Chapter 26
Halle
“This is crazy.” Kristine’s face was full of emotions. She was also loaded down with two suitcases with two duffle bags hanging on her arms.
“Shit. Let me grab some bags for you.”
She huffed, blowing bangs from her face. “I got it.”
I glared at the two men standing guard in the hallway.
They were watching the two of us with expressions of sheer amusement.
“You could have helped her.” The disdain in my voice was clear.
Yes, I should be grateful they were standing guard, but neither one had said a word to me.
Even after I’d offered them water or coffee, two of the few items in the condo that were plentiful.
They’d acted like statues. Just like they were doing right now.
“Don’t blame them. After you told me you’re being held captive, I didn’t want them touching your stuff.”
Groaning, I grabbed the two suitcases, bringing them inside and immediately slamming the door.
“Did you know there are like a dozen press members downstairs? Thank God they didn’t recognize me. That’s why I went back to my car and grabbed my hat. I was terrified they’d connect the dots.”
Both Alexsey’s and my phone had started ringing and as of this morning, I had fifteen messages from people I didn’t know. When would the press finally find another story in this damn town?
“So I heard.” I paid attention to her cap as she jerked it off, swishing her long hair behind her back. Hmmm…
“Auntie Krissy!” Emily came bounding into the room, jumping into my sister’s arms.
“Let me look at you. Are you hurt? Did they hurt you?”
Standing so my little girl couldn’t see, I pressed my finger against my lips, shaking my head to try to tell her without words to shut the hell up.
So far, Emily had barely asked any questions, taking cues from Alexsey with him trying to make what she’d endured as an adventure.
Maybe later we’d need to face her finally becoming terrified, but I was grateful she continued to think we were just on a little vacation.
If only that were true.
“I’m fine. Mr. Boyfriend promised me ice cream when we came home. He won’t forget. Will he, Mommy?”
She tipped her head in my direction, which allowed my sister to make a nasty face.
“Of course he won’t forget, baby girl. I think Auntie Krissy brought you some of your toys. Let’s get them into your room.” Emily all but jumped from Kristine’s arms, spinning in a circle, which she did when she was excited.
“Do you need any help?” she asked.
“Just make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.” With Alexsey gone, I had to maximize my time. He’d be pissed at me for even considering what I had in mind, but I wasn’t going to sit around in a fancy condominium and do nothing while my life was being stripped away.
Fury didn’t begin to describe the way I felt about what Liam had done. He’d been lying to me the entire time about the settlement. He’d put his own niece at risk health-wise for what? So he could become a drug dealer? Fuck him. He deserved to face my wrath.
I yanked the duffle bags from Kristine’s arms, giving her the same look she’d done with me before following behind my daughter.
Once inside the guest room, I quickly unearthed her favorite toys, books, crayons, and her stuffie.
“I’m going to go chat with Auntie Krissy. Will you be okay for a little while?”
“Yep. Fine, Mommy.”
Good. I was nervous. The little game I was playing could easily backfire. Plus, it would seem Kristine was in a shitty mood.
I moved back into the living room finding it empty. I found her in the kitchen staring into the refrigerator. When she sensed my presence, she slammed the door. “There isn’t even enough food in this place for a bird to eat. What is happening?”
“Well, Alexsey doesn’t want me going anywhere since Emily was kidnapped yesterday.”
It was as if she suddenly remembered the reason I was staying here, her features softening. “What have the police said?”
“That they are actively prosecuting the two people involved.”
“That son of a bitch is the reason you’re going through all this bullshit.”
“That son of a bitch likely saved Emily’s life.”
She opened her mouth to retort while I lifted an eyebrow and folded my arms. “Okay. Yes, I know. You told me. But you wouldn’t have gone through that if you hadn’t accepted his date.”
I had to laugh. “You were the one trying to convince me to go out with him. Remember?” I studied her carefully.
She was a couple of inches taller, but everyone certainly knew we were sisters and more than once we’d been mistaken for being twins.
Since she’d worn the cap when she came in, that would solve the problem with the difference in our hairstyles.
But we had the same deep green eyes and the same long dark curls. Perfect.
“Don’t remind me,” she scoffed then narrowed her eyes.
“Look, Liam has been lying to me. He’s into some bad shit.”
