06

CAITLIN

I've had it.

"Keep looking at me like that and I'll rip your eyeballs out." I snapped at the very same man who had been staring at me for the longest time.

I would much rather have a gun pointed in my face than his lustful, disgusting eyes practically eating me up.

We were in the back of a van. The air was thick with tension and the pervert was sitting directly opposite me. A mischievous grin formed on his thin lips and his tongue flicked out to move in one circular motion. My face scrunched up in revulsion.

Maybe I should bark at him?

"You sick-" I got up completely ready to throw my hands at his stupid face but Micah grabbed my arm and sat me back down. I looked at him with a fuming scowl but he just gave me a warning look.

"Leave me, Micah." I demanded trying to get out of his grip. I wanted to tear his face off.

"Control her before I do it myself." The creep muttered with a smirk and winked at me. A shiver of disgust spiralled through me and my face turned into the hardest glare I could muster. I thought of every single hurtful thing I wanted to do to him.

"Yurik - you better control your boy before I break his neck. Also, I don't understand why she has to even be here. She has nothing to do with this." Micah bellowed at the silver haired man who sat there twirling a small knife between his fingertips.

He looked at Micah with a blank expression.

"She can help pay off your debt."

My body tensed and my blood ran cold at what he was insinuating.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Micah asked, his voice hard and cold. Yurik glared at Micah but didn't bother responding.

His attention switched to the knife in his hands.

"What the fuck man? She's innocent!" Micah was persistent as his face turned worried. I could see him regret every single bad choice he's ever made.

"Look, I know what happened wasn't your fault.

I'm trying to fucking help you here but you're being a pain in my ass." Yurik snapped, his fingers professionally twisting the knife around speedily. Help him? How the fuck? "If you think you're going to sell off my sister just to pay my dumb debt, you can suck my-" At the speed of lightning Yurik jumped up and grabbed Micah by the collar of his jacket. He pressed the tip of his knife against the base of his throat and I gasped, my hands instantly going out to stop him.

"You remember who the fuck you're talking to, Micah. You and I are friends but you and my brother are not and he won't hesitate to put a bullet in your skull. This one," He pointed at me with the knife. "She's your get out of trouble ticket so shut the fuck up and stop pissing me off." He growled and pushed Micah away harshly.

Micah opened his mouth to say something but I pinched his thigh. He needed to listen and be quiet.

"And you," he turned around to the man that was still staring at me. "Lower your fucking eyes and stop making her uncomfortable before I kill you myself. " Yurik said glaring at him and gave him a hard hit on the head. "I should get rid of you."

I couldn't understand but I guess he told him to leave me alone because he instantly looked away and mumbled something.

"Pavlo says sorry." Yurik said but I couldn't respond. Pavlo needs to die.

My body was frozen and a turmoil formed in my mind - were they going to sell me?

He sat down and took a deep breath in before looking at me. "Don't worry, it's not what you think. We're not going to hurt you." He assured and the tension in my shoulders disappeared. I knew I couldn't trust them but I couldn't help but feel somewhat slightly relaxed.

"Then why-"

"Micah! Can you stop? You're going to get us killed." I yelled at my brother. I swear if they didn't kill him, I would eventually.

"We don't kill women unless they're a witness."

Pavlo murmured in his thick accent and my eyes widened. Am I a witness? Micah scoffed from besides me.

Yurik seemed to be younger than the two but I could tell that he was in charge. How did they expect me to help Micah get out of his debt?

Who was this brother he spoke of and was he really as heartless as they made him out to be?

Of course he was, it's the fucking mafia.

The van finally came to a halt and that's when my hands began to shake with nerves. I was always confident - I was always in control but this, this was absolutely terrifying.

The door slid open and Yurik grabbed onto my forearm, dragging me out the van and onto the gravel. The ground crunched underneath my sneakers as my head spun around, taking a good look. I could see the whole city from where we stood.

It was dark but there were lights surrounding the gigantic house enough for me to see the two men carrying large guns walking around the perimeter.

