“Do you want to talk about it, little girl?”
I shake my head.“Not really.It was scary.I want to sit andnotthink for a little while.I don’t want this hanging over my head tonight when I’m with Dmitri.”
“Understandable.Let’s get you somewhere comfortable.”He holds my uninjured hand and walks me toward the door.On the way, he stops to grab his T-shirt.“I’ll make you a snack and set you up in the living room with whatever show you want to watch.Then I’ll pick out a dress to drive Dmitri wild on your date.”
“Fine, I’ll allow you to pamper me.”I give a big, heavy sigh, like being taken care of is such a chore.“But I do have one request.”
He raises an eyebrow, his shirt held loosely in hand.“Yes?”
“While you take care of me, can you leave your shirt off?”
Laughing, he plants a big, smacking kiss on my cheek.“Sure, baby girl.I’ll leave my shirt off.”
* * *
Dmitri
My date with Leah will be somewhat casual.A little cliché—dinner and a movie.But we already know each other.We’ve slept together—our days at the cabin were paradise.Tonight, the point is to spend time together where we aren’t fucking each other’s brains out.
And then I’ll convince her to come home with me and we’ll fuck each other’s brains out.
I want to choke her again.Her throat is so smooth and soft.I want to hear her gasp for daddy, and I don’t even care if she’s talking about me or Gage—either daddy is fine.But it’ll be my dick she’s riding while I hold the power of her breath.
Fuck, gets me hard just imagining it.
I’m pulling on my button-down shirt when a buzzing sound from my dresser grabs my attention.
It’s my phone.Danica’s calling.We still haven’t made up.And we haven’t talked since she showed me her tattoo.I think she should cover it up, but it’s not as if our family symbol is a direct link to organized crime.Sure, the Laytons might recognize it, but it can’t be found in any crime registries or anything like that.
I don’t want a conversation with her to derail my good mood for tonight.I’m tempted to ignore the call, but it’sDanica.I can’t ignore my sister.
With a deep, steadying breath, I answer.“Hey, what’s up?”
“D-dmitri.”She’s crying.
“Dani, what?What is it?”I was already on my way out, so I turn off the lights, lock the door behind me, and rush to my car.
“I—” She breaks off in a sob.
Fuck, I hate hearing my little sister cry.“Are you hurt?Where are you?”
“It’s Granddad.”She sucks in a deep breath, gathering herself.“He’s in the hospital—he had a heart attack.”
16
Leah
The call comes when I’m waiting in the penthouse for Dmitri.
“I can’t make our date, Leah.”His voice is heavy, with a thread of stress woven in.“I’m sorry.”
“What happened?”I shoot out of my comfy position on the sofa.
Gage looks up in alarm.
“It’s Granddad.”Dmitri sounds out of breath, like he’s rushing somewhere.“He had a heart attack.I just got to the hospital, so no info yet.”
“Dmitri…I’m so sorry.”
