Chapter 5 - Makari
Realizing the men came for Grace, they intended to kill her, I had to do something. How dare the men shoot at her? It was something I wasn’t going to allow. Checking over the hood of the car I had pulled her to, I saw no other men. It was time to move.
“Come on,” I huffed, grabbing her arm and pulling her with me. We ran down the block to where I had parked my truck. Opening the door, I ushered her in as I spoke. “Get in!”
She glanced around but got in. Moving around to the driver’s side, I checked the area. I was on guard. I had to ensure no one was watching or following. Getting in, I started my truck and headed to one of our safehouses.
I could see she was shaken. Grace was trembling so badly that her teeth chattered. We had to move. I had to get her to safety. “It’s going to be okay,” I tried reassuring her as I headed to one of the safehouses I had access to.
Pulling up to the large iron gates, I pressed the button on the remote hanging from my truck keys. The gate complained as it opened. It hadn’t been used for quite some time. Pulling up to the front, I switched off the engine and looked at Grace.
As she shook, it looked like she was freezing to death. Getting out, I headed to her side quickly. I knew no one would even think of looking here, not even my brother. Pulling her out of the truck, I placed my jacket around her shoulders.
“Come on, let’s get you inside and warmed up,” I said, leading her to the door. As we entered, our eyes met for the first time since I killed the man who attacked her. My heart ached as I saw the tears in her eyes.
Grace closed her eyes and shook her head. “Not now,” she whispered.
I had no idea how I was going to calm her. I have never dealt with a woman who didn’t know our world and ways, especially not in this situation. It was so late that I couldn’t even call Nadia or Tasha.
Taking a deep breath, I placed my arm firmly around her shoulder and headed to the bedroom. I didn’t bother putting on any lights; I knew the way, like my own backyard. Entering the room, I let her sit on the bed as I switched on the bedside lamp.
Kneeling before her, I gently lifted her head as I spoke. “Breathe, it’s over. You’re going to be fine.”
Grace pulled her head back out of my grasp and looked towards the wall as she stuttered. “You… you killed… that man.”
Her face was white, and for a moment, I thought she was going to be sick. Pulling her legs up, she fell over to her other side and curled up into a ball. Her cries raked her petite body. I stood and stared at her, not knowing how to take her pain away.
Standing beside the bed, I leaned forward, reaching out. “No, don’t touch me,” she spat.
Taking a slow, deep breath, I knew I had to be careful in my approach. She knew nothing of the world I live in. Very slowly, I placed my hand on her back as I spoke. “I know this is a lot to take in and deal with. But believe me when I say, I did it to save you.”
She started rocking herself as I softly rubbed her back. “I think you should try and get some sleep. Just know this, you are safe now.” I added before moving back.
“Earlier,” she said, halting my movement. “I heard what sounded like gunshots. But I wasn’t sure, and I was close,” she took a ragged breath before continuing. “So, I ran down to see what was happening, and that’s when I saw the man running away as the others got shot.”
Turning, I walked back to the bed and sat down behind her. “I am so sorry,” I said.
“Is that why these men are looking for me?” She swallowed hard before breathing in deeply.
Grace looked up at me, tears still streaking down her face. Before I could reply, she continued. “Is that why they want to kill me? Because I saw the shooting and the man who ran away?”
“You said you saw a man running away?” I asked curiously. I thought I had gotten all of them. Was there another one I didn’t see? Does he know who I am?
“I swear I only caught a glimpse of him. But the shooter across from the building had dark hair and was quite largely built.” Grace added as she tried to catch her breath.
Placing my hand on her shoulder, I squeezed softly. After seeing her reaction earlier, I didn’t dare tell her I was the shooter at the docks. I wondered if she knew. No, she wouldn’t have gone with me if she did.
“Do they think I could identify the man?” she asked.
“Can you?” I questioned.
Grace turned her head away, looking at the curtains. “I’m not sure,” she said. “Maybe.”
Closing my eyes, I tried to calm myself. She could assist us in finding this man. I was relieved it was her and I hadn’t killed her. Maybe now we could put an end to this snake sticking its head out. Iosif will be thrilled.
“Makari,” I heard Grace saying.
Shaking my head, I looked at her as I cleared the dreams floating in my mind. Will you sit with me until I fall asleep?”
“Yes, sure,” I replied. “I’ll sit here in the chair.”
“Just hold me a bit,” she whispered as she turned to face me.
Grabbing the throw from the foot end of the bed, I covered her as I spoke. “Okay, I’ll sit here a while.”
Staring at her, I could see she was worn out as her eyes dimmed. I sat for a while until I was sure she was sleeping. Slowly, I moved off the bed and went to the chair. Pulling out my phone, I dialed Pavel.
I waited as it rang. He would be asleep by now, and I knew it would ring a couple of times. But he answered quicker than I expected. “Makari?” he breathed into the phone. “Is something wrong?”
There was a hint of worry in his tone, but more grogginess than anything else. Smiling, I spoke softly but hurriedly, not wanting to waste time. “All’s well. Listen, I need you to contact Iosif and let him know there is a slight change to the plan.”
“What plan?” he asked, sounding a bit clearer.
“Never mind that, I will explain later. Just let the Chernykhs know.” I insisted.
There was a moment's silence, and I almost thought he had fallen asleep on me. This time, when he spoke, I could hear a great deal of concern in his tone. “Why, what happened? Did you mess up?”
“No dummy. In short, the drop went south, and there was, or rather there is, a witness. I found the witness but didn’t kill her, though.”
“What?” Pavel’s voice rang through the phone.
“Calm down, brother.” I huffed. “I have it under control. She didn’t see me, but did see one of the men leaving the scene.”
He was silent again before voicing his concerns. “I don’t think that they will like this. Plus, how sure are you she didn’t see our men?”
Nodding out of habit, I replied quickly. “I am sure, as our men were with me. The enemy was on the side she was.”
I heard him smirking as he started laughing. Feeling my anger flaring up, I spoke harshly. “What’s so funny?”
“I can see you drooling over her right now. Don’t tell me differently,” he replied.
Shaking my head, I knew he was right. But she was important to us now, and my feelings had to be boxed up.
“Will you just please do as I asked?” I enquired.
Pavel groaned loudly before answering. “Yes, yes, yes.”
I was grateful for him, even if he made me mad as hell sometimes. “Thank you, brother. Talk later,” I said softly.
Sighing deeply, he spoke again. “Good night, brother. See ya in the morning.” The line went dead before I could reply. Locking my phone, I placed it down on the table beside me. Leaning my head back, I closed my eyes for a bit.
Every time Grace moved, I looked over. At some point, it looked like she was dreaming, but at another stage, she appeared to be having a nightmare. But as long as she didn’t wake, I just kept an eye on her.
As the sun started lighting up the world, I went to make some coffee and call Pavel again. I had to check in and make sure he called Iosif. If not, I would have to do it myself. Leaving the room, I didn’t clip the door. I could only hope she was calmer when she woke up.