Page 47 of Destroyer

“To say that my operations in England are run by my grandson.” Andrei gives me a very blunt answer.

“What if I don't want it?”

“I am sure you have questions and feel a little daunted at this time. I promise you that by the time we arrive, you will have had time to accept this offer.”

“I-” The phone cuts off and my grandfather is gone.

My throat feels dry and tight at the thought of seeing my Romanian relatives.

I remember which buttons to press to find the contacts in my phone, but I can't see any that look like Caeo's name.

As an unknown number calls, it takes up all of the screen and in my haste to get rid of it, I manage to answer the call.

“Hello. Caeo?”

“No, Carter,” the caller corrects me.

“What? How do you have number?”

It's not a leap to conclude Christian gave my number to Andrei, but Carter shouldn't even want my number.

“I'm just letting you know that I was impressed by the guy you took out to save my name. Carter speaks very highly of you. I've wired you a back payment for unpaid child support, the first of many I assure you.”

“No. Not be paying me.” The tightness spreads to my chest and I can't breathe, but getting up is much harder than getting down here.

This isn’t about Paul Newman. This is about Andrei Balen putting me in charge of all of his UK operations. Suddenly knowing me sounds good.

“It is money you would have been owed had I known about you before now.”

“Thank you. I is… am… working. I am working right now, but I am thanking you for calling.” I do the hanging up this time.

I need Caeo.

His name has to be in my phone. He was so adamant I had the phone so I could call him, he had to have checked his number was in my phone book.

Another unknown number flashes across my screen. This is why I didn't want to have a bloody phone in the first place.

“If you are not Mr Caeo, I will be cutting your head off and selling you to the Russians for parts.” I scream at the phone and hang up.

My phone book reappears on the screen, and I recognise Porter's name. I call him, knowing for certain he will have Caeo's number.

“Hello?” Porter answers my call.

“This is Nico. My number you must save.”

“Are you OK? You sound upset.”

“Good, for I am the sicopop who does not feel these.”

“Now I know something is really wrong.”

“Not did I do it, but it has all gone wrong. I need Caeo but not can I find him in my phone. He is the name of many circles, and it is not there. Yours he did show me with the willie, and so I need your help.”

“Breath, Nico. All I understood was help, do you need me to come over?”

“I need you to be calling Caeo and tell him I am needing him. Not have I set fire to the house and the door is not open.”

Screwing my eyes tight helps the spinning world around me, but I can't seem to catch my breath. “Caeo is going to throw me out for sure for this. Please tell him not to throw me out.”

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