Page 43 of Surrendered Innocence

“Do you know what restaurant?”

She shakes her head. “No. He didn’t know, and he couldn’t remember the names of the friends that helped him get the job.”

My ears perk. “What friends?”

“I just said, he didn’t remember.” She leans back in her chair and rubs her stomach. “I ate too fast.”

“Do you want something for your stomach?” I move to my feet. Any sort of medication she might need, I have. And if I don’t for some reason, I’ll call the doctor and have him bring it over.

She looks up at me with surprise. “No. Thanks, but I’ll be okay.”

“You’re sure?” I question, ready to grab my phone. “I shouldn’t have ordered so much. Next time I’ll order something better, less greasy.”

“No.” She reaches over to me and grabs my hand, squeezing lightly. “Dinner was great. I love Chinese food, actually.” Another squeeze. “Thank you.” Another squeeze, longer this time and then she lets go. “It’s been a while since someone other than me figured out what was for dinner.”

I sink back into my chair. “You were thrust into an adult role too quickly.” I hate this for her. She missed a big chunk of her adolescence by having to take on her little brother. And losing both parents the way they did, neither of them were prepared to deal with such trauma.

“I didn’t think of it like that.” She runs her fingers through her hair. “I’m glad to know that he’s all right. Andy, that’s his roommate, said that Gunner was sober. Completely clean when he left. That gives me some comfort.” It’s not enough, though.

“Did you talk with the manager?”

She shakes her head. “He wasn’t any help. Privacy rules. He can’t tell me anything unless Gunner put me on a list, which he didn’t. He probably hates me and thinks I’ve forgotten all about him.”

“He doesn’t hate you,” I promise her, knowing nothing about what this kid might actually be thinking or feeling. Other than knowing he has no right to hate her.

“I hope not,” she says quietly. “Anyway, there’s a visitation log but he wouldn’t let me see it.”

“So, there’s a trail of who was visiting your brother while he was there? If we get that log, we’ll be able to find out who those friends were.” I grab my phone and dial the first person I know who will be able to get this done without any trouble.

“What are you doing?” She climbs out of her chair as I walk away from the table. Alexi answers on the second ring.

“You busy?” I ask in Russian.

She steps around me to glare up at me. If I talk in Russian, I’m keeping her out of this. And I promised I wouldn’t do that.

“Nothing serious. What do you need?” Alexi says.

“I need a favor.” I switch to English and quickly go over what I want and where he can get it.

“You got it. I’ll have the information by morning,” he promises and cuts the call. Alexi likes these sorts of things. A little threat here and there if this manager won’t comply—it excites him.

“So?” she asks when I tuck the phone back in my pocket.

“He’s going to get the names for us.” I shrug.

“I figured that, but how? I don’t want this guy being hurt,” she’s quick to add.

“No one’s getting hurt,moy malen’kiy voin.” Before she can argue more, I grab her hips and hoist her up onto the counter. Brushing her hair from her face, I bring my mouth down on hers, teasing her until she opens for me.

“You’re distracting me, Maxim,” she accuses me when I break the kiss.

“I am,” I admit with a shrug. “We’ll know who these men were by breakfast. And then we can decide what to do next. But for now.” I kiss her again, stealing her breath and speeding up my heart. “Now, we go to the bedroom so I can distract you more thoroughly.”

Mandy

By the timeI turn off my computer and grab my purse to leave the office, my neck is in knots. I’m rubbing the back of it as I walk through the office toward the elevators. As I approach the front desk, I hear the elevator ding its arrival.

“Night, Mandy.” Jewel waves to me. There’s still a few more patients in the office before they can close for the day.

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