20. Alek
ALEK
I couldn’t sleep all night.
Mia fell asleep on the car ride over and when I pulled into the hotel, I carried her to the elevator to the penthouse suite. This hotel isn’t my first choice, but I had to be smart. I had to think like Ivan. He’s going to check my usual haunts and I can’t risk Mia.
I might’ve paid the valet a large amount of money to get rid of the car as well. All the running, all the hiding, it’ll only last so long. Ivan will find us because he’s my son and I taught him very well.
The police are in our pockets. He can go to them and easily ask for traffic camera footage to see if they can track us using facial recognition software.
Mia and I have to get married today. The most important reason is because I don’t want to waste another day of her not being mine. The other reason, to protect her from Ivan’s greed. There’s no way I’m going to allow my son to touch her with his entitlement.
The sooner this wedding happens, the better.
I take a sip of the black coffee I made, staring out the floor to ceiling windows that overlook the bustling strip of Las Vegas. This city is beautiful. I’ve lost count of how many bodies, dead or alive, that I have buried in the vast Nevada desert.
Tearing my eyes away from the view, I set my coffee down on the nightstand and walk towards the bedroom that’s off the side. I lean against the doorframe, crossing my arms as I watch Mia sleep.
She’s safe. He hasn’t gotten to her.
Yet. The stupid voice in the back of my head whispers.
Even if he tries, he won’t succeed.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, interrupting my plans to keep my eyes on Mia. There’s only one person it can be.
I step away from the bedroom and leave the door ajar so I can hear if anything happens. Rationally, Ivan can’t get to her since we are on the penthouse floor, but the irrational side of me is thinking he will find a way.
Just like I found a way to marry his fiancée.
I sit down on the leather couch in front of the gas fireplace, the flames flickering and swaying, bringing warmth and safety to the space.
“Nikolai,” I answer. “Where are you?”
“Let me in.”
I hang up the phone and stroll to the front door. He must’ve taken the stairs all the way up because the usual way in is through the elevator since it opens to directly to this floor with a key. Nikolai doesn’t have a key yet.
Opening the door, Nikolai stands there with heavy dark circles under his eyes as if he hasn’t slept in a week. He holds a black leather duffle bag in his left hand.
His getaway bag.
That’s how I know things are serious.
“Are you going to let me in or are we going to stare at one another all night?” He asks in Russian, running his fingers through his hair.
I step aside, allowing him in. “Coffee is made.”
“So early?”
“There’s no time to waste.”
“Where is Mia?”
“Asleep,” I answer, peeking out of the door to see if anyone followed him.
“No one followed me. I’m much better than that,” he sounds offended as he opens the cabinets to look for a mug. “Ivan hasn’t seen me in weeks. I’ve been following his every move, and he is moving like he’s in charge, Alek. It’s a problem. Only you can put a stop to it.”
“I will after I marry Mia. Until then, I stay where she is to keep her safe. I won’t leave her side.”
He pours the last bit of coffee into his mug and mirrors my position, leaning his elbows on the counter. “The cabin is trashed. They got in. Please tell me you grabbed the contract before you left.”
I nod, exhaustion hitting me like a truck, but that’s too bad. I can’t do anything about that. Falling asleep isn’t an option when I have to keep an eye on Mia.
“It’s the one thing I did grab as we ran out the door. I’m not going to risk having him find it.”
“Good.” He sips his coffee, scrubbing his tired eyes as he tries to stay awake.
“Why don’t you lie on the couch? Get a few hours of sleep. I’ll stay awake. Keep an eye on things.”
“No, Alek. We need to get the day started. You two need to be married today.”
“Da. That’s the plan.”
“But you can’t go into the city. Ivan will find you. Too many cameras,” he explains. “We need people to come here.”
I snap my fingers at the idea, agreeing. “Da. I like that. That makes me feel a lot better. I have been nervous to take Mia out into the city. I do wish she could see it. I have an old friend here, O’Malley. I could ask for his protection.”
“No. Don’t get anyone else involved. You don’t want a war. Ivan will start one.”
“How many of my men are following him?”
Nikolai grins, but it’s the kind where the Devil slips through to reveal himself.
“Only a few are at his side. A handful. Most of your men have been loyal. They don’t follow his orders.
He’s threatened them with death, and they still don’t care.
They know he isn’t a true leader. Good men can sense when they are trying to be led by a bad man.
You have people in your corner. I’ve had a few reach out to me and they know about Ivan’s abuse to Mia.
They know what you’re trying to do which is why they don’t stand by him. ”
I growl, “But some do.”
“That’s fine. We will kill them, so they don’t ruin the group. That’s all.” He shrugs, as if taking a life is nonchalant. I suppose once you’ve been in this business as long as we have, taking a life is easier than it used to be in the beginning.
“I’ll call a few of your local businesses you like to shop and see if they will come to you.”
“Of course they will. Anyone will do anything for the right dollar amount.”
