Page 47 of Trapped By the Bratva

She didn’t speak for a moment, perhaps stunned that I’d agreed.

“Last time.”

“Really?” Her voice was full of hope.

“Last time,” I repeated.

“Sweet. I’ll come over now.”

“No. I’ll come to you.”

“But I wanna see if you’re okay, wherever you ended up.”

Fuck no. I’m not falling for that. I wouldn’t give her a single detail about my new life.I couldn’t be sure that I’d stay here for long. I was committed to sticking with Dmitri until he no longer needed rehabilitative help. After that, I might finish mynursing degree, which was what I told Becca and Ivan when they asked me about my plans when they drove me over here all those weeks ago.

“I’ll come to you. Same place?”

“Yeah.”

I cringed, dreading that I had to go back to that crappy apartment. The one I thought I’d never have to see again.

“I’ll meet you at the coffee place a couple of buildings from it.”

She sighed, like it was such an inconvenience for her to have to walk a block. “Whatever. I’ll be there in a half hour.”

We disconnected the call.

Afterward, I lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling. I felt like an idiot giving in at all, but I could afford it. If I gave her most of what she was asking for, it’d get her off my back. Alek had paid me a fair amount for that advance. Without having to pay rent here, I was comfortable. For the first time in my life, I was comfy with my bank account—a new one that Melissa would never, ever see.

It wouldn’t put me back to give Melissa this “shut up and go away” money. I’d earn it in no time with my salary here.

This isit, I vowed as I got up and readied to leave.

It felt weird to walk out, to leave and deviate from my usual routine of working with Dmitri, but I couldn’t push it. I couldn’t push him. He yelled at me to get out. If he wanted to dismiss me—this time—fine. That was his call. He wasn’t my boss, though. When I told Alek that I’d help Dmitri, I meant it. I would. I wouldn’t quit. But this one time, I could ditch the routine.

He did. So I could too.

Before I exited the house, someone else noticed that I wasn’t doing what I was expected to, helping the grump in his wing.

“What’s wrong?” Ivan asked as he approached near the back door.

“Nothing.” I shrugged. “Dmitri’s in a mood and?—”

He groaned, rolling his eyes.

“What’s got him so grumpy now?” I huffed. “Or at least grumpier than usual?”

“Family stuff.” He shook his head, annoyed. But he sobered quickly, frowning. “You’re not quitting, are you?”

“No!” I didn’t want anyone to think that. “Heck no. But I figured to let him chill today. To vent out whatever, uh, family stuff is making him so mad.”

“Oh. Okay.” His shoulders lowered as he sighed. “Good. I mean, it’s not cool that he’s dismissing you with his mood, but I’m glad you’re not quitting.”

“Nah.” I smiled quickly. “I can handle him.”

Yeah, fucking right.I didn’t handle him that well last night.

“Then where are you going?”