Chapter 13
Alexsey
One of the fuckers had gotten away.
Goddamn it.
I knew I’d hit the driver, but he’d managed to flee the scene.
The other driver had lost control, smashing into one of the stone pillars of the gate. I’d make certain they never took another breath.
Halle’s labored breathing drew my attention.
“Are you alright?” Exhaling, I eased off the beautiful woman, peering down at her. Halle was trembling in my hold, her mouth twisted as fear continued to lace her eyes.
She gripped my shirt, pulling me down with enough force our lips were barely centimeters apart. “What is going on?”
“Mmm… I’m not certain, but I’m about to find out.
” I cupped the side of her face, using my index finger to brush hair from her eye.
She was so beautiful and even in that moment, my attraction to her was off the charts.
I remained where I was, cognizant she’d dragged the tip of her tongue across her bottom lip.
The move was far too provocative, but as much as I craved remaining where I was with her body cradled next to mine, determining what the fuck I was dealing with was more of a necessity. As soon as I tried to pull away, her grip became firmer.
“Don’t go.”
“I’m not going anywhere, but I need to find out who dared attack us. Just stay down and I’ll be right back.” The last thing I wanted was for one of the assailants to concentrate on hurting the woman I’d spent the evening with.
I also didn’t want her witnessing what I intended on doing if either one was still alive. She didn’t need that memory crowding the more pleasurable ones we’d shared.
I allowed a few extra seconds of rubbing my thumb back and forth across her heated skin. Her fragrance was driving me wild, pulling my attention away from where it should be.
“Does this kind of thing happen to you? I mean a lot?” She laughed nervously.
Chuckling, I finally managed to break the connection between us, even though my cock was still aching, longing to be inside of her sweet pussy all over again. “Not as often as you might be thinking. Just stay put. I’ll be right back.”
She finally released her hold, scooting until she was able to lean against the vehicle we’d hidden beside.
I remained crouching low, hating needing to leave her. She offered a slight smile, but I sensed how disturbed she remained. If the fuckers in the SUV weren’t dead, they soon would be for interrupting our evening and terrifying her.
As I moved around a group of vehicles, I noticed a small group of guests were standing outside the entrance. It wouldn’t be long until the police arrived. There was nothing I could do to control that.
What I could control was finding out who the fuck the men were working for and ensuring they couldn’t do this again.
I moved with stealth toward the smoking dark SUV, careful as I approached. My weapon remained in both hands as I approached.
At least one of the fuckers was still alive, currently trying to climb out from the driver’s side. He didn’t have a chance. I threw open the door, dragging him out, not giving a shit if he was injured.
Blood streamed down from a cut on his forehead and as soon as he registered who’d jerked him free, he tried to reach into his pocket.
The passenger had been partially ejected, his body driven halfway through the windshield. I didn’t need to check his pulse. He was clearly dead, his head almost severed from his body.
“Not so fast.” I pressed the barrel of my weapon against the driver’s temple, grinning as I stared down at him. His other arm was broken, now positioned at an awkward angle. “Who the fuck are you?”
Sirens were already sounding off in the distance. I wouldn’t be alone for long. Information would be helpful, although I had a feeling that I knew the person who’d ordered the hit.
Papadakis.
“Who sent you?”
He sputtered in Greek, laughing as if this was all a big joke. Yet beads of sweat mixed with blood, both oozing down the side of his face.
“Well, if you’re going to be that way about it then I guess I have no recourse.
” I pulled the trigger, throwing my head to the side to keep brains and blood from splattering across my face.
Goddamn it, this used to be easier. Once he slumped in my hold, I tossed him back onto the driver’s seat, immediately checking his pockets.
As expected, he had no identification.
Neither was there anything useful in the center console.
Well, fuck. This night hadn’t gone as I’d anticipated.
Hissing, I backed away, immediately pulling out my phone and dialing my brother.
“Wow. It’s late,” Mikhail said, half laughing although I could tell I’d awakened him.
“Time to get to work. A hit was placed on my life. They almost succeeded.”
His sigh was heavy. “You’re not having a very good week.”
“No, I am not. When I’m finished here, I’ll stop by so we can have a nice, long chat.”
“Where?”
