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I took a moment to think it over, then nodded. “Yeah, okay. Let’s do it.”
“Great. We can use my computer.”
He extended his hand to help me up and we headed off to hide my bonus from Aleks. Maybe it was wrong, but in reality, it felt like I was doing the right thing for a change. It was like Zane said, it wasmymoney.
Chapter Nine
Zane
SeeingKatyaupsetwhenshe should have been happy bothered me more than I expected it to. I didn’t know this Aleks character, but he sounded like a real piece of work. On the way back to my room, I put on my best poker face so Katya wouldn’t see how upset I was. I got the feeling she needed someone to be strong for her for a change.
How could a grown-ass man take every cent she made and leave her with nothing?I couldn’t wrap my head around it. Katya should be doing cartwheels over an extra 5k, not hiding in the ice room crying. The protective side of me would love to teach this Aleks guy a lesson about how we treat women in America, but I’m smart enough to know it wouldn’t help. In fact, it would probably make her situation worse.
I put those thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand, protecting her money. In the short time I have known her, I could tell how good of a person she was. Most women, or people in general for that matter, would never have spoken to me again after the way I treated her the first day I met her. But not Katya. She put her feelings aside to help me out. Both with my hangover and with Kenlee. I didn’t know how she ended up with such a controlling asshole, but I was going to do whatever I could to help her. It was my turn to do the right thing.
Sloan was in my room watching Kenlee while I went to the dinner with Harry. She looked at me strangely and quickly left. Always cool, she didn’t ask us any questions though.
I went straight to my computer when we got to the room. It only took a few minutes to set up the account and Katya was amazed.
“I don’t know how to thank you for doing this,” she said as I handed her the slip of paper with all her bank information written down on it. “It is so nice to know I have a safety net that Aleks can’t touch. If only I could put part of my paycheck in without him knowing.”
“It was no problem, Katya. I’m glad to help. You work hard and you deserve that money. So does your son. Now, if you will excuse me for one second, I am just going to go peek my head in and check on Kenlee. I am not used to her sleeping so soundly.”
Before I could fully stand up, she stopped me. “Please, let me check on her. It is the least I can do.”
I sat back down at my desk and stared at my computer. I was glad I helped her set up the account, but I felt like there was more I could do. Since I couldn’t beat the crap out of the controlling asshole boyfriend without causing her more problems, I decided I could help out with her account. I matched the 5k bonus money with an additional $5,000 of my own. Once it was complete, I leaned back in my chair with a small sense of relief. 10k may not be much in the big scheme of things, but it was enough for her and Luca to live off of for a while whenever she hopefully decided to leave that loser. I knew it wasn’t my business, but now that she’d told me about this horrible relationship she was trapped in, I couldn’t help but want to know more about her story.
After twenty minutes, Katya returned looking more relaxed than I’d ever seen her. It was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders and I guessed in a way, one had.
Not wanting to scare her by jumping straight into a game of Twenty Questions, I started off by asking, “Is Kenlee okay? You were gone for a while.”
Smiling, Katya went to sit down on my sofa. “Oh yes, she’s fine. She’d just woken up and needed her diaper changed, so I took care of it and put her back to bed. She’s sleeping like an angel now.”
Relieved and grateful for Katya’s unending kindness, all I could say was, “Thank you. It probably would’ve taken me an hour to get her back down. We’re both indebted to you.”
She waved off my gratitude and said it was no big deal. Katya was so polite and respectful that she asked if it is okay if she stays for a little while to gather her thoughts before heading home. This was perfect since I had questions I wanted to ask her, so I quickly responded with, “Of course. Take all the time you need. I’m going to pour myself a glass of wine. Would you care for one?”
I could tell she was thinking it over but finally declared, “Yes. You know what? A glass of wine sounds lovely. I could use one after today.”
“Good. I will be right back,” I told her as I left to retrieve the wine.
“Red or white?” I yelled from the kitchen.
“Red please,” she yelled back.
When I returned, we sat in silence for a moment before I got the courage to start asking questions. This young woman intrigued me and I wanted to know more. She was beautiful and kind.How did she get trapped in a bad relationshipwith a jerk, I wondered.
“So, Katya, where are you from? I have a pretty good idea from your accent, but I don’t want to be presumptuous.”
Setting down her wine she looked into my eyes and very quietly said, “Russia.”
She had a look in her eye that told me her memories of home were probably a mixture of good and bad. Trying to lighten her mood, I laughed and said, “Yes, I was right. I’m not as stupid as I thought.” This made her laugh, and I was grateful. I somehow doubted she had a lot of laughter in her life, but then again, neither did I.
“That’s cool. I have always wanted to visit Russia, but tell me, how in the world did you end up in Montana? You’re so young. Is the rest of your family here as well?” I asked.
Katya’s face sank, and she looked away.
“Oh, I’m sorry if I asked too much,” I quickly added. “I didn’t want to offend you. I was just curious, that’s all. Please forgive me. I didn't mean to pry.”
