Page 52 of Break Me
I drop my head, staring into the foamy water as the heavy reality settles upon me. The realityIasked for. “Will you please tell him I’m sorry? That I didn’t mean any of the words I said?”
“Sure,” he agrees.
Grabbing his arm, I look at him with urgency. “Please tell him that I don’t care what he did to Lavinia. I just want to be his.”
He pauses, and his features somber with something sincere, almost wistful. “He really did one hell of a job training you.”
I give a slight shake of my head. “He just brought out what was already there.”
“Hmm.” He brushes his knuckles over my cheek. “Let’s hope he realizes that too, before it’s too late.”
“What does that mean?”
Mikhail doesn’t grant me an answer but simply finishes off and brings me back to my cell without saying more.
28
DAX
“What the hell are you doing, Dax?” Mikhail asks when he comes into my quarters just as I’m about to hit the sack. He’s surprisingly calm, almost disappointed in a father-like manner. I’d expect him to barge in, exploding with rage after I’d cost him a big sale. That blonde girl’s voice was very important to the buyer.
But not even my surprise and relief can override my crankiness and irritation at being disturbed late at night. “What the hell are you doing?” I shoot back. “It’s half past one.”
He slips past me, uninvited, and takes a seat in my recliner, pouring a scotch from the side table.
“Do you want a glass?” I ask sarcastically, pointing to the bottle he has just set down. “Go ahead and help yourself.”
Ignoring my sour mood, he says, “Why are you selling her?”
“Because it’s time. It’s been five goddamn months.”
“Shit, Dax, you really are a numbskull sometimes.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I cross my arms over my naked chest as I stare him down, hoping he’ll get uncomfortable and leave. But that tactic never did work on the cocky bastard.
He takes his time sipping my expensive scotch before answering. “You’re fucking blind. Too afraid.”
“Of what?”
“I don’t know. Change? Opening up? The idea that you’ll find something that will actually take you out of your numb shell and make you happy?”
“I don’t have time for this shit.” I point toward the door. “Get out of here. I need to sleep.”
Mikhail scoffs. “We both know you’re not gonna sleep until the sun breaks. If you’re even that lucky.”
I clench my jaw. I haven’t told anyone about my insomnia flaring up, but I shouldn’t be surprised. Mikhail sees everything.
“Have you ever considered that you might sleep better with a woman in your arms?”
“Seriously, get the fuck out of here.”
“I know you slept in her cell. And you looked very well-rested the next day. Just saying.” He shrugs and takes a large gulp, emptying the last half of scotch in one go. As he grabs the bottle again, I go to snatch it from him.
“If you’re gonna down it like that, go find some cheap shit.”
Mikhail gives a hearty laugh. “Disrespecting your fine scotch always has been a sure way to piss you off.” He taps his fingers against the armrest as he stares off to the side for a moment. “Anyway, I just wanted to try and stop you from making the stupidest mistake of your life. This girl clearly means a lot to you, and you’ve looked more alive than I’ve ever seen you since you got her.”
“And more tired. And grumpy and unfocused.”