Chapter11
Kendra watched Sacha’s eyes as they approached the house in upstate New York. They’d brought his driver along so they would have a way to get around other than the Maserati in his garage. Viktor had insisted that the driver was also a bodyguard and they might need him.
“I would feel better if the driver was there,” Viktor had said. “Especially with his memory loss.”
The hospital had insisted that he didn’t need a nurse. That he would probably remember things in good time. Sacha’s mouth fell open.
“I own this?”
“Yes. And an apartment in Manhattan, among other places.”
“What do I do?” he asked.
“You are a lawyer and you are in the midst of opening a nightclub.”
“Why are we out here and not in Manhattan?” he said as he climbed out of the car.
She didn’t know how much to tell him. The nurse hadn’t been clear. The nurse hadn’t really known their situation. She’d been talking to Kendra as if she were his wife. She wasn’t. There were no feelings between Kendra and Sacha.
There was only a contract that was on hold for the moment.
“Just a getaway until you feel better.”
He frowned back at her. “Until I remember.”
“Right.”
The driver parked the car. They didn’t have luggage. All of their stuff was already here.
Kendra unlocked the front door. Sacha let her go ahead of him. Always the gentleman. He closed the door behind her. His eyes roved over the foyer and the stairs going up in front of him. He put a hand on Kendra’s hair.
“I still can’t believe that I am married to such a beautiful woman.”
He’d been saying that a lot since the hospital. She couldn’t tell him the truth. Hopefully, he wouldn’t be mad when he found out. Viktor had only said it so she could see him in the hospital. Was he going to want to sleep with her?
Not that she minded, but it might be like cheating on Sacha. Not that he had any right to keep her from sleeping with someone else. Even if that someone else was technically him.
It was all confusing. She would have to read over the discharge instructions to be sure she was doing the right things.
Kendra couldn’t help leaning into the hand that was massaging her scalp. “You hungry?”
“I am.”
“I’ll cook us something.”
He followed her into the kitchen. Kind of a like a puppy dog. He had a sweet smile on his face. Gone was the serious and stern expression that Sacha usually had on his face. She rather liked the “new” Sacha. He wasn’t scary at all. Or at least he didn’t look scary. This Sacha smiled a lot more.
This Sacha was a little unnerving after being used to the old Sacha. The real one. Kendra would adapt. She was still in danger, and even if she wasn’t, she’d never leave him. He’d taken her in and kept her safe. She owed him her life.
If he wanted her body, he could have that, too. Even if it would be a little weird.
“What can I do?” Sacha said.
“Set up two places at the island.” She pointed to the silverware drawer. “The cutlery is in there.”
Seemed odd to be directing him in his own house. The nurse said he could remember at any time. Hopefully, it could be sooner rather than later. Not that she minded being his nurse, but she had an idea for another fundraiser for her Alzheimer’s charity.
Could she pull it off with Sacha in the state he was in? She could. She’d have to. She couldn’t just sit here in this country house and do nothing. It wasn’t part of her nature. She needed to be busy.
Cliff was at Viktor’s house, so she didn’t need to mind him. She only needed to mind Sacha. If he remembered things soon, then she’d be out of a nursing job.
Sacha did as she asked as she gathered the ingredients for pesto. She put water in a pot to boil, and then pulled out the food processor to make the basil concoction.
“That smells great,” Sacha said as he slid onto stool. “What is it?”
“Pesto. I’ll heat it up and put it over pasta.”
“Do I like pasta?”
“Yes, you do. I don’t know how to make any Russian dishes. You always made those,” Kendra said.
He nodded. “I’ll eat whatever you put in front of me.”
“That’s pretty much how I am,” Kendra said.
She would miss Sacha’s cooking. Since he’d been the first man ever to do that for her, it was part of his charm. Not that she was in love with the man, but she did like him. And found him attractive.
