Page 57 of Taken By Him

Kasia, I found a link you might find interesting. Too dangerous to put it in writing. Can you meet me today, two o’clock usual place?

I stare at the message. I haven’t heard from this guy in weeks. Dominik knows about him, so why isn’t he going to Dominik? Why ask me to meet him?

I stare at the empty side of the bed. He might not be home until late. I can text him, but I know his answer. He’ll tell me to leave it and he’ll look into it.

This isn’t about his sister. This is my responsibility.

I wait another minute before answering him. Hoping, I guess, that some sense will ease into my mind, but it doesn’t. So, I promise him I’ll be there.

Just as I hit the send button, there’s a knock on the bedroom door that startles me.

“Kasia, are you up?” It’s Margaret.

I blow out a breath. It’s not like Dominik has me on video surveillance or anything.

“Yeah. One sec.” I scoot out of bed and grab the robe next to the bed. It’s a rare morning that I wake with my pajamas still on.

After tying my robe’s belt around my middle tight, I open the door. Margaret’s there with a large smile.

“Just wanted to be sure you were up. You said you wanted to be up by eight.”

“I did. Thank you. I have an alarm on my phone, you don’t have to worry about me, Margaret.” She’s kind and attentive. Much like my mother was.

“Well, I also made crepes for breakfast and I didn’t want them to get too cold before you came down.” She shrugged.

“You spoil me.”

“You deserve to be spoiled,” she says with a serious tone. “Mr. Staszek just called; he’s going to be gone for the evening. He said he’d call you later this afternoon.”

“I want to go out this afternoon. Are any of the guys around? I know Dominik won’t like it if I go out alone.” It would make things easier if they were all with him or off doing jobs. But I have no luck in this department.

“Of course. Tommy is here today. I’ll let him know you have plans.” She turns to go. “Don’t forget, crepes!” She waves as she walks away.

Tommy will be with me all afternoon, but I can work with that.

I think.

* * *

“Are you ready to head home?” Tommy asks me as we head to the car after the fifth store I made him follow me around in. I haven’t bought anything; I’m not even looking for anything. Apparently, Tommy dislikes window shopping as much as I do. But there’s a purpose this afternoon, so it’s not so annoying to me.

I check the time on my phone.

“Almost.” I look down the street. “I’m thirsty. Let’s stop in there.” I point at the diner two storefronts down.

“There’s a bottle of water in the car,” he reminds me.

“I want something to eat, too. C’mon, Tommy. I’ll buy you a BLT.” I slide my arm through his and tug on him.

He looks down at me, annoyance dancing in his eyes.

“Fine. But not too long, all right? Traffic back home is gonna suck if we stay out here too much longer,” he complains, but walks with me to the diner.

When we enter the diner, there’s plenty of open tables, but it’s the one in the far corner booth that has my attention. Erik DeGrazio is already in our booth, sucking down a beer. He looks up when the door shuts behind us, and his face drops when he sees Tommy.

Getting rid of him will be almost impossible.

“Think you need to use the washroom?” I’m terrible at this.

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