your men again?”
“Stop. You know exactly what I mean.”
“I think I’m just fine. This is a short-term gig and nothing else.”
“There’s nothing wrong with making it a longer-term gig. You deserve to be happy.”
“That’s going to need to wait, Jazzy. There’s too much going on in my life.”
“I know you’re not telling me everything about your family and what you’re going through, but I’m not stupid, girl. I know your stepbrother did something to you when you were home.”
“That’s not my home any longer.” I honestly didn’t know if I could consider Miami home either. The guilt at leaving my mother alone in Chicago was eating at me in a way I hadn’t anticipated. She’d understood, even encouraging me to leave, but I’d known in my heart she wasn’t safe.
She’d assured me over and over again she was.
Then she was murdered.
The ache in my heart would never leave.
Not until Antonio was rotting in prison.
My response after he’d left the text?
I’m coming for you.Watch your back.
Maybe I shouldn’t have saidanything, leaving him to believe I was scared of him, but I just couldn’t do it.
“When you get back, why don’t you come stay with me? I have a guest bedroom. It’s all yours,” Jasmine said and I glanced down at Bella, who’d suddenly taken interest to something outside the open doors.
I’d felt all alone for the last few years. Now I had someone to take care of. “I’ll be fine. I just need to get my bearings and sell the house. Then I’ll have a little bit of money. Maybe I’ll move into a bigger place.”
Her sigh was heavy. “Then why don’t you tell me about Mr. Rich and Handsome? Maybe he can become your hero. I know I’m jaded, but there must be one man on this planet who will fight all dragons and demons to keep you safe.”
I could laugh again, even though the ache had resettled into my system. “I don’t think there are any heroes left. Although… His name is Vissarian Dmitriyev. He’s very rich, but he’s also down to earth.” I was surprised at my admittance, but he was. Any man who would read an erotic book out loud was pretty fine with me.
Her hesitation caused me pause.
“TheVissarian Dmitriyev? The one who’s been on like a bazillion magazine covers along with his brother and cousins?”
“Wow, girl. You know everybody.”
“I had a modeling assignment in Vegas. I learned all about them.”
Why was her voice different?
“With a name like Dmitriyev, there can’t be two of them. Why do you say it that way?”
