Page 19 of The Pakhan

For the assholes who attacked me or was there another enemy on the horizon?

While every one of them checked me out, including shifting heated gazes all the way to my naked, painted toenails, they knew better than to say a word or make a gesture. I’d heard, although never confirmed, Vadim wasn’t immune to cutting off a man’s hand for touching a woman inappropriately.

He might make me as terrified as the situation did, but I did respect him for the way he adored his daughters, fawning over them whenever they needed something. Plus, the family had been relatively normal behind closed, secured doors. Every holiday had been celebrated. Every birthday. Hell, I’d even been to a barbecue where sons and daughters of his most trusted men had been invited, the kids swimming while the adults had relaxed over cocktails and conversation.

Well, I was no longer a child and couldn’t beg to be allowed into the pool with an ice cream cone. For about a million reasons, the idea hit me hard. I waited until the men had left before heading to his office.

I was more than surprised to see him in jeans and a polo, something I couldn’t remember from before. Including at the barbecues. Sofiya had told me the shooting had changed him significantly. On the one hand, it had made him harder, edgier. On the other, he’d started appreciating life even more. I found that a little hard to believe given his savage reputation.

As soon as I walked in, he turned around and I felt even more guilty than I had before fantasizing about the man. It was taboo, completely forbidden, but I seemed to be a real rulebreaker lately.

He took a deep breath as he looked at me and the fantasy returned in full force in my mind. Damn it. I had to stop acting like some lovesick child.

“We need to talk now that you’re rested,” Vadim said, pointing to the chair opposite his at the desk.

I didn’t say anything as I moved toward it, feeling even more uncomfortable than the night before.

He didn’t sit down at first, which made me think this was nothing but another stern lecture or punishment. As he planted his hands on the surface, leaning over, I had the creepy crawlies. He had a way of doing that to a person. I could only imagine what he was like when he got angry.

“Now, as I mentioned there are going to be rules.”

“Does that mean you’ll protect me? I can work for you. I’ll do anything you want and promise I won’t be a burden. I can clean house. I’ll cook for you since we know you can’t do that yourself. Heck, I’ll pick up your dry cleaning. Or I could be your secretary taking notes for you.” Jesus. Now, I was babbling. It wasn’t my finest hour.

He lifted his eyebrows in amusement.

“Well, I am planning on requiring you work with me, Caroline, but I assure you that your talents lie elsewhere. However, I’m still frustrated and upset with you that you almost ruined your life.”

“I know but as I said, I had my reasons.”

“Understood. Here’s how we’re going to play this. You’ll work with my computer experts doing almost exactly what you did before. You are to stay here, inside this house unless escorted by one or more of my men. In addition, you’re going to alter your appearance. They’re looking for someone called Pink Flamingo, which is exactly what you look like.”

“You found more about my reputation online.”

“I wouldn’t be in this position if I didn’t have elite contacts along with capabilities that even military operations and the CIA will never acquire. Yes, you left a trail. You were sloppy, Caroline, which is how they found you. It would appear you have elite skills, but you need to be more controlled. I will help you get there. Now, tomorrow you’ll go shopping for clothes that are better suited to your age and to my business. Do you understand?”

Swallowing, I nodded. This was more like the man I remembered, not the one who’d indulged in me making a PB&J past midnight. “Yes, sir.”

“Good girl. Plus, I’m no fashion expert, but I strongly suggest you alter your hair color. I don’t care if it’s green but something different.”

“There’s one little, tiny issue. Remember? My funds were locked down. I have one credit card of my own, but the limit is itsy bitsy.”

“I assure you that your credit card and any other identification have been hacked. They know who you are, Caroline. As of right now, you don’t exist. You’re going to be a ghost until I can figure this out. You will be using my credit card, which will allow you to purchase anything you want. Within reason.”

I was still sick inside. “They’re really after me?” I was being as repetitive as I was silly. Of course they were after me, as evidenced by the bloodstain on my trusty bat.

He gave me another stern look before pulling up his phone. “I had one of my men go to your apartment as I mentioned. This is what he found. I’m only showing you this so you can begin to embrace the severity of the situation.”

As soon as I glanced at the picture, the place unrecognizable because of the damage done, I almost burst into tears. “Oh, God.”

“Exactly. Don’t fuck with me on this, Caroline. I’ve gone easy on you up to this point, but you will not endanger yourself or anyone else while under my protection. If you do in any way, you will be severely punished. Do I make myself clear?”

“Crystal. Sir. How am I going to go shopping?”

He exhaled, leaning back and planting his hands on his hips. “Sofiya and Daniella are coming home later today. I’m going to ask Sofiya to take you shopping. However, neither one of you will be without two guards at all times. In this case, there will be four. Do not try and evade them.”

“Oh, God. Sofiya. What do I tell her?”

“That you are under my protective measures. I suggest you not go into detail about what you did.”

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