She poured some pasta into the boiling water. Sacha shouldn’t have wine for a few days, so she didn’t bother offering it. She wanted some just to calm her nerves, but she would do without. The house had a well-stocked cellar and she’d bet that the cost of the wine in the basement was more than her apartment’s rent.
The apartment she’d finally given up. She didn’t know where she would go when this was all over, but she’d bet that Sacha wouldn’t just kick her out. He’d give her some time when they were done. He wasn’t a mean man. He had compassion, shown by the fact that he was searching for his son.
Well, was, before the accident. A few minutes later, she served him food. He smiled at her.
“Thanks. I’m starving.”
He dug into his food. She ate hers more slowly.
“How long have we been married?”
“Just a few months,” she lied.
“Why don’t we wear rings?”
“We just haven’t found the ones we like yet.”
He reached out and took her left hand “No engagement ring?”
She looked at his large hand, holding hers. “I left it at the apartment.”
“You should get it. It’s important to wear it,” he said.
If it existed, she would.
***
Something about his wife’s lack of engagement ring bothered Sacha. It didn’t sit right. He decided he’d do some snooping after dinner. If he was this rich, why wouldn’t she have a gargantuan engagement ring?
He’d find out the truth. He didn’t think Kendra meant any harm. His brother, who he should be able to trust, had no problem with her. A memory sifted through the fog in his brain. Kendra. Naked. What a nice picture.
He lounged on the couch. He’d washed the dishes then wondered what he usually did with himself. “Kendra?”
She came in from the kitchen. “Yes?”
“What do I do in the evenings?”
She laughed. “You are usually on the phone, working.”
“I work that much?”
“Yes. That’s how you got this rich.”
He laughed. “Do I neglect you?”
Kendra bit her lip. “Not really, but it feels that way sometimes. You make it up in other ways.”
Sacha licked his lips. He’d bet. He didn’t think he should bed her until his memory was back. That would be odd. Maybe I could kiss her. He patted a spot beside him on the couch. “Until I get my memory back, it’ll be hard to conduct business. Why don’t I pay some attention to you while I can?”
Her eyebrows went up.
“I’m not talking about sleeping with you, Kendra. I think that’s asking too much of both of us. I do find you attractive, but I’d like my memory back. Besides, my body is still sore from the crash.”
She nodded then sat next to him. Her eyes were wary. Was he not treating her well?
“How did I win your heart?”
Sacha had a fleeting vision of a contract. A prenuptial agreement? If he was that rich he’d probably have one. Was that the contract they’d signed?
Kendra hesitated. Was it not romantic? There was something more here. Something he had to get to the bottom of. She was his wife, right?
“What’s wrong?” he said.
“I guess it’s just not that romantic. I ran into you on the street. Literally ran into you. You kept me from falling and then I guess the rest is history,” she said.
There was more to this tale, and Sacha felt since he’d woken up, that people were hiding something from him. Was he a bastard? Was he abusive? This bothered him as much as the amnesia.
He put a hand on Kendra’s arm. “Was I abusive? Did I beat you?”
She laughed. “No, Sacha. There are just parts of your life that the doctor said would be better not to discuss.”
“So I’m not some asshole?”
“No, Sacha, you’re a good man who has protected me,” Kendra said.
“Protected you from what?”
She sighed. She pressed her lips together.
“Is this the part the doc thinks I shouldn’t be bothered with?” Sacha said.
“Yes.”
“Look, I don’t know what’s going on, but knowing that people are hiding something from me is worse than not remembering who I am. Please tell me, Kendra. Tell me everything.”
She swallowed. “We aren’t married. Viktor said that so I could see you in the hospital.”
“Are we lovers?”
“Yes.”
But there was more to this. More that she was clearly hesitant to tell him. He sighed. “Okay. Thanks. I appreciate your honesty. I was trying to figure out what kind of cheap asshole I was in not giving you a gargantuan rock.”
Kendra laughed. “No rock. That’s fine.”
Sacha laughed. “Okay. At least I know I have nice taste in women. You are beautiful, Kendra.”
