Chapter 10 #2
I thought about his words before answering, almost laughing before speaking. I’d gone from wanting to scratch out his eyes to trusting him? “I actually do. You don’t know how rare that is for me.”
“Good,” he huffed, still staring out at the water. “That will be tested.”
“Did something happen you’re not telling me about?”
“No, which is also a problem. I was expecting a phone call from a Russian contact. The silence is telling.”
“Can you trust him?”
I could see his expression darkening. “I’m not entirely certain at this point. If I don’t learn any additional information today, there’s going to be a change in plans.”
“Meaning?”
He slowly turned in my direction. “Meaning I’m going to find a safer place for you.”
“Which means you’re going to be the one doing the hunting.” I sensed he wasn’t telling me something.
“Exactly. I can’t risk your life. I won’t do that. You should have a bag ready with a few items you want to take. If something goes down, it will happen quickly. You’ll have minutes to be ready. Do you understand?”
“You are scaring me, Nikolai, even more than those men chasing us did.”
“If you haven’t figured out by now, you should be terrified. You’re not going to fight me on taking you somewhere safe. If you have a location in mind, I suggest you let me know. However, if there’s any possibility the Bratva can find out where you’re staying, that can’t be your choice.”
“I don’t have anyone in my life, Nikolai. Haven’t you figured that out by now?”
“You really aren’t in contact with your parents?”
“No. My parents tossed me out because I tried to help my brother, the black sheep of the family. The moment I took his side over theirs, I was dead to them. Yeah, there are extenuating circumstances as to why they’d do something so drastic, but their actions forced me to realize that I couldn’t count on anyone but myself.
And I’ve never placed my trust in anyone, so that makes the fact I actually trust you a big damn deal. ”
My God, the man didn’t seem to have any reaction at all.
I backed away, completely confused as to why he’d acted as if he gave a damn the night before.
Tears burned my eyes as I tried to keep them from falling.
Weakness. They would show him how weak I was.
I turned around, walking quickly toward the safety of the trees.
“Wait.”
The single word wasn’t his usual command. It was softer, kinder. As close to pleading as I’d likely hear from him. “What? If you want to make fun of me, then go right ahead. I do it to myself all the time. I know I seem helpless and pathetic to you, but I’m not.”
“I would never make fun of you. You’re one of the strongest women I’ve ever met. There is nothing fragile about you. Just sad. I trust very few people as well; however, I know of someone who will do me a favor. You won’t have to worry.”
“Does that mean I’ll never see you again?” His hesitation was my answer, but he confirmed it.
“Probably not, but I will send word when it’s safe to return to your life.”
“Where will you go?”
“Russia.”
Russia. My God. He was returning to his life. I shouldn’t be shocked. He’d mentioned in class that once indoctrinated in the Bratva, then it was impossible to leave.
Wonderful. I’d found a man I could care about and fate refused to allow us a chance. Well, that’s the way it was. A chance? I must be lost in some romance novel. This wasn’t fantasy and it certainly wasn’t a fairytale, no matter how electric our connections.
Stop behaving like a child.
I headed back to the cabin and this time he didn’t stop me. When I headed inside, I immediately walked to the front door, locking it. Then I backed into the room, holding my arms and taking a deep breath, blinking until the tears finally stopped forming.
Suck it up, girl.
The advice was good.
I took a few seconds, finally studying the room. There were some well-crafted old bookshelves, still holding several books. While there weren’t any photographs, the art on the walls was surprisingly beautiful, various landscapes reminding me of the area.
When he didn’t return after a few minutes, I moved into the kitchen. The bags I’d peered into were by the door, ready to be grabbed at a moment’s notice.
Ignore them.
More good advice, but I wasn’t certain I was going to be able to follow it. I couldn’t imagine life on the run, although maybe that’s a little bit of what my world had been since leaving North Carolina. I should have fought back instead of running.
However, I was starving and by the looks of the kitchen, Nikolai hadn’t made anything to eat. I should just let him fend for himself, but that wasn’t what I wanted to do. Damn it, I needed coffee, a purchase I didn’t remember we’d made. Maybe I’d get lucky and find some.
