“What’s an escape clause?”
“It’s a clause that says you can get out of the contract under certain conditions. None of them are unreasonable. They can’t just drop you. They have to notify you thirty days before they want to void the contract. You have to do the same.”
“I wouldn’t have to give them a reason to void it?”
“No, actually not. Just notify them and wait thirty days. They can’t sue you. You can’t sue them if they do that.”
She pounded chicken breast for her meal. Sacha watched her. Why was he being so nice? Alia didn’t trust it. “Sounds reasonable. Why would they make such a great contract? Seems to me, they’d want to make one in their favor.”
“Yes. I suspect the lawyer wasn’t very good or this agent downloaded a template off the Internet.” “I see.”
“What are you making?”
“Chicken piccata. I hope.”
“You hope?”
“I’m following the recipe. That’s all I know. I’ve never eaten it before.”
“You’re making Viktor a meal that you’ve never tasted. Shouldn’t you have tried something you knew?”
She looked him over. There seemed to be no rancor in his words. What was going on? Had Viktor said something to him?
“Probably, but I didn’t think Viktor would eat Southern Fried Chicken and Biscuits.”
“You never know, but at least you would know you are making it properly.”
She put her hands on her hips. “Okay, what gives?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve made it clear that you don’t like me. Why are you being nice all of a sudden?”
He looked down at his hands, then back up to her. “Maybe I realized that you aren’t after Viktor’s money.”
“Why did you come to that conclusion? Because I have my own career?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. I am old-fashioned and think a woman should be in the home, but if you have a career, then you are not after his money. It doesn’t make sense, but in my mind it does.”
She laughed. “Okay. If you say so.”
“I say so. Now let me go and I’ll let you finish dinner for Viktor. He will be surprised.”
“I hope so. Thanks for the legal advice, Sacha.”
“You’re welcome.”
He left her alone. Alia read through the recipe again. Most of it would be done when Viktor came through the door, but she had some prep she could do. Hopefully, she wouldn’t burn down the kitchen.
Her phone rang. She would have answered it, but it was Jess. She hadn’t talked to her in weeks.
“Jess.”
“Did I call at a bad time?”
“Yes, but I really want to talk to you. You need to come over here.”
“You still not able to come out. Not even once?”
“No, it’s the Russian Mafia after me. From what Viktor says they are pretty brutal. He’s afraid for my life.”
“He can’t keep you there.”
“I’m here because I want to be.”
“What’s happened?”
Alia sighed. “I’m in love, Jess.”
“Is he in love with you?”
“Yes, he told me the other night. I’ve never felt this way. Ever. No one in my entire life has made me feel this way.”
“That’s fantastic. I wish we could go out for a drink.”
“I promise we will when this is all over.”
“The cops haven’t figured things out?”
“Nope. Not yet.”
“I’ll let you go, but call me. Whenever. I miss you and work sucks without you.”
“I miss you, too.”
She put down her phone. She sniffed something. Smoke?
She spun around and realized she’d dropped a dishtowel near an open flame. The dishtowel was on fire. She dropped it into the sink, but the room was filled with smoke.
“No smoke detectors?”
That’s when they went off. In the whole building as far as she could see. They were so loud that she couldn’t hear herself think. She panicked and stood in the middle of the kitchen, her hands over her ears.
Someone pounded on the door. She couldn’t move to answer it. She hated fire.
***
Viktor pounded on the front door again. He’d left his key home and Alia had locked the door. He could smell smoke and the detectors were going to crazy. He’d had the whole building wired so that the fire department would be called.
Where was Alia?
“Alia?”
She didn’t answer. He pounded on the door. He could see smoke seeping out under the door. His heart raced. What if she was hurt? What if she was unconscious? What was on fire?
Arkady came up behind him. “You want me to break down the door. Boss?”
Viktor was desperate. He could fix a door. Get a new one. He couldn’t get a new Alia. She was one of a kind.
“Yes.”
“Stand back.”
Arkady was a big guy and Viktor expected him to go at the door with his body. Instead the man, kicked the door. A beautiful kick that opened the door in one try. Note to self: Never piss off Arkady.
The man strode into the apartment like he owned it. Guess he had an affection for Alia.
She wasn’t hurt. Instead she cowered in the kitchen. They hadn’t seen her at first, but Viktor turned off the burners and saw her on the floor. He didn’t even ask. He just picked her up and carried her out into the hallway.
He met a firefighter there.
“You need to evacuate the building. We’re checking for smoke elsewhere.”
“I think the bulk of it is here,” Viktor said.
Arkady followed them out. A crowd had gathered in the alley thought police had kept them away. Viktor placed Alia on the street. He held her, making sure no none could see her.
“It’s okay, Alia.”
She uncovered her ears. “I’m sorry, Viktor.”
“No need. It’s fine.”
“It isn’t fine,” she said.
Her body trembled. Her voice came out as if she were a little girl. Viktor held her closer. He didn’t know what happened, but whatever it was, it didn’t matter. She was safe. She was in his arms and she was all in one piece.