She looked down at her hands. “Thanks, Sacha.”
“How did I make my money?”
“You invested wisely when you were in college. You also now do real estate development. You’re working on renovating a building in Manhattan to make the bottom floor a night club and the upper floors offices. Including one for you.”
“I guess I don’t sit still often.”
“Other than when you’re sleeping, this is the most still I’ve seen you,” Kendra said.
This woman was delightful. Smart and funny and sexy. He had good taste. Maybe he should marry her. Something about that idea didn’t sit right. Was he an avowed bachelor? He’d bet that this woman could talk him out of that. Why hadn’t she?
“What do you do?”
“I’m a lawyer for a non-profit,” she said.
“But you’re up here out of the city with me.”
“Uh, there’s someone looking for me. I was a witness to a crime,” she said. “You’ve taken me in and we became lovers.”
“I see. Not romantic really. Am I good to you?”
“You are, Sacha. You have taken me in and given me a home. You treat me like a queen.”
“That’s good to know.” He yawned. “I bet that I don’t go to bed this early.”
“No, but you need to rest and heal,” Kendra said.
“Will you stay with me? Or would you be more comfortable in your own room?”
“Whichever you want, but I’m not ready for bed. You go ahead. I’ll come in later,” Kendra said.
Sacha kissed her on the cheek because it seemed normal to do something when he left her. Instead of going to bed, he booted up his laptop. He searched for the document that he remembered signing. He found it.
He and Kendra had a contract to be lovers. How very efficient of him. A little cold. He should rip up that contract and just be her lover.
Then it all came back. The car accident. Kendra in trouble. His heart raced, reliving it all. He was sweaty from it all and decided to take a shower. He would tear up the contract, but he wasn’t ready to tell Kendra that he had his memory back.
He was tired from how relaxing the shower was, so he went right to bed. Minutes later, his eyes were drooping. He might tell her in the morning. Or should he wait?
How indecisive of him.
*
Kendra crawled into bed with Sacha. He was fast asleep, but he rolled over and spooned with her. Just like normal. Not that she often went to bed after him. Usually she was in bed first. He didn’t seem to need much sleep.
Now she was awake and he was gone. That was much more normal. She hadn’t wanted to tell him everything that she said last night, but he’d been persistent. The doctor hadn’t been realistic in thinking she could keep things from him. He would have asked until he got the answer. Persistence was an integral part of his personality.
If you knew Sacha, you knew that.
She smelled bacon. Her stomach rumbled. Was Sacha cooking? She showered and then followed the smell. He was indeed in front of the cooktop. In just his jeans. Her mouth went dry. He was a sexy man. Even with some bandages on his body and bruises on his back.
He turned to her. His smile lit up the room and she could tell. He was back.
“Hi,” he said.
He handed her coffee just the way she liked it. “Hi, thanks.”
He stood inches from her, his male scent wafting off him. “I remember it all.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. I do.” He leaned down and kissed her.
“How are you feeling?”
“Sore. Slept really well, though. Probably longer than I’ve slept in a long time.”
“You need to rest. Doctor’s orders.”
“I will. I promise. I just wanted to make breakfast.”
“I’ll clean up as you sit here,” Kendra said.
Her phone rang. She fished it out of her pocket. “Whispering Pines.”
Sacha’s brow knit. “Okay.”
Kendra answered it.
“Miss Elliott?”
“Yes.”
“This is Holly Green, Director of Whispering Pines. I regret to inform you that your mother has died.”
Kendra gasped. Sacha stepped closer, taking hold of her arm.
“When?” she said.
“We found her this morning. It was natural causes.”
Kendra gulped. Her mother. Gone. But in many ways the woman was gone years ago. “Okay. I’ll make the arrangements. Can you give me the name of a funeral home up there?”
“I can text you one and the number for them. I’m so sorry for your loss, Miss Elliott.”
“Thank you.”
Kendra hung up. Her mind was in a daze.
“What’s wrong?” Sacha asked.
“My mother died.”
