Page 31 of Mafia Handbook

Chapter Thirteen

Milena held onto the handle above the door as the SUV bounced and jerked over the rough terrain. They’d traded the paved road for a dirt one as the glow of the approaching day began to brighten the sky. Then, just as she was about to lose her battle in avoiding sleep, Bash drove the SUV through a break in the trees, leaving the dirt road behind and onto what she assumed was an ATV path.

Bash pulled the SUV to the edge of the clearing. Shutting off the engine, he looked at the beautiful woman sitting next to him. “I’m sorry, Sweetness, this is as far as I can drive us.”

Staring at the mountain in front of her, “Where are we exactly?”

Bash had to hand it to Milena, she’d remained silent as he tore out of the truck stop, not asking a single question as they traded cars two more times during the night.

“Half a day's hike from where we need to be.”

Shifting her gaze back to the majestic mountain, Milena took in the tall pine trees and the snow-covered peak. She pictured a rustic cabin in the middle of those trees, a rushing river supplying fresh fish and clean drinking water. Maybe she’d stay forever, if she found such a place.

“Come on, we need to get moving, there’s a storm brewing to the north.”

Milena didn't have to ask if that was the direction they were headed, the urgency in his voice said it all. He’d told her to purchase nonperishables last night, something one would need to survive in the wilderness.

Sliding out of the passenger side, Milena took a long look at the mountain before joining Bash at the back of the SUV.

“Here, I guessed your size.” Tossing the all-weather jacket toward Milena, Bash hoped the tennis shoes she wore would hold up as hiking in a new pair of boots was a disaster in the making.

“Thank you,” Milena offered as she took the coat. His generosity confirmed they were indeed headed somewhere up on that mountain. Shoving the items she’d purchased at the truck stop into the deep pockets of the coat, Milena watched through confused eyes as Bash pulled two beers from the six pack, shoving them into his backpack.

“You don't have to take those, I have water—”

“Trust me, darlin’,” Bash interrupted as he slung his backpack over his shoulder. “When we reach where we’re going, you’re going to want a cold beer to wash away the past few days.”

“But you’re sobriety.”

“Is a load of bullshit I told Gretchen to get her off my ass.”

Tipping her head to the side, “You lied to your girlfriend about being an alcoholic?”

Closing the door to the SUV, Bash donned a smile as the perfect opportunity to come clean with Milena presented itself. “Tell you what, Beautiful. You do everything in your power to keep up with me and tonight, I’ll answer every single question you’ve kept bottled up on the ride here. Deal?”

* * *

Stepping over a fallen log,Bash extended his hand to Milena, who took it without thought. He liked the way her skin felt against his, warm and soft to his cold and callused.

“I have a confession,” Milena smiled, releasing Bash’s hand once her feet were firmly planted on the forest floor. “I did a little research on you, well your company rather.”

“You would’ve been a fool not to.” Bash laughed, taking a drink from his bottle of water.

“I read the review from a celebrity, and I have a question.”

“I can’t tell you who it was.” Stopping to look at the angry sky above, Bash feared the storm was building faster than he’d predicted.

“Oh, I don’t want a name, I just want to know if it was the truth?”

Dropping his gaze to Milena, “What do you mean, the truth?”

“Clickbait. You know when you advertise one thing—”

“I know what clickbait is, and no, we don't use it.” There’s no need to, he added in his head. “I will tell you the celebrity was a man, and the danger he worried about was more in his head than reality.”

“Wait,” reaching out, Milena jerked Bash to a stop. “Someone paid you a hundred grand to stroke their ego?”

“His words, darlin’, not mine.” Sending Milena a wink, Bash reached for her hand, interlacing their fingers. “Come on, Beautiful. We’re going to have to hustle if we want to make it before this storm hits.”

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