“I don’t want to be part of your plans. I don’t want to see you. Goddess, I wish I’d never met you.” There was a short pause. “For ten years you held me prisoner. Ten years, Craig! You, you’re friends, raped, beat and tortured me, but none of you broke me. You never had me. I only let you think you’d won. What in the goddess’ name made you think I would now go with you willingly?”
“You insolent little bitch.”
Cole and Duncan held Viktor back when they heard him slap her, while Devin kept the ECO men contained. At least they followed directions well.
“I told you the day we married it was forever. You agreed. You said your vows. I own you.”
Nicoleta laughed. It wasn’t a pleasant laugh like Viktor had been hearing from her lately. It was almost hysterical, or diabolical.
Nicoleta glared at her ex-husband. “Own me? I’m not a piece of property. I’m a human being. You can’t own a person, Craig. We aren’t toys for you to play with and discard once you become bored.”
“You’ll never be rid of me, Lettie. I’ve seen to that.” He gripped her arm tightly.
Nicoleta wrenched her arm from his grasp. “Who? Viktor? I admit he was good. He certainly fooled me.”
“Viktor?!? Viktor Domitrovich will die for getting between your legs. That bastard ruined everything when he helped the Feds take down Petrovich.”
“What?!” Nicoleta felt the blood drain from her face. She had pieced together who Viktor was on the way here. She had thought he was working with Craig to get her back. Could she have been so wrong?
“Domitrovich doesn’t work for me. He never has. The bastard thought he was too good for us and our toy business.”
“Stop calling them toys. They were people,” she sobbed, “girls and boys barely starting their lives and you destroyed them.”
Craig shrugged.
His indifference made her ill. “This won’t happen, Craig. I won’t let it. One of us will die this time.”
“I controlled you before. I can do it again. She should be here any minute.”
“She?” Who was he talking about? Surely not Amara. Amara was safe with Duncan.
“Noah should have found a way to extract her from that damn Marshal and his family by now. I’m sure the phone call he made letting her know I had you again did the trick.”
Noah Price was one of Craig’s men who was completely off the grid. She’d witnessed his cruelty first hand, and that had been when he was having fun. She’d seen him in action when he was doing Craig’s bidding. The man was soulless.
Duncan glanced at Devin. Devin shook his head no. Damn.
They had expected Baxton would make a move on Amara tonight too. Everything was set up to shut down the operation in Sapphire Springs, but they hadn’t received word it had happened yet. He didn’t want Nicoleta to get hurt, but they had to make sure all of the players were rounded up this time.
“We have to get her out.” Viktor hissed in his mic.
“We will. We just need her to stall a little longer.”
“No. Duncan. She’s had enough. If she thinks Amara is in danger she will give in to him. She’ll give up.”
“Have faith in her.”
“Would you if it was Amara?”
Duncan couldn’t answer that. He hadn’t handled the situation well when it had been Amara confronting Baxton. He’d completely lost his shit and nearly beat the man to death after he ripped her dress and manhandled her.
“Duncan.” Devin’s voice came through his headset on a whisper. “Gabe just texted me. They have Price and his entire crew in custody. We’re a go.”
Duncan felt relief sweep through him. Tapping Viktor on the shoulder, he signaled they could move in. “Go.” There was no countdown, no warming up to the plan. They had the crew sent out for Amara. It was time to take Baxton down once and for all.
“You’ll never get Amara.”
“I got you back didn’t I?” Craig smirked.
She had nothing quippy to say to that. He had indeed managed to get to her once again. While her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Amara being in danger and trying to work out a way to escape, Craig sneaked up on her grabbing her by the hair and wrenching her head back.
“I own you, bitch. Never forget that.”
He smashed his mouth down on hers. It was more instinct than clear thought. Nicoleta raked her nails down his face, bringing her knee up to meet his groin. At the moment of contact, Craig released her. She spun around and took off running.
She didn’t get far before she ran straight into the arms of Viktor. His eyes were hard, menacing, as he looked passed her.