“No, it is. Alia, damage can be fixed. You are okay and that’s all that matters to me.”
Tears leaked out of her eyes. “You’re so good to me, Viktor.”
“I love you, Alia. That’s why. You know that.”
She buried her head in his chest. The sobbing broke his heart. She hadn’t done anything that couldn’t be fixed. Couldn’t be made better. He’d let her help him redecorate. Put a piece of herself into the apartment.
She could do whatever she wanted. She’d been so good about living with him, but he hadn’t thought that she might want a taste of home. They could buy furniture. Paint. He just wanted Alia with him and safe.
Safe. That was the word he couldn’t stop using. He wanted no threats and he had to do something to change this situation. He was a man of action and he hadn’t taken any.
And now she was scared. Of everything. He didn’t want her that way.
She didn’t want to be that way, he’d bet. She’d always be looking over her shoulder and if she became famous it would be worse.
He had to find a solution. Move this case along.
Someone tapped him on the shoulder. He looked up to a see a firefighter. “I need you to come in with me.”
“Is it okay?”
“No structural damage. It’s just going to smell of smoke for a while.”
“Do you know where it started?”
“Yes.”
“Alia, we need to go inside.”
She sniffed, nodded, and then stood. She wiped away her tears and followed them in. The place did reek. Viktor had strong fans in the club that would get the smell out. There had been no smoke damage there.
Alia eyed his club sadly. He squeezed her hand. “It’s fine, Alia. This
is why I have insurance.”
She frowned, then nodded. He took her hand and didn’t let it go until they were upstairs.
“This is the worst of it,” the firefighter said.
Viktor turned to Alia. “You stay out here. Let me deal with this, then we can talk about it.”
She nodded, leaning against the wall as if she had no energy anymore. Viktor’s heart went out to her. So much of her life had been crap and he wanted to take those memories away from her. He wanted her to be happy.
Not sad against a wall.
He entered the apartment.
“Is there water damage?”
“Only slightly in the kitchen. We found the source, turned it off and then were able to put out what was left.”
The counter had a burn mark on it and water sloshed on the floor. He could mop that up. His office underneath might have some water in it. Didn’t matter because Alia was fine. She was okay.
Everything else was superficial.
“Can we sleep here tonight?”
“Yes, but you might want to think about not opening your club.”
“It’s closed today anyway,” Viktor said.
“It’s all just clean up.”
“Right. Thanks. What battalion are you with?”
The man told him a number and name. Viktor would make a donation to them this week.
The firefighter left. Viktor took in the state of his home. He needed to be calm because Alia would not be. She was tough, but her being in danger had made her afraid.
Up until now, he hadn’t thought about the toll all of this must have been taking on her. Very selfish of him. He was concerned about his own happiness and not hers.
This was not how he’d been raised. He would make it up to Alia. He would make her life better day-to-day, not just long term.
He felt guilty as he took in the smoke and water damage. He didn’t know what had happened, but this wasn’t Alia’s fault.
Chapter 16
Alia leaned against the wall. She was tired. Not just tired today, but tired from it all. She wanted her life back. Or some semblance of normalcy. Something that she could hold on to.
Her singing career was a bonus she’d never expected, but she longed to just walk outside. Without a bodyguard. Without feeling as if she had to look over her shoulder.
Go for a walk in the park. Sit on a park bench and enjoy the fresh air.
She hadn’t realized how much she missed it.
Viktor was a gem, but this was his home. She was only living with him. She didn’t know if they had a future. She had no idea what the future held. If she could be independent, with her singing career, then that was good, but there were no guarantees.
Her phone rang. Deion.
“Hello Deion.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Why do you think something is wrong?”
“Because you sound tired. More tired than usual,” he said.
She sighed. Must be bad if her brother noticed over the phone. “I’m just ready to be done. For the murderers to be caught.”
She wouldn’t tell him that there was a price on her head. He’d worry too much and he had to focus on his internship. That was important for him in the long run. His chance to get out of the ghetto.
She wouldn’t do anything to ruin or interfere with that.
“Then go somewhere else.”
“I can’t, Deion. I’m not safe.”
“Is Viktor telling you that?”
“The cops are, too. I have to believe them.” She cleared her throat. She could still taste some of the smoke. It hadn’t been thick, but she’d been scared, anyway. “What did you call for, Deion?”
“Just to make sure that you’re okay.”
She blinked. Deion didn’t normally do that. “Is there a girl?”
He laughed. “How did you know?”
“Because you don’t normally check up on me. A girl in your life would either inspire you or tell you to call me. Especially a girl whose family is important to her.”
“Well, yes, there is a girl. It’s odd, but I haven’t known her long, but I feel as if I’ve been waiting for her forever.”
Alia knew that feeling. She and Viktor had been together only a short time and it was as if they’d been together forever. Uncanny. “Tell me about this woman.”
“She’s smart and hard-working. She reminds me of you, somewhat.”
“She must be gorgeous,” Alia said.
“Well, she is,” he said, laughing.
