22. Tabitha
22
TABITHA
“Y ou need to be the one to make the call.”
“What?”
“Because he’ll only believe it if it comes from you,” Sergei pushed.
I knew something was coming the second I walked into the room. Preacher stood near the window, arms crossed, jaw tight, while my boys were all seated around the table with soured expressions on their faces.
I was expecting them to be in better spirits. Sergei had gotten the files on Vasili to his contact, and after seeing what was inside, he did as he promised and got them in Vetrov’s hands. It wasn’t long after that when Sergei got the call that he was sending in Leonid Sokolov to deal with Vasili.
I wasn’t surprised. A man like Vetrov never dealt with matters like this. He had men for that—men like Leonid Sokolov. He was the one who came whenever someone stepped out of line. They told Sergei to have Vasili at the house by six, and Sokolov would take care of the rest. It seemed simple enough until Sergei announced that I had to be the one to call Vasili.
“Why do I have to call him?” I crossed my arms defensively. “Because I’m weak?”
“You’re anything but weak, doll,” Hudson argued. “We need you to do it because you’re the one he still thinks he can manipulate. He knows the bullshit his brother put you through, and he thinks he can use it to his advantage.”
I hated it, but I knew he was right.
I clinched my fist and tried to steady myself before asking, “So, I just call him and what? Tell him that he wins, and we’re ready to make a deal?”
“That’s exactly what you do.” Sergei nodded. “Tell him we’ll make things right. That the money’s negotiable, and that you just don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
I looked over to Hudson, and suddenly, the storm inside me started to settle. Yes, I was afraid. I was terrified. But he was there. He was watching over me and my boys, and I knew he’d never let anything happen to us. So, I let out a breath and said, “Okay. I’ll do it.”
“Good.”
Nikolai got up and walked over to me. “Don’t let him rattle you. He’s gonna try.”
“I know. I’ll remember.”
After a few deep breaths, I dialed a number I thought I’d never use again.
And just as luck would have it, he picked up on the very first ring.
“Well, well. If it isn’t the beautiful Tabitha Volkov,” Vasili’s voice oozed with smugness and sent a shiver down my spine. “I was wondering how long it would take you to get your head straight.”
“I talked it over with Sergei and his brothers, and we’ve all decided that you are right. We should’ve never tried to walk away from the family.”
“It was a betrayal. That’s what it was.”
“And we are sorry and want to make things right. We’ll do whatever you want.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear.”
“I thought it would be.” I gritted my teeth as I told him, “Why don’t you come to the house tonight, and we can talk things over. That is, if you are still in town.”
“Oh, I’m still here, and I’ll be there.” He was silent for a moment, then added, “You’ve made the right decision, kroshka . I’ll be there at six.”
He hung up without another word.
I didn’t realize I’d been holding my breath until the call ended. I looked up at Hudson, and he gave me a nod of approval. We were getting close. It was almost over.
Almost.
I barely had a chance to catch my breath before everything was set into motion. The boys pulled in their guards and gave them explicit directions to cover the house and the grounds, but to do it without being seen. The security cameras were checked, and extra feeds were synced into Sergei’s office. Hudson called the brothers, and they did the same, slipping into the house without a trace.
Every corner.
Every window.
Every exit was under watchful eye.
We were ready. I just had to pretend I wasn’t terrified.
But I was. I was so scared I could barely breathe, but I put on my dress and makeup. I fixed my hair and put on my jewelry. I looked like I was ready for an old family dinner, instead of preparing to face a monster.
By the time I made it back downstairs, Hudson and Sergei were in the foyer with Grim and Nikolai. They were talking quietly, and as I got closer, I heard Nikolai say, “I don’t want her to do this. I can answer the damn door.”
“I don’t like this either,” Sergei agreed. “But this is the best way.”
“But why is this the best way? Why does it matter who opens the goddamn door?” Nikolai snapped. “He could have a gun or…”
“It will be fine,” I interrupted. “I appreciate your concern, sweetheart, but I can do this. It’s best if he sees me. He will feel less threatened, and hopefully that will make it easier to draw him in. And you will be close by to help if I need it.”
“Yes, but I don’t like it. I don’t like any of it.”
“None of us do, but it will be over soon. We just have to get through this next bit, and…”
Before I could finish my thought, there was a knock at the door. Sergei’s back stiffened which threw my nerves into overdrive. I stood back and watched as he and Viktor went over and answered the door. Seconds later, Leonid Sokolov entered the house.
He was nothing like what I’d expected.
He didn’t come in weapons drawn or surrounded by a brigade of guards. He was a simple man of average height with a bland grey suit, brown hair, and hazel eyes. He wasn’t big or tall. He didn’t have menacing eyes or a fierce presence. But I’d learned early on that men like him were the most dangerous. With a snap of their fingers, you would be done, and they had the means to make it happen.
He certainly did.
He had two guards who stood at either side. They wore black suits and were the size of linebackers. They didn’t speak. They just glared ahead, cold and silent. We didn’t bother taking them to the office. Sokolov wasn’t a man who wasted time. He wanted the original files, and Sergei gave them to him.