“Go outside, solnishko. There is a blond man by the name of Mikhail waiting for you there.” He locked his eyes with hers. “You will be safe.” He didn’t kiss her. Didn’t hold her close as she wanted him too. The man before her was cold, distant. This must be the man known as Viktor Domitrovich, the second in command of the east coast Eurasian Crime Organization. A trickle of fear curdled her stomach.
Viktor took her by the arm and moved her behind him gently. He heard Mikhail speak to her with the upmost respect, referring to her as Ms. Davis and asking her to come with him. Once Viktor was certain she was out of harm’s way, he had a clear path to Craig Baxton.
“Baxton. We meet at last.”
“Domitrovich? You have overstepped your bounds.”
“I have no boundaries. You should know that by now.” Viktor snapped his fingers. Four of the men Mikhail had brought with him entered the old office. “My men will warm you up for your ride to federal holding.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your arrest will be above board, but first I need to make absolutely certain you understand Nicoleta and Amara are under my protection.”
Duncan watched stunned as Viktor leaned in close to whisper something in Baxton’s ear. Whatever it was, it scared the hell out of the former Senator. All the blood left his face, leaving a pale, ghostly image of the man who had once tormented Amara and Nicoleta. It showed how easily it was for one person to show another who was really in power.
When Viktor finished giving his warning, he stepped up to Duncan. The warmth and humor Duncan had once seen in the man’s eyes was completely gone. Instead, Viktor showed them all exactly how ruthless he once had been.
“They will need a few minutes. I would suggest we step outside.” Viktor informed the three men he’d came here with.
“We can’t let them kill him.” Duncan cautioned.
“They will not kill him. There will not be a single mark on him when they are finished. You have my word.” Viktor began to walk out, expecting the other three to follow him.
“Viktor, this won’t work.”
“What won’t?”
“You can’t play both ends against the middle. You can’t have one foot in your old life and one in your new one. I thought we agreed you wouldn’t have contact.”
Viktor stopped right outside the door. His eyes scanned the empty street looking for Mikhail and Nicoleta. Headlights flashed on a dark SUV. It appeared once they made it inside the town, the team Grigory sent brought in vehicles so they wouldn’t have to walk back out.
Now that he knew Nica was safe, he could deal with his cover being blown. “Duncan, the ECO does not just allow one to leave. It is a lifetime gig. The heads of the organization wanted Aleksandr out. They came to me, vetting me to take his place. I didn’t want what they were offering. Instead, I presented them with a different option, one that would allow me to protect Tatiana and for me to have a new life with her. In making this agreement, I had to agree to certain terms. Provide certain above board services.”
“Viktor, this won’t work.”
“It has worked. It worked especially well tonight. I needed to get Nica back. One phone call ensured the outcome I desired. You can still make your arrest. Baxton will not go back to some federally protected black site where he could escape again. Nicoleta and Amara will be free of him
and I will go back to being the mild-mannered financial advisor who is starting a new business and a new relationship with a kind, sweet, beautiful woman.”
Devin placed his hand on Duncan’s shoulder. “It isn’t conventional, Duncan, but it can work. If Viktor wants a life with Tia and Emily, as well as one with Nicoleta and Amara, then he knows what he has to do. It was good for us to have the backup tonight. I didn’t think it was possible for Baxton to have this much help after being inside for all these months. Without Grigory’s men, things would have gone very differently here.”
Duncan scrubbed his hand over his head. He pointed a finger at Viktor, “I won’t have them pulled into anything. You will walk the straight and narrow, and you will not contact Grigory again.”
“Unless I need to.”
“I mean it, Viktor. Your associations could get them both killed.”
“My associations just saved their lives. Keep Baxton on a tight leash and I will not have to resort to this type of force again. I protect what is mine at any cost. I would be wise for everyone to remember that.”
“So you’re now going to hold her as a possession like that bastard did?”
“No. I care about what is mine. If Nicoleta does not want anything more to do with me, I will honor her wishes. But, I will continue to watch out for her and Amara.”
