Vicious Justice
Page 17
“You,” I said.
Dima nodded slowly.
“Fuck,” Vanya said. “Herndon and Robertson are probably unrelated to your uncle’s shit. Robertson is pretty clean. His son, however, has a reputation as being a manipulative bastard. Two guys who work with me say Senior sent him to rehab, one of those military camp-like places.” Vanya raised an eyebrow.
“The car accident… he was probably high.” I stood and paced the office. “If it got back to Senior, he’d know Junior is screwing up. And what else is he hiding?”
“He’s Senior’s campaign manager.” Dima lit a cigarette. “That’s a good place to hide bribes.”
“It fits. Herndon may have taken the proof, blackmailed Senior for cash or position,” I said.
My stomach tightened. “If Lev thinks Adrianna has the proof…”
“Fuck. This girl gets no breaks,” Vanya muttered.
Dima filled the air with more smoke. “But she’s family now. She’s under my protection.”
Vanya chuffed. “Your protection didn’t stop Kurt from dropping by your warehouse last night.”
Dima leaned back in his chair and stroked his scar. “My uncle wants me gone. But if we take him out...”
“Would you take over?” I didn’t know what Dima would want.
Dima stilled his hand. “It would make things easier. But it would not be my first choice.”
“Who would benefit from you dying?” Vanya asked.
“Grigori has made no secret of his dislike of me. Perhaps he thinks with both Lev and I gone, he would be put in charge.” Dima fingered his scar. “I think he’s wrong. I think they would send someone from Russia.” He combed his hair back and held his head. “Grigori thinks they are old-fashioned, like Lev. But everything is moving online now.” Dima sat forward.
I didn’t ask what “everything” meant. I assumed loans, credit fraud, girls, drugs, guns. His uncle was involved in all of that and probably more.
“Your family would be better off farming. You can grow your own pot, legally,” Vanya said.
Dima nodded.
I tapped Dima’s desk. “Your uncle and Robertson both freaking out because Herndon is gone with proof of Junior’s screw-up. Herndon’s computer has pictures of Adrianna. The bastard sent her flowers on the day he disappeared, too.” I narrowed my eyes at Dima. “They still think Herndon is missing, not dead.”
Dima nodded. “This works in our favor.”
“Herndon could send his wife a message from somewhere, confuse them,” Vanya suggested.
“Or we could go to Robertson Senior and tell him to back off Adrianna,” I stood in front of Dima’s desk.
Dima stood. “It wouldn’t stop my uncle from harassing her.” He crossed the room and opened the door. “Nik, bring us coffee.” He closed the door and walked past me, slapping me on the head. “Congratulations, asshole. If it hadn’t been your wedding, you’d have been knee deep in entrails last night, too.”
“What did you do with your intruder?” I asked.
Vanya groaned and shuddered. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Dima sat back in his chair and lit his cigarette. “He brought me a present. A bloated son-of-a-bitch in the trunk of his car. We tossed him in the backseat and he’s in cold storage.” His eyes cut to Vanya. “Some hunter stored his shit, complete with a freezer, at the Public Storage place I own. He’s behind on rent. I just added a couple of trophies and plugged in the freezer until we decide what to do with them.”
“You’re not worried they’ll be found?” I asked.
“Nah. I changed the locks and left a note with the manager to call me if he shows up. By law, since he hasn’t paid, it’s now my shit.” Dima smiled, the scar puckering. “Vanya broke a bottle of deer piss on himself, though.”
Vanya narrowed his eyes. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“What about the car?” I asked.
“It’s parked in an empty storage unit.” Dima said.
The door opened and Nik, the bouncer, dropped off a carafe and three cups. “Need anything else?”
“No.” Dima waved him away.
Nik gave a chin nod to Vanya and me on his way out.
“Do you know who the bloater was?” I poured a cup of coffee for Dima, Vanya, and myself.
“Not sure, but I have an idea.” Dima sipped the coffee.
I handed a cup to Vanya.
“You going to make us guess?” Vanya asked.
“I can’t say.” Dima’s dark tone mirrored the anger in his eyes.
He’d thrown my own words back at me.
Dima gulped the coffee. “Maybe you should take a honeymoon. Disappear for a few weeks.”
“Is that what you want?” The scalding coffee burnt my tongue and my throat and boiled in my hollow stomach.
He closed his eyes. “I want you safe. But I may need your help.”
He humbled me. “We’ll stay.” Maybe Adrianna should leave, at least until it was safe.
But being part of Dima’s life would always present some kind of threat.
Guilt bit at my nerves and turned the coffee in my gut acidic.
I hated myself for dragging her into this life.
She deserved more.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Why is Thor bringing you flowers?” Kendra’s wide eyes were bigger than the gerbera daisies Alyosha held.
I hitched my purse over my shoulder.
Alyosha strode across the floor and handed me the flowers. “You look beautiful.” His accent was thick, the accompanying heated look made me speechless.
I rolled up on my toes and kissed his cheek, inhaling his scent.
Kendra cleared her throat.
“Sooooo, I’m going to head out now.” I waved the flowers.
