Page 15 of Her Selfless Warrior (Omega Sky)
“Admit it, you’re like me, you don’t like your back to the room,” he said as she slid into the booth. “The only reason the seat at the bar didn’t make your flesh crawl was that you could observe everyone in the mirror.”
He slid in beside her and put her drink down next to his.
“You’re right.” The liquids in the glass matched. “What are you drinking?” she asked.
“Jameson. Same as you, right?”
She nodded as she took a small sip of her drink.
“So, have you always liked to observe everyone around you, or was it after our time in Afghanistan?”
“You mean when you, me, Cullen, and Nic got to spend twenty-four hours suffocating in a dark cage together?” she asked sweetly as she took another sip of her drink.
Kostya laughed. “Yeah, that would be what I’m talking about.”
Lark set her drink down and continued to rest her arm on the table as she looked up at Kostya. “I’ve been an investigative journalist for eight years, so being aware of my environment is almost like breathing.” Her lips twitched. “Sound familiar?”
Kostya nodded. “It’s definitely a skill that’s been drilled in for me and mine. But what about since Afghanistan? That drive over the border in the back of the truck was pretty hairy. Any nightmares?”
Lark bit her lip. She hated owning up to any kind of weakness, especially to a big man like Kostya Barona. Life had taught her that strong men like him could take advantage.
“Lark?” he prompted gently.
What the hell, he and all the others had been so kind and caring, not just to me, but to Samira and her two little girls. Maybe I have it all wrong.
“Yeah, I’d be lying if I said that the Afghan trip didn’t mess with me a little. I have to leave the bathroom light on now, isn’t that sad?”
Kostya put his hand on top of hers, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. “No, it’s not sad at all. I’d say it’s pretty normal. Anything else?”
She gave a sheepish grin. “I’ve kept up with Nic and Cullen. Did you know Cullen is a dad now? He and Carys had a baby girl.”
“I knew she was pregnant, but I didn’t know they had a little girl. Gideon hasn’t been keeping me up to speed.”
Lark chuckled. “Bad Gideon.” She pulled her hand out from underneath his and took another small sip of her whiskey. “Has he been keeping you up-to-date on the Nuri family?”
“No, smartass,” he smiled. “I’ve been keeping up on Samira, Taja, and little Nazy all on my own. I’m not sure that your mother has bought them enough stuff. Do you really think that Nazy needed a pink mini-Bugatti that actually drives? She’s only five.”
“Holy shit.” Lark slapped her hand over her mouth. “She didn’t. Please tell me she didn’t, I’m begging you.”
“She did. And for Taja, she got her a globe of the world that’s bigger than she is.” Lark waited, she knew there was more to come. “It lights up,” he continued.
“And?”
“I looked it up online. It’s the world’s most detailed globe. It costs over fourteen thousand dollars.”
Lark folded her arms onto the table and dropped her head into them. “Sometimes my mother is a little over the top,” she mumbled.
“Hmmm, I hadn’t noticed.” She heard the muted laughter in his voice.
Lark looked up at him from underneath her lashes. His smile was kind.
“Please tell me you have relatives who embarrass you, so we can compare notes,” she begged.
“Nah, my sister is pretty great. Anyway, your mom means well, it’s not her fault she has more money than God. She earned it, fair and square. I admire that.”
Lark lifted her head to really look at him. Kostya seemed to mean it. That was such a breath of fresh air.
“What about you? Are you checking in on Samira and her daughters?” Kostya asked.
