Chapter 9 #2
According to her father and Silas, it was all a way to protect her and Owen.
Her heart no longer ached for the pain this man caused her and her son.
Eventually, with the support of her friend Sammy, she survived the trial, but the erratic jump in her pulse reminded her of the fear she didn’t think would ever go away.
“You’ll help me, Kitty Cat, because I say so.”
“Get out of here, Silas,” she forced out, her voice a low growl.
“Sure, babe. As soon as I see my son.” He waltzed up to her, his steps deliberate and predatory. The toothy grin that used to hold a hint of charm now only sent shivers skating across her arms.
“Don’t even think about coming near us, Silas.
” Caitlyn spat, her voice laced with a desperation that both surprised and terrified her.
He sneered, his entire demeanor shifting.
Cold, calculating eyes locked with her gaze.
He leaned in, and his voice dropped to a rough tone.
“Or what? Still going to call the cops on me, Kitty Cat? Go ahead. Make sure it’s Daniels. It would make my job much easier.”
Caitlyn stared back at him, the faint sound of Owen’s game behind her. Fear warred with a surge of defiance. She silently prayed Owen kept his headphones on with the volume up loud so that he wouldn’t be able to hear his father’s voice.
She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Would she call the police? Could she risk the consequences of Silas’s retribution if it turned out the restraining order wasn’t valid anymore? Or was there another way out of this? A way to protect Owen without escalating the situation further?
Caitlyn’s heart pounded in her chest, knowing the answer before she asked the question. “What job are you talking about?”
He didn’t give her a straight answer, causing the drumbeat of her heart to still.
“When I opened the shop, I thought I was doing right by both of you, ensuring that both of you were provided for. How could you destroy our son’s future like this? Was it because you hated me that much?”
Caitlyn’s heart resumed its pounding against her ribs. Fury threatened to boil over, but she forced it down. She shook her head furiously.
“I protected our son,” she spat. “Do you think I would want him to grow up and follow in your footsteps? You used the shop as a cover. It was never about providing for us. And here you are, tracking someone down. You’ll be back in jail soon enough.”
Silas’s face contorted in rage. In a lightning-fast move, he grabbed her face roughly, strong enough to cause a gasp to escape her lips. A primal fear shot through her, momentarily paralyzing her. She held his gaze, a steely glint mirroring her own.
“I know what you did, babe,” he rasped, his voice tight with barely controlled fury. A slight flicker of madness in his eyes sent a fresh wave of terror rocking through her.
His fingers tightened against her jaw. “And I know you’ll make it up to me.”
Silas stepped closer, the stale smoke from vaping on his breath. “Sooner or later, Daniels will come home, and you’ll help me get my reward.”
Caitlyn swallowed hard, taking a small step back and leaning against the door. “There can be no reward for doing the devil’s work.”
“You never complained about the cash, babe. You’re as guilty as I am. We both know you snitched to save your own hide. Don’t lie, and say it was for the boy’s sake.”
Lifting her chin and averting her gaze from him, Caitlyn clutched her hands at her sides.
Voice full of contempt, he shoved one hand against the door near her head. “Look at me.”
His fingers bit into her soft skin, but she remained still and met his gaze. His lips curled into a sneer, and those cold mud-colored eyes of his fell to her lips. Her stomach twisted in knots, and she silently prayed that Owen stayed in his room, out of sight.
“You’re going to help me find Daniels. He may still go by the name ‘Beast,’” Silas said as his hand slid across her jaw to her neck, where it lingered. “You’ll get me the information I need.”
Caitlyn’s mind raced, trying to rationalize why Silas would be after someone like Sebastian Daniels.
The man didn’t live here anymore, but someone must have wanted him dead.
She needed to warn Sammy. Knowing Silas, the payout must have been significant to put him on the man’s trail. What else could Silas want with him?
“And if I don’t?” Despite the fear coursing through her veins, she made no move to force him off.
Silas lowered his voice, his hot breath on her face. “The old man has an accident, and our son discovers the truth.” He paused for a moment as he loosened his grip on her neck. She winced and tried to pull away from him, but he tightened his grip again.
“And what truth is that?” Caitlyn whispered.
Silas reached with his other hand and pulled her hair from its messy bun, twisting it in his finger. “That Mommy lied, and then he’ll come with me, and you’ll never see him again.” He released her hair and touched his forehead against hers, their noses touching. “Did you miss me?”
Tears welled up in her eyes. Caitlyn jerked her face from him, but Silas’s hand tightened around her neck. Squeezed. Her hand flew up to cover his. “Silas.”
“Did my son?”
The sound of feet running and music playing drew nearer.
The door opened with a creak, and Owen came sprinting around the corner, her phone clutched firmly in his hands.
“You almost forgot your phone… Are you late?” Owen paused abruptly when his gaze met Silas’s.
Those wide, innocent eyes looked between them, then filled with fear as he glanced back at Caitlyn.
Silas released her neck and stepped back, breaking their eye contact. His voice was heavy with emotion when he finally spoke. “Hey, kid.”
Owen stared at him warily before turning to answer his mother’s anxious question. “You okay, Mom?” Her damp cheeks glistened with relief as she breathed deeply once more.
Silas smiled slightly and composed himself before posing a tentative query to the young boy. “Your mom’s happy to see me. Are you?”
The silence stretched between them before Owen finally shrugged and acknowledged his father for the first time in years. “You’ve gotten big since I’ve seen you.” He gave one last hesitant glance at Caitlyn before scurrying back inside and shutting the door behind him.
“He doesn’t know his own father,” Silas growled.
“He doesn’t remember you. He was three the last time he saw you.”
“Whose fault is that?” Silas shoved past her. He paused in the doorway, effectively trapping her between him and the solid wood. “I’m going to get to know my son.”
Her sweet, innocent Owen. No. She didn’t want Silas anywhere near their son. But what else could she do?
Her hand curled around her phone, her thumb swiping to open it. One word, and it would dial the police. Silas hooked his finger under her chin to get her attention. He wanted this. He wanted her to call the police.
“And you, Kitty Cat, are going to ask your friend where her brother is.”
Releasing her, Silas went into the house. With a trembling hand, Caitlyn dialed the number of La Rosa’s. “Hey, Regina,” she began, trying to keep her voice calm and controlled. “There’s been a family emergency… I won’t be able to come in today…”
The act of not telling the whole truth tasted like ash in her mouth, but having Silas near their son was a far more bitter pill to swallow.
Caitlyn watched Silas talking with Owen inside the house, trapped between the fear for her son and the potential consequences of losing her job. Tears escaped and ran down her face.
“I am sorry,” Caitlyn said, not paying attention to anything Regina said on the other end of the phone. Lord, what have I gotten myself into this time?