My anger was starting to get the better of me. “Dreamscape. Four men. Two got away.”
“Well, shit. Are the police involved?”
“On their way.”
“Then let me make a few phone calls. Don’t say too much.” This was my Pakhan talking.
“I don’t intend to.”
As soon as I hung up, I dialed Sasha. He would want to know if there would need to be some maintenance done on his beloved Dreamscape’s parking lot and landscape.
“This better be good,” he growled as soon as he answered the phone.
“I think a shooting where your favorite cousin was almost killed might qualify.” With the sirens drawing near, I pocketed my weapon. There was no way of hiding the shooting after the fact, but with Mikhail intervening, there also wouldn’t be any charges placed.
Self-defense.
“You mean Mikhail or Kazimir?”
“Very funny. I was almost assassinated in Dreamscape’s parking lot. You might want to get down here.”
“Geez. Let me see if I can find a babysitter at freaking three o’clock in the morning.”
“You do that. I think we have a problem.”
Sasha snorted. “You mean you do. I’m a nice clean-cut boy.”
“Tell yourself another lie.” I turned in a circle, studying the surrounding area. One vehicle had gotten away. If Papadakis was responsible, he wouldn’t rest on his laurels.
First a fire. Then a public assassination attempt.
It was time we had a long chat with the man and his brother. They needed to understand we weren’t going to take being threatened lightly. Or maybe moving directly into an act of full retaliation was a better idea.
“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes, even if I need to bring Nina with me.”
“Whatever you decide. I’ll be here. And I have company.”
“Ah, no wonder you requested a room at the inn. Good for you.”
“Let’s just try and keep our eye on the ball. I was almost killed tonight.”
“But they missed.” He laughed as he ended the call.
I took a deep breath, turning around to face where Halle was hiding.
She’d stood, ignoring my command, her arms folded and even from where I remained, I could see the pensive look on her face. I couldn’t blame her if she hated me. My life wasn’t fit for anyone with a child.
Sighing, I walked toward her, ignoring the guests who were now clamoring around, asking if I was okay and needed help.
In my mind, I only had eyes for the beautiful woman and I was determined to ensure she was okay.
When I drew close, she tensed, even looking away.
She could obviously see the smoking vehicle and maybe she’d witnessed the shooting.
By all rights, I should take her with me to my condo, keeping her captive to ensure she wouldn’t admit what she’d seen.
However, that wasn’t fair to her or her daughter.
Or her life.
I did have a sense of decency left in me even though others believed that wasn’t possible. Moving closer, I stood just a few inches away, trying to figure out what to say.
“Are you hurt?” she asked, breaking the ice.
“No. I’m fine. I have good reflexes.” My joke was met with a look of disdain.
“As you might imagine, I can’t see you again.”
Maybe with any other woman, I would blow off the statement and not think about it again.
Not with her.
The instant pang in my chest was telling. I liked the girl. Perhaps a little too much. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Are you?” She jutted her chin toward me, her eyes filling with fire. “I’m certain I’m just a number.”
How in the hell was I going to counteract that? With the truth, whether she believed me or not. “No, you are not.” I rubbed my fingers across my chin, realizing I had blood on my face. She cringed the moment I pulled my hand away. “You’re going to be asked some questions by the police.”
Her laugh filtered into the night sky. “And you want me to lie.”
“I don’t want you to say anything you aren’t comfortable with.”
My answer brought a wave of confusion. She chewed on her lower lip for a few seconds. “Thank you for that. I’m not the kind of person to cover up a crime. Ever.”
“And I wouldn’t expect you to. I’m not that kind of a man.”
“Then who are you, Alexsey Dmitriyev? I know you’re a ruthless businessman and I must admit you’re very passionate. You’re also an arrogant asshole who just happens to attract people who want to burn your house down and put a bullet in your head. That doesn’t give me the warm and fuzzies.”
“You forgot to mention a certain woman who had no trouble trashing my prized car.” I was trying to lighten the mood.
I could tell by her harsh glare that I wasn’t winning any points.
Sighing, as the first sign of flashing right lights broke through the line of trees, I realized no one had ever pieced together my life and my personality in a nutshell.
All done by one enchanting woman.
“Let’s just say I’m like anyone else. Hoping to find joy in life.”