"Don't even think about running unless you want to be chased by a Rottweiler." Yurik threatened lowering his head. He was so close I could smell his cologne and see the tattoo behind his ear. I squinted before my face dropped.

Very familiar tattoo.

"I wasn't going to." I retorted but bit my tongue when he looked at me amused. I had to remind myself that they were currently in charge.

"Good." He gave a cheeky smile and continued leading me to the front door. I turned to look at Micah and he was being escorted by the other two men, a permanent dirty look on his face.

This is very weird.

"Listen, whatever this is - I'm not selling my ass.

You can rather just kill me." I stated looking up at his jaw. No way in hell.

"Relax, sweetheart. We don't do that over here, you'll only sell your pussy." He responded and my face turned completely horrified. Yurik laughed at my expression and I gaped at him trying to thrash out of his hold.

"You-"

"I'm kidding." He quickly added and shook his head. "I known Micah and even though he's dumb as fuck - I don't want to see him die when I know he wasn't at fault." Yurik explained. He greeted the tall man at the door with a nod and moved his hand to the small of my back, guiding me.

"However, that's not how my brother thinks and I'm taking a huge ass risk here so you better be fucking grateful. If he sees that we can use you two to make more money, he'll let Micah live.

And that's what you want, right?" Yurik asked looking down at me seriously. I swallowed my words and hesitantly nodded. Of course that's what I wanted.

"What do you mean by'make more money'?" I asked curiously.

"Work for us."

That's very ominous.

I turned my head to throw a deadly glare at Micah. I wanted to strangle him.

"Couldn't this wait until the morning?" I muttered quietly looking down at my too big sweater and loose shorts. Nothing made sense.

Especially the way Yurik was treating me. I expected to be tossed around and yelled at considering who and what they are.

We walked through the modern foyer and I knew straightaway that it wasn't a home. It was empty, large and...just void. There was hardly any furniture and an echo bounced off the white walls. If it wasn't for the circumstances I would've been in awe.

We were led downstairs and into a concrete basement. It looked like an interrogation room that was recently cleaned spotless. The smell of bleach still lingered in the air and my nose scrunched up at the scent.

"Stop. That's adorable." Yurik said looking down at me with a small smirk and my face fell.

You stop.

"Stop flirting with my sister." Micah threatened and shrugged his arms out the two men's hold.

Yurik turned to him.

"Do you want me to flirt with you instead, sweetheart?" Yurik snapped back and cocked an eyebrow. Micah's eyes widened before he cleared his throat and looked away. Yurik bit back a smile and I looked at them both in confusion. Even with him literally threatening to end Micah's life back at my place, he seemed to have a soft spot for my brother.

"What the actual fuck is going on?" I whispered to myself, not expecting an answer but I was sure no one was going to give me one.

"Wait here - have a seat. I'll go call my brother." Yurik instructed and gestured for me to sit down at the table. I nodded and sat down alongside Micah - absolutely dreading meeting the 'boss'

He left the room and shut the door behind him, immediately I turned to Micah who appeared to be just as nervous as I was.

"I don't want to hear it, Caitlin. I already know." He shut my rambling off and I pressed my lips into a tight line. I crossed my arms on the table and buried my face in it, bouncing my knee.

My head was starting to throb and I winced in pain. The entire day had been exhausting since the second I woke up and I was starting to feel the effects of it.

I should be at home sipping on my wine.

The door opened but I kept my head down, willing the ache to stop.

"I don't understand why he's still breathing, Yurik." A very familiar voice growled out and a cold shiver travelled through me. My entire body stilled and goosebumps formed on my skin. I know that voice. I sat on that voice.

I have now resorted to manual breathing.

"He's-"

"Who the fuck is that?" Dominic asked, his accented voice deep and husky. Oh God. I heard footsteps approach me.

"Is she sleeping or what?" Yurik asked before a pinch landed on my arm and I jumped up with a yelp. My first instinct was to pinch him back but he swiftly dodged it, laughing at me in the process. I scowled at him.

"Dick." I whispered, rubbing the sore area with a frown. I froze when I realised how deadly silent the room had suddenly become. My eyes landed on Dominic and he was staring right back at me with the angriest glare.

