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That I pulled her in, ruined her life, and tossed her out when I got bored.
She has no idea I posted two men outside her building. That I’ve had her routes tracked. That I already switched out her lock and had a decoy ID created in case I need to relocate her again.
She doesn’t know because she’s not supposed to.
Because if she does—she’ll come back.
And I’ll break.
Roman clears his throat. “You’re sure about this? Pushing her away?”
I nod once. “She was almost taken. This war—Lev—it’s escalating. I won’t let her be a casualty just because I couldn’t keep my dick in my pants.”
Oleg snorts. “Romantic.”
I exhale and stand.
What must she be thinking right now?
Well, I know exactly what she’s thinking. “She thinks I sent her away because of Nina.”
Roman raises a brow. “Is she wrong?”
“You know better to ask me that question,” I say. “Sasha thinks Nina might be helping Lev.”
“They did know each other from before, right?” Oleg says. “Isn’t he her distant cousin or something?”
“Lev killed people close to her,” I say. “Nina would never help him.”
Besides, Nina isn’t important. All my thoughts are consumed by Sasha.
Does she hate me?
Is she hurt?
Is she still wearing that oversized hoodie she stole from my closet and pretended she didn’t like?
I push the thought down and adjust my coat.
“She’s safer away from me,” I say, more to myself than anyone else.
Even if every second without her feels like a mistake I can’t take back.
* * *
It’sdays since I pushed her away, and I’m driving. No destination.
Just miles of road under my tires and silence pressing in from all sides.
My phone sits face down on the passenger seat, screen black.
But I feel it.
Like it’s vibrating under my skin instead.
Every red light tempts me. Every quiet moment.
I could text her.