Hudson stood back and watched as Sergei did most of the talking. He gave him a moment to review everything they’d discovered, then said, “I can show you where the files were recovered and how.”
“No, I’ve seen enough.” Sokolov shook his head and said, “This is not the first I’ve heard of his indiscretions. But it’s the first with proof.”
“What do you need us to do?”
“You will do nothing,” he answered firmly. “Not unless you want his blood on your hands when we’re already watching.”
“You’re saying Vasili’s already under investigation?” Sergei pressed.
“Yes, for quite some time.” Sokolov gave a slow nod of his head. “You just gave us the final nail. Ded will be appreciative of your efforts, even with your selfish intent.”
Mikhail Antonov, or Ded Mikhailto those who feared and respected him, was the Bratva leader. He gave the final say on everything, so I wasn’t surprised when Sokolov mentioned his name. I had no doubt that he knew all about Vasili and what he had been up to.
“What happens now?”
“Vasili will be removed, and you will carry on with your endeavors.”
“And Ded and the rest of the family?”
“The family does not approve of you parting ways, but we are willing to give you some leniency.”
“Leniency?”
“We won’t come for your head, but possibly ten percent of your casino profits. I think that would suffice. What about you?”
“Five percent would be better, but I’m willing to discuss.”
“That’s a discussion for another day.” He glanced down at his watch and asked, “When can we expect our guest?”
The words had barely left his mouth when one of the guards stepped forward and announced, “There is a car at the gate.”
“Let them in.”
He nodded, then disappeared from view.
I heard Vasili’s car pull up, and my chest tightened. I was so nervous I felt like I could crawl out of my own skin, but I reminded myself that I wasn’t alone. Hudson and my boys were right there within reach, and they wouldn’t let anything happen to me. Vasili pounded on the door, and I drew in one final calming breath.
I walked over and opened the door slowly. Vasili stood on the front step in his tailored suit and slicked back hair. His chin was tilted upward like he owned the world, and he had a smug smile painted across his face. His eyes skirted over me, and his smile turned sinister as he said, “Tabitha. So good to see you again.”
“I wish I could say the same about you.”
“Oh, come now. I thought this would be a cordial visit.”
“Not so much.”
“I understand. It can be difficult to submit, but you will submit. And I’m looking quite forward to it.” He stepped closer. “I’ll take my time reminding you of your place.”
Even with his vile words, I didn’t flinch. I didn’t cower. I simply stepped back and opened the door wider, revealing Sokolov and his guards. Vasili froze on the threshold, his smile faltering, and his eyes darted from me to the three men next to me.
“What is this?” he spat, his voice rising. “You trying to scare me, moya kroshka ? Because it’s not working.”
Sokolov kept his eyes trained on Vasili as he replied, “I know… I know everything.”
“What do you mean?” The color drained from Vasili’s face. “There’s nothing to know.”
“I don’t play games, Vasili. You know this.”
Vasili’s face grew red, and before I realized what he was doing, he’d reached into his pocket and pulled out a small handgun. He aimed it at me, and every guard and every Fury brother stepped out of hiding. Panic filled his eyes as he gasped, “There’s been a mistake.”
“I don’t make mistakes. You know this.” Sokolov took a step forward and calmly said, “Put the gun down.”
“Why? I’m as good as dead either way.” He glared at me as he said, “At least this way I can take her with me.”
“And then, I would do the same to your wife and your boys and boys’ wives and their children. Surely you don’t want that.”
“You don’t understand.” Vasili didn’t move. “Those exchanges were just a test run. I wanted to make sure they were legit before…”
“Don’t,” Sokolov interrupted. “I’ve heard enough of your lies.”
I was starting to worry that he was actually going to shoot me when Seven stepped up behind him and placed the barrel of his gun at Vasili’s head. “Drop it, asshole.”
Defeat washed over Vasili as he lowered his weapon and begged, “You have to listen to me. I can explain everything.”
Showing no signs of sympathy, Sokolov ordered, “Take him.”
The guards grabbed Vasili, and when they started down the steps, he started shouting out rambles about betrayal and lies. But his voice grew quiet as they shoved him into the backseat of their SUV.
And just like that, the man who’d haunted my past disappeared like a bad memory.
I stood by the window, arms wrapped around myself, staring off into the distance. I wanted to feel victorious. I wanted to feel like this nightmare was finally over. But all I felt was tired.
So damn tired.
I thought I could collapse with exhaustion when I felt Hudson step behind me and slip his arms around my waist, pulling me close. I leaned back against him, feeling his strength and peace wash over me. He lowered his mouth to my ear and whispered, “It’s over. He’s not coming back.”
“Thank God for that.” The adrenaline was still humming through me, but the fear had started to loosen its grip. I leaned my head back so I could see him. “I need a hot bath and a drink.”
“You got it.” He gave me a quick squeeze, then said, “Give me a minute with the boys, and I’ll walk you back over to your place.”
