Page 18 of Break Me

Mikhail rubbed his eyes. “You can do what you want, Alexsey. I trust your judgment. If you like her, then ask her out if you want to. If you don’t, then consider doing it anyway just to see if you can find out anything. It won’t hurt. This may be nothing but conjecture, but you did almost die in that fire. That’s something to think about.”

Maybe he was right. There was a coincidence running through the events that needed to be confirmed or put to rest. Perhaps it was an excuse to see the lovely Captain O’Leary again.

Only this time, I had no intentions of allowing her to say no and get away with it.

CHAPTER 5

Halle

“You mean this guy?” Kristine jumped me as soon as I’d changed into my bar uniform. She had her iPad in her hand, holding it out. That was no big deal as she often showed me her latest Instagram post and how many followers and likes she’d gotten in a day.

However, the glee in her voice caught me by surprise.

“I can’t see it since it’s in my face, sis.”

She pulled it away, giving me an evil eye. “Is this the hot Russian you saved?”

Sighing, I took the iPad from her hand, studying the picture. Wow. That was the first word that came to mind. While the photograph had been taken four years earlier, those years had only improved his rugged handsome features.

Like a fine wine aging perfectly.

My heart immediately fluttered. That was so unlike me. “What is this for?”

“The most eligible bachelor edition ofPeople Magazine.” She snatched the iPad back, shaking her head. “Would you look at the five of them? Holy shit. They are hot, hot, baby. Three from one side of the family, two from another. I could handle any of them. Or maybe all at the same time.”

“You are terrible.” I couldn’t help but laugh. And snag another look at the picture. Yes, all five were incredible. Tall and muscular, most with tattoos and all with the bad boy illusion.

Or maybe reality.

I knew about their reputation from Sean years before. I hadn’t bothered to grill him on why, but he’d told me they were bad news. When I’d returned to the fire station, I’d taken a couple of minutes to Google the family. I’d been right. They were considered one of the most powerful regimes in the country.

“Tell me why again that you turned him down for just a cup of coffee. I mean what could it hurt? You did save his life, you know. Saying thank you is actually considered a nice thing to do. But since you don’t believe in the good in anyone…”

I glanced at Emily, who was happily drawing yet another picture. The girl was going to end up being an artist when she grew up. As long as she had the chance. Oh, my God. I couldn’t believe I’d just thought something so horrible. I was just under a lot of stress. She was doing great and had only needed to use her inhaler once in the last two weeks.

Maybe the doctors were right and she was growing out of it.

“You mean other than I can’t stand him? Or that he breaks the rules to suit himself?”

“Or maybe that he’s obviously rich, extremely good looking, and has the hots for you?”

My sister enjoyed pushing my buttons. “Or that he’s an arrogant ass who doesn’t take no for an answer. You know how I feel about anyone who doesn’t follow laws.”

“So he made a mistake. Haven’t we all?” As soon as she asked the question, her eyebrows shot up. She knew better than anyone how much I blamed myself for Sean’s death. We’d been arguing. He’d been careless. I couldn’t stand the memory. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“Don’t be and you didn’t. You’re right. He is handsome. And rich. And has this voice that just creates little tingles all the way to your toes. However, I just don’t have the time or energy right now to consider going on a date.” Let alone dating clothes. I hadn’t worn a dress in three years, even before Sean had been killed.

“I know you don’t want to hear this, but I think you’ve gone way past the denial stage moving directly into intense anger.”

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning you lash out at everyone for the slightest thing.”

“I do not.”

Her tight smile was the one that drove me crazy. “The day you went to meet Emily’s teacher for the first time, you almost bit her head off because she called Emily Brittany.”

“Well, she needs to get the names of the children in her class correct, for God’s sake.” The heavy vehemence in my tone and my sister’s sudden silence was like a slap in the head. “Okay. You’re right. I’m angry. I’m so enraged that I can’t think straight.”