Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
It was Radik’s first time on the Koba estate, but he knew all about it. Every nook and cranny of the property had been mapped by his people. He was aware of all its strengths and its few weaknesses. He knew how to infiltrate it and he knew how to protect it.
“Mr. Koba will see you now.”
Radik looked up from where he was sitting on a fancy couch in a fancy room. He preferred his own house. It didn’t have the opulence of the Koba mansion, but it felt lived in, like a home. He wondered if Saskia felt the same.
Radik followed the bodyguard as he led him down a long hall. They passed paintings and sculptures that spoke to the wealth of the owner. They traversed another hallway before stopping at a door.
The bodyguard knocked.
“Enter!” was the barked response.
The door opened and Radik was waved in.
First in his line of sight was Havel, who he'd recently 'entertained' at his compound when he and Jozef came to rescue their women. He admired the man more than he disliked him. How could he not? He was Jozef's second-in-command and owner of Guard Dog Securities.
Recognizing his value, Radik had tried to recruit him several years ago.
He’d planned on setting Havel up as commander of his European base, but Havel had emphatically declined.
Too bad, but Radik thought it best. Part of Havel’s lure was his unwavering loyalty to Koba.
If that loyalty had wavered, Radik would have trusted him less.
“What are you doing here?” Havel demanded, his tone hostile.
Radik ignored him, his gaze moving to Jozef Koba who stood behind his desk, unmoving, but more of a threat than his opulent surroundings would hint at. He was a wolf whose den was filled with riches he would destroy in a heartbeat if it meant keeping his family safe.
It was this characteristic Radik hoped to appeal to.
“Koba,” he acknowledged, dipping his head in a respectful nod. To further his agenda, he switched to sign language. Thank you for seeing me. I appreciate your making the time.
Why are you here? Jozef echoed Havel, frowning, perhaps unbalanced by Radik’s conciliatory approach.
Radik wasn’t known for polite platitudes.
This mission was different though. It required a delicate hand.
We agreed to stay out of each other’s territory, allowing the other to operate without interference. You shouldn’t be here.
We did, Radik acknowledged. And I continue to respect that agreement. I am not here for business.
Jozef nodded, his hands shaping each letter as he signed. Saskia. It wasn’t a question.
I’m here to ask your permission to marry her.
Havel burst out laughing, tried to cover it with a cough, but failed. Soon the mercenary was choking on his own spit while Radik and Jozef watched.
“Sorry,” he gasped, wiping his eyes. “You’re asking his permission to marry Saskia. Our Saskia. Have you met her? Her entire modus operandi is doing the opposite of what others want of her. Pretty sure Jozef’s permission will mean nothing to the little devil.”
Radik stood with a snarl. “You dare to call my woman vile names.” Havel laughed harder, further pricking Radik’s temper. Too bad he’d left his gun at the hotel out of respect to Jozef. “You find my words amusing.” His tone was heavy with displeasure.
Havel brought himself under control. “Saskia calls herself a devil when she babysits my children because she teaches them bad behaviors. She thinks it’s funny.
I love her like a sister; I would never insult her.
” His face lost its humour as he studied Radik.
“Why would you ask Jozef’s permission? You’ve gotten to know her, right?
Which means you know better. She’ll hate that you’re doing this. ”
Radik softened, nodding. “I know, but the situation is more complicated than she realizes.” His gaze returned to Jozef who was watching the exchange with a neutral expression.
“If I don’t have your permission and I take her again, then we go to war.
” He would have to kill Jozef and she would hate him for it.
Only if you fail to gain her permission, Jozef signed.
He’d come a long way from the man Radik had met several years earlier. His wife must be a great influence on him if he believed a woman’s permission was necessary to any situation.
Then it struck Radik what a hypocrite he was and he almost laughed, the way Havel had done. Radik had changed in the past several years for the same reason Jozef had changed. A woman.
I intend to secure her permission, Radik acknowledged, but if I don’t get her permission, the plan is to take her home with me and woo her there. It worked once, it can work again.
