Chapter 21 #3
There’d been no way of keeping the police from making an appearance given the entire hospital had been placed on a lockdown. However, with her help and Dimitri’s, interference had been kept to a minimum. Plus, she’d been able to attend to Dante, so he was able to leave the hospital.
“You should know Kazimir arrived last night.” Dimitri made the statement quietly. He’d waited to drop that news knowing how I might react.
“He shouldn’t be here. That’s what the Ghost truly wants.” That had been an easy conclusion to arrive at.
“Maybe that’s a good thing,” he answered. “Strength in numbers.”
“And his family?” I threw out, gritting my teeth as I did.
Dimitri stiffened. “Do you honestly think he’d go anywhere without them?”
“Fuck.” I rubbed my eyes, sitting back in the seat.
I also was unsure what recommendations to provide, although I’d need to figure that out quickly.
With Kazimir in the city, he would want to move immediately.
And I had no intention of allowing the Ghost or Vivian’s fucking family to try to snatch her away from me again.
If they’d been responsible. The jury was still out.
“Tell Kazimir I’ll be right there. Make certain Dante has what he needs,” I instructed.
“Absolutely. I’ll give you a minute alone.” Both he and the driver stepped out, leaving Vivian and me alone.
There was even more tension than before, which I could completely understand.
She’d pulled her hand free of mine, wiping her palms on her scrubs. “It’ll be good to get a shower and change clothes. I smell like smoke.”
“Yes, you do. But still beautiful.”
“This isn’t funny.”
“I know that, Vivian. But we will get through this.”
“We.” She didn’t even look in my direction.
“Yes, we will.”
She seemed unable to look at me, so I finally and very gently cupped her chin, turning her head. “You heard it too. Didn’t you?” she asked. “What the asshole said to me?”
“The killer’s voice?” I heard it, the words chosen carefully, loud enough we’d both catch the man’s accent.
“Irish. My uncle lied to me. He ordered them to come take me and to kill you. I asked him for my special request. Why would he do that?”
“Special request?”
She thumped back in her seat, staring straight ahead.
“The top men and every family member are given one special request. Like one get out of jail free card. There are limitations but if asked and granted, whatever the favor may be, Uncle Sean would honor it until the end of time. Supposedly. I’d thought I’d save it for when he forced me to get married.
” Her laugh was strained. “But I thought I put it to better use.”
“Which was?”
“Saving your life.” She blushed as soon as she made the admittance.
She’d honored me, which was not necessary.
For her uncle to dare grant her a wish then take it back would be seen unfavorably and destroy faith in his leadership.
He hadn’t been the one to try to kidnap her, but I could use the concept in dealing with the Irish.
“We don’t know for certain that’s what happened. Honoring a pledge is sacred.”
“Yes, we do. He felt threatened because he knew I’d brought a weapon. I brought a gun to his bar.” Now she laughed. “How crazy is that? I guess that proves how much I care about you. Doesn’t it?”
“Do you?”
She tossed me a look, all fire and brimstone. “What do you think?”
“I think you’re an amazing woman.”
“That’s right. Love doesn’t exist in your world.
Fine. I get it. So you know, reneging on a promise is exactly the kind of thing my uncle would do.
I should have known better than to discuss anything with him.
I even suggested working with the Bratva.
I know. Don’t chastise me. I’ll do that enough with myself.
I was obviously out of my fucking mind.” When I didn’t say anything initially, she finally turned her head. “He betrayed me. I hate him.”
“Your uncle did what he thought was right. Keep in mind, he holds the lives of dozens of people in his hands. Now that’s what we must do, what’s necessary and right.
Try and remember he is family and it’s obvious he cares about you.
” Even if he dared go back on his word, he would know that doing so could start a bloodbath.
And while we were actively destroying them, we wouldn’t be paying close enough attention to every other aspect of business and our personal safety. Classic.
Something Mikhail had learned from his own father and from Kazimir. But the final decision wasn’t mine now that Kazimir had arrived.
“I understand why you can’t love anyone again because of what happened, but do you care about me, Kirill? Even a little? For saving your life or for not turning you in to my uncle when I had the chance?” Her eyes were so damn imploring.
I brushed my fingers across her cheek and down her neck as I lowered my head. Her lips were far too close and my mind was filled with icy fingers of darkness. But I knew what I wanted.
Her.
“I care about you more than I’ve ever felt for anyone, my little lamb.”
She grasped my shirt, tugging with a gentle yet purposeful action. “Then you meant what you said, even in delirium?”
Laughing softly, I wasn’t certain how to answer her. “I always mean what I say.”
“Alright,” she huffed, not satisfied with my response. “I’ll hold you to that. Then we use fire against fire. Did you think about my offer?”
“I did,” I told her while easing hair from around her neck. She was tenacious. “Marrying into a Bratva family would be dangerous for you.”
“So what? I eat danger for breakfast.” Her eyes were still on fire, her body language such that I knew she was serious.
All I’d been doing was contemplating the suggestion, which held even more merit now.
“And? It’s not nice to keep a girl waiting, especially when she poured her heart out on her sleeve.”
“Me? What are you suggesting?”
She huffed; the fear I’d seen earlier in her had long faded. She was one of the strongest women I knew. “Do you really need more? Are you one of those lovey-dovey touchy-feelie guys?”
“Touchy-feelie?”
“You know what I’m talking about. You need me to be very gentle. I never know with such a tough guy.”
“I’ll show you gentle.” When I pulled her closer, she did her best to push me away.
“You’re still recuperating. You know what I mean.”
“I’ll let you know in a few minutes.” I captured her mouth as I pulled her as close to my heated body as possible. Having her in my arms felt even more special.
Or perhaps I was weighing odds that I didn’t like.
The Ghost was using a backdrop of our expansion and our closeknit organization against us.
And I would bet all that I had he had found a home with the Italians.
The only question in my mind was whether the home had been made with the Savoys or the Lorenzos.
But I was a betting man and my guess was that Vivian’s family had been betrayed.
Whatever the case, the situation would need to be handled carefully. The last thing I would allow to happen was for her or Kazimir and his family to be hurt.
Her moans were subtle, yet I captured them, taking a little extra time to enjoy what I craved.
The sharp rap on the window was the only reason I allowed her to push me away. Dimitri was peering in, holding out his hands as if asking when I was going to make an appearance.
In return, I shot him a middle finger.
She made a point of cursing under her breath before throwing open the door. “Men. You are all alike.”
I chuckled as I stepped out, scanning the driveway as I did.
The next few days would be critical to our future.
Including to mine.
Because I would take my talented doctor up on her offer.
We were getting married.