She narrowed her eyes. “Mmmhmm.” She flashed Alyosha a smile and leaned close to me. “You will spill everything tomorrow,” she muttered.
Alyosha took my hand and threaded his fingers through mine. “Are you ready?”
The way he said ‘ready’ made my knees falter. “Yes.” There, I spoke, a real word and it made sense.
Golden eyes stared at me, maybe through me. Could he tell that I was thinking about us naked? His eyes glowed amber, smoldering, and effectively incinerated my panties.
My husband was a dangerous man.
He led me outside. “Finowitz said the probate hearing is set for Monday.” He opened my car door.
Well then, there was no way he was thinking of nakedness and Finowitz. But still, the news was reason for celebration.
“That’s amazing.” I hugged him. “I can’t believe he was able to get it done so fast. And thank you for the flowers.” I slid into car, bubbling with relief.
A brief smile crossed his face but then he crossed in front of the car, scanning the sidewalks, the doorways, and the street before getting in.
“How was your day?” And why was he being so careful?
He grunted, and put the car in gear. “Do you need to get anything before we go home?” His clipped voice was cold.
“Nope.” I faced him, pulled my leg onto the seat and laid the flowers across my lap. “Did I upset you?”
The car slowed and he looked over at me. “No.” He reached over and pulled a strand of my hair, wrapping it around his finger. “I am distracted.” He released the strand and gripped the steering wheel.
A knot of fear formed in my throat. “Why? What happened? What did Dima say?”
“He is concerned for your safety.” He frowned and glanced at me. “He suggested we take a honeymoon.”
I deflated. “I can’t just leave. What about Elena?”
He shook his head. “I know. But…” He stopped at a red light and reached over, taking my hand in his. “I need you to be safe.”
I shook my head. “What did you tell Dima?”
“I kept our promise, kotyonok. He knows Herndon stalked you. He told me his uncle thinks that Herndon told you something or left somet
hing with you. I didn’t tell him about the flash drive.”
The light turned green and Alyosha gunned the accelerator.
“That’s not all,” I guessed.
“No. But it isn’t something we can discuss.” His scowl darkened his eyes and my mood.
“But it put you in danger?” I guessed.
He shook his head. “No.” He shrugged. “Not yet.”
“Can I help?” My worry made the words a whispery whine.
He smiled, relaxed, and kissed my hand. “Just knowing I can come home to you helps.”
“That’s sweet,” I whispered.
“You are sweet, kotyonok.”
Alyosha spent the weekend being attentive and generous. Giving me things I’d liked but would never buy for myself.
Like a tablet, and a Kindle gift card.
And a fuchsia cashmere scarf that I’d admired when we’d walked by the store.
He was learning me. And I tried to learn him, too. Safety was his trigger. Specifically, my safety. He didn’t want me to leave the condo without him or Daniel. It felt ridiculous, even a little claustrophobic, but when I saw the concern on his face I relented.
Most importantly, he gave me room to catch my breath. To hope. And I was falling in love.
Sunday night, Elena moved into Suzanne’s, and we spent the first night completely alone in the condo.
He stretched out on the couch and pulled me against him. “I think you should add color to this room.” His low voice tickled my ear.
“Really?”
“Mmm.” He nuzzled behind my ear. “This is your place, too.”
For three years. I needed to remind myself that he wasn’t really mine. This life wasn’t really mine. I was just a visitor, a tourist.
I nodded, afraid he’d hear the hunger in my voice if I spoke. I was not my mom, but somehow I’d managed to find myself married to a man who’d promised to protect me, to keep me safe, but not to love.
And I deserved love.
I deserved more.
Monday, Finowitz worked legal magic and my father’s estate was officially handled, giving me the necessary paperwork to put the house up for sale. We celebrated with Elena Monday night at Konstantin’s, in a private back room.
Over dessert, Elena raised her glass. “Thor, you’re the best brother-in-law, ever.”
I clinked her glass. “Let’s hope the house sells for more than I owe.”
Elena sipped her wine. “I’ll have the garage sale next weekend, and we can paint it after.”
“I’ll have someone paint the house. Just tell me what color,” Alyosha said.
Elena grinned. “Oh, I really like him.”
“Any news on your brother’s immigration?” I asked.
“Yes, Misha consulted with Finowitz. He’s applied for a B2 visa, we are hoping once he’s here we’ll be able to find a business for him to invest in if my sponsorship fails.”
“When will he be here?” I felt a skitter of anxiety at meeting his brother. What if he didn’t like me?
“Next month, maybe? He’s arranging things so he will not have to return.” Alyosha sounded hopeful.
I squeezed his hand. “That’s smart. Is he excited to come?”
Alyosha tilted his head from side to side. “He’s cautiously optimistic. He’s leaving friends, family, and he’s never traveled outside of Russia.”
“Does he look like you?” Elena waggled her eyebrows.
“Ugh, stop.” I groaned.
“Oh, please, why do you get to be the only one with a hottie? So, what does Kendra think about your whirlwind romance?” Elena asked.
“I haven’t told her, yet.” I looked to Alyosha for guidance. “I mean, should I tell her we’re married or dating or what?”
