Page 27 of Deadly Knight (The Bratva’s Elite #2)

I fall back into my computer chair with a groan and sip coffee long gone cold since it’s the same I carried into work this morning.

Not having any time to drink or eat lunch makes everything more aggravating, coupled with the fact that tomorrow, I’ll have to make time to catch up on today’s documentation.

When the knock on my door comes, I’m about ready to toss my coffee at whomever it is and demand they make me a fresh one before attempting to speak with me. Before I allow that fantasy to take hold for too long, I roll my chair across the room and open the door to Caleb, a small smile on his face.

He looks as tired as I feel, but considering it’s Monday, that’s not a surprise. Given the shit I dealt with, I could only imagine what the kids put the other staff through today.

“Hey,” I greet.

“Hi. Busy?”

“No, come in.” Not a lie considering I don’t have the mental capacity to work on the notes I should be.

My plans include dying in this chair, checking my email for a final time, shutting down the computer, and packing up to go die again at home.

Thankfully, my self-defence lessons only occur Fridays, which means being able to relax tonight.

I wheel away from the door and back towards my desk, reaching for my cold coffee, if only for something to hold on to before Caleb catches me drooling.

He looks good . A button-down over tan slacks, the perfect blend of business and casual, his hair a bit messy like he’s run his fingers through it one too many times today—likely from frustration.

When he falls into one of my chairs with a tired groan, I receive the same handsome smile from the other night.

Thinking about what Ava asked me yesterday, I’m immediately struck by the obvious difference between him and Dimitri: Caleb’s smile doesn’t have the same intensity as Dimitri’s.

It doesn’t make me feel like my insides are rearranging themselves.

It’s kind of disappointing that Dimitri isn’t so easily replaced in my mind.

But also reassuring that he’ll never be replaced in my heart, no matter what happens.

“Busy day?” he asks.

“Beyond busy.” I hold up my coffee, shaking it so the liquid sloshes the sides and he can hear how full it is. “This is from the morning.”

His expression pinches. “Criminal. Should have called my classroom. I would have happily taken a five-minute break from my chaos to get you a fresh cup.”

“Oh, no, no, you’re busy too.”

“The class isn’t going anywhere. They’re a bunch of teenagers who don’t want to be in summer school. Believe me, stepping away is sometimes needed for us all. Take some deep breaths and go back to it.”

“Healthy.” I gesture to a sign hung across the room that details stress management coping strategies, two of which are deep breathing and taking a short walk. “One of the best recommendations I give to the kids. To get out of the situation and calm down before attempting again.”

Caleb’s gaze flicks over the poster before returning to me. “Why not take your own advice and get out of here?”

“You haven’t heard? Therapists are the poster children for do as I say, not as I do. I know what I should do, but doing it is a whole other thing.”

“That’s unfortunate. Well, if you ever decide to take a break, be sure to wander down to my room. I’d be more than happy to have you in there.”

My mouth goes dry, and rolling my lips together isn’t doing a damn thing about it.

“Tell me”—he straightens—“what has Miss Terasov accomplished today?”

“Five scheduled appointments, two drop-ins, and a meeting with my supervisor. One of those drop-ins involved a conversation about suicide ideation, which initiated a whole process of updating management, having to phone her parents, and writing a safety plan with her. She alone took over an hour of my day. One of my scheduled appointments had a meltdown shortly after returning to her afternoon activities, so I went back to support. It was a mental toll I didn’t account for.

The meeting with management went longer than usual; lots of updates.

Oh, and then a last-minute phone call with a parent because they requested services. ”

Caleb whistles. “Damn.”

I shrug, because it’s over. “Made the day go by fast. Besides, being busy means I’ve helped, and that’s why I’m here.”

Another blinding smile. “That’s something, Katya.

Which brings me to why I’ve stopped by, other than interrupting your only moment of peace.

I’ve come to ask if you’d be interested in one day taking this outside the centre?

One day, like tomorrow night?” Hope spreads across his expression, a tinge of pink colouring the tips of his cheeks.

It’s sweet in a cute way, his shyness as he asks me out.

The few times guys have indicated interest, I’ve almost never immediately agreed to the date.

Usually, there’s a lot of considering, doubting, and even self-loathing.

