Page 18 of Captivated By Him

“He thinks I turned him in.” I shrug. “Which of course I didn’t.” I add this quick because even though I don’t know much of Jakub’s family business, I know the connections they have suggest he’s fully aware of what happens to people who turn to the cops.

“So, they’re looking for you because they think you ratted?”

“I don’t know. Henry was still delusional about us being together; maybe he’s just looking for me because of that. He was released on bail.”

Jakub stares at me, his brain flying a million miles a minute with ideas on how to fix this for me.

“Jakub, I know you think you can just step in here and do something, but you know as well as I do you can’t. If you get involved, it will seem like the Staszek family is interfering in Kaczmarek business, which could mean bad things for your family.”

His brow lifts.

“What exactly do you know about the Kaczmarek family? Or mine?” There’s that dominating tone again.

“Enough to know you and me were never going to work out.”

His eyes narrow. “Five years ago? Why?”

“Because my father worked for the Kaczmareks. My being involved with a Staszek could have gotten him in some serious trouble.”

“Is that why you left?” His voice raises with surprise. “You thought your daddy would get in trouble with his boss?”

“He wasn’t tied to them with blood, Jakub. He was hired muscle. It wouldn’t have looked good.”

He throws his head back and laughs like I’ve just told him the funniest joke he’s ever heard. “If he was a low-level muscle, they probably wouldn’t have given a shit. Why didn’t you just tell me this five years ago?”

I shrug. “I was leaving anyway, Jakub. Dad got called back to New York and I wasn’t going to let him go on his own.”

“Why not?”

I shake my head. I’ve answered enough questions. “It doesn’t matter. Look, I’m sorry they were here looking for me, but I don’t think they’ll come back.”

He stares at me in silence. “Maybe it’s not such a good idea you living by yourself right now,” he says.

“How do you know I live alone?” I demand.

“Because I do.” He’s not going to expand his statement.

“Well, I’m perfectly safe at my apartment. I don’t need you or anyone else to help me, Jakub. I’m serious. Leave it be.”

“I don’t think it’s safe,” he argues.

“It’s not up to you,” I remind him, raising my chin. I’m not giving in here and he has to know that. I’m not the sort to back down just because he gets all fierce glare-y at me.

After a long pause he wipes his hand across his mouth.

“Fine. But at least let me have someone drive you home.”

My feet are throbbing, and I’ve been dreading the walk home, so I’m not going to pass this up.

“If it makes you happy, fine.”

He raises an eyebrow like he can see right through me, and he probably can. “Go get your stuff, I’ll have the car out front in a minute.”

I smile. “Thank you, that would be nice.”

He shakes his head. “Don’t for one second think we’re done talking about all of this.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, Jakub. I remember how stubborn you can be.”

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