Page 103 of The Fallen Man
“What?” She looked familiar and Caitlin tried to remember where they had met.
“Whatever made you break up with Jackson, he’ll apologize for and then you will make up. Hi. I’m Jackson’s cousin, Dominique.”
“Dominique Deveraux,” said Caitlin, finally putting the full name together. “He calls you Nika.”
If only he’d said her full name, Caitlin might have put everything together earlier. Before he broke her into a million pieces.
“Yes,” agreed Dominique. “And we were hoping that you could take it back.”
“Take what back?”
“The break up. Just… retract it.”
“Do you know who I am?”
“You’re listed as Katie S.C. in his address book.”
“You looked at his phone?” Caitlin was shocked.
“Yes. Jacks thinks he’s very clever, but he can’t really handle all of us.”
“All of us?” Caitlin felt like the entire conversation was surreal. Dominique Deveraux could not be standing in her doorway telling her to un-break up with Jackson.
“Aiden and Evan and I. We’re his family.”
“I’m aware of the Deveraux family,” snapped Caitlin. Dominique’s eyebrows raised. “Why are you here?”
“Well, I have been designated to address the problem,” said Dominique.
“The problem of our break up?” Caitlin found herself wheezing out a shocked chuckle.
“Yes. It’s a problem. But we think we can fix it.”
“No,” said Caitlin and swung the door shut.
Dominique put her foot into the door way, blocking the swing.
“He’ll apologize. Whatever he did, he’ll undo it. He’ll fix it. Just stop being stubborn.”
“My dad’s dead,” said Caitlin. “I don’t really think he can fix that.” Dominique was silent, which Caitlin guessed was a rare event. “Didn’t really talk to him about this before you came over, did you? Maybe next time you’ll mind your own fucking business.”
She went to swing the door shut again, but Dominique blocked it with her hand.
“He killed your dad?”
Caitlin stared at Dominique. She couldn’t believe that hadn’t been the end of the conversation.
“I don’t really think Jackson or your lawyers would want you to be here,” said Caitlin. “You should leave.”
“My lawyer is my brother, so whatever. Answer the question. What the fuck happened? We can’t fix it if you don’t talk to me.”
Caitlin burst out laughing. “You’re going to fix it? You’ll just wave your magic wand and make everything better? Is that whatDeverauxes do?”
“Well, usually we fuck things up first.”
“Yeah, like my life. Go away.”
“He loves you,” said Dominique, still pushing on the door.
