15. Vadim
15
VADIM
The black SUV winds through the suburban streets. Lacey's fingers drum nervously against her thigh, and I catch myself watching the movement instead of the road. Even now, after everything, the smallest gestures from her still captivates me.
"You never told me he has a gun," I say, though I've memorized every detail she shared. The thought of that worthless piece of shit pulling a gun on my pregnant wife makes my blood boil.
"He got desperate once the gambling debts started piling up," Lacey says softly. "And after I confronted him about stealing Dad's medication to sell..."
I grip the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles white. Freddy's debts to Kirsan's casinos are substantial—half a million fucking dollars.
The irony isn't lost on me that I'll need to shelter this parasite in Pankration alongside everyone else I'm protecting. The same man who made my wife feel unwelcome in her own family, and who stole from his sick father.
But Lacey wants to save him, despite everything he's done. And what Lacey wants, she gets.
Even if it means housing her thieving stepbrother under my roof.
I glance at her profile, illuminated in the summer sun. Her hand rests protectively over her belly. The fierce protectiveness I feel watching her threatens to overwhelm me.
"We're almost there," she whispers, and I can hear the tension in her voice. I reach over and take her hand in mine, bringing it to my lips.
"Whatever happens in there, zvyozdochka , I've got you. Both of you."
The yellow two-story house comes into view at the end of the cul-de-sac. I pull the SUV to a stop, watching Lacey's reaction in my peripheral vision. Her breath catches as she takes in the sight of the house.
"Look," she whispers, her fingers tightening around mine. "The roses Mom planted are blooming now."
Rich crimson blooms climb up white lattice work beside the sage green door. The summer sun catches morning dew still clinging to the petals. Six weeks ago when she left, those same roses must've barely started budding in Seattle's endless spring rain.
"There's Freddy's car." Lacey points to a rusted Honda Civic with mismatched panels parked crookedly in the driveway. "He never leaves before noon unless..."
She trails off, but I know what she's thinking. Unless he's desperate enough to start pawning things early in the morning.
And unless Kirsan's men are breathing down his neck about his debts.
I stroke my thumb across her knuckles, feeling the familiar weight of her engagement ring. "Are you sure about this, zvyozdochka? "
"I am." She straightens her spine, though I can see the shimmer of tears in her eyes. "I need to make sure they're safe." She swallows hard. "Even Freddy."
I want to argue that her worthless stepbrother doesn't deserve her compassion. But I know better than to voice that thought. Instead, I lift her hand to my lips and press a kiss to her knuckle before we both step out.
The wooden steps creak under Lacey's feet as we approach the front door. She turns to me, those amber-flecked eyes searching mine.
"Wait here," she says softly. "It's probably best if you don't go inside. Less chance of spooking Freddy."
I nod, though every instinct screams to follow her inside. "I'll be right here if you need me, zvyozdochka ."
She squeezes my hand before pushing open the door. The stench hits me immediately—stale food and neglect thick enough to taste. The sour odor of unwashed dishes mingles with something else, something that reminds me of desperation and decay.
"Dad?" Lacey calls out, her voice echoing in the musty air. "Are you home?"
Thundering footsteps from above, and then he appears on the stairs.
Freddy Huang.
Even without ever seeing a photo, I know it's him. The same bastard who made my wife feel like an outsider in her own family. Who pawned his mother's jewelry. The same useless piece of shit who stole his father's medication.
He freezes mid-step when he spots Lacey inside. Recognition flashes across his face and then twists into a sneer, as if he's got anything to be fucking proud about.
My hands itch to wrap around his throat.
This parasite dared tell my Lacey she didn't belong, when he's the one who disappointed his family at every turn. But I stay rooted in place, watching him through narrowed eyes, wishing he'll give me an excuse to beat him to a fucking pulp.
From inside the house, I hear Freddy's voice as he approaches Lacey.
"Thought you left for good," he says. "What the fuck are you doing back here, Lacey McKinney ?"
The way he spits out her name makes my jaw clench. Through the doorway, I watch him descend the rest of the stairs, his gut hanging over his belt.
"Where's Dad?" Lacey asks, her voice steady despite the tension I can see in her shoulders.
"Oh, here we fucking go." Freddy throws up his hands. "Come to lecture me again? Dad's fine, no thanks to you."
"Listen to me," Lacey says, taking a step forward. "We're in danger. There are people?—"
"We? We're in danger?" Freddy cuts her off with a harsh laugh. "There is no we , Lacey. You made that clear when you fucked off six weeks ago to fuck your way through Paris."
"That's not what happened!"
"No?" Freddy cocks his head. "Pretty sure that's what you texted Megan. What did you say? Oh yeah, something about blowing your honeymoon budget on a self-pity journey of discovery? Guess that banker finally woke the fuck up about the kind of doormat he was about to marry."
"I didn't come here to argue with you!" Frustration creeps into Lacey's voice. "If you'd just listen?—"
"I don't need to listen to shit from you!" Freddy advances on her, his face reddening. "You're not even part of this family!"
I see his hand rise before Lacey does. In a heartbeat, I'm through the door. My fingers lock around his wrist before he can complete the swing, and I slam him against the wall hard enough to rattle the family photos on the walls.
"Touch her," I growl in his ear. "And I'll break every bone in your pathetic body."
The color drains from Freddy's face when he sees me. His eyes dart between me and the door like a trapped animal.
"I-I'll have your money," he stammers, hands raised. "Just need another week, I swear to God?—"
Pathetic. I release my grip and he crumples to his knees, groveling. My lip curls in disgust. This sniveling coward dares to lecture my Lacey?