He blinked, his face impassive. Had I made him angry?
“It’s just that Kendra is one of my best friends, and she knows we weren’t seeing each other.” I was rambling, but I couldn’t stop.
His eyes narrowed.
“Before. I mean she knows that we are seeing each other now, but not before.” My face heated.
Elena took a sudden interest in her wineglass.
“Does she know you’re living with me?” His voice was deceptively quiet.
“No,” I whispered.
He nodded once. “Where does she think you’ll live after you sell the house?”
I lifted a shoulder. “She’d probably have helped me look for an apartment.”
He nodded once again. “Have you ever lived with another man?” There was ice in his tone.
I swear Elena shivered.
I shook my head. “Never. I lived with Kendra when I turned eighteen, and Elena joined us. When she and Jeremy got married, it was just us.”
His eyebrow twitched on his otherwise stony face. “How many serious boyfriends have you had?”
“I haven’t.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Why?”
Elena pushed back from the table. “So, I’m gonna head over to Suzanne’s. Thanks for dinner.” She kissed my cheek. “Text me later if you need me.”
Alyosha stood. “You don’t need to leave.”
“Yeah, I do.” She fake-gagged. “Don’t want to think about my big sister doing the nasty, thanks.”
He raised an eyebrow but waited until she left the room before sitting down beside me. He picked up my hand, twisting the wedding band on my hand.
“Explain how you never had a serious boyfriend,” he whispered.
“Alyosha…” I blinked, hating the wetness that stung my eyes. “I didn’t like…” I closed my eyes. “I wanted things on my terms. No strings.” No intimacy.
He squeezed my hand. “I see.”
He saw too much. My palm grew damp.
“Kendra hasn’t noticed the ring?”
I pulled back my hand. “I take it off at work,” I whispered.
His glare slammed into me, sucking away my breath.
“Wear it.” A cold command. “Tell her you got married. Tell her I am traditional.”
I snorted. “I doubt she’ll believe that. Google your name.” I took a breath, and then another, tamping down my frustration. “You date models. Rarely the same one twice. Your picture is all over the place.”
He raised an eyebrow. “And you are different. This is different.” He looked at me, and his eyes were a soft brown, sad. “Tell her we are married. You can say it happened this weekend, that we had a private ceremony with Elena.” He picked up my hand again. “And please, don’t take off your ring.”
“Okay.”
He pushed back from the table and held out his hand. “We are married.” His tone was softer now, gentle, as if he wanted my reassurance.
I stood, took his hand and pulled him toward me. I kissed his jaw. “We are,” I whispered and settled my head against his heart. Scared to fall in love, scared to not be loved.
Scared.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“What the hell is that?” Kendra noticed the wedding ring immediately. Admittedly, the hickeys on my neck were also pretty apparent. And that wasn’t the only place he’d marked me. My lips were still swollen from all the kissing. Both sets. Just thinking about it sent a small orgasm through me.
“Oh my god, you’re blushing. You. Are. Blushing! What did you do this weekend?” Kendra grabbed my hand and dragged me into the laundry room. Michelle and Haley followed.
“I got married.” The words whooshed out and the girls screamed and jumped around carrying me into their hysterics.
“Holy shit! Who?” Haley asked.
Michelle sent her a withering glare.
“Alexei Bykov. Who else has she been dating?” Kendra shook her head and muttered. “I wonder about you, Haley.”
Haley’s brows furrowed. “But… I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone.”
Michelle put her hands on her hips. “The man came by the day after his regular appointment for conditioner, when he’s never bought conditioner before. Then h
e sent the truffles. Which you ate, like three. Then he brought her flowers. Seriously, Haley?”
The conditioner, because he wanted to know what I’d say to the police. The truffles because the police were investigating Herndon, not me. Not quite the romance Michelle thought.
The door chimed and Haley rolled her eyes. “Sorry. It’s just that, he’s, you know…” She left, and her cheery voice called out. “Good Morning, Mrs. Heintz. Michelle will be right with you.”
“Seriously, we need to get out of here and leave her behind.” Michelle’s eye-roll was epic. She hugged me. “I’m happy for you.”
That left Kendra, staring at me, her arms crossed. “Are you happy?”
“Yeah.”
“Does this have anything to do with…” She looked out the door and back at me. She mouthed, “Herndon” and frowned.
I nodded, my gut tightening.
She hugged me. “Are you safe?” she whispered.
“Yeah.”
She hugged me tighter. “If you need anything. If it doesn’t work out with him. If he hurts you or you need to hide, you come to me. Jeremy’s cousin moved to Alaska. You could hide there.”
I forced myself to laugh. “It’s not that dire.” I stepped back. “He’s really good to me.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
I swallowed, looked at my best friend, just one more person that I considered family that I’d been lying to, and told the truth. “I’ve fallen in love and I don’t think he feels the same way.”
“Why? What did he do?” she whisper-hissed.
“He’s amazing, honest.”
“What did he say, Adri?”
The door chimed again, either Kendra’s or my client was here.
“Nothing. He’s said nothing.” Like, literally, the man had not clued me into his emotional commitment beyond wanting to protect me.