Cole had remained quiet through the exchange. He had known there was no way the ECO would allow Viktor to walk away free. Not after he had turned against one of the heads of the organization. He had kept an eye on his father-in-law during his time in Sapphire Springs. There was no doubt he wanted his new life, and the opportunity to reconnect with Tia.
“Let it go, Duncan.”
Duncan swung around to face Cole, shock and confusion clearly written on his features. “How can you say that? Tia and the baby are in just as much danger.”
“They are under just as much protection as well. As long as Viktor stays on the right side of the law and does not reveal any information the ECO deems confidential, they will leave him and the women alone.”
Viktor nodded once, turned on his heel and began walking to the SUV Nicoleta was sitting in to keep warm.
“That’s it?”
“Duncan, seriously. He isn’t going to change. He can’t be completely free of the ECO. We have to accept what we have. I don’t believe Viktor would ever put any of them in danger.” Devin spoke quietly.
“I’m not worried about him doing anything knowingly. I’m worried about someone thinking he has done something and a shit storm hitting us in the face when it all blows up.”
That stopped Viktor in his tracks. He turned back to face them. “Only a handful of the people know about my arrangement with the ECO. They have informed the members I am to be left alone, as is anyone under my protection. This isn’t your rank and file types we are dealing with here, Duncan. If they go against the Heads’ wishes they die, their families die, along with their friends. No one is stupid enough to go against the Heads of the ECO. It just doesn’t happen.”
He walked back to where Duncan stood. “I’m sorry you had to be kept out of the loop. I’m sorry I had to betray you. But, I wanted out of that life. I wanted Tia out of it too. I do not have any desire to go back. You have my word on this, Duncan. I won’t contact them again, unless someone I care about is in danger from one of their associations.”
Duncan’s gut untwisted a little at those words. He had respected this man from the moment he met him. Thought he was brave to go against the ECO like he had. It just went to show you, you can’t trust anyone.
Duncan stepped close to Viktor, glared menacingly into his eyes. “It doesn’t matter if I get my star back or not. I get an inkling you are moving back into your old life, and I won’t arrest you, Viktor. I’ll put a bullet between your eyes and then take my wife and her mother out for a celebration dinner. Are we clear?”
“Crystal. But there is no need for theatrics or threats. I gave you my word. I will honor it.” Viktor turned away once again, walking toward the woman he had just blown his cover and new life for. Amazingly, he did not regret the decision. He would do it again if it meant she was safe, free of that bastard Baxton.
Chapter 14
Viktor stopped on the front porch of Nicoleta’s cottage. He wanted to pull her into his arms, find some way of explaining all of this to her. She’d been so quiet on the drive back; he hated to think what was going through her head.
Even when they told her Amara was fine, that she had not been taken, Nicoleta remained quiet. Viktor worried this night might have been too much for her. Baxton was supposed to be under guard and had managed to get out. They were still trying to figure out how that had happened.
He wished she would talk to him. Give him some sign, some idea of what she was thinking. How she was feeling. About him. About what had happened tonight.
He had lied to her, but not in the way she had originally thought. He was tied to some of her past, but not in any way that hurt her. How did one convince someone to see the differences, even if they were minuscule?
Watching her walk inside her cottage had him feeling as if she were walking out of his life. He needed to say something. Do something. Without conscious thought, he reached out to touch her, but at the last minute let his arm fall to his side. It had to be her choice, or he would not be any better than Baxton.
“Viktor?”
“Yes, Nica.”
“Are you still with Petrovich and the ECO?”
He knew she hadn’t heard his conversation with Duncan, Devin, and Cole. This was his chance to make a little of this better for her. “I was, but I made a deal with them to end Aleksandr’s reign as the head of the east coast. In return they let my daughter go, and gave me the option to have a new life but with a few ties still in place for when they need me, or I need them.”
“Are you doing anything illegal for them?”