“Sounds good.”
Sergei was talking quietly with Viktor and Nikolai. Their voices were low, but I could tell by looking at them that plans were being made. But this time, I didn’t need to be part of it. I’d done what I needed to do.
Hudson walked over to them and said a few words, than gave Sergei a pat on the back. “I’m taking your mother back to her place.”
“You staying with her?”
“I am.”
“Good. I don’t want her to be alone tonight.”
“Won’t be a problem.”
Sergei glanced over at me, and I gave him a reassuring smile. “I’m okay. I’ll see you boys in the morning.”
“Call me if you need anything.”
I nodded, and Hudson led me out the back door and out to the porch. I held back and waited as he walked over and had a word with Grim and several of the other brothers. As I stood there watching them, I was overcome with emotion. They didn’t know me or my boys, not really, and yet, they came here today and put their lives on the line to help us. It meant more to me than I could ever express, but I felt compelled to try.
I took a slight step toward them as I said, “Thank you. Thank you for coming today and last night and helping the way you did. It meant a great deal to me and to my boys, and I’ll never forget you being here when we needed you most.”
I was rambling, but I couldn’t help myself.
“I know it was asking a lot, but you did it anyway, and…”
“It’s okay, babe,” Hudson interrupted. “It’s what family’s supposed to do.” I didn’t respond.
I was too busy crying for that.
Hudson shook his head and smiled, then took my hand and led me back to my place. On the way, he didn’t bother asking if I was okay. He already knew the answer. By the time we got upstairs, the weight of everything that happened had settled over me like a thick blanket.
Hudson closed and locked the door behind us, then turned his attention to me, “Go shower and put on something comfortable. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“The rest?”
“Shower,” he pushed.
“Okay. Okay.”
I did as I was told and took a long, hot shower, and by the time I was done, I’d started to feel more like myself again. I slipped on a pair of pajama pants and an old, oversized t-shirt.
I towel dried my hair before heading back to the living room. When I walked in, I found Hudson in the kitchen, and he’d made us both a grilled cheese and a bowl of tomato soup. He’d even cut the grilled cheese in diagonals, just the way I liked them.
He had a bottle of wine already uncorked, and one of my favorite movies was playing on the TV. “Is that Practical Magic ?”
“It is.”
“You know it’s a chick-flick, right?”
“I do.” He poured me a glass of wine as he added, “I also know it’s one of your favorites.”
I stood there a second, just staring at him and feeling my heart swell in my chest. And just like that, the chaos of the day faded away. I crossed the kitchen, wrapped my arms around his middle, and pressed my face to his chest. “And this is why I love you.”
“And all this time, I thought it was because I was good in bed.”
“Well, you are, but it’s how you take such good care of me that makes me love you the most.”
He smiled as he kissed the top of my head, and whispered, “Yeah, well. Get used to it, darlin’. I’m not going anywhere.”
We ate our dinner, then moved over to the sofa. The movie was still playing in the background, but neither of us were really paying attention. We were just enjoying being there together.
Hudson ran his fingers through my damp hair as he asked, “Feeling better?”
“Getting there.” I took another sip of my wine before asking, “So, what do you think about my boys?”
“Oh, that’s a hole I don’t want to step into.”
“I’m serious,” I pushed. “Do you think you have them all figured out?”
“About as well as I need to.” He shifted in his seat as he said, “Viktor’s the grumpy one. Nikolai’s your smooth-talker, and Sergei’s the one who is always about two seconds away from throwing someone through a wall.”
“So, you don’t know them at all.”
“I know them just fine.” He gave me a side-eye. “Hell, I have been around them nonstop for weeks.”
“So, you know that Nikolai loves art, and he’s been drawing since he could hold a pencil in his hand.”
“Nikolai?”
“Mmhmm. He’s always dreamed of owning his own studio.”
“The one with all the tattoos and the death stare?”
“The very one.”
“How ‘bout that.” He rubbed his jaw. “Never would’ve thought it.”
“And Viktor has a thing for racing,” I added, “He plans to build his own car one day.”
“So, one of your sons is a tortured artist and the other one wants to be Ricky Bobby.”
I gave him a playful shove. “You’re terrible.”
“Seriously, your boys are grown with minds of their own. They’re men, and I’ll treat them like I do all my boys. And I’ll be as close with ‘em as they’ll let me.”
“I would appreciate that, and they will, too.” I rested my head on his chest as I whispered, “I don’t know how I got so lucky.”
“Oh, don’t get it twisted. I’m the lucky one, and I plan on showing you that every chance I get.”
“There’s no time like the present.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.”
The words were barely out of his mouth when Hudson was up and had me in his arms, carrying me to the bedroom. He spent the rest of the night making love to me, showing me exactly how lucky we both were, and just as we were about to drift off to sleep, he turned to me and said, “It took me a long time to find you, but you’re the one. The only one.”
And just like that, everything was right in the world. “You’re my one, too. You’re mine.”
“Damn right, I am, and you’re mine.”