Page 117 of Break Me

I moved back into the living room finding it empty. I found her in the kitchen staring into the refrigerator. When she sensed my presence, she slammed the door. “There isn’t even enough food in this place for a bird to eat. What is happening?”

“Well, Alexsey doesn’t want me going anywhere since Emily was kidnapped yesterday.”

It was as if she suddenly remembered the reason I was staying here, her features softening. “What have the police said?”

“That they are actively prosecuting the two people involved.”

“That son of a bitch is the reason you’re going through all this bullshit.”

“That son of a bitch likely saved Emily’s life.”

She opened her mouth to retort while I lifted an eyebrow and folded my arms. “Okay. Yes, I know. You told me. But you wouldn’t have gone through that if you hadn’t accepted his date.”

I had to laugh. “You were the one trying to convince me to go out with him. Remember?” I studied her carefully. She was a couple of inches taller, but everyone certainly knew we were sisters and more than once we’d been mistaken for being twins. Since she’d worn the cap when she came in, that would solve the problem with the difference in our hairstyles. But we had the same deep green eyes and the same long dark curls. Perfect.

“Don’t remind me,” she scoffed then narrowed her eyes.

“Look, Liam has been lying to me. He’s into some bad shit.”

“You’re kidding me.”

I shook my head.

“I knew you shouldn’t trust that Irish bastard.”

Grinning, I did so love how my sister would so quickly come to my defense. “Yeah, he is.” I studied her again, rubbing my chin.

“What are you staring at?”

“You look very much like me.”

“No, I do not.” She grinned after objecting. “Of course we look alike. We’re sisters. Wait a minute. What’s going on?”

“I need your help.”

“Doing what?”

“Escaping.”

Alexsey

Goddamn reporters.

They’d been outside the condominium and it had taken all my control to not drive my fist in their faces. I’d also seen the ridiculous statement made by the reporter Halle had punched on the morning news.

He’d laid it on thick, the tape across the bridge of his nose making him look ridiculous. From what I’d heard from a buddy of mine at the station, he was being suspended. Maybe I’d made a phone call or two. I did have clout in this town.

Why not use it.

The morning had been… delicious and at least the first act of business had been to call my real estate agent. The ball was rolling.

Now, as I strode toward the largest of our hotels, a swarm of reporters came out of nowhere.

“Mr. Dmitriyev. Is it true you saved a little girl’s life?”

“Mr. Dmitriyev. Isn’t the girl you saved the child belonging to Halle O’Leary? And how is she doing after the horrific scare?”

“Mr. Dmitriyev. Do you have any idea why you and your family are being targeted?”