“Oh, shit.” He pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry, Kendra.”
She enjoyed his warmth and strength. What would she do without Sacha? She would have to figure that out eventually. When all of this was over, she was going back to her life. He’d made that clear. They had a contract.
He let her go, his gaze taking her in. “Are you okay? What can I do?”
Of course, that would be Sacha’s first instinct—to jump in and help. “I have to make the arrangements for her funeral. I’ll bury her where I can find a plot.”
“You seem awfully calm.”
“I’m in shock, I guess. Or maybe I’ve known this was coming for a long time.”
“Okay. Make your calls. I’ll get us some security for the funeral and then we’ll be off.”
Kendra shook her head. “No viewing. Just the funeral. She didn’t have any friends.”
“Tell me the place and time and I’ll get you protected.”
Still taking care of her. He wasn’t fully healed from his accident, but he was still taking care of her. “You think I need it all the way up here?”
“Yes. We can’t be too careful, Kendra.”
“Okay.”
She wasn’t sure what she should do next when she received the text for a funeral home. She called it and made the arrangements. Sacha put some food in front of her as she sat in the kitchen. Picking at it, she called Tembi.
Her best friend would want to know.
“Hey girl,” Tembi said.
“Hey. Bad news. My mother died.”
Tembi gasped. “I’m so sorry, Kendra. My goodness.”
“Thanks.”
“Are you having a funeral?”
“Just with Cliff and me. I don’t want to endanger anyone else.”
“Okay, Kendra. I understand. If you need anything, call me.”
“I will.”
Kendra called the funeral home that the woman had texted her. She made all of the arrangements. Sacha busied himself doing the dishes. She wished he’d sit. He was looking a little pale. Even for him.
She disconnected her last call. “Sacha, I’ll do the dishes.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“No, you aren’t. Please sit. You’re making me nervous.”
He smiled. “I’m almost done.” Then his smiled dimmed and he grabbed the counter.
Kendra was by his side. “Dizzy?”
“A little. Okay, I’ll go sit on the couch.”
“I’ll be in there in a minute. We can watch a movie together.”
He nodded, then left her. She finished the dishes. When she entered the living room, Sacha was asleep on the couch. She found a throw blanket and put it on him. He murmured, but didn’t wake up.
She studied him. He was a strong, handsome man. So odd to see him this weak, but he had to take time to recover. Even if his memory was back, he was still healing physically.
His eyes fluttered open. “You’re staring at me.”
“I am.”
“Come snuggle with me.”
“I don’t trust you to just snuggle.”
He smiled that smile that told her what he was thinking and it wasn’t about snuggling. “Promise. We’ll just snuggle.” He lifted the blanket for her to crawl underneath it.
She did, facing him. He put his arms around her.
“Thanks for being here, Sacha.”
“Where else would I be?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Let’s get some sleep. We’ll just snuggle,” he said.
She laughed. “You must not feel well if you’re content to hold me.”
His eyes were half-open. “I’m not feeling well, but I’m better now that you’re here. We can help each other out, Kendra.”
“Mm.”
He didn’t say anything more, just let out a little snore.
***
Sacha knew he should rest more, but now that his memory was back, he wanted to find his son. He wanted to visit the Bermans again, the couple he was sure had adopted him. They’d named the boy Ethan. Sacha liked the name, but he believed the couple had lied to him. They knew where he was and he needed to confront them again.
That’s why, against Kendra’s advice, Sacha took the car and drove back to New Jersey. He had a little trepidation about leaving Kendra by herself, but he was on a mission. He’d alerted the local police and the chief had insisted he would send a car out in that direction regularly. Sacha made a contribution to the local Police Benevolent Association to ensure the chief would remember.
He’d driven within sight of Manhattan and it still had the pull. His mouth watered. He missed the noise and the restaurants, even though he liked to cook. But Kendra wasn’t there. Kendra was waiting for him at his house. A house he was beginning to think of as home. Because Kendra was there.
