Chapter 16
NIKOLAI
Why won’t she answer me?
Is she really that upset that she would ignore my calls?
Fuck.
Who’s going to watch Elena?
The call goes directly to voicemail. Cussing, I throw my phone at the wall where it clatters down to the tile floor.
“Is everything okay?” Melissa steps out of the hall and glances at the cell still spinning where it fell.
“I can’t get a hold of Svetlana, and I need to go to a meeting. You said she was mad when she left? Did she say if she was coming back?” I trudge over and pick it up.
At least I didn’t break it.
“No. She was actually quite mean to Elena when she was playing dress-up. When I said something, she started rattling off in another language at me and then stomped out.” She hugs her arms around her waist, watching me.
“Russian.” That sounds like her.
I know she has some very traditional values, but I didn’t think she was being mean to Elena.
Maybe it’s best that she doesn’t come back.
But, now what the hell do I do?
“If it’s super important, I can hang out with her. I picked up some things with the money you gave me, and a phone.” She holds her palm out. “Give me yours, I’ll put the number in.”
“Fine, here. You wouldn’t mind? It’d just be for a few hours. I can find someone new starting tomorrow.” I slump back into the couch.
Why is this all so complicated?
I’d rather settle a brawl than interview babysitters.
It took forever to find Svetlana. Most of the women I talked to before her were looking more at me than Elena.
The tinge of possessiveness that Melissa had when talking about Elena is already a better option.
It makes my nuts tingle that she fought for my daughter.
Perhaps I’ve underestimated this American.
She hands me back my iPhone. “You can call any time to check in.”
Grunting, I toss it into my pocket. “I’ll have some men on standby if you need them. They’re shit with children, but can keep you safe.”
Her lower lip trembles. “Thank you.”
If only she didn’t cry so much. It quenches that fire in her.
“So tell me more about what happened at the club.” Mikhail’s eyes crinkle at the corners.
I’m guessing he’s smiling beneath his mask.
“Are you going to share?” Jax asks Alexei from the couch.
Alexei giggles. “I got the important stuff, didn’t I?” He rattles a piece of hard candy behind his teeth.
I think he’s imitating what Jax does with his tongue bar.
“We need to find this mystery biker.” Mikhail leans forward putting his elbows on his desk. “And, we have confirmation that Kirill is here. This is big.”
“Maybe we can use the diamonds to lure him out. Set up a drop?” I am getting tired of this cat and mouse game. If we use the bait we already have, I’m sure it will draw out Kirill and Knox.
Perhaps we can kill them both with one stone.
Mikhail nods. “Yes. It’s time that they move. We will set up a leak.” He swings his dark eyes to Alexei. “I want you to go out and spread the word that we’ll have the diamonds at the Grand Stand Bar next Saturday.”
Alexei’s brows drop. “Why me? I keep secrets.”
That draws a laugh out of Jax and a snort out of me.
We all know he’s the one who dropped the news that my wife was Jax’s sister at the worst possible moment. It nearly ruined Jax.
“Fine, Alexei. Don’t tell anyone that we’re moving the diamonds. Keep it under lock and key.” Mikhail lifts one eyebrow. “They’ll all know faster if you try and keep it under wraps.”
Alexei’s lower lip juts out and he crosses his arms. “I feel used.”
Mikhail waves him off. “There are much worse things in life than being used as a parrot.”
Jax slaps Alexei on the shoulder. “Better than being an ass.”
“You’re the donkey.” Alexei elbows him back.
They’re both animals.
“Go. Spread your secrets to the world so that Knox finds us.” Mikhail gestures to the door, ushering us all to leave.
“Where should we go?” Jax glances at his watch. “If we hit one of the bars, we can drop enough hints and I can be back by dinner. Sofia has plans for us tonight, so I’m not staying out late.”
“I can.” Alexei mellows and falls in to step with us. “Lara still isn’t answering my calls.”
Jax slows and looks up at him. “Why do you watch her so closely? Maybe she just wants some space from this whole lifestyle?”
Alexei shakes his head. “It’s my job.” He sets his jaw and speeds up, outpacing us and disappearing around the corner.
“Does he have a thing for your sister?” Jax waits until we’re in the parking garage before asking.
