Page 19 of Break Me
When she gripped my arm, I closed my eyes briefly. “It’s time to move on, sis. That’s what Sean would want. You deserve to try and be happy again.”
“I know. I heard you. I’m just not sure I’m ready to date.”
She sighed as if swooning. “Okay. I get it. Then maybe you should introduce me to your… friend. I haven’t been on a date in two years. At least not one I’m going to admit to. Let’s face it, sis. We’re both going to end up old maids.”
“Speak for yourself.” I moved toward the kitchen to grab my purse and keys, tousling Emily’s hair as I passed by. Her giggle usually brought a smile to my face no matter what mood I was in, but everything about the night before continued to weigh heavily on my mind. Maybe because my instinct told me I’d be in the battalion chief’s office in the late morning. Maybe what I’d done had been risky, even going against department rules, but I’d saved a life. That had to mean something.
Or maybe the letter that I’d found in my mailbox had soured my mood more than I thought possible. I’d been counting on the insurance money to make ends meet this month. I gripped the edge of the counter, closing and rubbing my eyes. Maybe I could pick up a couple more shifts at the pub. Another holdup, which was getting ridiculous. Yes, I knew there was red tape in dealing with fires, but my God, how long did it take?
I needed to talk to my brother-in-law since he held the power of attorney. Something Sean had told me he’d changed. But there was no sense in worrying about it right now.
A knock on the door made me cringe. While bill collectors usually didn’t go door to door any longer, every time someone appeared uninvited, my reaction was the same.
Utter dread.
“I’ll get it,” Kristine called.
Where the hell were my keys? I moved through the kitchen, finally noticing they’d been put where they were supposed to be. On the peg board I’d placed by the refrigerator, the one I rarely used since I usually felt too drained to bother.
“Um, sis. I think you better get out here.”
Hearing the strange tone in my sister’s voice immediately made me freeze up. I gripped the edge of the counter, uncertain why I was suddenly nervous. Whatever it was, I’d need to put my big girl panties on. After tucking hair behind my ear, I made my way into the living room. Even before I made it two feet into the room, I stopped short catching sight of my visitor.
One tall, insanely gorgeous drink of water, as my mother used to say.
Alexsey Dmitriyev was dressed in more casual clothes, but that didn’t diminish his extremely rugged good looks or the fact his frame filled my doorway.
Or the fact I was furious he’d looked up my address.
I stormed toward them, realizing instantly Kristine’s mouth was watering. “Mr. Dmitriyev. What are you doing here?” Mydemand was harsh, maybe more than it should be, but I was getting stalker-ish vibes.
My sister coughed on purpose, but I ignored her, keeping my glare on the sexy Russian. His eyes were even more luminous in the waning sunlight.
“Please, call me Alexsey. When someone saves your life, that makes them a friend. I was in the area and thought I’d drop by and see if you’d changed your mind about dinner?” He lowered his gaze ever so slowly, stopping briefly on the logo on my tee shirt. His voice was unusually deep with a hint of filthy danger.
I did what I could to tamp back my anger. My sister was right. As usual. “Look, you and I both know you weren’t just in the area. This isn’t the kind of neighborhood you’d pass through. Plus, I didn’t tell you where I lived, which means you did what you could to invade my privacy, which I take seriously. While I do appreciate you trying very hard to thank me for doing my job, it’s really not necessary.”
“Mommy.” Suddenly little feet racing in my direction caught his attention. As Emily wrapped her arms around my legs, Alexsey’s gaze fell to her face then back to mine. “Don’t leave without kissing me goodbye.”
Reaching down, I lifted her into my arms, tweaking her little nose. “Mommy would never leave her baby girl without saying goodbye.” When I tickled her tummy, she giggled again. I tipped my head in his direction, anticipating a look of horror as his new expression just before he backed away as if my house was suddenly on fire.
He didn’t. He peered down at her with a smile on his face. “And who is this ray of sunshine?”
“I’m not sunshine. I’m a little girl. I’m four and a half. Almost five.” She held out her hand with her fingers up proudly. “I’m Emily. Who are you?”
“Alexsey. But you can call me Alex.”
She leaned forward even in my hold, pressing her small hand against his stubbled cheek, which drew my attention. The fact he hadn’t shaved in a couple of days made him that much sexier. Whew. I forced myself to look away. “Alexsey was just leaving, sparkle toes. Why don’t you go back to coloring for Mama.” I eased her down and she peered up at Alexsey before scampering off.
Emily’s little feet as she ran away kept a pang in my heart. When she suddenly started coughing, I reacted immediately, rushing toward her as the coughing worsened and she started wheezing. “Kristine. Get her inhaler.” I dropped down, holding her in my arms. “It’s okay, baby girl. Mama is right here.” Oh, God. Oh, dear God. Her lips were already turning blue. At least that’s what it appeared to me. “Breathe for me. Everything is going to be okay.”
“I’m on it.” Kristine rushed past me while I tried to keep from panicking. This wasn’t nearly as bad of an attack as last time, but at any moment, she could have another one.
“Here you go.” Kristine’s hand was shaking as she handed me the inhaler.
As soon as I shook it, glancing at the counter on the side, I realized this would be the last dose. Jesus Christ. Tears formed in my eyes as I placed it in her mouth.
It took a few tense seconds, but I could tell almost immediately when the medicine started to work. Emily opened her beautifullittle eyes. Exhaling, I hated myself for the single ugly sob leaving my chest, but every time she had an attack, I was terrified.