She was happy for her brother. His life was coming together. While hers was going up in smoke. That was melodramatic, but right now, it felt like it. With the lingering taste of smoke in her mouth and Viktor looking over the damage, she wasn’t in a great place.
“When can I meet her?”
“Tabatha is her name.”
“Tabatha. Sounds pretty.”
“I’m not sure now is a good time.”
“No actually, it isn’t. If I thought getting out of the city would help, then I’d come see you, but I don’t think it would matter at all. The Russian Mafia have long arms.”
“The Russian Mafia?”
Shit. She hadn’t meant to reveal that. “Uh. Yes. That’s who is after me.”
“Viktor isn’t part of it?”
“No, Deion. How can you think that? He’s a legitimate businessman.”
“Okay, Alia. Now, I’m really worried about you,” Deion said.
“Don’t be. I’m safe here in Viktor’s place.”
She thought back to the bottle incident, but kept that to herself. Deion might just feel the need to leave his job and come here, if he knew how close they were getting. She needed him safe and out of the way.
“If you think so, Alia. I’m going to trust you.”
“Hey, I’m the big sister. I’m supposed to do the worrying.”
“I’m a little more grown up now, Alia. I can worry about you.”
He had grown up. She was proud because she’d been part of that. She helped him navigate those last few years to manhood. Now he was a man with a new love. She couldn’t wait to meet this woman who had turned her brother’s head.
A firefighter walking past bumped into Alia. He didn’t even excuse himself. She was a small person, but he must have noticed. “Let me go, Deion. Call me again and tell me about your new love.”
“Right.”
They disconnected. Alia just wanted to sleep. For two days.
Another firefighter appeared in the hallway, except he looked like a kid wearing his father’s gear. She didn’t really give it another thought until he invaded her space.
He grabbed her arm. “Come with me.”
“Is there a problem?”
Why would she have to evacuate if Viktor didn’t? “Come with me.”
Then she realized the accent. It was Russian. Similar to Viktor’s. Her heart froze in her chest. She dug in her heals and yanked at her arm. “No.”
“You will come with me,” he said, more forcefully. This time he yanked her arm and knocked her off her feet.
“No,” she shouted, but there didn’t seem to be anyone within earshot.
What the hell was she going to do? The man dragged her down the steps. Where did all those legitimate firefighters go? How had this man gotten past them?
She struggled to regain her footing. “No,” she shouted again.
The man ignored her, while pulling her down the steps. She grabbed at the railing, momentarily halting their progress. Her life depended on this. She’d never see Deion again. She’d never see Viktor again.
“Enough,” the man said and broke her grip on the railing.
She flew down the steps, almost smacking her head. Guess it didn’t matter if she was caught dead or alive. She fought to stay conscious.
Then she did the only thing she thought would help. She let out a blood-curdling scream.
She wasn’t much of a screamer, but she gave this all of her effort.
; ***
Viktor’s ears perked up. Arkady looked at him, a little dazed.
“Alia. I left her in the hallway thinking it was safe. All those firefighters around,” Viktor said.
Arkady was out the door first, but only because this was his job. Viktor’s reaction times were good, but not as good as his employee’s. Arkady paused in the hallway. Viktor didn’t see Alia.
Had she been taken? Shit. Damn. Why did the leave her alone? They had to find her.
She’d be dead of the Mafia got their hands on her. Alia screamed again.
Viktor’s feet moved faster. They rounded into the stairwell and came face-to-face with a gun-wielding firefighter. He knocked off his helmet and Viktor realized the man was wearing the uniform for a disguise. .
He knew this man’s family. They were pure Mafia. They’d been born in the same town in Russia, but Viktor’s family had turned away from crime. Yuri Nepomnishy’s family had not. His father was the sadistic head of the Russian Mafia in New York.
The man who would torture and kill Alia if they didn’t get her away from him.
Viktor put up his hands. “I’m sure we can work this out.”
Alia struggled, but the man had his hand in her hair. The gun pointed at Viktor didn’t waver. The man had ice in his veins, making him a psychopath. He had to figure out a way to save Alia. He’d never see her again, otherwise.
“No, we can’t. You’ve interfered long enough,” Yuri said.
“She’s innocent.”
“No, she isn’t. She saw a murder and reported it. We might have left her alone if the cops had not gotten involved in family business.”
Yuri moved backward, pushing Alai down the steps behind him, as he kept looking at Viktor.
“You won’t get out of here. There are cops everywhere.”
“And I am a firefighter,” Yuri said.
There was no way that Viktor was letting this man get Alia out of his shop. Had anyone come back inside? He hoped. The man had to get down two floors before he’d be free and clear.
Someone must be back in the building. Sacha, maybe.
It was Viktor’s only hope, as he wasn’t armed. Arkady was armed, but could he make the shot? Then what would the ramifications be if he killed Yuri? The Mafia would never leave the club alone then. They’d be out for vengeance.
Arkady didn’t move. He hadn’t pulled out his weapon, probably because they were inside the building.
Her Russian Billionaires - The Complete Billionaire Romance Collection Page 16