CHAPTER 25
Anastasia
Going out with Andrei guarding me feels a little weird, but I totally understand why.
It’s just... the man is next-level quiet and gives off one heck of an intense vibe that makes the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
He is Rodian’s best friend and the underboss. Rodian wouldn’t leave you alone with him if he didn’t trust him.
I glance up and down the street so I can cross to the other side, but Andrei takes hold of my elbow and practically grumbles, “Wait.”
Looking up at his face, I notice he’s staring at something, and following his line of sight, I see a guy on a bicycle weaving on and off the sidewalk.
I would’ve walked right into his path.
“Go.” The low rumble from Andrei has my feet moving before the command even registers in my brain.
My thumb begins to move, tapping my fingertips lightly, and I focus on taking deep breaths.
Andrei lets go of my elbow after we’ve crossed the street, and I walk faster, relieved when I finally enter the restaurant and spot Katya.
“Hi!” She waves excitedly while getting up from the table in the back corner. When I reach her, she grabs me by my upper arms and plants a kiss on my cheek. “It’s so good to see you. I’m excited. Can you tell?”
“What? Pfft,” I say teasingly. “I can’t tell at all.”
We chuckle as we sit down, then she looks at me with genuine admiration. “How much bribing will it take for you to make me such a gorgeous dress?”
“Well, let’s see.” I pretend to think about it. “A lunch or two should do the trick.”
Never in my life have I clicked so fast with another person, and it’s unbelievable how comfortable she makes me feel.
Katya nudges a menu closer to me and signals for a server. “What are you in the mood for? I’m having the warm sourdough boule with whipped salted butter, a creamy mushroom skillet, aaaaand…” Her eyes scan over all the options. “Baked Camembert with honey.”
“That all sounds delicious. What else do you recommend?”
“Cheese-stuffed flatbread and the beef tenderloin strips with creamy sauce. We can share.”
“That sounds great.”
“And to drink?” the server asks.
“A pitcher of the homemade raspberry lemonade to share, but don’t add mint.” As the server leaves, Katya scrunches her nose. “I can’t stand the taste of mint.”
“That makes two of us. It always overpowers everything, and then it feels like I’m drinking toothpaste.”
Katya stares out the window, then asks, “Ahh, I see you have the lone wolf guarding you today. What do you think of Andrei?”
I glance over my shoulder and see him standing outside, glowering at every person who passes the Bistro like they’re an enemy he wants to rip limb from limb.
“He’s intense.”
She chuckles. “That’s an understatement if ever I heard one.”
The server brings two glasses and the pitcher of lemonade, and while Katya pours for us, I mention, “You don’t have an accent like the other wives.”
“That’s because I spent half my childhood in the US and the other half on vacations with my parents. When my dad got sick, I came home, then I met Sergei.” Her smile widens. “And well, the rest is history.”
We chat about her time abroad, and when the food comes, we jump from topic to topic while enjoying our lunch.
When the bill arrives, Katya grabs it first, saying, “My treat.” She wags her eyebrows at me. “You know, part payment of my bribe to get you to make me a dress.”
“I was joking. As soon as I’m done with the project I’m busy with, you can come over so I can take your measurements.”
“I can’t wait.”
Getting up, we walk to the door where we part ways. As I cross the street with Andrei, I say, “Thank you for coming with me today.”
There’s zero friendliness in his tone as he replies, “No worries.” I take another two steps, then suddenly, Andrei grabs hold of my arm, and he shoves me forward while snapping, “Move!”
Hearing engines revving loudly as they come tearing down the street, I don’t have time to glance around us. Andrei begins to run, dragging me along with him.
Dammit! This is the last time I’m wearing high heels.
We reach the Rolls-Royce, and he quickly yanks the passenger door open before shoving me inside. “Lock the doors! Whatever happens, do not get out.”
For a stupid moment I think he’s going to get in so we can speed away, but instead, he tosses the keys onto my lap and slams the door shut.
When I blink at Andrei in shock, he slams his fist against the window and leveling me with a dark look, he indicates to lock the car.
While I quickly press the fob, he spins around, blocking a punch, then he slams his fist into a man’s nose, making blood gush from his nostrils.
My God.
Seeing a group of easily ten men, my eyes almost bug out of my head and fear shudders through me.
Oh no!
They’re all armed with bats, crowbars, knives, and guns. The sight of all the weapons drains the blood from my face and makes a weird sensation of pins and needles creep over my skin.
Andrei moves incredibly fast, his fist hammering several times into a guy’s face, before ending him with a upper cut that’s hard enough to send him flying into two others.
Holy shit. I’ve never seen someone fight like that.
Turning, Andrei elbows another, then ducks and sweeps a man’s feet from under him.
