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She throws her handbag down in the chair behind my desk.
Damn it, Gabe. You knew that I wanted to do this myself! It's not about the money or even
safety. I'm not an idiot. I don't stay too late so there are other people around and someone always
knows where I am. But now that there's nothing for me to do it feels like it's not really my project
anymore."
I pull her into my arms and rest my chin on top of her head. "I hate when you're angry with
me.
She squeezes me around the waist. "I'm not doing it for kicks, Gabe. I told you that I wanted to
accomplish this on my own. You knew my feelings about it and you just bulldozed right over them."
Now that some of her initial wrath has been expressed, I can see that she s frustrated. And
hurt.
I tip up her chin gently, holding fast when she tries to turn her head away. "Sasha, I'm a
wealthy man."
She starts to protest but I kiss her into silence. "Just let me say this. I'm a wealthy man. I never
thought I would be but there it is. I haven't earned it. And I'm sure as hell not the kind of guy who
deserves it so I need to use this money to help the people that I care about. If I can't do that I'll go
crazy."
"Am I?" she asks in a small voice. Then she peeks up at me shyly. "Someone you care about?"
"More than you can ever know." I rest my forehead against hers. We stay like that for a few
minutes, breathing in tandem. Finally she rests a hand lightly against my cheek.
"I care about you, too."
* * * * *
Once Sasha leaves, I drop down into the chair behind my desk. It s quiet up front so I figure
most of the guys bailed when they heard Sasha on the warpath. She s got the entire crew wrapped
around her little finger so if there s a fight between us, I m already aware that they would all be
firmly on her side.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I answer it without looking at the screen. When I hear
Cole s voice, I curse the impulsive action.
Hey kid. You given any thought to that job I told you about?
Despite my repeated refusals since the day he met me at that old warehouse, he seems to think
that I m playing hard to get. He s called multiple times and even come by the shop. That didn t go
over too well. Jim knows that he was the one who got me into boosting cars in the first place so he
wasn t too happy to see him show up here.
I told you. I m out of that life.
He grunts. I really need you on this one. This is a big score. The kind that could really set me
up, you know?
He s never sounded quite this desperate before. The kind of desperation that comes from either
debt or drugs. My head drops forward into my hands. Even though I know intellectually that I m not
responsible for anyone else s actions, I can t help feeling a pang of regret and sympathy for him. He
got me into trouble, yes, but he also got me out of trouble at times, too. He was my friend.
Hey, man. You know I can spot you the cash. Whatever you need.
My words introduce a new form of tension. Cole has always been a proud type and despite
being a thief, he s always had an almost old-fashioned code of honor. He doesn t believe in charity.
As expected, he doesn t sound happy with my offer. I didn't call for a handout. This is a job
offer. I'm trying to give you a shot at it before we have to find someone else. I'm sure you don't want
to be stuck in that shop fixing other people's fancy cars forever. Just think about it.
He hangs up and I m left with a vague sense of unease and a cloying sense of guilt. So far I ve
been able to keep my financial windfall relatively quiet. Not too many people know and the only big
thing I ve bought so far is my house. It feels weird knowing that all my old friends are still struggling
and I can only help them so much.
I look up to see Josie watching me from the doorway. She gives me a little smile. There was
a time when you wouldn t have been able to say no. You ve become a better man right before my
eyes.
I squeeze my temples between my palms. There's a knot of tension between my brows that
makes me feel like my forehead is about to crack open. Hah. I would be a better man if I didn t feel a
little flash of excitement wondering what the job is.
Her eyes soften. I said you were a better man, not a robot.
I smile in acknowledgment. Maybe there s a part of me that will always miss the excitement of
my old life but that doesn t mean I m doomed to repeat my mistakes. Especially when I have so many
other things in my life that make staying on the straight and narrow worth it.
"You're still coming to my show tomorrow, right?" At my groan, Josie looks hurt. "It's okay if
you forgot. You don t have to come.
"No, it's not that. I've had it on the calendar for weeks but that was before."
"Before Sasha?" she finishes.
"Yeah. I guess I'll have to see how she feels about spending a Saturday night looking at erotic
photos. But even if she's not into it, I'm definitely coming. Zack is, too. You know we wouldn t let you
down.
She nods. "I hope Sasha comes with you. If she's with you she's obviously not a complete
prude."
I snort at the thought.
Josie turns to go but she pauses in the doorway. It may not feel like you ve come that far but
you really have. A year ago, you would have been tempted to take the job despite the risks. I think you
would have still said no, but you would have hesitated. There was no hesitation in your voice just
now. I m not sure if it s Sasha s influence but you ve really changed.