My heart was throbbing in my chest as I received flashbacks from just three nights ago.

He looked different- instead of his suit he was dressed in a plain black hoodie and grey sweats.

Dominic looked between me and Micah before averting the glare to Yurik who was busy smiling sheepishly.

"What is this?" Dominic asked roughly taking a step towards Yurik who backed away and raised his hands. Even he looked scared.

"Don't get mad at me, Domo. She's Micah's sister and I just thought-"

"What? That Micah will get some sort of immunity just because-" Dominic stopped himself from finishing the sentence. He looked at me slowly before narrowing his eyes suspiciously. I gulped. What is he thinking?

"You two, get out. I want to speak to Caitlin alone." He demanded pointing to Micah and Yurik before nudging his thumb towards the door.

"I don't remember telling you her name." Yurik taunted crossing his arms.

"You're fucking insane if you think I'm leaving you alone with my sister." Micah stood up from his chair and planted his palms onto the table.

Big mistake.

The gun was drawn from Dominic's waistband, cocked within a millisecond and pointed towards Micah. Not an ounce of hesitation. "If I'm not mistaken - you shouldn't even be alive right now so I suggest you calm yourself and get the fuck out." He seethed, finger dangerously close to the trigger.

My heart nearly stopped. I was terrified for my brothers life and Dominic looked ready to kill.

"Wait," I stood up. "Its fine, I'll talk to him. Just please go." I practically begged. I could see the contemplation in his eyes before he sighed and left the room, Yurik followed behind him.

"He won't hurt her." I heard Yurik reassure before closing the door. Dominic locked it quickly. He snapped his head into my direction and I gasped when he started stalking towards me.

"What-" He dropped the gun on the table with a loud clatter and wrapped a tattooed hand around the back of my neck, lowering his head to my level. My eyes widened when I saw how cold his expression was.

"Angel, was this your little plan all along?" He asked lowly.

"What do you mean?" I asked in confusion, trying to step back but his grip was firm and unmoving. My lips parted when he tightened his hand and pulled back, making me look up at him.

"You gave me a feel of that sweet pussy so I won't kill your brother." Dominic murmured, but his eyes were softer as he scrutinised every feature on my face.

My breath hitched at the close proximity - despite literally being in the face of danger I couldn't deny how deadly handsome he was.

"Wait. You think I elaborated some sick plan to fuck you so you won't hurt Micah?" I asked narrowing my eyes at him. He moved his hand to my chin, holding it in the tip of his fingers and tilting it upwards.

"It's very convenient that here you are three days later with a man who owes me money." He stated looking at me suspiciously.

"I didn't know about any of this since an hour ago." I defended ripping my chin out of his hold and giving him the dirtiest glare I could muster.

"Oh yeah? Is that why you have a gun next to your bed? The very same bed where I fucked you? Is that why you felt comfortable enough to allow a mere stranger into your home?" His jaw clenched, an unreadable emotion dawdled in his brown eyes. I looked at him appalled and pushed him away roughly.

"I've had enough of this shit. I know how this looks but I didn't ask for any of it so you better believe me." I snapped feeling my irritation start to build up. Dominic stared at me for a few moments, trying to find a hint of a lie but I kept my gaze steady. Eventually he sighed and

"I'm sorry. You're either a really good liar or

you're telling me the truth, angel." He said

softly before glancing down at my bare legs, his

eyes hardening. "Are you cold? I'm going to

fucking kill Yurik. Why would he bring you

here?"

rubbed a hand through his hair.

I frowned at him. This whole family is weird.

"I don't care about that right now. Tell me that you won't hurt Micah."

Dominic didn't say anything.

"Dominic," my voice took on a softer, more pleading tone as I pressed my hands against his chest. "Please tell me that you won't hurt him.

Yurik said that if I work for you I can pay you back and you won't hurt him."

He looked down at my hands and his features softened. "I won't."

"Promise me." I gripped his hoodie in my fists.

"I promise."

I blew out a sigh of relief and instantly it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. The relief was short lived when he spoke again.

"On one condition “