Chapter 19
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 her response 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.
“You really are your father’s son. Cluelessly stupid,” my mother tells me.
“I’m right here,” Dad grunts.
Mom turns and smiles at him. “I always know where you are, Mikhail,” she says. “Now, Caitlyn, I’m sorry. I really did try to teach my son to be better. But you’re his first girlfriend so he’s going to need some training.”
“Ah…” Caitlyn looks up at me, waiting for me to correct my mother. I don’t. “We’re not… I mean, I’m not…” she stutters out.
“You are,” Mom says. “You can stay here. You don’t need to be living in some snobby apartment by yourself.”
I groan. “Mom? Seriously?”
“Izzy, leave them be,” my dad finally says.
“She’s going to be my daughter-in-law. I’m not having her live in one of the Petrov apartments. They’re cold and sterile,” Mom counters.
“Okay. On that note, we really are out of here.” I lean in and kiss my mother on her cheek.
“Thank you for having me in your house, Mr. and Mrs. Petrov,” Caitlyn says.
“This is your home now too, Caitlyn. You’re always welcome.” This comes from my father.
I groan. “I’m sorry. My parents have no idea what boundaries are,” I tell Caitlyn as we walk out of the house. Aleksi is standing out front with my car ready. He has another family car behind mine.
“I’ll follow you,” he says. I nod my acknowledgement and open the door for Caitlyn.
“They love you,” she says. “But you also could have corrected them.” Caitlyn folds herself into my car.
I close her door and walk around to the driver’s side, sliding in behind the wheel. “Correct them on what?”
“The whole girlfriend thing. You could have told them I’m not your girlfriend.”
“I don’t lie to my parents, Caitlyn.”
Her eyes bug out of her head but she doesn’t say anything. Instead, she turns her focus to the window, watching the neighborhood pass us by. When I pull into the Petrov building, my heart pounds. I don’t want to fucking leave her here. Aleksi pulls in behind me.
I also know I don’t have much of a choice. I can’t force her to want to live with me. She needs ownership of her life. I can give her that. I think.
“You ready to see your new apartment?” I force a smile on my face.
“Mhmm.” She nods her head.
I jump out of the car, round the hood, and open her door. Caitlyn takes my offered hand, and I guide her over to the bank of elevators.
Aleksi meets us just before the doors close. “I need you to put your palm here,” he tells Caitlyn.
“Um… why?” She leans closer to my side, and I smile for real this time. I like that she’s using me for… comfort? Security? Whichever one, I’ll take it as a small win.
“It will put you into the system so you have access to the building. All you have to do is place your palm on the reader here and select the floor you want to go to,” Aleksi explains.
“Okay.” She lets go of my hand and does as he instructed.
“I want her added to my house as well,” I tell him.
“Done. Thanks, Caitlyn.”
When the doors open, I take her hand and lead her out, leaving Aleksi inside the elevator.