She waves before she turns to leave. Her words give me hope, dragging me back from the
depressive state that pulls at me when I think about Cole s situation. Under different circumstances,
my life could have gone down that same path. But with Sasha, for the first time I truly have hope that I
can forge an entirely different life. The kind of shiny, perfect life that I used to believe was reserved
for only a select few. The lucky ones. With her it all seems possible.
I love her.
Maybe it's finally time to unclip the tethers of the past and move into the future with nothing
holding me back.
But just as soon as the thought occurs to me, my dark side intercedes. I broke into the
warehouse just because I wanted answers about Blade. I d been all too happy to bend the boundaries
of my new morality when it suited me.
I ve changed but what if I haven t changed enough?
chapter fourteen
SASHA
When Gabe picks me up Saturday night, the appreciative look on his face makes the hours I
spent getting ready worth it. The amethyst colored cocktail dress I m wearing gives me a perfect
hourglass shape and I ve pulled my hair into a sassy side ponytail so the curls cascade over my
mostly bare shoulder. I spent almost a month s rent on this dress and I ve used every makeup trick
I ve learned over the years from performing.
That s what tonight feels like. A performance.
Ever since he told me about Josie s show, I ve had to fight down my jealousy. I m not the kind
of girl that assumes the worst of other women and the way I feel about him being friends with Josie
makes me feel petty. I want to be the cool type who is totally okay with her man having a gorgeous
female friend but I can t deny that I feel the pressure to look perfect tonight.
I slip my arms into my long black coat and follow him out to the car. So, where is this exhibit
anyway?
Gabe holds open the passenger side door for me. He doesn t answer until he rounds the car
and gets in the driver s seat. It s in a gallery in Norfolk. It s a very exclusive show highlighting new
artists. The owner handpicks who will be in the show every year and since it s so exclusive, the
artists usually sell out and receive commissions for future work, too.
Pride runs through his voice. I can tell he s really happy for her. He sounds the same way
when he talks about Zack. It calms me somewhat. Maybe he really does think of her like a sister.
But that doesn t mean she feels the same way, a nasty little voice in the back of my head
taunts. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl rafalstec.xlx.pl
She throws her handbag down in the chair behind my desk.
Damn it, Gabe. You knew that I wanted to do this myself! It's not about the money or even
safety. I'm not an idiot. I don't stay too late so there are other people around and someone always
knows where I am. But now that there's nothing for me to do it feels like it's not really my project
anymore."
I pull her into my arms and rest my chin on top of her head. "I hate when you're angry with
me.
She squeezes me around the waist. "I'm not doing it for kicks, Gabe. I told you that I wanted to
accomplish this on my own. You knew my feelings about it and you just bulldozed right over them."
Now that some of her initial wrath has been expressed, I can see that she s frustrated. And
hurt.
I tip up her chin gently, holding fast when she tries to turn her head away. "Sasha, I'm a
wealthy man."
She starts to protest but I kiss her into silence. "Just let me say this. I'm a wealthy man. I never
thought I would be but there it is. I haven't earned it. And I'm sure as hell not the kind of guy who
deserves it so I need to use this money to help the people that I care about. If I can't do that I'll go
crazy."
"Am I?" she asks in a small voice. Then she peeks up at me shyly. "Someone you care about?"
"More than you can ever know." I rest my forehead against hers. We stay like that for a few
minutes, breathing in tandem. Finally she rests a hand lightly against my cheek.
"I care about you, too."
* * * * *
Once Sasha leaves, I drop down into the chair behind my desk. It s quiet up front so I figure
most of the guys bailed when they heard Sasha on the warpath. She s got the entire crew wrapped
around her little finger so if there s a fight between us, I m already aware that they would all be
firmly on her side.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I answer it without looking at the screen. When I hear
Cole s voice, I curse the impulsive action.
Hey kid. You given any thought to that job I told you about?
Despite my repeated refusals since the day he met me at that old warehouse, he seems to think
that I m playing hard to get. He s called multiple times and even come by the shop. That didn t go
over too well. Jim knows that he was the one who got me into boosting cars in the first place so he
wasn t too happy to see him show up here.
I told you. I m out of that life.
He grunts. I really need you on this one. This is a big score. The kind that could really set me
up, you know?
