Page 35 of Scars He Gave Me (Bratva Crime Syndicate 2)

The last place I ever saw her.

We played a thousand games of Monopoly at the kitchen table waiting for her folks to go to bed so we could cuddle on the couch, or sneak up to her room to stroke each other, sweaty and tangled.

“You should come in and say hi. I bet Mom and Dad would love to see you.” If I had to describe her voice, I would pick wistful, like she’s caught in the same reminiscing as I am.

“How long’s it been since you lived here?” Not that it matters much to me, but I hate the idea of her living with the fucker who told the Italian scum where to find her instead of protecting her; the dickhead who almost forced her to let him work his perverted fantasies on her.

“A few years. I’ve been living with Alvin …” Her voice dies and she purses her lips. “How’s he doing?”

“His jaw’s wired shut, which I assume is a major reason he isn’t singing like a bitch to the cops, but I have men watching him.” Men ordered to shoot first and then ask questions if he even crosses the road heading toward the police department.

She clears her throat and looks down at her hands folded in her lap. “I didn’t know he was like that … with the sex stuff.”

If she thinks I didn’t know that, she must think I don’t know her at all. She’s a playful lover and she enjoys a toy or two—thank God—but getting her freak on her way doesn’t mean being assaulted by a toy the length and width of her thigh. He could’ve killed her with that thing.

He’s lucky I didn’t kill him for it. Maybe I still will. Depends on when and under what circumstances I run into him next.

“I should go.” She motions with her head toward the door.

“I’ll get your bag.” I stowed it in the trunk because I planned for a last kiss as I pulled it out. No. That was the second-to-last. The last one would come at the door.

But before I can lean in under the porch light, the door swings open from the inside and her dad slaps a hand on my shoulder.

“As I live and breathe! If it isn’t Tommy Dubrovsky.” He’s squeezing hard. Maybe he hasn’t quite forgiven me for breaking her heart all those years ago. “Come on in.”

I look at Corrie. This wasn’t the deal. This wasn’t what we agreed on and I want to make sure it’s okay with her. She shrugs.

“Alright.”

Corrie takes her bag and Arthur steps out the door and, with a hand on my chest, pushes me back. “Before you come inside, Tommy …” He looks over his shoulder to make sure Corinne has gone inside.

When he turns back to me, his voice is pitched lower, quieter. “I know it’s been a long time, but I want to thank you for the money for Corrie’s college. I would’ve never been able to send her without your help.”

“It was the least I could do. I only ever wanted the best for her.” That’s not a lie.

“I hated lying to her.” Arthur’s lips are pursed, and his eyes are lowered. “But her future …”

I nod. We concocted the plan the night I came by with the money. A night I knew Corrie was at work at the horse farm. “It was for the best. Still is.”

I want to make sure we agree. Corrie never needs to know that I was the one who funded her college education.

Arthur nods and I think how much he looks like her. Blond. Big brown eyes. She’s a hundred percent Arthur. She even has his smile. “Now, Mikaela has some apple pie right out of the oven. Can’t let you leave until you come in and have a piece.”

Even if I wanted to refuse, there isn’t time before he propels me inside, through a time warp, back to the best days of my life.

11

Corinne

It’s an odd thing to wake up in the morning with my life so out of sorts that I’m back in my childhood room at home. Especially with how innocent all the stuff in here looks. Old computer manuals stacked up on the shelves, clothes I haven’t worn in decades hanging in the closet… It’s all a reminder of a past life. A simpler life.

The life Tomas ruined when he left.

I shudder and get out of bed quickly. I can’t stop thinking about what I overheard last night.I wanted to thank you for the money for Corrie’s college.When my dad said that, my heart plummeted.

I’d actually, honest-to-goodness spent years believing the story he and my mom told me. I should’ve known better. A rich uncle no one has heard of leaving an inheritance behind that miraculously had the exact right amount to pay for my college education?

Uh, hello! How could I be so stupid? That kind of thing happens exclusively in Hallmark movies. Not in real life. Not inmylife.

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