Page 8 of Taken By Him

Kasia

Dominik’s house is outside the city limits, but he told me when he climbed into the SUV after me we have to make a quick stop .

There’s a familiarity to the neighborhood as the driver turns off of Milwaukee Avenue onto a side street. I recognize the corner building from years ago.

“Something caught your eye?” he asks from beside me. I stiffen at the deep tenor of his voice.

“That building is familiar,” I say, leaning back into my seat. My suitcase has been tucked into the back, but I hug my purse to my chest. Orange hues are peaking on the horizon. The sun will be up soon.

“You’ve been there?” he asks but doesn’t turn to see which building I’m talking about.

“When I was little.”

“You lived around here then?”

I eye him silently for a long moment. “So many questions,” I say, throwing his words back at him. I may have been brought up to know my place, but that doesn’t mean I can’t push boundaries.

His mouth kicks up at the edges.

He leans closer to me. I can smell the musk of his cologne. It’s not thick and suffocating like some men wear; it’s manly, but subtle.

“Rule number one. I ask, you answer.” He stares at me, those blue eyes of his could burn my skin.

I have no idea why I’m here, why he would want to make me marry him. And until I do, it’s best to walk a cautious line.

“We did. Probably a few blocks from here. I was very little; I don’t remember exactly.”

“But you remember that building?”

“My mother took me there for Polish school on the weekends.” I remember our house, but I don’t tell him that. Walking down memory lane from such a carefree time in my life doesn’t bring me joy. It’s just a reminder of what was taken from me, from my mother.

“Polish school?” His eyebrows quirk upward. “Your parents didn’t teach you to speak it?” From his accent, I can tell he’s a native speaker.

“My mother didn’t speak Polish, so it was hard. My father worked so much he was rarely home. I can understand better than I can speak it,” I explain and look back out the window.

“Your mother’s not Polish then?” he asks, but I get the sense he already knows. He doesn’t strike me as a man who doesn’t know everything before moving forward with a deal. And taking me as his wife is nothing but a business maneuver, I’m sure.

“She was. My grandfather migrated from Poland, but my grandmother grew up here in Chicago. They never taught her the language,” I answer, not giving him more. I’m not in the mood to discuss my family history. “Are we almost at your house?” I ask, shifting the bag in my lap. My cell phone buzzes from the front pocket and I pull it out.

“No. We’re making a quick stop then we’ll head home. It’s about a half hour drive once we get on the highway.” He leans further over to me as I swipe my phone alive. “Don’t.” He puts his hand over my screen. His touch is warm when he covers my hand with his.

I bring my gaze up to his. He’s not looking at my phone, but at me.

“Don’t what? It’s just a girl from the party, making sure I got home all right.”

“Not yet.” He easily pulls my phone from my grip and tucks it inside his blazer.

“She’s just a friend,” I say, putting my hand out. I want my phone. I haven’t done anything to warrant him taking it away. I haven’t even fought this stupid notion of us getting married.

“I know that.” He pulls his own phone out and taps away on the screen.

The car slows and then pulls to the side of the street, parking in front of a three-flat. A single light is on in the front window of the garden apartment. The driver gets out of the car and walks quietly to the building. Dominik continues his tapping on his damn phone. A shadow, then two, appear in the window, then within a minute later, the driver is back outside walking to the car, tucking a thick envelope into his jacket. The light goes out in the apartment.

“Did he have it?” Dominik asks without looking up from his phone when the driver gets back inside.

“Every penny.”

“See.” Dominik tucks his phone away. “With the right incentive, they find the money. Have Janusz bring the wife home. I want her back here within the hour,” he orders and my mouth dries.

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