Page 16 of Trapped By the Bratva

“He has a relative who’s been wounded recently, and I told him that I would be happy to contact you and see if you might be interested in coming to help him recover at home.”

I furrowed my brow. “I’m not a registered nurse.”

“Close enough.”

“Uh, technically, I guess, but…”

She shook her head. “Trust me. I vouch for you. You’re skilled, competent, and patient.”

“Okay…” This was the last thing I was expecting to hear.

“He needs confidential care at home,” she added.

“Well, sure. Lots of people probably do better in the privacy of their homes.”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“But have you looked into referred home care services? Real nurses?”

“Like I said, I vouch for you.”

I appreciated the vote of confidence, but I was hesitant. “I’d love to help. You know I would, but I don’t want anyone to think I’m some qualified expert.”

“You’re a perfect solution.”

“Um…” I giggled quickly, bewildered by this impromptu offer. “Wow. It’s a lot to consider on a whim. What shift would this be?”

“It’s a live-in position,” she said. “He really needs constant supervision.”

“Oh, wow.”It’s probably some old dude.“End-of-life, hospice kind of care?”

“No, no. Not at all.” She shook her head. “And your salary will more than compensate for your willingness to help.”

“I’d have to quit the hospital…” I grimaced. “And I need all the hours I can get. I…” I blew out a harsh breath. “That’swhy I was near tears, Bec. Seeing you so happy and all, and I’m feeling the opposite.”

“What happened?”

“Melissa took it all. I was hiding an account, a savings, to just get up and run away from her, and she found it.”

She firmed her lips in a hard line. “She’s still taking advantage of you?”

I nodded. “Never stops.”

She pulled a piece of paper out of her purse and scribbled on it. “Well, fuck her then. Run away, or hide, with us. Would this be a good start to replace that savings she stole?”

I glanced down at the paper and opened my eyes wide. The advance was three times the total I'd saved up. And the salary was far more than I could ever expect to make at the hospital as an LPN or RN.

“Are you serious?”

She nodded. “Ivan, my fiancé, is too. What do you say?”

I licked my lips, bowled over with hope. I clung to it and fought the urge to do a happy dance.

“You’re serious? Like,reallyserious?”

She nodded again.

I could hide this from Melissa. Hell, I wouldn’t even have to see her to secret it away. Becca said this was a live-in position, so I wouldn’t be coming to the apartment Melissa lazed around in all day and night.