Third Time's a Charm (Holland Springs #3)(63)

Blackbeard meowed as he crept into the foyer and threaded through Sasha’s legs.

“This is goodbye, you mangy cur.” Sasha knelt and stroked the feline’s back, making the cat purr. “Can’t say I’ve enjoyed sharing a bed with you.”

Straightening, Sasha gave a last hard look up the stairs, turned on his heel and walked out of the house. He got in his car, not really paying attention to his destination. Before he knew it, he was putting the Mercedes in park at his cousin’s house.

The cheery home with its white picket fence and carefully tended flowerbeds were the exact opposite of Strawberry Grove. No shutters threatened to fall on his head. The porch steps didn’t creak as he jogged up them and when the door swung open, there was a person responsible for it. It was utter rubbish that he wished to be back there.

“Sasha,” Christian said with a scowl.

“Why are you never happy to see me? After all I’ve done—the late nights, the research, encouraging global debauchery.” Sasha frowned at his cousin’s choice of graphic T-shirt and dark jeans. “Is she dressing you now?”

“She’s asleep, and I’ll thank you not to wake her.” Christian crossed muscular arms over his chest and adjusted his stance to block Sasha from entering.

Sasha raised a brow and looked down his nose at him, no easy feat considering they were about the same height. “I’m not welcome?”

“No.”

Inwardly Sasha cringed. “Care to elaborate?”

“Not really.”

Sasha rolled his eyes and fiddled with his keys. “Not good with the big words, eh?”

Uncrossing his arms, Christian leaned back and closed the door behind him. “As much as you’re like a brother to me, I can’t have you in my life anymore. You don’t work for me. Hell, I don’t need a personal assistant anymore because of all the things you did for me.”

“You’re welcome.”

“For what?”

“Saving your ass.” There had been a time in Christian’s life when he’d not made the best of choices. Sasha had been at the right place at the right time and had gotten his cousin out of a very bad situation. But years later, thanks to the internet’s love of all things viral, it had come back to bite Christian, costing him his career and nearly making him give up the one thing he loved the most.

Christian blinked and rubbed his jaw. “That you did, but I’ll not have you spying for Vladimir. He can speculate on my personal life like everyone else—by Googling me.”

“I’m not here to spy on you.” But he was and the look on Christian’s face damned him for a liar.

“Then what are you here for—murder, mayhem or a general fuck all someone’s life for the greater evil?”

“Will there be a quiz on this later?” Sasha drawled. He hadn’t committed murder, but the other two he’d been acquainted with for years. Though what he’d done to Rose should have him sentenced to life imprisonment.

Christian raked a hand through his hair. “For once in your life, Alexander, be serious.”

“Do you think I like this sorry excuse of existence I call my life? I have to be what I am. Unlike you, I have no choice. There’s no telling Vladimir to shove off while I ride into the sunset with the woman I love. I’m not fucking allowed. So take your serious comment and bugger it.” Sasha clenched his fists, wanting to punch something or someone. Himself, mostly.

“Who is she?” Christian asked, his light eyes probing.

A woman with beautiful blue eyes and a caring soul. A woman whose rare smiles made him feel victorious when she gifted him with one. A woman who made his heart sprint by only thinking of her. A woman he helped destroy. His shoulders threatened to sag. “There is no she.”

“Liar.” A slight smile played on his cousin’s face.

“Coming to my party?” Sasha asked, steering the conversation back into the safe zone.

“Wouldn’t miss it.” This time Christian’s lips broke out in a full smile. “Still trying to figure out the angle you’re working.”

“No worries, mate. My angle’s all worked out. The benefit is exactly what it seems to be and I’ll be leaving next Wednesday.” But not before he found a way to help Rose, whether she wanted it or not.

***

Rose unloaded the last empty box from the back of her Jeep and took it in the house. The task of sorting what was precious to her was overwhelming. How was she supposed to decide what should go and what should stay? She had three days to pack and only Skye to help.

“At least we have the apartment over the store,” Skye took the box from Rose. “You can stay there until everything gets sorted out.”

“No, it’s been rented out. Can Ivy and I come stay with you? I checked on the cottage, but it’s in bad shape and I won’t get any money from Barbara’s Bugs until they receive their first shipment. I mailed it out when I went to town to get these boxes from storage.” Rose glanced at Ivy. The baby played on a large quilt in the middle of the foyer, the stuffed rabbit clutched in her hand with Blackbeard close by.

Skye’s face fell. “God, I wish y’all could, but I have four roommates and I can’t kick them out. The lease is in Bailey’s name.”

“Four? But it’s only a two bedroom.”