While Andrei morphs into a ninja before my eyes, performing flying kicks and disabling one man after the other, I hurry to dig my phone out and dial Rodian’s number.
My breaths burst over my lips, and it takes another few seconds for my mind to catch up to what’s happening.
But then three men barrel toward Andrei at once, and I cry out, “Oh my God! Andrei!”
He grabs the first by the back of his neck and slams him face-first into the hood of the SUV, then he ducks again, kicking the second one in the knee. The man roars in pain as he goes down, writhing on the ground.
The third guy gets in punch after punch, forcing Andrei up against the side of the SUV, and they break the side mirror before Andrei knees the bastard in the crotch, making him fold like a house of cards.
I get a glimpse of Andrei’s ruthless expression, and the dead look in his almost black eyes, along with the slight curl of his lip, has shivers racing down my spine and the tiny hairs on my body rising.
Just as he pushes away from the SUV, gunshots crack through the air. One bounces off the window beside me, then Andrei’s right shoulder snaps back.
“Noooo!” I scream, and as another bullet hits him in the side, I reach for him, my hands slamming into the door.
A third bullet hits him in his abdomen, the impact throwing him backward.
In absolute horror, I scream, “Andrei!”
Men rush the Rolls-Royce, but they don’t even look at me. They grab Andrei and begin to punch him over and over, and once his head lolls to the side, they drag him away, while others gather the injured.
“Anastasia!” Rodian roars in my ear, reminding me I called him.
“Oh my God,” I sob. “They just shot Andrei. I think… I think there are around ten men. He tried so hard, but then they shot him.”
Tears stream down my face, and I feel so powerless as I watch them haul Andrei toward black vans.
“Just stay in the SUV. It’s armored,” Rodian says, his voice thick with worry and anger. “I’m on my way. Don’t move, Anastasia.”
I shake my head. “They don’t care about me. They’re taking Andrei!”
“I’m coming. Just stay in the car. I can track Andrei.” Rodian’s breaths are harsh, giving me the impression he’s running. “Tell me what else you see.”
“Three black vans.” Putting the call on speaker, I open the camera and start taking photos as they load Andrei into one of the vehicles. “I’m taking photos. I’ll try to get the number plates.”
“That’s good. Did you get hurt?” Rodian asks.
“No. Andrei got me into the SUV before they attacked.”
“Okay. What’s happening now?”
“They’re leaving.” Crying hard, my body shudders with each sob.
“Blyad?. Can you drive?”
“N-no. I d-don’t know h-how.” Then it sinks in that Andrei was shot three times, and it’s probably the last time I’ll see him.
They’re going to kill Rodian’s underboss, which means another war.
“I’m so sorry,” I weep, my shoulders jerking. “I know he was your best friend and you love him.”
“Not was,” Rodian growls. “Andrei is strong. He’ll survive.” A few seconds later, he says, “I see you. I’m here.”
My head whips from side to side as I frantically search the area, and seeing Rodian get out of another SUV, I unlock the Rolls-Royce and shove the door open.
I almost fall in my hurry to get out, then I run to my husband and throw my arms around him.
“I’ve got you.” His strong body practically engulfs me as he orders, “Sergei, get Andrei’s gun by the front left tire.”
I hear Sergei jog away, and pulling back, I wipe the tears from my cheeks while glancing at the blood that’s smeared over the side panel of the SUV.
“I shouldn’t have gone out.”
“They still would have gone after Andrei,” Rodian says, and framing my head, he presses kisses to my forehead before his eyes sweep over me from head to toe. “Are you sure you’re not hurt?”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me and focus on Andrei. He needs you.”
Rodian’s phone rings, and he quickly pulls it out. “Give me good news.”
I can’t hear what the other person says, but it makes Rodian grab my hand and shout, “Sergei, bring the Rolls-Royce. Rosie has a direction for us to go in. Stay on my tail.”
“Yes, boss.”
I run with Rodian to the other SUV, and while he climbs in behind the steering wheel, I scramble into the passenger seat.
The engine roars as Rodian speeds away from the scene, and while he steers with one hand, he connects his phone to Bluetooth and says, “I’m heading north.”
“Right at the next set of traffic lights. Pedal to the metal, Rodian. The tracking device only works if there’s a tower it can ping off, so as soon as they leave the city, it will be difficult to track the device,” Rosie says, her tone very tense.
Rodian takes the right so sharp, I fall to the side but quickly pull myself upright and put on my seat belt.
God, please let us get to Andrei in time.
Only after I send up the prayer do I realize that if we do catch up, it will be Rodian and Sergei against half an army.
My head snaps to him. “There were easily ten men! You and Sergei can’t fight them all.”
“I’m not losing Andrei,” Rodian replies, his tone unforgiving.
While I stare at my husband, who’s dead set on saving his underboss, I send up one silent prayer after the other.