every fucking time it comes to mind. Even right fucking now.
“Jesus, Tommy,” he says with exasperation. Fuck. I don’t wanna piss off the Don.
“I won’t,” I say with regret in the pit of my stomach.
“You’re fucking lying to me,” he says, although he doesn’t sound that pissed about it.
“I’ve never lied to you before.” I look him in the eyes, “if you’re telling me to stay away from her, I’ll end this shit right now and threaten a restraining order.”
“Good. End this shit,” he says with relief and finality in his voice. Well that fucking sucks. I take a frustrated breath and leave the guys to go tell her she needs to stay away.
I feel a wave of disappointment as I leave the bistro. But then I see her walking toward me with quick steps. She’s in civilian clothes. Jeans that hug her curves and a teal tank top that rides up a little as she walks. The color brings out her eyes.
I can play a little more. Just a little before I have to give her up.
Fuck, no. I told Vince I wouldn’t, and I know I shouldn’t.
I hate that I want her and that I can’t go after her. But I have to listen to Vince.
Tonya
“Thomas.” I call out his name as he blatantly turns away from me and starts heading down the street. I know he saw me. He fucking smiled before blowing me off.
I have to jog to catch up to him, but before I can put my hand on his shoulder to stop him, he turns around.
“What the hell are you thinking, Tonya?” he asks with more concern in his voice than anything else. “You could get yourself into serious shit hanging around out here waiting for me.”
My brow furrows with confusion. “How do you know my name?”
He smirks at me and turns his back on me once again. I don’t fucking like it. I don’t like being ignored.
I reach out to grasp his arm. I shouldn’t. I know I shouldn’t, but something is telling me he’ll allow it. Probably the same something that has my core soaked with arousal.
He turns sharply and grabs my wrist. “That’s not a good idea.” He doesn’t let go as the words drip from his mouth with a threat. He walks toward me and I find myself taking a step back. My back hits the brick wall of a building and it makes my heart thud in my chest.
“I just wanna talk.” I say the words through the hint of fear I’m feeling. His eyes hold a look of hunger, but also a dark look that has me questioning my instincts. Maybe I was wrong about him.
“Well, I don’t.” He releases my wrist and walks away again. My heart sinks in my chest, and I hate myself for feeling like I’ve failed. I can’t rely on Thomas alone. I know that, but somehow there’s more to this ache in my chest than just losing a lead. His rejection hurts.
I watch his back as he walks away, and the hurt turns to anger. He's not going to blow me off like that. I'm not giving up that easily. I walk faster to catch up to him. I’m shorter than him, and he’s walking fast, but I quicken my steps until I’m right behind him. I need to know. I just need him to answer one question.
I grab his arm just enough to get his attention and pull away before he can touch me again. He opens his mouth to tell me off again, but I blurt out the question I’ve been dying to ask him since I first saw him at the station. “Abram Petrov, is he dead?”
The anger on his face morphs into curiosity as he tilts his head, looking me up and down.
“It’s a simple question.” I swallow thickly as a lump grows in my throat. I already know when he says yes, I’m going to want more answers. I’m going to want proof. I clench my fists and make sure I keep my voice down as I say, “I need to know if he’s dead.”
“Is that what this is for you? Revenge on Petrov? Is that why you’re so damn stubborn?” he asks, like I’m being a petulant child and he finds it comical.
“He’s why my sister’s dead, asshole. You can at least tell me if he’s dead.”
Remorse flashes in his eyes as he answers, “I wish I could, but I even if I knew one way