Mix in some fear of repeating the past, of getting close to another person, and fear in general, it requires many deep breaths and recalling old conversations with Ava before agreeing.

But with Caleb, there is no self-hatred or deep consideration. So far, every experience with him has been pleasant, so my agreement slips out easily, albeit a little forced behind the need to propel myself towards Caleb—someone who could be really good for me, going by my session with Ava.

“I’d love to.”

“Great. Dinner at six? I’ll pick you up. I know a great Thai restaurant downtown, if you like that cuisine.”

“Sounds perfect.” Holy crap, I’m doing this.

Caleb stands but doesn’t head for the door.

He approaches, and when my lungs stop working, when I’m trying to remember the numerous breathing techniques I teach to kids as terror and panic take hold with his nearness, he bends and reaches by me to snag one of my business cards stored in the holder beside my monitor.

“I’ll need your number.” He winks, flicking his finger against the thick cardstock.

“T-that’s my work phone,” I manage, unable to add the words I don’t answer my work phone after working hours.

“Then you’ll need to rectify that and give me your personal number.” He holds the card out towards me, and I jot my cell number on the bottom. He grins like he’s won a prize before slipping the card into his pocket. “Go home and rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He makes it to the door before I manage to find my voice again. “Maybe I’ll take a break tomorrow and swing by your classroom.”

“I’d like that.”

Long after he goes, the light feeling in my chest carries me home.

I almost don’t. I almost talk myself out of it.

By midday, I allow myself a break, thankful to be half caught up on yesterday’s paperwork and, since today is much quieter in terms of appointments, it’ll be done by the end of the day.

I walk down the hallway, greeting the few staff I pass as they leave the break room and head to their rooms for afternoon programming. Some of the kids coming in from outdoor sports bring their energy into the halls, arms thrown around, voices loud.

I’m stopped three times with various greetings, a couple “Guess what I did outside!” comments, and one “Are you coming to get me?” from a girl I once worked with.

I pass Nora, who gives me a knowing look and I make a face that causes her to laugh, gaining the attention of the kids around her.

At the end of the hall, the tutoring classrooms are adjacent to one another, and I stop by the shut door used for the high school students, testing the door with bated breath.

It’s unlocked, and when I step inside, Caleb looks up from his phone, grinning.

Thankfully, he’s alone, being in between lessons.

“You’ve come. I hoped you would.”

“Yeah?” Why are you questioning him?

“Yeah,” he replies. “I’m glad you’ve made a bit of time for yourself.”

I hold up my travel mug, jiggling the still-hot coffee. “Even brought my drink to truly make this an experience.”

He chuckles and is about to say something else, but a handful of teenagers erupt into the room, some with painstaking groans about being back after lunch, others silently treading to their seats. Some cast looks my way, but most slump into their chairs, heads buried in their phones.

“Take my chair, Miss Terasov. Class is about to begin.” My cheeks flush hotter before I do as he instructed.

Caleb watches me claim his seat before calling his small class of about a dozen to attention. Most begrudgingly tear their attention away from their phones to him.

“Alright”—he lightly claps his hands together—“we’ll focus on math this afternoon. If you’ll all take out your books so we can continue from where we left off yesterday…”

Caleb launches into his lesson, enthralling me with the way he constantly moves around the front of the room, keeping the students’ attention on the otherwise challenging subject. Every once in a while, he sneaks a peek my way, and it feels like a secret we shouldn’t be having.

Sadly, too soon my self-imposed twenty-minute timer I’ve given myself flashes through my head. Before my upcoming sessions, I shouldn’t get further behind on notes, which means finishing up yesterday’s before today’s gets added to the virtual pile.

I wait until Caleb has them break off into individual work before passing in front of the class, smiling my goodbye at him.

His gaze stalks me until a sudden snatch of my elbow stops me. He moves closer, enough I feel the heat from his body; much too close for what’s respectable between two coworkers.

Nervously, I glance towards the students, but most seem to be focused on their work.

“I’ll see you tonight.” His warm breath blows across my cheek before he releases me again, fire in his dark eyes. While it’s not unpleasant, it’s also not relaxing either. With feet heavier than bricks, I manage to turn and head for the door, feeling his gaze on me.

It isn’t until I’m in the hallway and shutting the door that reprieve comes in the form of a deep breath and the space I give myself by walking away.