“He’s going to find me, Neo,” I mumble.
“He already has,” Neo tells me. “He’s on a flight to New York as we speak.”
My eyes widen. “I need to leave.”
“You can leave, but he will find you again, Caitlyn. If he’s determined. Or you can stay and take charge of your new life right here in New York. With me. And let me deal with your piece-of-shit ex.”
Let him deal with Henry? What does he mean?“I can’t ask you to help me like that…”
“You haven’t asked. I’m offering.” Neo takes hold of my hand. “I’m going to do it whether you’re onboard with my help or not, Caitlyn. You can say no. You can tell me to stay out of your business. But I’m still going to deal with him.”
“Deal with him how?”
This man just admitted to being part of a crime family. Is he talking cement boots? I shouldn’t want that for Henry. Then again, I don’t want to have to keep looking over my shoulder every second.
“I don’t think that’s something you need to know. Just understand that, when I am done with him, he will never be able to hurt you again,” Neo says.
“I don’t want you to get into trouble for me.” I shake my head.
“What part of my father is the Pakhan did you not hear? I’m the heir to a Russian mafia family, Caitlyn. Trust me when I say dealing with your ex isn’t going to land me into trouble. Or be a hardship on my part.”
Chapter Nineteen
For someone who’s just been told I’m part of the criminal underworld, Caitlyn is surprisingly calm. Her first reaction was concern for me, that I was telling a complete stranger about my illegal dealings. Now, I’m waiting for herresponse to my offer. I don’t need her to accept the help. I will have her fucking ex in my basement in a few hours. He won’t be walking out.
“I don’t know how I’m supposed to react to that knowledge,” she says, as if reading my mind.
“How does it make you feel? Knowing who I am?” I ask her.
“Scared,” she says.
I quickly stand and move away from her. I run a hand through my hair. I don’t want her to fear me.Fucking hell, I should have kept my mouth shut. That’s the last fucking time I follow Aleksi’s advice.
“Not of you,” Caitlyn adds. “I’m scared that I’m going to fall back into my old ways and lose myself in everything you’re offering. I mean, not that you’re offering me anything, apart from a job and an apartment. But I don’t want to be reliant on a man again.”
“You and I both know I’m offering you a lot more than a job and an apartment.” I smirk. “But I can wait. I’m patient and I get that you need time.” I sit back down next to her. “The job and apartment are no strings attached. You won’t be reliant on me for that. You will be earning it.”
“Okay,” she says.
“Okay?” I attempt to clarify.
“Okay. I would like to try this job you’re offering me. And the apartment would be great. Thank you.” She sounds so polite, so proper.
I smile. “Perfect. You’re doing me a huge favor,” I tell her. “Want to go and see your new home?”
Caitlyn nods. “Can I thank your parents for having me first?”
“They don’t need to be thanked. But sure.” I stand and hold out a hand, relieved when she places her palm on mine. It’s such a small thing, holding hands, but holding her hand makes me feel something I’ve never felt. Complete.
I take Caitlyn back inside, heading to the living room where I can hear my parents.
“We’re leaving,” I tell them.
Both my mom and dad look at me, then at Caitlyn, then at our joined hands. My mom smiles. My father keeps his eyes on me.
“Why don’t you stay for dinner? It won’t be much longer,” Mom asks.
“Next time. Caitlyn has agreed to take that assistant position I’ve been trying to fill. I’m going to show her the apartment in the Petrov building that comes with the job,” I explain. My dad smirks but doesn’t call me out on my BS.
