Becoming Rain (Burying Water #2)(32)

“I may have a buyer. He was talking about wanting to impress a mistress with a new car, recently.”

“She’d be impressed, alright.” From what Dmitri told us, the owner had every upgrade imaginable put into it. “Look, you can even take an extra five percent off our cut, for your help.”

A vacant chuckle answers. “If I do this, the cost is seventy off the top.”

“Are you f*cking crazy?” Just like Rust warned.

“No, I’m a businessman and this is business. Dude.”

“There’s no way we can give you that big a cut.”

“Then I hope you enjoy giving that car back.” I hear the click.

“Asshole.” I dial Rust to announce, “Seventy percent off the top.”

He curses under his breath.

“Do we take the deal?” Rust gave me an earful earlier. I shouldn’t have promised to help Dmitri without talking to him first. Now that I have, we have to follow through.

“Let me see if Andrei’s still awake. Sit tight. And keep your night open until you hear back from me.”

I fall back into my chair and stare at the layers of purple and pink in the sky. I don’t want to cancel plans with Rain, but I also don’t want to have to ditch her suddenly if Rust calls, like I did this afternoon. After showing up at her house, dragging her out, and demanding she cook for me. She was oddly understanding about it all.

I glance across the way, wondering what she’s doing now. Her lights are on but her blinds are closed, unfortunately. Is she sitting by her phone, waiting for my call? I glance at my watch. Eight o’clock. Early by my standards, but she’s probably wondering if we’re still on. Girls are like that.

Licks groans from his resting spot by my feet and I smile. He hasn’t left my side since I came home, after sniffing me up and down, growling a little. I’m pretty sure he’s jealous of Stanley. He’s going to have to get used to it, because I’m sure I’m going to see Rain—and her dog—again.

She’s been in my head all afternoon. The way she hummed when she stirred her sauce, the way she stepped through puddles in her boots, as if she intentionally wanted to make a splash. The way she listened to me when I talked. Really listened. Not like Priscilla, who just goes through the motions.

The way she looked, stretched out in her bed last night.

She’s everything I’m used to and yet she’s completely new. She’s easygoing and witty. She seems smart. She doesn’t talk my ear off about the car or the clothes or the jewelry that she wants, subtle hints for things she’d expect me to buy her. She wouldn’t even take my money today. That was a refreshing change. Maybe it’s because she has enough of her own. But I’ve never met a woman yet who has enough money. Well, maybe Alexandria Petrova.

Just the thought of that name makes my stomach clench.

When I kissed Rain today and she pushed me back, asking for space because of her past, my blood turned cold. She’s been abused. Not nearly as bad as Alex, if the lack of scars indicates anything. But Rain’s words brought me back to that scary night over a year ago, to the days after, waiting to hear from Jesse, hoping for good news. Praying that, when all was said and done, my conscience would be cleared for once dismissing what I knew was happening to her.

As soon as Rain broke away and told me about her ex, she became glass to me. Fragile. To be handled with extreme care. The fact that she was so open to begin with was promising, I guess; I think it means that she trusts me.

I’m just not sure how that works in my life. She said she likes “hanging out” with me, but what does that look like? Like Dmitri said, would Rain “fit”? Especially now? Or is this all a waste of time? I hate wasting my time. Maybe I should just stick with Priscilla. There are no pretenses with her. She grew up in the same environment I did; she knows what this world is all about. Her moral compass is as skewed as mine, maybe more.

My burner phone rings. I answer it in time to hear, “Fucking Russians.” It makes me smile, despite everything. “I take it the call to Andrei didn’t go well?”

Rust heaves a sigh. “No. It didn’t. Andrei’s siding with Vlad.”

“Shit . . . I don’t know what to do, here. Do you want me to tell Dmitri or do you?”

“No, we can’t back out now.” A long pause. And then he says very precisely, like the idea’s coming to him as he speaks, “I want you to go and meet with Aref Hamidi. He handles our shipping, but he expressed interest in becoming involved in more several years ago. He may be able to help us out.”

I frown. “Wouldn’t it be better for you to go meet with him?”

“You brought this problem to the table, so I think you should be the one to solve it. It’s a good little test.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Why? You don’t think you can handle this?”

“No, of course I can.” I hope I sound more confident than I feel.

“This will be good for building your rapport with him. It’s a simple side deal. I’ll let Aref know you’re coming to discuss some business. Just don’t commit to anything until we talk.”

“Where?”

“He’s hosting a party at his house tonight. Bring a girl with you. It’ll look more social.”