“You’re kidding me.”
I shook my head.
“I knew you shouldn’t trust that Irish bastard.”
Grinning, I did so love how my sister would so quickly come to my defense. “Yeah, he is.” I studied her again, rubbing my chin.
“What are you staring at?”
“You look very much like me.”
“No, I do not.” She grinned after objecting. “Of course we look alike. We’re sisters. Wait a minute. What’s going on?”
“I need your help.”
“Doing what?”
“Escaping.”
Alexsey
Goddamn reporters.
They’d been outside the condominium and it had taken all my control to not drive my fist in their faces. I’d also seen the ridiculous statement made by the reporter Halle had punched on the morning news.
He’d laid it on thick, the tape across the bridge of his nose making him look ridiculous. From what I’d heard from a buddy of mine at the station, he was being suspended. Maybe I’d made a phone call or two. I did have clout in this town.
Why not use it.
The morning had been… delicious and at least the first act of business had been to call my real estate agent. The ball was rolling.
Now, as I strode toward the largest of our hotels, a swarm of reporters came out of nowhere.
“Mr. Dmitriyev. Is it true you saved a little girl’s life?”
“Mr. Dmitriyev. Isn’t the girl you saved the child belonging to Halle O’Leary? And how is she doing after the horrific scare?”
“Mr. Dmitriyev. Do you have any idea why you and your family are being targeted?”
I was about to blow them off and sic my two guards on them when I realized avoiding the topic wasn’t going to force them away. They’d hang out until they got their sound bite.
Why not use the moment to poke the bear a little bit more?
Stopping short, I turned to face them, instantly planting a smile on my face.
After buttoning my jacket, I looked from one to the other.
“While I’m running late for a meeting, I’ll be happy to address those questions.
Yes, I believe I was able to help a little girl who’d been kidnapped from her first day of kindergarten.
Imagine the monster who would do something like that.
By the grace of God, I was given the opportunity and the strength to save her.
“As far as Ms. O’Leary. Yes, she is the child’s mother, and I’m extremely fond of both of them.
Thank you for asking about her. Halle is doing well despite the attacks she endured on herself and her beautiful, intelligent little girl.
The reason we’re being targeted is simple.
As with every other business, we have our share of enemies, men and women who refuse to work as hard as we have to achieve success. ”
I egged it on by sweeping one arm out indicating the resort. “They are vile people with no understanding of family or respect of the law.”
When the reporters were about to toss out additional questions, I threw out my hand.
“As I said, I’m late for a meeting, but I will say this.
” I shifted my gaze from one camera to another so every network would see the exact expression on my face.
“Given we are aware of exactly who’s to blame, I assure you that they will be dealt with in the most appropriate way. Now, thank you for your time.”
I offered a smile and headed into the lobby, taking long strides and easily making it to the elevators without being stopped.
Maybe that would draw Papadakis out into the open.
Or maybe he’d throw another fit.
I chuckled the entire time the elevator moved to the top floor, more relaxed since I’d tossed out the gauntlet. I pushed my way through the double doors, and several of the employees nodded as I walked by.
The executive conference room inside Ecstasy was full of family. I couldn’t remember the last time we’d all been together other than at the warehouse a few nights before. In addition, Mikhail had brought several of his top soldiers with him so that after our discussion he could toss out orders.
He was more agitated than usual, which meant he’d learned something that I doubted any of us would like.
I suddenly realized at least one reporter had gone live when I’d started talking. What the heck. I looked pretty damn good on camera.
“You’re in rare form today,” Kazimir said before taking a sip of his drink. It was barely noon and he was drinking. That meant he was unnerved. Granted, we all were.
Mikhail turned off the television. “Baiting them is dangerous.”
“Yeah, well, so is leaving a little clue in a child’s backpack.”
My brother and Pakhan cocked his head. “What are you talking about?”
“The assholes who took Emily left a Russian proverb in the bag she was carrying, knowing we’d find it. You cannot postpone death.”
At least Vissarian and Mikhail instantly understood the significance, Vissarian huffing. “Your father as Pakhan used to say that seconds before killing an enemy.”
“Yep. That’s why I thought I’d toss out a few crumbs.”
“Why do I have a feeling the Papadakises have harbored these plans for months if not longer?” Sasha looked from one of us to another.