Page 58 of Caught By the Bratva Boss

“What happened to you?” she whispered.

Before I could stop myself, my hands went to my face. “It’s nothing.” I lied. “I took a fall on the ice.”

It was amazing how easy the lie came to me.

Anya looked like she didn’t believe a word I was saying, but she didn’t press the matter either. “We were so worried about you. Why didn’t you come home?”

I was about to say because I wasn’t welcome, but just shook my head instead. The tears were pushing at my eyes and making my eyes and throat burn. I didn’t want to cry in front of her and all my old work colleagues.

I’d been humiliated enough recently.

“Daniil has been beside himself. But you’re here now, and you’re ok. Let’s go up together.“

I cut her off. “I can’t do that.”

“Why?”

I held up the now-useless card. “I’ve been fired, my security has been revoked.”

My voice was thick with the tears I refused to cry.

Anya’s eyes widened. “That can’t be right. Just let me call Daniil, and we can get this all straightened out.” She made a move to reach for her purse, and I lashed out and grabbed her arm. “Please don’t.”

Warily, she lifted her eyes to me. “Give him a chance to explain.”

“There’s nothing to explain. He wouldn’t listen yesterday, and I don’t think he will listen now. He wanted me gone. He’s fired me. He called me—” I shook my head. “Well, everyone heard what he called me. There’s no going back.”

Why did it hurt so much to say that out loud? It wasn’t like I had fallen in love with Daniil! Was it?

“He didn’t mean it.” Anya’s voice was ragged. “Just come upstairs, and he can talk to you. He is just super protective of Timothy, and the sight of you,” she tried to take my hand and I took a step back. “The sight of you with Greg after what happened just triggered him. Let him explain.”

I took another step back and shook my head again. “There is nothing to explain. Daniil made it pretty clear that our arrangement is over,” I snapped. “He told me to leave and never come back. He said he didn’t want to see me ever again.” I held up the key card. “This not working and me losing my job just goes to prove how serious he was. So just drop it, Anya. It’s over. I’ve gone back to my real life.”

A real life where the man I’d wanted to spend the rest of my life with used his fists on me, and I’d lost my job so I couldn’t even leave him. Agreeing to be Daniil’s proposal had officially ruined my life. There was nothing he could say to make it better. And nothing she could say either.

“Did Greg put those marks on your face?” Anya asked softly.

Again, my hand reached for my face. “No, I told you I fell.” Even to my own ears, it sounded like a pathetic excuse.

Anya’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t have to live like that. Danill will be—”

“This is none of Mr. Popov’s business,” I said in a low whisper. “What happens in my life is none of his business, and it’s none of yours either, Anya. Drop it.”

Anya’s lips snapped shut. “I am just trying to help.”

I knew that, but I didn’t want her help. Or Daniil’s. Or anyone’s. “I know, and I’m sorry,” I whispered. “Please excuse me, Anya. I need to head home and try to find another job. Have a great day.”

Bending down, I pressed my lips to her cheek. “I am so glad I met you. Have a great life with your new husband. He is a very lucky man.”

With that, I walked away. Ignoring her calling after me and asking why I wouldn’t be coming to the wedding. Again, I found myself outside on the busy freezing street. Filling my lungs with the icy air, I lifted my hand to hail a cab and quickly thought better of it.

I was unemployed in one of the most expensive cities in the world. I could no longer afford a cab.

Our apartment was miles away, blocks and blocks, but I would have to walk. I didn’t have any other choice. But maybe the walk would do me good. Maybe I would find another job on the way. At the very least, I would be able to think. And that was something I desperately needed to do.

Head down against the wind, I set off, letting tears of self-loathing fall down my face. Sob after sob ripped its way out of my throat, but not one person noticed.

This was New York. I was surrounded by millions of people, and I was completely and utterly alone.