I kept myself busy for the next thirty minutes, using what cleaning supplies I’d found to make the kitchen more presentable. At least I’d found a coffeemaker and a jar full of coffee. After starting the pot, I retreated to the kitchen window, yanking the ugly drapes and searching the backyard.
He was nowhere in sight. I left them open, feeling more uneasy than before.
It was obvious we weren’t going to have any additional conversations.
Even though there was only powder creamer, the cup of steaming java was heavenly, the bitter taste reminding me of the diner’s coffee.
A laugh bubbled to the surface. How many times had I complained about the taste?
Now, what I wouldn’t give to have a cup, laughing about whatever customer I’d just had to endure.
Like the Russians.
My skin began to crawl as I thought about them.
Had they anticipated finding Nikolai there or was it just coincidence?
They’d definitely had an agenda in mind.
I tried to remember what they’d said, not just the fear they’d left me with.
The asshole seemed more specific than I’d originally thought.
There was no doubt they were targeting Nikolai. I’d been such a fool.
“On budet vzyat,” I repeated.
“What. The. Hell?”
Hearing the anger in Nikolai’s voice, I jumped, almost spilling the coffee. I spun around, shocked at the expression on his face. He was furious, the veins on the side of his neck popping. When he stormed into the room, I immediately shifted against the counter, sloshing the coffee onto the floor.
“You will talk to me. There is no other choice. Now, who are you?”
“What are you talking about?” I managed, already shaking all over. Everything about his demeanor had changed, as if I was his enemy.
“I heard what you said. You were a plant. That’s how they’ve been able to find our location. You’re Russian. You’re working for the Bratva.”
Whoa. I was so floored I couldn’t speak. When he inched closer, his hands fisted, I threw out my arm. “No. Are you kidding me?”
“He will be taken. Those were your words.”
“I didn’t know what they meant. That was something one of the guys in the diner said and I overheard.” It was obvious he didn’t believe me, his rage only increasing.
After hesitating briefly, he closed the distance, knocking the cup out of my hand then wrapping his hand around my neck. As he dug his fingers into my skin, I could instantly feel my throat closing. Almost instantly I found it difficult to breathe.
I clawed at his shirt, fisting my hands around the material. He was going to kill me. How could he think I was some double agent? “Please. You’re wrong.”
His hold tightened. “Your interest in my class was fake. You were given a job to infiltrate my world. You speak and understand Russian. I should have been tipped off before. How fucking stupid. Well, that ends here. Before I kill you, you’re going to tell me everything you know. Contacts. Locations. Plans.”
Gasping, I was already lightheaded. I pummeled my fists against his chest, pleading with him with my eyes. “No. I’m… not…”
At first, he squeezed even harder, twisting his hand until pain shot to my head. I could see utter confliction in his eyes, the soulless man having second thoughts.
“Nik-o-lai…”
Hissing, he released his hold, taking a step away and running his hands through his hair.
Coughing, I slumped against the counter, rubbing my throat, the dreaded tears I’d tried so hard to avoid slipping down both cheeks, a sob erupting from my throat.
He continued to glare at me, his chest heaving. “You’re going to tell me everything, princess. I do mean everything that you know. I’ll consider sparing your life if you do.”
I coughed for several seconds, trying to catch my breath. “I… don’t…” I closed my eyes, controlling my breathing as I tried to calm my nerves.
“Talk to me, Chloe.”
“I don’t know anything, Nikolai. Remember the men in the diner?
The ones who attacked me? I was just trying to remember what they said.
They weren’t who they first appeared to be, but I didn’t catch it until the end of their meal.
I also didn’t remember anything until just now. You have to believe me.”
After closing his eyes briefly, he gave me a single nod. I wasn’t certain what that was supposed to mean. That he wasn’t going to pump a bullet into my brain? Still shaking, I crouched down on the floor, picking up the largest broken pieces of the cup.
Think and breathe, Chloe. You have to escape.
How? How was I going to do that?
“Beautiful women are recruited by the Bratva all the time in order to secure information. Do you know what happens to them afterwards, Chloe? They are taken by every male in vile and brutal ways. When their hungers are satisfied, one of them is assigned to slit her throat.”