What makes you think I won’t stop you? Jozef demanded. I won’t allow you to terrorize my cousin.
Radik was quick to answer. Terror is the furthest thing from my mind. I intend to surround her with luxury, shower her with jewels, show her the world in a way she’s never experienced.
“She doesn’t care about all that,” Havel said flatly. “I’m beginning to think she’s better off without you if you don’t understand her in even the most basic way.”
Radik pinned him with a stare. “She may not care about those things, but I will give them to her anyway because it pleases me. I will also see to her needs in a way she will approve. I will right every injustice she comes across, I will find meaningful projects for her to take part in. I will feed the poor, I will educate the underprivileged, and I will end wars. Anything she wants.”
Havel’s expression shifted to thoughtful. “You’ve come back for her, but she might not want you. Have you thought of this?”
“I have,” Radik said. “And of course what she wants matters, but she must do it with me at her side.” He switched back to Jozef, defaulting to sign language again. I will do whatever it takes, but she belongs with me. I can’t let her go. She is my peace.
Jozef nodded. I understand. And, of course, Radik was confident he did. He’d kidnapped his own wife a second time because he’d discovered he couldn’t live without her, even if her life might have been better without him.
It was the same for Radik.
The PTSD medication was working and everyday he was getting a little better.
The nightmares had gradually disappeared and he hadn’t had an episode in weeks.
He knew it was too early to call himself cured, but he’d come to the realization that there was no point in him going to therapy, taking medication, working on his health if he didn’t have her with him.
His results were meaningless without her.
His therapist told him that wasn’t right, that he had to get better for himself, but her words could not change his mind. He needed Saskia and being apart from her, even for a few months, was more than enough to show him his mistake in sending her away.
He would sleep in the safe room for the rest of his life, take pills, hell, he’d wear a straitjacket, anything it took to get her back and keep her safe.
What do you want from me? Jozef signed. I won’t coerce my cousin into going with you and I won’t sway her decision. If she chooses to reject you, I will protect her from you.
It wasn’t the answer Radik had hoped for, but he respected Jozef for it, nonetheless. It showed his devotion to his family, something Radik hoped he could use.
I will stay here then and woo her to my side. I want your permission to do this without interference. I’m not in your territory to conduct business, I wish to operate freely. Do I have your permission?
Jozef took a breath, then nodded. You may stay here in Prague as long as you like, but you will work with one of my security teams. You’re a prime target in this area of the world and there’s no hiding you. If my cousin is at your side, then she too is a target.
Radik accepted his words. Indeed, you are correct. I agree to work with your team. I don’t intend to stay long, but I won’t leave without Saskia.
And if she decides she doesn’t ever want to leave?
Radik had his answer prepared. Then we will have to find a way for me to live here with her without putting her in danger.
“You would never be able to show your face in public,” Havel piped in. “You don’t strike me as a man who enjoys spending his time indoors.”
Radik half-smiled. “Then I suppose you’ll have to get used to seeing my face on your private combat range because you’re correct, being cooped up doesn’t suit me.”
“How the fuck do you know about our range?” Havel snarled, then narrowed his eyes. “Ayaan.”
“Not her,” Radik corrected. “She has never been anything but loyal to your organization.”
“She left without permission to take our wives on a trek through the DRC,” Havel pointed out, his tone suggesting he held a grudge.
“To retrieve Saskia, which I believe was the objective of your operation in Pretoria.”
“Because you kidnapped–!” Havel’s exclamation was cut off by Jozef’s fist slamming into his desk.
They both looked at him, startled. Jozef tossed his phone at Havel, who caught it. While he looked at it, Jozef pulled his gun from the holster under his arm and checked the chamber.
“What’s happening?” Radik demanded of Havel.
“Saskia’s on her way here. She’s being pursued by two vehicles.” He looked up, his brows drawn into a fierce frown. “Her apartment was attacked.”