Page 105 of Break Me
“That doesn’t mean I can simply stop doing what I’m doing. I have a life. A house to take care of, two jobs.” I glanced at my watch, cringing. “I’m supposed to be going to work in a couple hours. I have bills to pay.”
“You don’t need to worry about any of that.”
“Why? Because you’re going to take care of me? You’re going to pay my bills and make certain my daughter goes to kindergarten, which she already loves even after the shit from today. Or at least I hope she still does. Are you going to have me chauffeured to her doctor’s appointments? And what about when I’m called out to a fire? Are you going to be there or will one of those two very nice men who bought my daughter one too many Cokes while we waited do it? What about clothes and her toys? I don’t mean to be rude at all, but while this condo is gorgeous, it’s a haven for single people. There’s no backyard. No open windows to let in the fresh air. There’s no grass to play on. I’d be terrified if she didn’t hold my hand every second when we left. And this isn’t the best place to raise a puppy.”
“A puppy?”
“Yes. Her doctor, I mean the one you hired and insisted on paying for, did say that having a support animal that could provide advance warning of an attack so additional medications could be given might keep her from having surgery.”
“Hmmm…”
Yes, hmmm… Now maybe he was seeing that my life was just as complicated as his.
My nervousness was kicking my ass. Sighing, I looked away briefly, even hiding behind the glass. I had no intention of leaving my daughter tonight. None.
Alexsey was far too quiet, so much so I finally turned to glare at him. “What?”
“Take a breath while I try and answer you.” He used his commanding voice. “I will absolutely take care of you, Halle. As far as your bills, I’ll simply make them go away. Kindergarten, well, I might be able to convince you to allow your beautiful daughter to attend the private school where my second cousin goes. She and Nina are about the same age. Maybe they could become friends.”
I knew I was staring at him, maybe not even blinking. Was he serious right about now? “Excuse me?”
“I’m not finished yet, Halle. Of course I would be happy to take her to any or all doctor’s appointments when you couldn’t make it. The fire might be complicated, but I don’t think whoever is attacking us will dare try and do so when you’re working an active fire. Even they aren’t that stupid.”
I couldn’t help now remaining completely quiet, sipping my drink while his brow furrowed as he was trying to remember all the ridiculous thoughts I’d tossed out. He lifted his arm holding the drink, rubbing his thumb across the lines on his forehead created by his arching brows.
“Oh, of course. Clothes and toys. I’ll go with you in the morning to pick up a few from your house. Or if you’d prefer, we’ll simply go shopping. That way everything will be new. Maybe that willplease the little princess. She deserves new things. So does her mother. Last on the list…” He took a few seconds scanning the massive living room as if seeing it for the first time. “You know, my cousin told me just this morning I needed to bypass the insurance assholes and just buy a house. You’re right. This house is not meant for a family with a child. I think I will buy that house. With land. And grass. I like the idea of grass. Definitely a swing. I think that’s what they’re called. Maybe one on the front porch. As far as a support animal, my sister-in-law will be very helpful in finding out how to go about that. Now, I think I covered all the bases. No, I forgot one. I told Emily we’d go get ice cream and I lied to her. We’ll need to rectify that tomorrow.”
For a big brute of a man, he could almost talk me under the table. I folded my arms, inching a little closer. “Just who are you again? Here I thought I could place you into the big bad guy category and you go and surprise me all over again. But you can’t be serious. What are you trying to tell me?”
During our last conversation I’d seen how much I’d hurt him with my caustic mouth. Now I had a chance to see yet another glimpse into the boy in him, the one that could light up a room just as much with an impish grin as he could by demanding everyone follow his orders.
“Who am I?” he repeated, once again closing the distance. “I’m a man of means who plans on taking care of you whether you want me to or not. As far as what I’m telling you. It’s just this. You’re not going anywhere. Not for the time being. And in my mind, not for a very long time if ever.”
CHAPTER 24
Halle
There’d been only a few times in my life that I’d been floored.
Everyone talked about the day when the love of their life asked for their hand in marriage. Or maybe when their first child was born.
Yes, both had been memorable, but Sean had been the least romantic person I’d ever known, asking me over coffee and a bagel one morning when we had a day off together. He hadn’t even purchased the ring yet.
By the time my beautiful daughter had finally made her way into this world, I’d been so uncomfortable and had spent thirty-six grueling hours in labor that I’d cursed the last three hours nonstop.
When Sean had died, I’d been paralyzed, devastated, but not floored in the way Alexsey made me.
Come to think of it, until right now, I’d never had a person truly surprise me as many times as Alexsey had.
He was simply too much to deal with or to process, but I could tell without a doubt that his answers to my nervous energy bullshit had been real. He’d been serious. He was planning on purchasing a house so that my daughter could have a better atmosphere to play in. With a swing set. Who did that kind of thing?
Yes, he had money, but that was beside the point. He was serious.
“Wait. Hold. On. What did you just say to me?” I asked. My hand was shaking. Was that a response to what he’d said or had the rush of adrenaline finally worn off?
“Which part, Captain?” Alexsey mused.
If he continued to grin like that, I would stop being able to form coherent sentences altogether. Then a moment of clarity settled in. “Wait a minute. You aren’t going to allow me back to my own house?”
