Captivated by the deadly mafia boss

Nicole

“You should be resting.” The home nurse, Ratched-or whatever her name is-frowns when she sees me shuffling toward the kitchen.

I put my hand up. “I’m fine. Relax.”

She sits back into the recliner in the living room with a deep crease in her forehead.

While the bruises and cuts are healing well, my bruised ribs are giving me more trouble. But I’ve been stuck in the bedroom for three days now, and I can’t stand another minute of it. The doctor said not to lie around in order to keep from creating other troubles, but movement is hard. Especially with the Nurse Ratched insisting she do everything for me.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

“Has my husband called?” I ask while opening the fridge.

Jakub hasn’t been home since I was brought home from the hospital. He’d been by my room and told me he hired home care for me because he had some things to take care of. It’s been three days and I haven’t heard a word from him.

When I woke up in the hospital, he was there, looking worn and tired and so worried I felt guilty for it. He smiled when I said his name, and when he touched my cheek, the warmth of his hand against my skin spread through my entire body. It was like I was being lifted up with just his simple touch.

I tried to apologize, but he wouldn’t let me talk. He just shook his head, kissed my forehead, and told me to rest.

“No, but a package arrived for you. It’s on the counter.” She waves her hand to the kitchen island. “Do you want me to make you something to eat?” She starts to get up.

“Thanks, no. I can do it. Really. I’m not sure what they want you to do babysitting me like this.” I keep my voice light. She’s overbearing, but it’s her job. She’s just trying to help.

I find the thick envelope on the counter she’s talking about and pull it closer. I tear into it. Several documents are bound together with a rubber band and a note card on top.

* * *

Nicole. I’m keeping my word. The danger’s gone now, you’re free. A courier will be by to pick these up in the morning. Once I have everything filed, your settlement will be transferred to your bank account. Stay at the apartment for as long as you want. Nora will help you find another job if you want or keep working. I’ll give you all the space you need.

-J

* * *

My vision blurs from tears flooding my eyes. I suck in a heavy breath, but nothing comes, so I suck it in again.

“Mrs. Staszek? Are you all right?” The nurse hurries from the living room to where I’m hunched over the kitchen island.

He’s leaving me.

Left me.

He’s gone.

The documents are divorce papers, a settlement package. I shove them all away from me.

It’s my fault.

I’ve ruined everything.

And now I’ve lost him.

“Oh.” The nurse puts down the note card after reading it. “Here, let’s sit down.” She pulls out one of the kitchen stools and helps me to sit down. “It’s all right. Don’t worry.” She runs her hand in circles on my back.

“It’s not all right,” I say, grabbing the notecard again and rereading it. He’s given me exactly what I said I wanted.

Only I don’t want it anymore.

My temper tantrum the night of the opening was just that, a tantrum. I was acting from anger, from confusion over everything I had been feeling. Because I don’t want to be apart from him.

Not ever.

“Where’s my phone?” I ask.

“The house phone?”

“No, my phone,” I demand with an open hand. I haven’t seen it since I got home. Lena’s been by a few times with Kasia; neither of them said anything to me about this. None of them said Jakub was doing this.

They must have thought I was such a stupid woman.

“I don’t think your phone is here. Mr. Staszek didn’t give it to me,” the nurse tells me.

I touch my temples, reminding myself to breathe, staying calm will get me through this.

I shove the papers away. No fucking way I’m signing those.

“I need a car. Can you do that? Did Jakub leave someone to drive me?” I get off the stool. I need to find him.

He’s probably at the club; I’ll go there first.

“No, Mrs. Staszek. He said you weren’t going anywhere; you are supposed to stay home and rest.”

“Well, that’s not happening. Call me a cab.” I stop, clench my jaw. “No, no. Get one of the guys downstairs to come up here. Tell them they need to drive me somewhere.”

She looks at the elevator and pales slightly.

“They won’t hurt you. Just tell them to figure out who’s driving. I’ll be down in ten minutes.”

“All right.” She goes to the elevator while I start the painful task of climbing the stairs.

I need a shower first. My arm will need a new bandage, but I can do it quickly. I can’t wait around here for Jakub to come home, because obviously he’s not willing to do that.

* * *

Jakub is at Lena’s condo.

Nora didn’t want to tell me at first, but she wasn’t too hard to convince.

“He’s being stupid. He’s at his sister’s.” Nora dug out the address for me and thrust it forward. “Just don’t tell him I snitched. He’s been a real bastard these past few days. Probably because he’s trying to convince himself he’s doing the right thing.” She frowned. “Which he’s not. You know that, right? You two need each other.”

I took the address from her. “I fucked up, Nora.”

She shrugged. “Who hasn’t. He’s stubborn. You have to be more so.”

Once I knew where he was, I made his soldier take me straight to Lena and Micah’s condo.

“Did you talk to him?” I ask the driver. He’s a young guy. Probably drew the short straw and that’s how he got stuck with me.

“No, ma’am. I didn’t tell him you were coming.”

I look at him once more. “Maybe go park. I could be a while.” I climb out of the car, wincing at the pain in my ribs, and head for the entrance.

Micah is walking across the lobby when I enter through the rotating doors. His immediate reaction is a scowl.

“Nicole.” He hurries to me. “What are you doing out?” He looks me over. “You’re still hurting.”

“Is he up there?” Of course I’m hurting, but it’s not the physical pain sucking the life from my heart.