Chapter 7
Nikolai
“Do you know what darkness is?” Maxim asked as he led me up a set of stairs.
“Yes, sir. That’s where nightmares are created. It’s also the safest part of the day.”
I could tell my answer had surprised him.
“That’s very true, Sacha. The darkest hours of the day allow you to become anything you want to be.
If you want to be a knight in shining armor, you can certainly become one.
In our line of work, shadows afford you anonymity, a true gift.
However, keep in mind that our enemies will also hunt in those same hours. ”
“Who are our enemies, Mr. Federov?”
“Papa. You can call me Papa, Sacha, since I’m now your father.
To answer your question,” he said before stopping in front of a massive wooden door, “they exist everywhere. You must always be cautious trusting anything or anyone. Only your instinct can provide the answer to whether or not you can place your trust. Always listen to your gut, never your heart. Doing so, that will keep you alive.”
When he opened the door, my eyes opened wide. “What is this place?”
“This is your private bedroom, Sacha. Within these walls, you can always feel safe. But once you venture outside, you must promise me that you’ll always be careful.”
“Of course, Papa.”
He led me inside then took a step away. “And remember, family is most important, blood the only thing that matters. Do you understand, my son?”
I turned to face him, giving him a dutiful nod. “Yes, Papa.”
“Excellent, my little warrior.”
Darkness.
It was something I knew well, both from the reality of actual night to the soul-stealing shadows that had haunted me almost every day since I’d walked away from everything I’d come to love.
The man who’d called himself my father had been correct.
I’d found safety behind the walls of his massive estate, always remembering what he’d told me.
The blackness had also been my friend, keeping me protected during some of the toughest, most dangerous times.
Being able to navigate without light meant I’d survived.
Tonight was no different.
However, dawn would quickly approach.
I’d experienced more memories since noticing I was being watched, the times spent with Maxim Federov alone some of my favorites.
However, my good fortune hadn’t been without treachery.
Maybe I’d allowed myself to forget the various ordeals I’d gone through, the brutal violence and bloodshed that had turned me into a killer.
And maybe it was time to remember everything.
That was the only way I’d survive.
If the Petrov Bratva was behind this, they obviously had several soldiers in the country, enough they were staking out several roads.
The chances we’d be able to make it to safety were slim, but I had to risk it.
However, I had far too many doubts about my brother’s involvements to fully convince myself this was an attempt by another crime family to eliminate their enemies.
Only time would tell.
I’d remained by the window, keeping an eye out for a sign of the soldiers, the weapon in my hand.
At least I hadn’t seen any obvious signs.
I was furious that I hadn’t thought through the plan well enough.
I’d be forced to take an indirect route to Vermont.
An almost four-hour trip would now take us almost seven.
Hissing, I twisted my hand around the weapon.
The location was almost too close for comfort, but at least we’d literally be steps away from the Canadian border.
If necessary, I’d use the single contact in Quebec I knew I could trust. That had been enough of an impetus to accept Travis’ offer.
However, I’d need to remain cautious as fuck.
When I heard Chloe murmuring in her sleep, I sighed.
What the hell was I doing fucking her? Disciplining was one thing, but I’d allowed her to crawl under my skin enough she could become a weakness.
That could be the single reason we’d be compromised.
Her scent lingered on my skin, her light perfume clinging to my nostrils.
Even my cock twitched now at the thought of fucking her all over again.
No. Control. I had to maintain control.
The first peeks of dawn slipped over the horizon, strings of red crisscrossing the sky. That meant a storm was approaching.
When she stirred again, I moved away from the window, closing the drapes, and turning on the light in the bathroom. By the time I returned to the room, she was sitting up, staring at me intently.
“We’re going to need to go. Do what you need then we leave in five minutes.” I could hear the harshness in my voice, but until we made it to the cabin, there would be no rest.
She didn’t say a word, merely slipped out of bed, heading for the bathroom then stopping short. “Did you sleep?”
“Not yet. I’ll sleep after we dump the car, get a new one, and find our destination.”