That was dangerous. She was going back to her life when this was all done. They were closing in on Lopez. They would find him. Kendra would be safe. She’d go back to that other job. Back to her life. She and Cliff would find a place to live.
Hopefully, by then he’d find his son. He wouldn’t be alone. He heard kids were babe magnets. Maybe his son would find him his next woman.
The house looked the same as it did last time. For this visit, he didn’t call. Mrs. Berman answered the door. She was dressed in a shabby housecoat. The place hadn’t been vacuumed in what looked like weeks.
She sat down across the coffee table from Sacha.
“He isn’t here. Whoever you’re looking for isn’t here.”
“Where is he?”
She started to cry. That silent cry that had tears running down her face, but no noise coming out of her. “He’s with Social Services. He’s probably in a foster home by now.”
“What happened?”
“The lady came. She took him away. For no reason.”
“I don’t believe that,” Sacha said.
Now he was angry. His kid was with strangers. Probably scared. Could he find him today? She sighed. “Bud hit him. He was still bruised when the lady came so she took him.”
“Guess he didn’t lie for you.”
“No, he didn’t.”
That’s my boy.
He left her crying on the sofa. She was not his concern. His son was. He went to the county Social Services office house in an old white building with Doric columns on the front.
“Can I help you?”
A petite woman behind a counter looked at him expectantly. She had on the brightest shirt he’d ever seen.
“Yes, I’m trying to track down a child that should be in your system,” Sacha said.
“Name?
“Mine or the child?”
“The child.”
“Ethan Berman. He was taken from his adoptive parents’ home and might be with foster parents.”
“Are you the lawyer for the parents?”
“No, I’m the boy’s father. I signed away rights when he was born. I was young and stupid.”
She stopped with her fingers poised over her keyboard. “So you have no legal rights to the child?”
Sacha frowned. “No, I don’t, technically.”
“Then I can’t tell you where he is. Here’s what I would advise. Get yourself a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the law and come back. He’ll know what to ask and what to do.”
Sacha leaned closer, giving her a big grin that he knew melted hearts. “Can you recommend anyone?”
She looked around as if she didn’t want anyone to hear her. “Yes. Look up Tom Fleischer. He’s local and he’s been able to get kids back for people in just your type of situation,” she said.
Sacha held out his hand. “Thank you.”
She gripped his hand for a moment, her smile big, her eyes fluttering. “You’re welcome.”
He’d been around long enough to know that women responded to his smile. He kissed her hand, then left her blushing. He climbed into his car and put the lawyer’s name in the search engine on his phone.
He had an address. He clicked on it to navigate to the man’s office. It was only a block away, so he walked. The office was in a storefront. Shutters inside blocked the glass windows. Sacha opened the door and was surprised by the office. It was paneled with wood and the lawyer had a receptionist. It didn’t look that good from the outside.
Normally he’d go for a high-priced New York lawyer, but he needed someone local.
“Can I help you?”
The woman behind the desk had the reddest hair that Sacha had ever seen.
“I don’t have an appointment, but I was hoping I could speak to Mr. Fleischer. The woman at social services recommended him.”
“Well, you’re in luck. He’s here and he’s free.”
She led him to a back office where a large man sat behind a large desk. He struggled to his feet to shake Sacha’s hand. Sacha told him his tale of woe.
“I can take the case. Before we do anything, we have to prove he is your son. That requires DNA testing. A blood test. You willing?”
“Yes.”
“We’ll have to get the court to get one from the boy.”
“Whatever needs to be done,” Sacha said.
When he left the man’s office, Sacha felt he was the closest he’d ever been to getting his son. He climbed into his car, tired from the day, but exhilarated also. He called Kendra.
“Hi.”
“Hey, beautiful.”
“You sound like you had a good day,” she said.
“I did. I’ll tell you all about it over dinner. I should be back there in about three hours.”
“I’ll have something ready.”
“Good.”
He hung up and couldn’t wipe the grin off of his face if you held a gun to his head.