Page 12 of The Agreement

“What’s on your mind?”

Anastasia’s voice broke through his thoughts. A throb at the back of his head reminded him why he didn’t like females for more than a quick fuck—they never stopped talking.

Roman’s stare cut her way. “Let’s get something clear, otherwise, at the next stoplight, I’m kicking your ass out of this car.”

She sucked in a fast breath.

He didn’t wait for her to respond before adding, “We’re not here to talk. I’m taking you to my shop, and then you go on your way. Disappear. I don’t need to see you again. I don’t want to.”

Cold, yes.

But it was the truth.

At least, he was a decent enough man to offer her that. He couldn’t say much else for the rest, though.

She sat with her long legs crossed, and her fingers tangling and untangling in her lap, the nervous actions making him more and more unsettled as the quiet seconds ticked on. He didn’t care where she went or what she would have to do to get back home after this. Wherever her home was. He just wanted to wash his hands of her.

“I really am grateful to you,” Anastasia whispered. “If I didn’t leave with you ... he would never have let me go.”

Roman groaned in response. He didn’t need her gratitude. He just wanted to be left alone.

“And you didn’t have to do this for me, except you still did. I know the asshole act is just to make it clear where we stand—and I do. You know, but maybe you’re not the man you keep telling yourself you are, Roman Avdonin.”

Or maybe he was exactly that man.

She didn't have the first clue.

Roman whipped his face around to look at her. “You don’t fucking know me.”

His voice and expression should have been cold enough for her to get the hint and shut the fuck up. His respect for her dared to notch up when Anastasia tipped her chin upward slightly, and stared him down, unafraid.

“No, I don’t—someday, someone will, though. And when that happens, what will you do then?”

The words hit him right in the chest.

She didn’t know ...

Couldn’t.

But that terrified him.

The only thing that did.

• • •

Roman hadn’t noticed the phone that sat between them in the console until the damn thing started to ring. Through the Bluetooth speakers. He hadn’t put the radio on, but apparently, the speakers were turned up loud enough to make the ringing pierce through his eardrums.

“Is he as deaf as he is stupid?”

“It’s his phone,” Anastasia informed, glancing toward the phone.

Clearly.

Roman growled under his breath as he turned the volume down to a bearable level. Not that it did anything for the ache in his ears. “Why the fuck did he leave it in the car?”

“Paranoid. He thinks they’re bugged, and someone might be listening. He doesn’t like carrying them around everywhere.”

“Them? He has more than one?”