“Da. Why do you think I still work for you?” He winks.
“Fuck you,” I tease in Russian.
He yawns, which causes me to yawn. I wonder if we have time for a little shut eye.
“How about we both try to get some sleep? Two hours. We have that. He won’t think about Vegas. He will try other places first. Ones that I’ve talked about with him. We can afford to get some sleep.”
I expect Nikolai to disagree with me, but he groans, dumping his coffee in the sink.
“You’re right. I don’t think we’ll be able to get through the day if we don’t. He has no idea clue that you’d come to Vegas. We’re safe for now. We can relax.”
“Da. Make yourself at home. I’m going to go hold my future wife.”
Nikolai takes out the gun from his waistband, then unzips his bag to grab the silencer.
I raise my brows in question.
“I sleep with it under my pillow. Can’t be too safe,” he explains.
Relatable.
“When we wake up, we call to have boutiques, jewelers, wedding dresses, and tuxedoes here. I want her to have the best of everything. And that starts as soon as we wake up.”
“You got it, Boss.” He pulls the hammer on his weapon, allowing a bullet to slide into the chamber so it’s at the ready if anyone walks through that door or elevator.
I knock my knuckles on the counter, then turn to leave, giving Nikolai my back.
I never give anyone my back. That’s when people like to take advantage, but I trust Nikolai.
I know my life is safe in his hands. If it wasn’t for his friendship that allows me to trust him, it’s the fact his family has dedicated generations protecting the Bykovs.
He would never sully their name.
If there is safety in anything, it’s that.
I open the door to the bedroom, easing it shut until a soft click sounds. The room is dark and cold just how Mia likes. Goosebumps awaken on my skin, a shiver that causes me to hurry up and slide into bed.
Slipping under the blanket, I wrap my arm around Mia’s waist, tugging her close to me. Her body fits perfectly against mine, a missing puzzle piece to my brutal soul.
“Alek?” she whispers in confusion.
I kiss her shoulder. “It’s okay, My Love. We’re safe. Go back to sleep.”
She turns over so her face nestles in my chest, her arm wrapping around my waist next. Our legs intertwine, our bodies becoming as close as possible.
“I love you.” The words are a sweet breath puffing against my chest.
I kiss her forehead, an overwhelming urge to protect her hitting me hard and fast. “I love you, too, Lyubimaya.”
I stare out the window while she quickly falls asleep, playing every worst scenario in my head so I’m ready for any and everything. I skim my fingers up and down her back, wanting her to be at peace.
My mind races until I officially run out of steam. I fight to stay awake, but exhaustion wins. My eyes close, my body sinks into the mattress, the warmth of Mia’s body against me luring me into dreams about our future.
I can’t wait to get married and put my son in his fucking place.
I wake with a start, the sun beaming in through the open window shines upon my face. It’s warm and bright.
Too fucking bright.
I stretch my arms out to reach for Mia to find the bed empty. The sleep that clung to me vanishes and I bolt out of bed, wide awake, my heart slamming against my chest with fear that my son was able to get his hands on her again.
That’s when I hear the shower.
I hang my head with relief and take a deep calming breath. I need to relax. I’m too worried. It’s distraction and Mia can’t afford for me to be distracted.
I stroll into the bathroom, the steam hitting me in the face, the humidity sticking to my skin. The water is always the temperature of hell when Mia bathes.
I slip off my sweatpants and open the glass door, Mia’s eyes on me. Her smile is big and bright. It’s happiness. And it’s directed at me.
“Good morning, My Love.” I step into the shower, the hot water nearly burning my toes off, but I will survive.
“Hi.” She becomes bashful, looking down, then peering up at me with those big brown eyes I always want and need on me.
I step forward, slipping my hands down her hips until my palms cup her ass.
“We have big plans today, but you might be mad at me.”
“I don’t think I could ever be mad at you.”
“We can’t risk walking around the strip, but Nikolai is calling a few high-end businesses to come here. You’ll have your own personal shopping spree here.”
Her mouth parts in shock. “You mean in the penthouse? They do that? I thought they only did that in movies.”
I chuckle, loving how innocent she is to the world. I hate my son didn’t give her what she deserved but I’m happy I get to be the one to give it to her.
“Da. Clothes, dresses, jewelry, purses, makeup, everything will be at your disposal. And Mia?”
She blinks her dark wet lashes at me, a question lifting her eyebrows.
I take her chin between my fingers, a habit that I’m forming. I can’t help it. I love having her look at me. “There’s no spending limit. Don’t hesitate. Don’t wonder if something is too much because it isn’t.”
“Are you kidding? I’m going to buy everything!” She squeals with excitement, rushing to wash herself. “I can’t wait. We have to hurry. I want this to happen now! Oh my gosh, I wonder what they will bring. How many purses can I get though? Don’t answer that. I’ll surprise you.”
I smile, staring at her as if she hung the moon and stars. This woman is my everything. “Whatever you want. It’s yours.”