Page 88 of Between Us

After swapping bags, Roman threw his with the money into the trunk and slammed the door closed.

“Can I interest you in a girl tonight?” Arsen asked, nodding to the girl pressed up against the wall, smoking a cigarette. Her eyes were bloodshot, and Roman wondered if it was because of drugs or from crying. “She's pretty good, that one. She can suck you off in less than three minutes. A bit skinny, but I like them that way. I have others, if you're interested. All you have todo is ask.”

“I'm good,” Roman said, looking away from the girl and turning to leave. She wasn’t any of his business.

“I'll send Davit your regards.”

Not bothering with an answer, Roman got into his car and started the engine. He barely made it to the first intersection when his phone started to vibrate again.

“Yes.” He answered his father's call just as the light turned red. He stopped the car and sank into his seat with his phone to his ear.

Vitaly didn't bother with a greeting. ”Everything went well?”

“Yeah, all good.”

“You counted the money?”

Roman wanted to sigh with irritation, though he somehow managed to refrain himself. However, he was unable to keep the sarcasm to a minimum. “Each Benjamin by hand. It only took me two hours.”

On the other end, Vitaly went silent. When he spoke again, his voice was low and barely controlled.”This is not a fucking joking matter.”

“Don't I fucking know it,” Roman muttered, putting the car in gear when the light turned green again. “Remind me again why I had to do this shit in the first place? You have plenty of men who could've handled the task.”

“Because, Roman, this being our first transaction after all this time, it needed to be someone they can trust. You've dealt with Arsen before, and he knows I wouldn't have sent you unless we meant business.”

“I can't believe you're still going on with your goddamn plan after what I told you a few days ago.”

Vitaly dismissed his concern with an annoyed clickof his tongue.”I will handle Rossetti if his son runs off to him with what he saw.”

“You mean, if he hasn't already.”

“I have it under control. Bring the money first thing in the morning. Now, go home to your wife and letmeworry about her father.”

The line went dead, and Roman was left staring at the empty road ahead.

???

Standing in front of the bedroom door, Roman grabbed the knob and twisted slowly, trying not to make too much noise. He moved quietly, having already discarded his shoes in the foyer. But as soon as the door cracked open, a stream of light shot out into the dark hallway. With a frown, he pushed it open all the way and stepped inside.

The TV was playing a movie, though the bed was empty, the sheets rumpled from being slept in. He paused at the foot of the bed and heard the toilet flush in the bathroom. Alessandra stepped out a minute later.

“Oh, my God, you scared me.” She touched her chest, her eyes wide. She had on her short pajamas and her hair was up in a messy bun.

Roman smiled, already working on the buttons of his shirt. “What are you doing up at this hour?”

“I couldn't sleep, so I was watching a movie, but I think I drank too much of Nika's homemade lemonade and now I can't stop peeing.”

He chuckled at her honest reply and closed the distance between them. “Well, if you're not sleeping, how about you come wash my back while I take ashower?”

She rolled her eyes, resting her palms on his naked chest. “Sounds to me like an excuse to have sex in the shower.”

He grabbed her hips and pulled her closer. “What's wrong with sex in the shower?”

“Nothing is wrong with it, but you're insatiable. We had sex this morning.”

“And?” He kissed her neck then her shoulder. When she sighed, he pulled back to look at her face. “You're not up for it?”

She chewed on the inside of her cheek. “Not really.”

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