He s never sounded quite this desperate before. The kind of desperation that comes from either
debt or drugs. My head drops forward into my hands. Even though I know intellectually that I m not
responsible for anyone else s actions, I can t help feeling a pang of regret and sympathy for him. He
got me into trouble, yes, but he also got me out of trouble at times, too. He was my friend.
Hey, man. You know I can spot you the cash. Whatever you need.
My words introduce a new form of tension. Cole has always been a proud type and despite
being a thief, he s always had an almost old-fashioned code of honor. He doesn t believe in charity.
As expected, he doesn t sound happy with my offer. I didn't call for a handout. This is a job
offer. I'm trying to give you a shot at it before we have to find someone else. I'm sure you don't want
to be stuck in that shop fixing other people's fancy cars forever. Just think about it.
He hangs up and I m left with a vague sense of unease and a cloying sense of guilt. So far I ve
been able to keep my financial windfall relatively quiet. Not too many people know and the only big
thing I ve bought so far is my house. It feels weird knowing that all my old friends are still struggling
and I can only help them so much.
I look up to see Josie watching me from the doorway. She gives me a little smile. There was
a time when you wouldn t have been able to say no. You ve become a better man right before my
eyes.
I squeeze my temples between my palms. There's a knot of tension between my brows that
makes me feel like my forehead is about to crack open. Hah. I would be a better man if I didn t feel a
little flash of excitement wondering what the job is.
Her eyes soften. I said you were a better man, not a robot.
I smile in acknowledgment. Maybe there s a part of me that will always miss the excitement of
my old life but that doesn t mean I m doomed to repeat my mistakes. Especially when I have so many
other things in my life that make staying on the straight and narrow worth it.
"You're still coming to my show tomorrow, right?" At my groan, Josie looks hurt. "It's okay if
you forgot. You don t have to come.
"No, it's not that. I've had it on the calendar for weeks but that was before."
"Before Sasha?" she finishes.
"Yeah. I guess I'll have to see how she feels about spending a Saturday night looking at erotic
photos. But even if she's not into it, I'm definitely coming. Zack is, too. You know we wouldn t let you
down.
She nods. "I hope Sasha comes with you. If she's with you she's obviously not a complete
prude."
I snort at the thought.
Josie turns to go but she pauses in the doorway. It may not feel like you ve come that far but
you really have. A year ago, you would have been tempted to take the job despite the risks. I think you
would have still said no, but you would have hesitated. There was no hesitation in your voice just
now. I m not sure if it s Sasha s influence but you ve really changed.
She waves before she turns to leave. Her words give me hope, dragging me back from the
depressive state that pulls at me when I think about Cole s situation. Under different circumstances,
my life could have gone down that same path. But with Sasha, for the first time I truly have hope that I
can forge an entirely different life. The kind of shiny, perfect life that I used to believe was reserved
for only a select few. The lucky ones. With her it all seems possible.
I love her.
Maybe it's finally time to unclip the tethers of the past and move into the future with nothing
holding me back.
But just as soon as the thought occurs to me, my dark side intercedes. I broke into the
warehouse just because I wanted answers about Blade. I d been all too happy to bend the boundaries
of my new morality when it suited me.
I ve changed but what if I haven t changed enough?
chapter fourteen
SASHA
When Gabe picks me up Saturday night, the appreciative look on his face makes the hours I
spent getting ready worth it. The amethyst colored cocktail dress I m wearing gives me a perfect
hourglass shape and I ve pulled my hair into a sassy side ponytail so the curls cascade over my
mostly bare shoulder. I spent almost a month s rent on this dress and I ve used every makeup trick
I ve learned over the years from performing.
That s what tonight feels like. A performance.
Ever since he told me about Josie s show, I ve had to fight down my jealousy. I m not the kind
of girl that assumes the worst of other women and the way I feel about him being friends with Josie
makes me feel petty. I want to be the cool type who is totally okay with her man having a gorgeous
female friend but I can t deny that I feel the pressure to look perfect tonight.
I slip my arms into my long black coat and follow him out to the car. So, where is this exhibit
anyway?
Gabe holds open the passenger side door for me. He doesn t answer until he rounds the car
and gets in the driver s seat. It s in a gallery in Norfolk. It s a very exclusive show highlighting new
artists. The owner handpicks who will be in the show every year and since it s so exclusive, the
artists usually sell out and receive commissions for future work, too.
Pride runs through his voice. I can tell he s really happy for her. He sounds the same way
when he talks about Zack. It calms me somewhat. Maybe he really does think of her like a sister.
But that doesn t mean she feels the same way, a nasty little voice in the back of my head
taunts. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]