Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Iam not a soft man. There isn’t anything about me that screams gentle. Which is why I have to remember that I can’t be my usual pushy asshole self with Caitlyn. That’s not going to make her feel comfortable around me, and I need her to be comfortable because like fuck do I want her to leave.
I’ve never wanted to share my space with anyone. I don’t even like having visitors. This is my sanctuary, a place I can relax. Well, other than the basement. Then again, what happens in there is a form of meditation. For me. Not the poor suckers who find themselves chained to my rafters.
“Sit down. I’ll wait until you’re ready to tell me what you want to eat.” I’m good at this, at waiting until I get what I want.
“Argh, has anyone told you how infuriatingly frustrating you are?” Caitlyn groans, and then her eyes widen with fear.
I laugh, not because of her fear but because of her words.
“Damn, bro, finally someone not afraid to tell you what an ass you are.” My brother’s voice comes from behind me.
I spin on my feet. “What the fuck are you doing here? And how the fuck did you get in?” I growl at the little shit, who just smirks and walks right past me. Towards Caitlyn, who still looks like she wants to throw up.
“Hi, I’m Lex. You must be the new sister I’ve heard about.” He holds out a hand to her.
“Don’t touch her.” I slap his arm away. I trust my brother. I do. But Caitlyn isn’t a fan of being touched by men. Well, she’s getting used to me touching her, or at least holding her hand.
Baby steps. We will get there.
“Um, hi. I’m Caitlyn,” my little sun says in a quiet voice.
“Well, Caitlyn, it’s nice to meet you.” Lex sits on the barstool next to her, and her body stiffens.
“Lex, get the fuck away from her. Now,” I tell him.
He looks from me to Caitlyn. Understanding dawns on the idiot, and he stands. “I’m starving. What you cooking?” He walks around the fridge to put the space between himself and Caitlyn that she needs.
“I’m waiting for Caitlyn to tell me what she wants,” I explain while keeping my eyes firmly locked on her.
“Um, toast?” she asks.
“French toast?” I suggest.
“Sure.” She smiles.
Knowing that’s about all I’m going to get out of her with Lex here, I shove my baby brother out of the way and grab everything I need for French toast. I then grab some bacon and eggs from the fridge and get to work.
“Ma was just here,” I tell Lex.
“I know. How do you think I heard about my new sister?” He chuckles.
“What’d you do to get yourself kicked out of NYU?” I ask him.
“I threw some jock out of a three-story building,” he answers in Russian.
“Did you make sure he couldn’t talk?” I continue in Russian, because this is not a conversation Caitlyn needs to hear.
“I’m not an amateur,” Lex huffs, returning to English.
“What language are you speaking?” Caitlyn chimes in.
“Russian.”
“You’re Russian?” Her eyes widen. This time in surprise instead of fear.
“Half. Our father is Russian, our mother is Italian,” I tell her.
“Do you speak Italian too?”
“Yes.” I nod.
“That’s cool,” she says.
“Do you speak anything other than English?” Lex asks her.
“No.” Caitlyn shakes her head.
“So, how did you end up with this idiot here? You know, I’m the much better looking brother. I can get you out of here. Just blink twice if you need an escape.” Lex turns and smiles at her.
I slap him across the back of the head. “Leave her alone.” Then I smirk at Caitlyn. “Ignore him. My mother dropped him on his head as an infant.”
She giggles a little, and I swear my cock hardens at the sound. I need to get my brother out of here. “How many siblings do you have?” she questions.
“Two, this idiot and the sister you saw yesterday.”
“Oh shit, you met Mabilia?” Lex gasps. “She’s insane, but don’t worry, I’ll protect you from her crazy.”
“Again, ignore him. My sister isn’t going to do anything to you,” I’m quick to add.
The back door opens, and Aleksi walks in.
“When the fuck did my house become a fucking drop-in center?” I groan.
“When you failed to answer your fucking phone, asshole,” Aleksi retorts. Most people wouldn’t dare speak to me like that. He’s not most people. “Caitlyn, how you feeling today?” He walks over to the counter where she’s sitting.
“I’m good. You?” she replies.
“Good,” he says before turning to me. “I have that package you wanted, wrapped up too.”
“I want a package.” Lex looks from me to Aleksi.
“Take it. I’ll meet you down there soon. Do not destroy it before I get there,” I tell my brother.
“You are such a kill joy. Caitlyn, I’m sorry you’re going to die of boredom with this one,” Lex grumbles before walking out the back door. The entry to the basement is on the side of the house. That’s where Aleksi delivered the men who mugged Caitlyn.