Page 35

“She's doing great, you know. I can't tell you much but she's working through a lot.”
It soothes me a bit. I thank Damon, whose eyes go back to his hands that are busy chopping up vegetables.
After thirty minutes Jonas and Maverick show up. It's guy handshakes all around, and then Jonas greets Damon with a kiss before going down to the basement gym. Sabrina comes up not five minuteslater, sweaty and a little pink. I stand from where I've been sitting, and we say our goodbyes.
Sabrina and I step out into the new flurry of snow falling, lightly landing on her as we make our way two doors down to our place. When she looks at me, green eyes bright like healthy blades of grass down by the bayou, I swear my brain glitches. Snow clings to her lashes and taps her cheekbones before melting from her overheated body.
I hope she doesn't get sick. Not even because she's a nightmare when she's sick, but because she doesn't tell anyone. Doesn’t complain. Won't see a doctor until she absolutely has to. Until I call one to do a home visit. It's like some days, she's just waiting for onereallyterrible bout of pneumonia to take her away so she doesn't have to…
I don’t want to think about that.
We find Maksim on her stoop, glaring at her. “Where have you been? I've been standing out here for an hour, and you haven't picked up your phone.”
“I…” I wait for that spitfire of hers to rise. For her to say something sassy. I pray for it, even. “I forgot my phone. We were at Raven's – they just moved in. Not that I oweyouan explanation, but I was safe. I'm surethat'swhy you're growling. You wereworriedabout my safety?”
There she is. I grin inwardly.
There’s my girl.
Chapter Nine
Sabrina.
"Like bloody hell I'm going to your club tonight." I gripe, following Parker through the threshold. As always, the house is spotless, a soft echo in the foyer as I kick off my shoes and throw off my coat and beanie.I’ll get it later.
Fuck I'm already sore and I'm still sweaty.I need a cupcake.
"It's a charity event."
I roll my eyes. "Big bad gangsters holding a charity? I doubt it. Tell me, what is it?Toy Guns for Tots?"
"Didn't know you were funny,” he chuckles darkly, but I can tell it’s sarcastic.
"You don't know anything about me, Maksim," I say, making my way to the kitchen to find Parker already at the coffee maker. Bless him. "You're an angel, Parker."
Behind me, Maksim grunts. I turn to face him. "You're still here? I said no."
"It's a boxing match. The money goes to rings around New York so underprivileged kids can learn basic self-defense. Stuff they don't teach in schools."
"Give me a number, and I'll write you a check. I'll even phone Raven and she'll be more than happy to write one as well. But I'm not going."
He sighs. "The other capos are going to be there. I need to be able to introduce you as my soon-to-be wife."
"What's the catch?" I ask, grabbing the mug of coffee Parker is holding out to me and taking a sip. Perfect, every time. See? He's an angel... with the body of a demon, that man. Nothing but sweet, sweet temptation. Christ, that first morning before our run, when he opened his door shirtless and sweat was slowly rolling down his defined pecs, and down the valley of a very defined abdomen, I thought I was going tohave a heart attack.
Saliva had pooled under my tongue, the need to lick up around his Adonis belt had caused those sleeping pink parts of me to perk up and do that thing again, and when he spoke in that slight southern drawl, that was somewhere between a purr and a low whisper, it was the first time in a long time I thought about climbing him and sitting on his face so I could feel him purr against my clit.
I'm sure Maksim would be a lot more attractive if he weren't so ghastly. I realize he still hasn't answered me, but his eyes do follow my tongue when I lick off the bit of whipped cream on my upper lip. "Can't you take one of the escorts to this thing? I promise you're not hurting my feelings. Take any of your whores.Allof your whores. Your entire harem."
"Christ, Sabrina, this is awivesthing. You should want to be there for this. Isn't charity your thing?"
"I'm not your wife yet, Maksim, and I also believe I said I would write you a check."
"And I said the other capos are going to be there with their wives. It's a perfect opportunity for you to become friendly with them."
"I already have friends."
"Who? Parker? The living dead girl?" He spits condescendingly.