Say It Again (First Wives, #5)(95)

“Why?”

“I don’t know, AJ. Your mother and I haven’t been happy for a long time. She went through so many changes over the years. When your mother realized I was taking the position in Germany, she found Richter. She joined the board, and within a month someone had discovered the truth about you. Fearing the scandal at the time, your mother chose to keep her secret and everything Richter was about.”

AJ glanced around the walls of his parents’ home. “Stuck on the rat wheel of lies.”

“I wasn’t a good husband. I put my career first and didn’t leave time for her or you kids.”

AJ thought about his own life, the one he left behind in Florida. “We all make mistakes. Learning from them and moving on . . . isn’t that what you’ve always said?”

“Sometimes that’s easy to say and hard to do.” His dad motioned to his den. “Sit down for a while. Let’s talk about this.”

He tugged his coat tighter. “I need time to process this. Sasha is waiting for me.”

“Have her come in,” his dad said.

“No. Maybe next time. I wanted to stop by before I left town. Get this out in the open.”

His dad stepped forward, placed a hand on his arm. “Your mother’s not a bad person. She loves you very much.”

He wasn’t sure what to think about that. AJ reached for the door.

“I love you, son.”

AJ turned to the man he’d always called his father.

“I love you, too, Dad. I’ll be in touch.”

When his father pulled him in for a hug, it took a long time for him to let go.

Sasha opened the car door and stepped out into the rain. “How did it go?”

“As good as can be expected, I guess.”

“And you?”

He squeezed his eyes shut. “I could really use a shot of tequila.”

She laughed. “Okay, Clyde, let’s see what we can do about that.”



Sasha stretched her toes out toward the fireplace and curled closer to her heat source under the blanket.

AJ pulled her closer, their bodies still humming from the sex they were coming down from. Outside, the snow had started to fall in big flakes, ensuring that they wouldn’t be leaving the cabin anytime soon.

Once they left AJ’s parents’ place, they tossed a dart on a map and flew to Utah. They’d found an Airbnb cabin just outside of Park City and rented it for the week.

“I need you to know, I’ve never stayed in one place for an entire week willingly.” She drew invisible circles on his chest with her fingernails.

“I’ll just tie you up, then.”

“Seriously, AJ. I get jumpy.”

He linked his fingers with hers. “Every time you twitch, I’ll bring you in here, strip you naked, and make love to you until you’re too tired to move.”

That was a pleasant thought.

“And if that doesn’t work, I’ll take you outside, strip you naked, and make love to you in the snow.”

She ran her foot up his leg. “That might prove difficult.”

“I’m willing to try.”

They both watched the fire for a while.

“Are you going to go back to Florida when we leave here?” Much as she hated to ask, she really wanted to know. They hadn’t talked about their future or feelings, just running and jumping from one thing to another. Until now. And in a week’s time, if AJ wanted to return to his old life, she’d just as soon know so she could prepare her heart for the goodbye.

Just thinking about it made her shiver.

“Do you want to go to Florida?” he asked.

“I can’t say it’s ever held any appeal.”

He kissed the tips of her fingers. “I think it might be counterintuitive to return to the state of my crimes while I’m trying to turn a new leaf.”

She looked up at him. “No more liberating vehicles?”

“Not unless we need a getaway car from someone chasing us.” There had been some fancy footwork to make that go away in DC. Not to mention the big check given to the guy AJ jacked the car from.

“I’d like to avoid that for a while.”

“I somehow doubt it will be for long. You like the adrenaline rush as much as I do.”

She sighed. “Okay, so no Florida.”

“What about you? I don’t even know where you live.”

“Doesn’t matter. I rent a new place every few months.”

“You’re kidding.”

She closed her eyes. “Always in motion.”

AJ let loose her hand and brought his to the side of her face. “You don’t have to live that way anymore, Sasha. No one is hunting you down.”

“It’s more than being hunted. It’s also about needing a reason to stay.” She’d hovered in Texas for a while, then realized that Trina really didn’t need her, and that’s when she’d started to move again.

“I want to give you a reason to stay,” he told her.

“What do you mean?”

He leaned up on an elbow, and she had no choice but to move her head off his shoulder. “I want me to be the reason you want to stay. I don’t really care where, or for how long. I mean, until we can both agree on a place. I want there to be an us, Sasha.”