“Don’t be an ass, Neo. Take me home.” Mabilia storms past me.
I catch up with her at the door. “What happened?” I ask her in Russian.
“Nothing. I just had a slight disagreement with someone.” She shrugs.
“How am I supposed to help you if you don’t tell me what happened?”
“You have helped. You got me out.” She shrugs, “And you’re giving me a ride home.” Mabilia looks towards the SUV Aleski and Caitlyn are standing in front of. “Who is she?” My sister questions while eyeing the woman.
“No one you need to concern yourself with,” I tell her, my eyes fixated on Caitlyn. I can’t fucking stop looking at her. Long blonde hair. Pale, flawless fucking skin. She’s wearing a high-waisted skirt and a black blouse that’s torn at the sleeves. “Aleski, take my sister home.”
Aleski is a high-ranking member of our organization, also my best friend. But he will do whatever I say without question because that’s how things are done. “Sure.” He nods.
“Ah, no,” Mabilia says. “I don’t want him driving me home. You are taking me home, Neo.”
“I’m busy. It’s Aleski or I can always call Papa or your husband to come and get you,” I threaten, knowing my sister doesn’t want either of those options.
“You’re seriously going to tell me you’re busy with some stupid?—”
“Finish that sentence, and I’m dialing,” I hiss.
“Argh, I hate you.” Mabilia turns around and storms off down the road.
“Love you too!” I call after her.
“I’ll make sure she gets home,” Aleski says.
“Thanks.” I nod and watch as he chases after her before I slowly turn back to my littlesolnishko, my sun. I open the passenger door and gesture a hand. “Get in.”
“Ah, I’m good. I’m just going to get a cab,” Caitlyn says, taking a step backwards.
“You don’t have any cash. How are you paying for a cab?” I’m being an asshole. I could easily give her some and let her be on her way. But fuck that.
“I… How do I know you’re not going to drive me to some forest, rape me, and then leave me for dead?” she asks.
I raise a brow at her. “You don’t,” I say. Because, let’s be honest, a smart woman wouldn’t willingly get into a car with me.“Would it make you feel better if I drag my sister back here and bring her with us?”
Caitlyn glances down the street to where it is very obvious that Mabilia and Aleski are arguing about something. “Ah, no. But just know that if you do take me off to some deserted place to rape me, I have an incurable STD, so you might want to rethink that plan,” she says, getting into the car.
I chuckle. I don’t believe a word of that but it’s entertaining.
“Noted,” I reply as I close the door. I jog around the front of the car and slip in behind the wheel. “Buckle up.” I start the ignition and then pull us out into traffic. “I’m taking you to see a doctor first.”
“I can’t afford to see a doctor. I’ll be fine. Just take me home. It’s only a few scratches and I’ve had worse.” Caitlyn shrugs.
My head snaps in her direction. “What do you meanyou’ve had worse?”
“Nothing. I’m fine, honestly,” she insists.
Ignoring her request, I pull up in front of our family doctor’s residence. “Come on.”
“Wait. Where are we?”
“The doc’s going to look you over, clean your wounds, and then—like I promised—I’ll take you home.”After I find out where she was mugged.
“I already told you I can’t.” Caitlyn shakes her head as she stares up at the brownstone.
“This doctor doesn’t charge. It’s free.” I smile and take her hand in mine. An electric current saps through my skin on contact. We both look down at our joined palms, but I’m not letting go.
