Cravings by Liz Everly Read Free Book Online Page A

and he knew the burned body was not mine, even though he didn’t tell anybody that. He had my medical records. So I’m stilling running from him.”
    â€œAnd Maeve? You hurt her deeply. What about that?”
    He thought of the months it took her to heal from the whole experience—not just Sasha’s death, but everything. This woman could have helped. A ball of anger formed in his chest.
    She sighed and sat down on the bar stool next to him. The bar wood gleamed next to her, the reflections of both of them shining from it.
    â€œThat’s why I’m here. I need to make amends with her. And I hope she can help me shed Sam, um, er, Snake, once and for all. She mentioned a plan at one point. But she never got the chance to tell me what it was.”
    She was redeeming herself—undaunted by following Maeve halfway around the world while being chased by a madman. This woman intrigued him. His heart cracked open, just a bit, but his mind fought it.
    â€œWhy not tell me sooner?”
    She shrugged. “I didn’t really know. And when I started to suspect, I wasn’t sure telling you was the best thing. Once you found out who I was . . .”
    â€œI’d throw you out? Turn you in?”
    â€œI had no way of knowing.”
    He was gullible, maybe, but he was an astute observer of human behavior. What he saw in her eyes was truth. Scared, beleaguered, Sasha was reaching out for help.
    He slipped his arm around her, pulled her to him, feeling protective enough to stifle any misgivings. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”
    Â 
    Should she allow herself to feel this safe in his arms?
    She found herself leaning into him and placing her head on his shoulder. He brushed her hair away from her face.
    â€œIt’s difficult for me to see you clearly. You are so beautiful,” he said.
    â€œBeauty can sometimes be a curse,” she told him. “I need you to see me as I am before anything . . .”
    â€œGood God,” Sanj said. “What else can there be?”
    â€œI told you I’m a recovering addict.” Her eyes traveled down to her fingers.
    â€œYes, well. We all have our demons, our struggles with the past,” he said with a momentary look of melancholy.
    Who was he thinking about?
    â€œPaul—”
    â€œChef Paul?”
    â€œYes. We had fallen in love. He was working on something for me that he thought might help me kick my addiction.”
    â€œAh, I remember. Yes, the substance was in my home,” Sanj said, his eyes wide as he connected the story in his mind.
    â€œBut I think Maeve was right—the only way for me to kick it was cold turkey. So far, it’s hard, but I’m straight.” But I could really use a line right now. Sasha twisted her mouth.
    â€œGood for you,” he said.
    â€œPaul and I met at a party,” she said, walking away from him and looking out the window facing the harbor. “I was hired for the party, you see. He was a man with certain proclivities.”
    â€œHired? Catering? What?”
    â€œNo,” she said, turning to face him. “I was a sex worker.”
    â€œWhoa!” he said, standing up, knocking his drink over. “Oh, damn.” He rifled through the kitchen for a towel, found one, and sopped up the whiskey.
    She laughed. “First time I’ve ever gotten that reaction.”
    â€œYes, well,” he said. “Is this where Sam comes into things? What has he got on you?”
    She nodded. “He was my boss, my lover, my savior at one point. But things changed. They call him Snake for a reason. He is a despicable human being.”
    â€œAnd this man wants to kill you?”
    She nodded. “I’m sure of it. But first . . .” she said, her eyes darting in another direction. “It will be torturous. Nothing short of rape. I want nothing to do with him.”
    She walked toward him and reached for him, sliding up to him, wrapping her