Page 133 of Broken Vows

“You are not going to convince me that being a hitman is misunderstood. And I don’t like you working for Dean Carter.”

“Look.” He pulls me closer. “If I ever cross paths with Max, I’ll give him a smack in the mouth from you. How’s that?”

A reluctant smile tugs at my lips. “You’d get fired.”

“I’ll make it look like an accident.”

“Levi.”

“What? People trip.”

I laugh despite myself, and his mouth brushes the corner of mine.

“But this job…” His voice drops, quieter now. “It could change things. Its’ decent money. Got a dog shelter to fund, don’t I?”

My chest tightens.

He says it so simply. Like it is already decided. Like my dream has somehow become one of his responsibilities.

I shift lower against him, resting my cheek on his chest so I’m not looking directly at his face. I trace slow circles over his skin, feeling the steady thump of his heart beneath my palm.

I should tell him the truth.

That my divorce settlement could fund the entire shelter easily.

But the words stick in my throat.

I don’t want to bring Maverick into this bed. Into this warmth. Into the first future anyone has offered me that doesn’t feel like a cage.

So I press closer, skin to skin, and let myself stay wrapped in the beautiful, impossible picture Levi is painting for us.

37

CARMEN

By Friday afternoon, I’m in a ridiculously good mood.

Theo’s school dance is tonight, my last class is almost over, and for once I’m not watching the clock because I want the day to end. I’m watching it because I can’t wait to get home.

Fifi had been a little off this morning—slower than usual, less interested in her breakfast. She took a long time to respond when I called her name. It wasn’t completely out of character; she’s selectively deaf when it suits her. Still, I noticed.

Levi agreed to watch her today, and the thought keeps pulling a smile from me. Especially because he’d insisted he didn’t need the baby-pink carrier I bought for her, then walked out of my house carrying her in it anyway.

My phone buzzes in my lap. I glance down.

Levi: She’s doing fine. Bladder is definitely working

I press my lips together, fighting a laugh. Fifi has never relieved herself on me or Theo or even Diane. But with Levi? Instant golden shower. Every single time.

Paul starts moving between the desks, handing back our latest math assignments.

Even with Levi’s patient help, I still have absolutely no confidence in the subject. I understand more than I did a month ago, which is something, but not enough to stop bracing every time Paul walks toward me with a marked paper in his hand.

The bell rings before he reaches my desk, and the room empties in the usual Friday rush. Chairs scrape back. Bags are shoved over shoulders. Everyone seems desperate to be somewhere else.

I stay seated.

Paul drops my assignment onto the desk in front of me.