Chapter Thirty-Six
Roman
Ava sat quietly in the car. As much as I thought she was going to scream and kick at me, she was still. She is not blinking as she stares blankly out the window. I am not sure where her mind is right now, but I’ve never seen her this emotionless, detaching herself from everything.
Nikolai pours alcohol on my bare shoulder as he pinches the other with his palm.
“Fucking bitch.” I grit back a scream.
He widens his eyes, blinking them toward Ava as he sets the bottle at my feet. The burn of the alcohol in my nostrils is what I focus on as I try to block out the pain in my shoulder, which felt like someone was cutting it off. I inhale as I shake my head at him. She definitely did not want to talk about this right now, disassociating and disconnecting.
Sarah peers through the rearview mirror, “Why the gunshots? Why would the Volokhovs and the Stravanis shoot at each other if they are buddies now?” Nikolai looks at me for permission to tell her, but I don't want to discuss their debauchery in front of Ava right now.
Nikolai shrugs me off. “Because they were accusing each other of using The Rabbit killer secretly, to bring down each other's mafia, like an inside hit. Massimo was accusing Stepan's men and vice versa. Well, from the footage I rigged, that is what I heard. But now," he takes out a metal clamp, "they know who it is."
I brace my hand on my knee as he shoves it in the bullet hole, "Fuuuuuck! Fuck!"
Ava places her hand on mine and holds it, but her focus is still out the window. Black mascara streaks down her precious cheeks as she picks at her mask in her lap. My heart sinks at the thought of Stepan dragging her. He almost had her. He will die, but I had to get her out of there first.
I watch her squeeze her delicate hand around mine as I lift the backside of hers to my mouth for a kiss. I lower them to the empty seat between us, interlacing our fingers.
Nikolai lights his knife with a small lighter, “You're lucky, you know? I just wish it would have gone straight through. Keep an eye on—” He sears the blade flat on top of the open wound. Staying still was the best thing I could do. My eyes roll back as images of Ava flash in the blank space, flushing away any pain.
The way her auburn hair waterfalls over her thick curves, her glistening moss green eyes, her watching me slice one of her abusers open.
Sarah interrupts my thought, “Nikolai was nice enough,” she sighs irritably at him, “but he grabbed some clothes from Roman’s room for you, Ava. They are all in your duffle bag in the back.” Sarah waits for Ava to respond, but her face doesn’t change as she stares in the rearview mirror and back out her
Nikolai bandages me, “There you go. Also, I put a few things in there for you, Roman. Sorry, I couldn't grab a lot. I was, you know, trying not to get shot.” He lifts his eyebrows at me as he packs away the items into the first aid bag, and tosses it over my seat into the back. I watch Sarah’s eyes smile as he climbs into the passenger seat.
I look out the window as the city slowly fades behind us into the night. I hadn't been to Russia in years, and it was never in the plans to return. But I have to hide her while I figure out how to keep her safe and finish what I started.
Sarah veers toward an exit, “I know you don't want to hear this, Roman, but I have a person with a plane to take you both. They are a trusted friend.”
Nikolai interjects before I can, “He is a former FSB like me. He is her… her ex-husband. I did a small background on him. He is harmless and a fucking wimp.” He stares at Sarah, “But what a small fucking world we live in, huh Tara?”
She narrows her eyes, keeping her focus on the road, “And you are an asshole. Don't call me that. Ever.”
“What about—”
“—Enough,” I grumble. A couple of bullies with nasty attitudes. “And please don't kill each other while we are gone,” I laugh.
Sarah jerks the car left, down a dark road. “We met a long time ago at a convention. He is a good one, I promise. It is a small world, but it doesn't take much to understand that it happens when we all are in the same vicinity of occupation, of wrong versus right.”
“Never heard of him before today, so he must be a paper pusher.” Nikolai is on edge and I could tell it was because of what happened today. Nothing is predictable, and he should know this by now. He did what he had to do, and I am just happy the fucker didn't get shot like I did.
I lean forward, “I didn't know there was an airport out here?”
“There isn't. It’s just a huge abandoned factory with a parking lot,” Sarah replies as she parks and turns to us, “You all ready?”
I look at Ava, and she is still looking out the window.
Ava
No. No, I am not fucking ready. I don't understand how this is normal for anyone. I drifted as I watched us pass other cars, and how the trees faded into darkness as the moon emerged. I am so angry with Roman. I am furious with myself for being so stupid, and I feel like I am no closer to knowing what is happening. I want to take them down just as much as he does, but excuse the fuck out of me for not wanting to be lied to or thinking it is customary to carve shit into people’s bodies and pluck their eyes out. I’m happy Shawn won’t be an issue anymore but it doesn’t take away the fact I thought he was the one leaving me notes and mutilating bodies this whole time. Not Roman.
I know that is what he does, but here I was, thinking we would play the game, and then hell just had to fucking break out. I need sleep, and maybe I will wake up from this nightmare.
You’ve said that about your life before.
As Sarah and Nikolai exit the car, I look at my purse. Roman takes it from my lap and opens it. I focus on my thighs until he moves to the middle seat, palming my cheek gently to look his way. He unfolds the arms of my glasses and slides them onto my face, “Let’s go, Cottontail,” he says as he puts his hoodie back on. The Rabbit mask is shoved into the front of his hoodie pocket as the band hangs out slightly. He exits the car and shuts the door as I grab my mask. Opening my door, he reaches out his hand. I grab my purse and mask and take his hand to exit. He latches his grip on the mask, and I hold onto it momentarily as he stares into my eyes. I let go, and he tosses it onto the back seat and shuts the door, “You don't need this anymore,” he says gently like he wanted me to let go. That I didn’t need to veil myself anymore, for anyone.
The night was freezing, and I shivered at the thought of how cold Russia was this time of year. I followed Roman toward the blinking plane, where Sarah and Nikolai waited for us to say goodbye.
Wow, the nicest plane I have ever been on.
I never joined my parents when they used theirs, but this was like something royalty would definitely fly in.
Roman kisses the top of my head, “It's because you are a princess.”
“Did I say that out loud?” I ask, folding my lips.
My brain is fried.
Nikolai walks down the stairs, “Bag is on board and I did a sweep.”
Sarah groans, “Give it a rest, Nikolai. He is fine.”
I snicker as they stare at each other like they were either going to kiss or punch one another, maybe both at this point.
The pilot trots down the stairs with his headset on. He is of average height and wears a black coat with brown slacks. He reaches his hand out to Roman, “Nice to meet you. I am Gleb. I will make sure you both get there safely. Sarah told me she needed a favor and I would do anything for that girl.” He looks back and winks at her. Nikolai clenches his square jaw as he gives him the death glare.
Roman shakes his hand. “Sounds good. Thank you.” He walks past the pilot to Nikolai, “I'll text you when we land.”
The way he brushes off Gleb definitely makes me irritated, but I know he doesn't trust most of anyone.
Shut-up Ava you don't know him like that. Only how good he makes you feel.
I go to Sarah, “I would text you but someone…”
She hugs me, “It’s ok. I have to stay with this lump of muscle to make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid. So, I will know when he gets the text. Please be safe.” She lets go and smiles her unmistakably warm smile.
“So, goodbye for now? I feel like we have a lot to catch up on.”
She nods, holding back tears, “I will be here when you get back. You can take me out for a coffee,” she says jokingly to make me feel better.
Nikolai laughs, “How original, yet again .”
Sarah ignores him, and I flash one last smile before I walk up the steps as Roman follows. I turn my head to watch him as he licks his lips, watching me sway past the pit.