Well, he didn't kill her boss so that should probably be considered a win in this situation. But even if he had, what could she do? There was close to nothing when it came to her alternatives. Going against the mafia wasn't an option. She cared about others, but Aiden was her family and she wouldn’t jeopardize his safety for anyone else. If that made her selfish, then so be it. He was hers and even though she wasn't his mother, he sometimes acted as if she were. Maybe that's because he didn't really remember their real mother, or maybe he just preferred to think otherwise. Whatever the reason family was family. Especially if you're the only two left.
After a while, they arrived at their destination - a cheap-looking set of apartments spread on two open floors. It really looked like one of the worst motels. It was one of those seedy places men with beer guts went to bang other men's wives with promises they couldn't afford to keep. Where the hookers brought their johns. Weeds grew through the cracks in the concrete path and the litter from cheap take-out meals were strewn across it. There were external metal stairs that lead to a second floor, the second row of doors, that looked like the building inspector was either bribed to pass it or drunk on the job. At least two screaming matches going on in separate rooms, and the cars in the lot wouldn't have been out of place in a wrecker's yard.
But this was all Savannah could afford right now. She paid a lot for Aiden's preschool because she wanted him to get the education that he needed. That half of her earnings were spent on it didn't matter. She never had the possibility to develop her skills and intelligence herself, and to compensate for it, she focused on giving her brother the best.
She looked at Elio who was staring at the building with disgust. A rich boy like him could never understand the concept of money. It was just a taken for granted addition to his thrilling, over the top life, while for Savannah it was what kept her life a little better than that of all those homeless people, searching for food in dumpsters and begging for everything.
She was done begging for anything. It never worked with her father to stop abusing her, and it didn't work when she tried to stop her mother from leaving.
She quickly shook off those memories.
"Thanks," she whispered and opened the door. She didn't want to hear any bad things about this place. She knew everything that was wrong with it, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. And telling him about her situation wasn't an option. Pity was the worst kind of expression and she saw it way too often on people's faces. However, she seriously doubted Elio was even capable of such feelings. He didn't show any to Hunter.
"Why do you live here? Hunter must pay you better than this," he said turning Savannah's suspicions into reality.
She shrugged and got out, closing the doors quickly. She could hear Elio getting out of the car, but she wasn't brave enough to look at him. Instead, she pulled out a paper bag full of leftover food from the diner and came up to the old man sitting on a chair by his apartment doors.
His name was Frank. He was an eighty-year-old war veteran who in a matter of months lost his leg, wife, and house. Drowning in debts, he couldn't afford to live anywhere else. Savannah took care of him the best she could. Since he could barely walk, she brought him food if there was any, did his shopping, and sometimes even kept him company if she had time. He was a sweet man; wise and respectful. And for Savannah, he was almost like a grandfather. He even waited for her to come back home each time she had a late shift; making sure that she was alright.
Savannah smiled at the man, coming closer. However, his eyes were on the person behind her. It was weird since she had never hung out with anyone, let alone let someone drive her. And one look at Elio and you could see that he was trouble.
"Hi, Frank. You shouldn't have waited for me," she said, trying to shift his attention to her. Away from the possibility of Frank asking uncomfortable questions that she couldn't answer.
"I always wait. That's not going to change no matter how late you're going to come," he explained, bestowing the warmest smile upon her. "I guess I know the answer to why you were late," he added quieter.
Savannah shook her head, knowing what he must have been thinking. "It's not like that. I had a late closing hour today and I didn't catch the last bus."
The man didn't look convinced but nodded, ending the topic. He sent a curious look Elio's way, then took the bag from the girl's hand. "Thank you for that."
"You're very welcome. It's probably already cold so you will have to put it in a microwave or something."
Then she waved at the man and moved towards the stairs to the second floor. She could feel Elio's eyes on her still. Why hadn't he left yet? She really didn't want him to know which apartment was hers. However, it seemed like the man wouldn't leave until she was inside. With a long sigh, she stopped at the right doors. Fumbling with the key, she opened them, going inside.
She greeted her nanny, Kate, thanking her for staying longer. Thankfully the girl was only eighteen and didn't mind late hours. She needed money too and liked Aiden so it wasn't torture for her anyway.
"I have an early shift tomorrow so you don't have to come," Savannah said. It was a lie. She was supposed to work in the afternoon but