“If they’re so smart, won’t they have a way of looking for your credit cards?” She tipped her head, searching my eyes.
“That’s why I have cash.”
“Of course you do.” She walked into the bathroom, slamming the door, pitching me back into darkness.
I moved to the dresser, turning on the light and placing the bags on the bed. My only hope was that there would be a small town in between in order to purchase another vehicle. If not, the odds would slip.
Chloe returned only a couple of minutes later, managing to fashion her hair in a sloppy bun. With the ringlets framing her face, she appeared like an angel, her skin glowing in the ugly bathroom lighting.
“I’m going to tell you this once, Chloe. We have to work together now. Do you understand what I’m saying to you?”
“Yes. I understand. Can we get something to eat or drink along the way?” Her tone was soft, now laced with fear instead of defiance.
“We can. Stay behind me as we leave. We’re going around the side.”
Her lower lip quivering, she gave me a single nod.
I was surprised when she snagged my shirt, holding on as I walked us around the side of the building.
Maybe now she fully understood that her life was in just as much danger as mine.
I stopped at the other end of the building, darting my head around the side, fully prepared to fire if necessary.
Fortunately, in the early morning light, I was able to scan the perimeter of the area with ease.
“Okay, come on.” We headed for the car, the slight beep as I unlocked it the only sound that could be heard.
Once inside, I wasted no time starting the engine, keeping watch as I rolled toward the road.
Sighing, I took a few seconds to look at my phone.
I’d planned a new route, the town we passed through hopefully large enough in order to make a swift transaction on a vehicle.
As we headed into an even more rural part of the countryside, her breathing continued to be ragged. She remained quiet for almost twenty minutes.
“When are you going to tell me about your real life?”
Huffing, I darted a glance in her direction. “Don’t ask questions unless you really want to know.”
“Why wouldn’t I want to know? Are you afraid I’m too fragile to learn the truth?”
I thought about her question. “I’ve spent several years attempting to bury that side of my life. I’ve enjoyed the kind of freedom that most Americans take for granted.”
“But were you ever really free?”
“Perhaps not in the way you’re thinking, but I was allowed to do something I enjoyed, choosing where I went to dinner and who I spent time with.”
“From what I could tell, you didn’t do much socializing. What kind of life is that?”
Her words hit me hard because they were the truth. Had I been living freely or simply allowing myself to be placed in another cage? “I don’t think you can understand.”
“From what you taught in your class, Professor, life in Russia was always difficult, although less so in the last forty years. If you were Bratva, considered royalty amongst a certain portion of the Russian people, I doubt you had to endure times without food or entertainment.” She snorted and looked away, muttering under her breath.
“As I said. Do not ask if you don’t want to know the truth.” There was no reason for her questions and comments to rile me, but they did. I kept my grip on the steering wheel firm, constantly looking in the rearview mirror.
And the drive remained silent for another two hours until the sign for the small town came into view.
While it was still early, it was possible that a few businesses were open.
At least luck was with us if only to a point.
A small dealership appeared on the main road, a fast food restaurant beside it.
When I pulled in, she gave me another hard look.
“You’re really getting rid of your car?”
“A necessity. I’m going to make the transaction. Then we’ll grab some food. Get whatever you want. We’ll have several hours ahead of us.”
“What about clothes? I don’t even know where we’re going. You won’t tell me anything.” The tremor in her voice was palpable.
“We’re going to a safe location, a cabin. There is a local store where we can purchase everything that we need prior to getting there.”
“You think of everything. Don’t you?” This time her question was laced with more defiance. A criticism.
As a man approached, I bristled, immediately reaching for the gun.
“That’s so sad, Nikolai, or whatever your real name is.
That’s some local-yokel salesman who might try to help you, but only if you don’t shove a gun in his mouth then blast his head off.
How in the hell can you live that way?” She yanked off the seatbelt, folding her arms and scooting as far away from me as possible.
“If you haven’t learned already, Chloe, I’m a trained soldier. While you don’t seem to understand the importance of that fact, you will learn to respect me one way or the other.”
“What if I don’t?”
I wasn’t certain she would like the answer.
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