Viktor shook his head, “No, Nica. I told them in order for this to work I had to be out of the criminal aspects of the Organization. With Tia marrying Cole and his line of work and close connections to the Feds, they agreed. I handle the financial reports and investments on the legal side of the operation. That is all.”
“You helped them get rid of Aleksandr?”
“I did. It was my testimony that allowed them to prosecute him.”
“Do you know Grigory and Uri?”
“I do.”
“Is there any way you can help them get free? If they want it?”
“Uri wants it. He is doing time for his crimes at the moment. I told him to contact me when he gets out, if he is still of the mind to go legitimate. Grigory is not yet at the crossroads; he still enjoys the power. When he decides the time has come for him to leave, I will help him if I’m able.”
Viktor swallowed. It was time for him to let her go. It felt as if his heart was in a vice being closed. “Goodnight, Nica. I’m sorry for all of this. I’m sorry I did not tell you all of the truth.” He stepped back prepared to turn.
“Viktor?”
“Yes.”
“Where are you going?”
“I suppose I’m going back to my lonely cabin.”
“Why? We have a beautiful Christmas tree here and it won’t take long for a fire to be started.”
“I thought…”
“Yes, darling, you thought like a man.” She reached for his hand, taking it in hers. “I don’t want you to leave, Viktor. I know you weren’t working for Craig. I know you would never hurt me or Amara. Rather, you would do anything to protect us. You showed me that tonight.” She smiled warmly at him. “Do you want to stay?”
“More than anything.” He moved closer, wrapped her in his arms and kissed her soundly.
When they mutually broke the kiss, Nicoleta looked up at him. His eyes were no longer hard and cold. The warmth she had always loved filled the dark-brown depths and filled her with hope. “Thank you for coming after me. I guess it was good you gave me the necklace tonight.”
>
“Even without the necklace, I would have found you.” He touched the shadowing bruise on her right cheek. “I’m sorry.”
“If that is the worse that comes from tonight, I can live with it. Now, tell Mikhail thank you for my coat and the ride home, but we have Christmas plans to make and it has been a long night.” She went up on her toes and kissed him tenderly.
“Nicoleta?”
“Hmm?”
“I love you. I want you to know that before we walk inside. I’m not going anywhere. I want you in my life, in my bed.”
“Well, tonight it will have to be in my bed, because I am not sleeping on the floor.”
He laughed. Her smile was cheeky. Free of the past. Free of the pain and horror she had experienced tonight.
“Did you find the wrapping paper?” Nicoleta asked loudly from the living room where she sat in the middle of a mound of presents that needed to be wrapped.
They had spent the day shopping in Helena for their girls and baby Emily. They’d even picked up a few presents for the Blackthorns and of course Duncan and Cole. Things had been quiet over the last two weeks, now that Craig was in federal holding and not at the black site.
They’d received word that Craig had several of his lackeys enter the prison as guards. It took months to get them in place, which was why it had taken him so long to make his move against her and Amara. Now that it had all been exposed, his protective status had been stripped and the news media was once again on a twenty-four-hour cycle of starting every hour exposing more of his crimes.
Amara had agreed with Nicoleta that it was doing no one any good hiding the truth about Craig and what he had done to both of them. With Duncan and Viktor in the wings, they’d gone on a few news programs and told their story. There were constant offers for books and movies of the week, but they didn’t want any of it. Their only goal was to get the truth out there and move on with their lives.
Duncan was coming to terms with what Viktor had had to do to escape the ECO. With each passing day, his anger at Viktor’s betrayal seemed to lessen a little more. Nicoleta figured it was Amara’s doing. Even after all her daughter had been through, she still had a good, forgiving heart. She told Nicoleta as long as Viktor was good to her and loved her then everything would be fine. That meant the world to Nicoleta. She wasn’t one hundred percent sure where this was going with Viktor, but she did realize the feelings she thought were love when she was with Craig didn’t compare to how she felt about Viktor.
Flawed Perfection: A Collection of Winter Wishes Page 35