Page 106 of Anton

“Do you have anything at home, or do I need to stop somewhere?”

“I don’t need it.”

Her hands stiffen on the wheel, and I catch it when I glance over.

“You don’t have to do that with me.”

I finally look at her, taking in the angle of her face and the quick scrunch of her nose. “Do what?”

“Act tough all the time.”

My jaw locks when her eyes meet mine. I should tell her to keep them on the road and her thoughts to herself, but my mouth doesn’t move because a part of me likes that she cares.

“I’ve been through worse.”

Sadness fills her eyes, and I regret saying it as soon as I see what it does to her.

She swallows and looks back at the road. “I know.”

My chest clutches. The rest of the drive stays quiet while I steal glances at her, unable to stop. It’s like I’ve been infected, and it’s the worst and best thing that has ever happened to me.

When we reach my street, she slows near the security gate, and both guards step forward.

Thora rolls down her window. “Hi. Nice to see you boys.”

The second Ruslan spots me in the passenger seat, his face goes white. “Boss, what happened?”

I wave a dismissive hand.

Ruslan tries very hard not to look at her like he’s hiding something, and I already know what it is.

I lean forward, glaring at him. “How did she know where I was?”

His eyes widen a bit. “Ugh. Ya ne znayu.” I don’t know.

“Don’t act stupid.”

He peers over at the other guard, who suddenly finds the gate controls fascinating.

“We didn’t say anything,” Ruslan lies straight to my face.

I would kill him on the spot, but Thora has seen enough bloodshed for one day. She presses her lips into a thin line as my attention bounces between them all.

“You told her where I was.”

Ruslan sighs. “Fine. Yes. But she asked nicely.”

“You’re all dead.”

Both guards go even paler just as Thora grabs my wrist.

“He’s just kidding. Right?”

She widens her eyes at me, and I know right now I’d give her anything she wants.

“Fine. You live today. Tomorrow is another story.”

Ruslan clears his throat, running his fingers through his goatee. “Thank you, boss. Next time, we tell her to piss off, even if she brings us those delicious cookies.”