Long-Haired Roger sat back, seemingly satisfied with his answer. “Good. Because I don’t need to lose another mechanic to that. Now, do you have experience with cars?”
His brother had taught him much about cars. Mikhail had been forced to learn how to fix his car because they couldn’t afford a mechanic. His brother had been armed with only a how-to book and their father’s tool kit. After Mikhail had been killed, Alexei had found working on cars to be soothing.
“I am self-taught, but I know what I am doing,” Alexei explained. “I will take whatever test you like.”
“Do you know about brakes?”
He spoke without really thinking, the words rolling from his mouth. He’d spent so many years hiding his true feelings that now he often said far too much. “Oh, yes. I have worked with many brake systems. I know how to cut the brake lines of many different types of vehicles. And I was forced to learn how to blow up many mobsters’ vehicles. I always studied the different models to know where to place bomb.”
Long-Haired Roger’s eyes got really wide, and he sat back up straight again. “What?”
Alexei pushed on. He wasn’t going to hide his past. Honesty was what worked in America. “It is very important to know how to blow up car and only take out intended target. I was best in Russia. Ten cars blown and not a single innocent victim.”
“You just blew up cars without anyone in them?”
Alexei shook his head. “Nyet. No innocent victims. I did, however, manage to take out some of worst criminals in Russia. Luckily they had pissed off my boss, and that gave me shot at taking them out. They were drug pushers and slave traders. There are many slave traders in Europe and Asia. They look to sell womens to brothels. These womens do not want to go to brothels.”
“I can see why not. That sounds like something out of television. And you blew up these fellows’ vehicles?”
“Yes, it is best way to take out a person if you do not wish to shoot them. Shooting can get messy, and sometimes people need a bigger demonstration to make them believe you will do what it takes. An exploding car will get many people’s attention. But I am careful and always use a device I can control because I do not want the ignition to be turned by innocent person and then they get killed. Only the bad person. My partner make fun of me for spending many nights hiding in bushes waiting for my target, but I say it is better to have bad back than bad soul.”
Long-Haired Roger’s fingers drummed nervously on his desk. “Uhm, I can see you were a very thoughtful assassin. What does your partner think about you now that you’ve come to the States?”
Ivan had always thought Alexei was an idiot, but then Ivan had been a hard-boiled killer. Ivan had never been his friend. “He does not think at all. He was one of the peoples I killed to save the women of Bliss.”
“Okay, then.” Long-Haired Roger’s face took on a pained expression. “I think you might be overqualified for this job. I really think you should look for something bigger.”
Alexei sat forward. “Oh, no. I like small business. I work very hard.”
“I…I just don’t think you have quite the level of experience I was looking for. Sorry. I really hope you don’t blow up my car.”
Alexei left with a heavy heart and the sad knowledge that his job hunt was not going to go well.
Chapter Five
Caleb winced as the phone rang, wondering why the landlines couldn’t be as crappy as cell service was here in Bliss. The phone just kept ringing. Why wasn’t a man allowed to drown in his misery in relative peace and quiet?
“And why do I have to be the only doctor?” Caleb asked the only other living thing in the building. Yep. He was now talking to a plant. That was how pathetic his life had become. He was talking to an ivy instead of laying Holly out on his exam table and proving just how thorough he could be.
He could still feel that soft, curvy body pressed against his. He could feel the roundness of her breasts crushed to his chest. If he’d had a little more time, he would have been able to get his hands on them. He would have eased her on to the exam table and pushed her clothes off. The table was a nice height. He could have spread her legs and finally gotten a taste of her pussy. Sweet. She would be sweet with a just a hint of tangy bite to her cream. That was his Holly. Sweet with just enough sass to make it all interesting. He would eat that pussy. How long had it been since he’d enjoyed a woman that way? And he wanted Holly. He wanted her so bad his cock was in a constant state of need.
When he’d eaten his fill, when she’d come all over his tongue, he’d take her. He’d spread her legs and let his cock have its way. He’d fuck her until he didn’t have an ounce of cum left in his body. Then and only then would he be satisfied. And not for long.
The phone started up again, an annoying insect that wouldn’t let up. It was just going to keep ringing. With a growl of frustration, he picked up. “Bliss County Clinic. Who’s dying?”
“Caleb?”
Caleb froze at the sound of his brother’s voice. “Eli?”
“It’s good to talk to you, brother.”
He closed his eyes and forced himself not to hang up the phone. He hadn’t hidden his location from his family. He’d just assumed Eli would know he didn’t want to talk to him. “What do you need, Eli?”
He could practically hear his brother’s frown. He would be tense, his brows coming together. The older he got, the more Eli looked like their father. Damn, sometimes Caleb missed his father with an ache that seemed endless. And sometimes he was happy his father had died before he could see what had become of his middle son.
“Do I have to need something to want to talk to my brother?” Eli asked.
“You know damn well we have nothing to say to each other.”
“Damn it, Caleb, you have to forgive me at some point. You have to talk to me at some point. I know I fucked up, but I don’t want to lose my brother, too.”
Then maybe Eli shouldn’t have fucked his wife. Caleb held the words in. Arguing with Eli wouldn’t do a lick of good. “I’m still alive, Eli. Don’t be such a drama queen. I’ve been gone for over a year and you haven’t needed to talk to me. You know you were the one who asked me to leave.”
Eli’s voice softened. “And you sound more animated than I’ve heard you in years. I would push you out a thousand times if I thought it would save you from whatever dark hole you fell down.”
His hand tightened around the phone. “It wasn’t a hole. I was kidnapped, Eli. Tortured. I’m sorry that inconvenienced you.”
“Damn it, Caleb. That is always your answer. You think I don’t know what happened to you? I’ve read every report. I had to read the reports because you wouldn’t talk to me. You wouldn’t see a counselor. You wouldn’t try antidepressants. You wouldn’t do anything except slowly waste away. I couldn’t handle it. I love you, Caleb. Whatever our differences are, I love you, brother. I had to try something. I was just lucky your friend had a place for you to go. Tell me you don’t like it there, and I’ll come pick you up myself.”
Yes, Senator Eli Sommerville would fuel the jet and have a limo meet him at whatever airport he landed in. Eli was good at using his position. A little wave of guilt assaulted him. It had been Eli who had the power to send a SEAL team in after him. “I don’t want to leave.”
Eli sighed. “I know. You like it there. I’ve talked to Lieutenant Meyer.”
That was news to Caleb. “Since when do you talk to Wolf?”
“Don’t get mad. All he’s told me is that you’re settling in and you’re working. I was so glad to hear that you’re working again. I told you it would help.”