“I’m guessing you know how to take care of these wounds, Caitlyn,” he says. “Keep them clean and they should heal nicely.”
I nod again. “Thank you.”
“Neo, make sure she gets plenty of rest and ices her face.”
“I’ll see to it. Thanks, Doc.” Neo shakes the older man’s hand and then he’s right by my side. Holdingmyhand again.
Why is he doing that? I don’t hate it, but I know I should. This is not a safe person. I shouldn’t like this. Or him.
“Ready?” Neo asks. His voice is much softer than it’s been.
“Mhmm.” I force a smile onto my face and try to appear as calm as I can be.
Once we’re in the car, Neo starts the engine. “Where were you when you got mugged?” he asks.
“On the street?” I tell him.
“What street?”
“Um, the same street the police station was on. One block down.”
“What were you doing there? That’s a long way from home.”
“I had a job interview. Which I’m guessing I’m not getting, seeing as I didn’t show up,” I groan. I really need to find a second job soon.
It takes another thirty minutes before Neo is pulling onto my street. “This is where you live?” He stares up at the building, a look of horror on his face.
“Ah, yeah, it’s not much, I know. But it’s okay.” That’s a lie. It’s a total shithole but it’s all I can afford on the one waitressing job I’ve managed to get.
“I’m coming up,” Neo says.
“You don’t have to do that,” I insist. “Thank you for driving me home.”
“Yeah, I do. Those assholes have your ID. They know where you live, Caitlyn,” he says.
No, they know where Iusedto live. No one knows I moved here. And I’d prefer to keep it that way.
“I’m just going to check the place out, make sure no one is there and that your doors lock properly. That’s all.” He jumps out of the car.
That’s all.Just make sure my apartment is safe? Who does that?
Chapter Five
Caitlyn doesn’t want me to come up. It doesn’t take a genius to know this girl is scared and riddled with trauma. She flinches away from touch, not just mine but the doc’s. Someone’s either hurting her, or has in the past.Whoever the fuck it is, I’m going to find them and show them what it feels like to be on the other side of a fist.
She’s also out of her damn mind if she thinks I’m leaving her on the fucking sidewalk and not walking her up to her door. If it were up to me, I’d take her home with me. Fuck, I could give her a guestroom or even let her live in the pool house.
My bedroom is free as well.
I shake my head. I don’t know where that thought came from. I just met this woman. But I’m not opposed to having her in my bed. That’s not really what she needs or likely wants at the moment, though. I can be patient. I can wait. I always get what I want in life, and right now, this little ray of sunshine is exactly what I want.
Taking her hand, I lead her up to the building. “What floor?” I ask her.
Caitlyn looks down at our joined palms with a frown on her face. I should let go, give her space, but she’s not pulling away so I’m gonna keep holding on for as long as she’ll let me.
“Um, fourth,” she says.
We enter the building without having to use a key or a code. Reason number one why I have no fucking intention of letting this woman stay here.
