Page 58 of Pursued-
“That’s Alberto’s number.”
Sasha’s thumb swipes the arrow, taking the call.
“What?” Sasha says.
“Is this one of Connor McCann’s guys? Turn Rachel’s phone back on. I need to speak to her.”
The venom in his voice takes me back to the night at Frank’s. I grip the truck’s frame to steady myself.
“I can talk,” I say, but it sounds more like a question. “I’m here,” I force myself to say more loudly. I’m facing this. I’m not going to let him victimize me over and over.
“What do you want?” Sasha says into the phone.
“Anvil?” Alberto sneers. “You’re with fucking Anvil, Rachel? The moron Stroviak? Are you screwing him now for protection? When he dies, that’s on you, you dirty fucking whore.”
I’m stung and want to scream at Berto for insulting us. Alberto’s such a brutal asshole, so much worse than I ever realized.
I expect Sasha to explode with rage, but he’s just quiet for a moment, then he says coolly, “Let’s meet, Leone.”
A chill runs down my spine, and I’m impressed. Sasha’s control over his temper and his fearless challenge are menacing.
The phone goes dark. It must have rattled Berto too because he ended the call without another word. Sasha glances at his phone’s screen impassively, then slides it back into his pocket.
I swallow, my mouth very dry. “You handled that so well, but he meant what he said. Some people spout off with idle threats, but not Alberto.”
Sasha’s gaze settles on my face. “Good.”
I blink.
“If he’s looking for me, it’ll be easier for me to find him,” he says.
Sasha’s confidence is reassuring, but I don’t like the idea of Sasha going to meet Alberto. It’ll be an ambush. Berto’s proven that’s the way he operates. He’s a snake, tricking people, luring them into places where he’ll have the advantage.
“What if we leave? The two of us. Go somewhere far away? Where no one knows us?” I say.
ANVIL
She’s worried,which I don’t want to see. I do like that when she talks about scenarios that involve leaving, she includes me in them. She wants me in her life.
“We have choices. Other places aren’t like this,” she says hopefully. “We don’t have to live on the East Coast. We could go somewhere where no one knows us and live quietly.”
It’s my turn to smile. “You think I’m suburb material?”
She laughs softly. “Not exactly. But I could see you living somewhere urban and cool. A high-rise maybe? In a new city. A fresh start?”
I like that she can imagine that. I’ve stalked the same few miles my whole life, leaving my blood on the pavement and watering patches of grass with it. I’ve been passed out drunk behind the old elementary school and rescued a girl from a college boy rapist behind Slattery’s Pub. Coynston is C’s town, but it’s mine too, in all the ways that matter. I’ve got enough money to live anywhere. But when I’ve gone other places, I could tell I didn’t belong.
“Not likely,” I say.
“Maybe if I go, I’ll be able to tempt you into coming.”
“If you go?” I shake my head. “You’re not leaving me. You’re mine now.”
Her cheeks flush, but her lips curve into a small smile. “I thought forever only applied if I got pregnant?” Her tone is light, but I know her. I’ve watched her a long time, and I know it’s a serious question.
“Give me time. I’ll get there. How long until those pills wear off?”
Her brows rise. “We’ve only spent a few nights together. That’s not a very long time.”