Ch 4: The Deal Between Old Friends

[--Kaiser Volkov--]

I wanted her gone. But three days after her arrival here, I was able to gather my team to ask some questions on what we should do. I told them she got my last name wrong. She was dizzy. They believed it and that was good enough for me.

But when it came to the topic of her, they all agreed that she must have been running from an abusive situation, and sending her back would be cruel. I gritted my teeth throughout the entire meeting. The collective conclusion was that we offered her a place to stay until she could make other arrangements.

I had no choice but to offer to take her in because with how much anger she aimed my way, I had no doubt she’d expose me and I could lose everything. Every fucking thing I’ve worked for.

The group agreed but the only thing left was to talk Esmarie into it. Her twins, by the way, and the most adorable babies I’ve ever seen. I’m not a baby kind of guy. I had to contact a healer because her bruises were so bad she needed a second surgery. My heart did hurt for her. She says I abandoned. And she looks like the last few years have been hell on earth.

I don’t want to revisit that. The past is where it needs to be. The healer was able to cure her internal issues, and many more, and by the morning of the fourth day we moved her from the hospital to my house. She did not take it well. She literally begged Will to give her a bush, that she’d rather live there. Unbelievable.

I gave her the downstairs bedroom because it came with an empty space where Will had installed a large crib for two, and some other baby stuff. I don’t know. Thankfully the children were asleep right now, and I could speak to their mother alone.

Esmarie was always the most beautiful girl. Even with the purple bruises on her skin, she filled out the blue jeans and gray t-shirt I gave her to wear. Her eyes were the light green shade they’ve always been. Stunning, and you could get lost in them.

I used to, but I’ve moved past that.

And with the way she’s glaring I’m thinking so has she.

“We need to lay some ground rules.”

“Great. You want me to put out?”

I was appalled by her words. I waited for her to say something like she was joking, but she looked like she genuinely thought I would sleep with her in order for her kids to have a home. I am not that kind of fuck boy.

“Um, gross. No, I would never want that. Not now, not ever. I mean rules to make sure we don’t kill each other. I don’t want you here-”

“You’ve stated that many times,” she grumbled.

“Yes, I need you to remember that. You cannot tell anyone my real last name. Don’t even call me Kaiser. Just use Kai like everyone else. Our past stays there. I’m sure you have things you would rather keep to yourself. Like who the father of those kids is, and I would like to continue enjoying my life.”

Her eyes seemed to twitch a little but she gave me a curt nod.

“Okay, you can’t work now. The healer said for the next six months you need to preserve your energy, take your medication, and nurse your children. So we will make a system. I’ll give you one of my credit cards, and a monthly allowance.”

“I can’t just take your hand out. I have to do something.”

“I was getting to that. I’m always working-” excluding times when I’m fucking. “If you can clean, make a meal, and organize my schedule then consider the monthly payment of your salary.”

She thought about it. “I do like to organize.”

“I know. You were the only girl in the pack with an organized collection of Russian tea dolls.”

“That’s because people kept breaking theirs. Like a bunch of idiots.”

I almost smiled at that. She got passionate about the wildest of things. Again, we met because she wanted to save a large grizzly bear.

I contained myself. She whipped her head around, flipping her curly hair over her shoulders. It had gotten longer like she hadn’t had a chance to get a haircut.

“So, if I do all that, how much will you give me?”

“Fifty grand.”

“Fifty?”

“You won’t be able to spend it all, it’s an expensive pack but liveable because I’m not a monster. Over time, you’ll save up what you don’t spend. And in a year you should be able to afford a nice place away from me.”

“Away from this pack you mean?” she folded her arms. “Well, I’m not mad about that. I don’t want to be here either. Can we buy some parenting books? I don’t know what to do. And you have to help me out.”

I frowned. “No, no, children are not for me. I can’t take care of them, and most importantly, I don’t want to.”

“Wow, I see how becoming a pack leader has made you into a total asshole. You will pull your weight or you’re going to be up all night to the sound of crying, pooping babies.”

I flinched as she hissed at me. Then she turned around and left.

“Leave the card and a list of what you think we might need for taking care of children. You offered to keep me here, so you better offer to help me. It’s so nice to see you again, Kaiser. And remember, if you say no.... I might just speak to my new friend Elias about how a kid from a low-rank pack suddenly appeared here. I may not know everything, but I promise to fuck you over with a lie.” she blew me a kiss, winked, and walked out of the kitchen.

My jaw dropped. Fuck, I don’t want to take care of children. I’m losing my fucking mind. I sighed and rubbed my face. It’s fine. If I help out and speed up her healing, she’ll be gone in eight months. Or I could have allowed her to go with Elias. Fucking prick bought her a phone, then offered her a place in his pack. Thank goodness he made the dumb mistake of passing the message through me.

Fucking hell. Just yesterday my life was perfect. Now Esmarie is here. Why... why would she come all this way? The obvious is she was in an abusive relationship, I wonder how long it took for my family to kick her out. They’re not exactly the kindest of people.

Well whoever did this to her, at least she got away from him. And if in six months I can’t stand having her here, I’ll swallow my pride and ask Elias to take her in. I just really don’t want to be around her.

I glanced at the liquor cabinet. Yes, that’s what I need. Some alcohol.