Page 16 of Echoes of Sin

“No. I’ve told her what I want, and I expect exactly that.” It was rare that people failed to fulfill their promises to me, so I wasn’t as concerned as Dmitri. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“I will head back to check on things once the truck is unloaded.”

“Perfect. Thanks.”

Dmitri snorted and I gave him a quizzical look. “You sound more like an American each day.”

I grinned. “Sounds like a compliment,” I said, and headed to my car, which was parked on the street to make room for the moving truck.

Not much had changed in Winter Valley in eight years. Some of the older shops and restaurants had updated their look, while the new places stood out among the old ones. One thing I was sure was still the same, was that Winter Valley Pies still made the best pizza in town. It was early afternoon and there were a few diners inside while the buzz of activity from the kitchen said they did a good delivery business.

I looked around and smiled when I saw a familiar figure ahead of me in line. Three people separated us, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her in those jeans that hugged her thighs and ass. They were well-worn and so snug I wanted to slide one hand into her back pocket. I had questions and this was my chance to get some answers.

She was oblivious as I made my way to her side, gasping when I put a hand on her shoulder. “Brooke.”

Her gaze narrowed at me, and she shook off my touch. “Ilya.”

“Good to see you again,” I said just soft enough that she could hear me.

She advanced to the counter and placed her order, acting as though I didn’t exist. She then moved away and took a seat at one of the tables, working hard to ignore me. I wasn’t used to being ignored by beautiful women,

“How are you?” Her face remained stony, so I kept up the conversation with myself, “Me? I’m good, thank you for asking.”

I caught the start of a smile, but then it was replaced with a blank look. “What is it that you want, Ilya?” Her eyes were suspiciously glassy, which put me on edge.

“For starters, I would like to know what I’ve done wrong? We both wanted what happened.” On that much I was clear. Her reaction to me was undeniable and had, in fact, shocked me that she submitted so easily. So quickly.

Her nostrils flared angrily, and her face turned a bright shade of red as she leaned in. “You got the fuck you wanted, so do you really care?”

Her anger shocked me. “Is this about what happened back in college?”

She looked down and started playing with the zipper on her purse.

“What is it you expect from me?” I asked.

She snorted. “I no longer expect anything of you, Ilya. Walk away, the way you always do.”

“Brooke.” The teenager behind the counter called out her name, and she jumped up from her seat, grabbed the order, and rushed out of the restaurant.

“Brooke,” I called after her, following when she didn’t slow down. “What is it that I’ve done? Explain yourself.”

“I don’t owe you a damn thing. Just go away.” She set the boxes on the floor in front of the passenger seat and slammed the door, rushing around to the driver’s side and away from me.

“You regret it,” I realized as the words fled from my mouth. “Is there a man in your life? Is that why you’re angry?” She wouldn’t be the first woman to blame a man for her disloyalty.

She grunted. “If there was, I wouldn’t have been so easy.”

“Then what is the fucking problem?”

She whirled on me and once again tears swam in her eyes. “There is no problem. I don’t want or need anything from you either. Like you said, we both got what we wanted, so let’s just chalk it up to a terrible mistake. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Enjoy your evening, Mr. Kuznetsov.”

“That mister shit is pissing me off.”

“That’s your name,” she shot back, and slipped behind the steering wheel. “Given our professional relationship, that’s what I’ll call you.” She moved to slam her car door, to shut me out and I grabbed the door before she could. “Let go.”

“I can’t.”

“You did once. I’m sure you can do it again.”

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