AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You drink what I say you drink.”
I am being particularly confrontational, purely to witness the rage on her beautiful face as she attempts to deal with my overbearing personality. It’s fast becoming my favorite game and I distract her by leaning in and whispering, “Now, we came here for a reason, Lilli and I want to know every sordid detail of your past and why you are so afraid of it?”
I watch the pain cloud her eyes and set my mood to bastard because it appears that my little assassin had a hard beginning and I already know that whatever she tells me will be dealt with accordingly.
CHAPTER 18
LILLI
How is this happening to me? I have stepped from the fire into hell and rather than running away and dealing with my problems, I’m about to reveal them to a man who probably does this kind of thing himself. He will dismiss my fears as pathetic, and I expect to see a whole lot of disgust in his expression when I finish.
Why did I insist on baring my soul in a packed diner? I glance around me furtively, wondering if anyone can hear me.
Mikhail leans forward and takes my hand and whispers, “Just say the word and we will return to the apartment. But know this: your story is coming with us.”
I take a deep breath and glance around at the steamed-up windows and as Sandy returns with our coffees, Mikhail orders half of the menu for us and sends her quickly on her way.
“I can’t eat all that.” I say with dismay, and he shrugs.
“Then leave it. Choose what you like, and I’ll get them to box it up and hand it to the homeless in the neighboring doorway.”
I stare at him in surprise and my heart softens a little as I whisper, “You would do that?”
“Of course, I hate wasting food. There is no need for it.”
“You’re a strange man, Mikhail–” I arch my brow and he grins. “Romanov.”
“As in a Russian name?”
My eyes widen and he nods. “Of course. Now let’s start with yours, Lilli–”
“Atherton.” I sigh heavily. “Lilliana Atherton.”
“That’s a pretty name.”
“Is it?” I shrug. “I hate it.”
“The first, or last name?”
“Both.”
I try not to think of my father, but I say miserably, “It just reminds me that my father is dead every time I hear it. He was the only one who called me Lilliana and mom changed her name when she married Mickey Gruber.”
“Then she’s a fool.”
Mikhail raises his eyes. “Tell me about Mickey Gruber.”
I shiver and a flicker of distaste simmers in my eyes.
“He is the most hateful man I have ever met, although you’re coming in a close second.”
He merely chuckles softly and shrugs. “I’ll take that. Anyway, tell me what happened. Why did your sister die?”
It’s as if a swarm of bees are stinging me on repeat as I re-live that day and I whisper almost imperceptibly, “I came home from college and the cops were at the house. I thought it had something to do with Mickey, it usually did, but this time the faces were full of sympathy, not disgust.”
I transport back to that moment and gulp, “The policewoman sat me down beside my mother who was sobbing into her hands and told me that Reggie had hung herself.”
“Where was Mickey?” He asks with no emotion at all and I’m glad of it. It’s the facts he wants, not the emotion, which makes it easier somehow.