"Please," he begs, voice cracking. "I can get half by Friday. My dad's got some antiques upstairs?—"
"Shut the fuck up and get on your feet," I cut him off, my voice ice. "And apologize to your sister."
"Sister?" His eyes dart to Lacey, then back to me in confusion. "Wait, you're not from?—”
"I said, get up." Each word drops like a stone.
He scrambles to his feet, still babbling promises about payment schedules and collateral. The urge to break his jaw grows with every word.
"Freddy." Lacey's voice cuts through his desperate rambling. She steps forward, placing a gentle hand on my arm. The touch grounds me, reminds me why we're here. "Vadim isn't here to hurt you. He's here to help keep you safe."
The irony of her defending him after what just happened makes my jaw clench. But I stay silent, letting her take the lead. She's always been better at showing mercy than I deserve to witness.
Freddy's gaze continues darting between us like a cornered rat. Then, his eyes lock onto Mom’s necklace, and I watch recognition bloom across his face. The same necklace he pawned to pay his gambling debts. The same necklace that meant everything to Lacey.
"That's..." His voice wavers.
"Mom's necklace that you pawned?" Lacey's voice carries a sharp edge I rarely hear from her. She reaches up to touch the delicate chain, and I see her draw strength from its presence. "Yes, it is."
The movement catches the light, making her engagement ring sparkle. Freddy's eyes widen further as he finally notices the massive pink diamond. His mouth works soundlessly as he processes what he's seeing.
"You're..." He swallows hard, looking between us again. "With him?"
" Married to him," Lacey corrects, her chin lifting. The pride in her voice makes my chest swell. "And if you're not going to help us keep this family safe, then get out of my way. I need to check on Dad."
Freddy opens his mouth, likely to spew more venom at her. I take a single step forward, letting him see exactly what will happen if he dares. His jaw snaps shut with an audible click, and he presses himself against the wall to let Lacey pass.
Smart choice.
For once in his worthless life, he shows a glimmer of self-preservation.
I wait until Lacey's footsteps fade up the stairs before turning my attention back to Freddy. His face glistens with sweat as he tries to shrink further into the wall.
"Half a million dollars," I say softly, watching him flinch at each syllable. "That's quite a debt you've racked up at Kirsan's casinos."
His eyes go wide. "How did you?—"
"I make it my business to know everything about the people in my wife's life." I step closer, enjoying how he tries to retreat from my presence. "If it were up to me, I'd let Kirsan's collectors have their way with you. God knows you deserve it after the way you've treated Lacey."
"Please," he whimpers. "I can explain?—"
"Shut up." The words slice through his pathetic attempts at excuses. "The only reason you're still breathing is because my wife still considers you family. Despite everything you've done to hurt her, she still wants to protect you."
A dark stain spreads across the front of his pants, and the acrid smell of urine fills the air. Pathetic.
"So here's what's going to happen," I continue, my voice barely above a whisper. "You're going to show Lacey the respect she deserves. If I detect even a hint of your usual attitude toward her, I will personally throw you to the wolves. Do you understand?"
He nods frantically, a thin whine escaping his throat.
"I said, do you understand?"
"Y-yes," he stammers. "I understand."
The puddle beneath his feet grows larger.
"And hand me your gun," I say. "Slowly. I don't fucking trust you with one."
Nodding nervously, he reaches back and takes out a six-shooter that had been tucked in the back of his pants. I snatch it out of his hand, put it in my jacket, and step back towards him, watching him shrink further into the wall as Lacey returns with her father.
Clifton, I recall the file that Demyon handed me all those weeks ago about the Huang family.
The sight of Lacey supporting her father's weight with such tenderness makes my throat tight. She guides him forward, each step with infinite patience, murmuring soft encouragements.
Clifton's eyes dart around the room in confusion before landing on me. Fear flashes across his weathered features, and he presses closer to Lacey's side as he tries to shield her behind him.
The gesture is purely instinctive—a father's need to protect his daughter, even when his mind can no longer comprehend the danger.
"It's okay, Dad," Lacey soothes, rubbing gentle circles on his back. "We're going somewhere new for a little while. Just until things settle down."
My heart clenches at the way her voice catches on those last words. Clifton's brow furrows as he tries to process what she's saying. The confusion in his eyes cuts deeper than any knife could.
This is the man who gave her a home when her birth parents abandoned her.
Who loved her as his own daughter.
And now he can barely understand what's happening around him.
I glance at Freddy, expecting to see some reaction to his father's condition. But the worthless fuck won't even look at Clifton. He keeps his gaze fixed on the floor, shoulders hunched, still reeking of piss and fear.
The contrast between brother and sister couldn't be starker. While Lacey tenderly supports their failing father, Freddy can't even acknowledge Clifton's presence.
I grab Freddy by his collar, wrinkling my nose at the stench of piss. "Move," I growl, shoving him toward the door. His feet stumble over themselves as he hurries to comply.
Outside, Lacey has already helped Clifton into the back seat of the SUV. The gentle way she guides his movements, ensuring his seatbelt is secure, makes my chest tighten. Even now, she shows such care for her family.
"Get in," I order Freddy, pointing to the seat beside me. "Front."
He hesitates, glancing at the back where Lacey sits with Clifton. "But?—"
"Your father needs someone familiar next to him right now." My fingers dig into his shoulder. "But I don't want your piss-soaked pants anywhere near him. Understand?"
Freddy nods frantically and scrambles into the passenger seat. I slide behind the wheel, checking the rearview mirror to see Lacey speaking softly to Clifton, who stares out the window with vacant eyes.
I'm start the engine and that's when the crack of gunfire splits the air. The window behind the passenger window explodes inward, right where Lacey's head had been moments before.