I shake my head. “It’s complicated. He’s been like that since we were young.”
How do I explain the way we grew up?
“Ah. I get it. Still up for drinks?” He straddles his Ducati and slides his helmet on.
“No. I need to get back. Melissa is watching Elena.”
His visor bobs up and down. “Nice. Getting cozy with the new nanny!” He holds out his fist for a bump.
“It isn’t like that.” I scowl at him and climb in my Hellcat, slamming it shut before he can say anything else.
Could it be?
She’s nice enough, and has a hot body. But, there’s just, well, something I can’t put my finger on.
I know she’s not telling me everything.
And, there are moments when I see a fire lit in her eyes that she dampens when she sees me watching.
What isn’t she telling me?
Is that burning ember who she really is, or is it the teary facade she shows me any time I ask her a question?
I’m not sure if I’m frustrated or intrigued.
The house is quiet when I get home, and the smell of fresh popcorn lingers in the air.
Tossing my bag next to the door, I hear Elena giggle from the living room.
Following the noise of my happy little girl, I find her and Melissa sitting on the couch watching a cartoon on the television.
“Hi, Daddy!” She waves without pulling her gaze from the screen.
“Want to watch with us?” Melissa holds up an oversized bowl still half full of their movie snack.
They look cozy, each snuggled under their own blanket.
Almost like a family.
No. I need to stop thinking like that.
I wave my hand towards my office. “You girls go ahead. I have some stuff to catch up on.”
“Uh oh,” Elena whines. “Please? It’s almost the best part.” She scoots herself up against the arm, creating enough space between her and Melissa for me to fit.
I’m not sure how I feel about this as I squeeze between them.
The heat of Melissa’s body radiates through the thin quilt where she presses against my arm and thigh.
“Make any progress today?” she asks quietly.
My head shakes as I pretend to focus on the bright colors of the show. “Knox seems to have a Russian that is helping him stay one step ahead of us.”
“Do you know him?” She turns to watch me. “You’re from there, too, right?”
“I am, but that doesn’t mean I know everyone there,” I chuckle softly. “And, I didn’t get out much.”
“Strict parents?” She pops a few kernels in her mouth before offering some.
Grabbing a big handful, I take a moment to weigh my reply.
How do I tell her my father is more than controlling, he is manipulative. Conniving. And a sadist who loves inflicting pain without reason.
“You could say that. My father is a very powerful man, so kept a firm grip on us growing up.” Chewing on the hard kernels drowns out the squeaky voices from the cartoon.
“Us?” Her wide eyes blink and she tilts her head.
“Yeah, my siblings.” I’m not sure how much more I should tell her.
“You mean Aunt Lara and Uncle Mikhail?” Elena pipes up then holds out her hand towards the popcorn. “More, please.”
Shit.
Melissa’s mouth makes a perfect “o”. “Well…that’s interesting.” She readjusts, tucking her feet under her. “Lara is your sister?”
I run my hand over my face and try not to grit my teeth.“Yes.”
Why do children always say whatever they’re thinking? When I was small, I never spoke out of turn. But, that was also the consequence of my father’s whip.
Melissa lets out a long sigh. “I’m glad she’s related.”
That took a turn.
“Really? Why?”
She fidgets with the blanket again. “Well, I was kinda wondering who that woman was that you called in the middle of the night.”
I start laughing, only to be shushed by my scowling daughter.
“Is there jealousy in there?” I ask quietly.
Pink floods up Melissa’s cheeks. “Of course not. I was just curious. Is she helping look for Knox?”
My stomach twists. “No. She stays out of the danger zone.”
But, Melissa was in it.
Even if it means she may leave, I want to get rid of Knox just so she can feel a little safer.
All of us, nestled in on this couch, will sleep better at night knowing he’s gone.
I don’t like the fact that it may mean that she goes too.
Is it wrong that it makes me want to drag my feet to find him? That I’m getting used to her company and how easily she fits in here?
It means that more of our men can be hurt or killed.
And that she always has to be careful when she’s out that Knox, or one of his men, will see her and take her back.
She might not survive that again.
And this gut feeling tells me, I’m not quite ready to let her go. Why? I don’t have a clue.
This isn’t me.