Chapter 10 #4
Of course he wasn’t going to tell me. It was some crazy attempt to protect me.
Nikolai moved closer. “My buddy spotted a group of them in town. They are blanketing their search, which is one reason I’m being extremely cautious. They have methods of surveillance that would surprise you, let alone their reconnaissance abilities.”
“You have to be kidding me? They really want you taken out of the picture,” I huffed then reined in my own anger. “Where did he see them?”
“They went to the diner, likely asking questions. Don’t worry. My friend did tell me there were no incidents.”
“But? I know there’s something else. Just tell me. There certainly has to be another reason you attacked me for saying a few words in Russian.”
His anger flashed once again but he took a deep breath. “They went to your apartment. It was torn apart.”
Lights erupted in front of my eyes. “Then how could you think I would be involved if the bastards went after me?”
“They might have thought you betrayed them. That’s happened before.”
I laughed bitterly, the ache in my hand almost as substantial as the one in my heart. “Well, I guess you’re going to believe what you need to. There is no way of proving my identity to you. You took care of that as well.”
Another round of silence settled in.
“You are correct on all points, Chloe. Point taken. I overreacted. On budet vzyat. Is that what you heard? While I don’t deserve your help, I’m asking for it. The more information I know, the more likely it is I can stay ahead of them.”
“Yes. I think that’s what I heard, although the asshole was trying to be careful talking around me, which is why he spoke Russian. You should know I’m not fluent in Russian, no matter what you think.” I found it crazy I was still trying to convince him.
“As I said before, I believe you. Did a single one of the mercenaries mention a name?”
“No, but there was something about a Pakhan.” Mercenaries. I couldn’t get the word out of my mind.
“Think for me, Chloe. This might be important.”
I wanted to continue giving him a piece of my mind, screaming at him, but I did what he asked, trying to remember as closely as possible. “All I can remember is Pakhan shit, which doesn’t make any sense.” I studied his face, trying to determine what he was thinking.
“Pakhan reshit?”
As soon as he said the two words, I could hear the bastard from the diner saying them. “That’s it. What does it mean?”
“Only the Pakhan will decide.”
“You?”
Nikolai shook his head. “I am dead to the majority of my people. They certainly wouldn’t call me their Pakhan. Anything else?”
“Other than they warned me to stay away from you because you were a killer, no. Why would they bother telling me that?”
“So that you would feel obligated to tell me about your conversation. Did you see any markings on their bodies?” He wore a wry expression on his face, but I could sense his continued rage.
“Like yours?”
“Yes, anything at all?”
“Just on one of the assholes. It almost reminded me of some sick swastika, but it was different and very crude.”
He chuckled darkly and looked out the window. “The Petrov Bratva. They are even more savage than the Federovs. The marks are carved into those deemed loyal. So it is true,” he said more to himself, cursing under his breath.
“What is true?”
“Another Bratva is attempting to take over my father’s territory.”
“What about your brother? Does that mean he’s involved? Did he sell out?”
“That I do not know.” He walked toward me, grabbing one of his bags.
I had nothing else to tell him. He’d captured a small piece of my heart. That sickened me. I’d allowed him inside, if only for a little while. At least he’d reminded me about the monster living in the depths of his being. Perhaps I should feel grateful for his acts of condemnation.
Nikolai crouched down in front of me again. In his hand was a thick piece of gauze and some medical tape.
“You carry that with you everywhere you go?” I managed as he slowly removed the towel.
“I learned a long time ago to have basics with me in case of an emergency.”
“You mean in case of an attack.” The fight in me was fading. Maybe I was simply exhausted.
“I’m so sorry, Chloe. I never meant to hurt you.”
I was so tense, fearful of even looking at him, but the light brush of the tip of his finger across my cheek created a wave of tingles. The concern in his voice was genuine.
So was the regret.
“Good, the bleeding has already stopped. It’s not as deep as I thought. Keep this wrapped. We’ll change the dressing tomorrow.” He finished the dressing, moving his hand once again to brush his fingers across my cheek.
After flinching, I nodded, finding no point in continuing the conversation. All I wanted to do was scrub the stink of the experience away. “I’m going to take a shower. Then I’ll make something to eat.” I managed to ease away from him without looking back.
What I found it too damn ridiculous to believe or accept was that he’d stripped away a portion of my heart.
The very piece that had found it difficult not to fall hard for the sexy, dangerous man.
A professor.
A hero.
A monster.