Neither Leighton or her guards were aware that they were being followed from the compound. The nondescript car stayed back far enough to be unnoticed. They didn’t need to stay close, for they already knew she was headed back to Viktor’s.
Chapter 7
Viktor was discouraged by the news that his niece had never been given to the kindly nuns. They would have found her a decent home. They would also have records showing the name of the family that adopted her. He didn’t put any faith in Leighton’s search of her former home. He felt no stone had been left unturned by his men. Viktor had other concerns to deal with as well. Suppliers of stolen goods who had dealt with Santos were trying to fool him with forgeries. The ship full of artworks supposedly stolen from an American collector were fake. The supplier must have mistaken Viktor for an easy target, a fool. He set them straight. They threatened to make him pay for his disdain in a very personal way. He wasn’t frightened by their threats. His only personal possessions were monetary and could be replaced.
There was another problem he was having a much harder time repairing. It was his fascination and attraction to Leighton. The memories of their single night together ran rampant through his brain. He couldn’t shake them night or day. He wanted her again. So, he had chosen to stay busy and far away from temptation. It wasn’t working. Hearing her sweet voice on the phone gave him an ache he couldn’t deny. He reversed his strategy and decided to join her for dinner.
Leighton was surprised to see Viktor at the table. He appeared distracted and thinner. Hoping to give him something to smile about, she told him, “I found notes Santos left in his desk. You would have considered them unimportant squiggles when you made your search, but I recognized his homemade form of shorthand. He mentioned Elena and the baby.”
Viktor’s head shot up. He stared intently at her face and asked, “Was there a clue?”
She nodded and answered, “Yes. He said there was a storm and the roads were too flooded to reach the church that night. The baby was given to a servant for care until they cleared. The servant disappeared with the child. We need to go to the village and question everyone who worked for Santos.”
“It will be a daunting and long-term task, but at least it’s a chance. Thank you for demanding to search the house. I truly doubted you would find anything. I was wrong. I will begin the search early tomorrow morning.”
Leighton argued, “We will begin the search. I found the clue and I want to help. Don’t cut me out.”
For two months, the pair spoke with every servant that had worked at the Santos compound. Some vaguely remembered an older woman who suddenly left her job. She had simply not shown up for work one morning. No one had seen the baby. Their frustrations brought Viktor and Leighton closer. Over dinner each night they had heartfelt discussions about the past, the future, and the business. Leighton had never been allowed to be a part of the business, but Viktor was changing all that. She had a bright mind and would be a welcome asset. Her father’s notations were a goldmine of information that made it easier to deal with his suppliers. Viktor kept the bad news to himself. He did not want her to live in fear of the supplier that was still sending threats by way of broken windows at the offices, stolen shipments, and drug money that disappeared.
Leighton had some secrets of her own. She had begun to feel a tingling down her spine every time she left the house. It was worse when Viktor wasn’t around. She was almost positive someone was following her, though her guards didn’t seem to notice. The other secret was more personal and very special. It was a gift from the night of passion she had shared with Viktor. She wasn’t quite ready to reveal it.
The continued search was postponed for a day. Viktor had a new client to contend with. His American contacts had come through with an investment he couldn’t turn down. Reluctant to be away from Leighton after so many weeks spent in her company, Viktor gave in to his needs and kissed her goodbye. Her lips were warm, soft, and pliant. She returned the kiss with enthusiasm. His eyes darkened and in a voice made thick by desire asked, “May I have the pleasure of your company for the night?”
Leighton replied, “Only if you stay all night.”
With that promise ringing in his ears, Viktor left for the docks. His heart was pounding with nervousness and excitement. Today, he was adding new income for the mafia and he had Leighton’s backing for Santos’ spot as mafia king.
Leighton needed some relaxation and she also wanted to look her best for Viktor. After their joining tonight, she would let him in on her secret. She went into the village to have her nails done, a facial, a new hairstyle, and lingerie. The uncomfortable feeling of being watched continued. It made her jittery and she kept looking over her shoulder. No one was there except her guards.
Once she left the spa, Leighton sat at an outdoor cafe. She ordered coffee and brigadeiro. Her sweet tooth was begging for the chocolate confection. The cafe was situated beside a school and the children were outside playing. As she sipped her coffee, Leighton watched the games. A dark-haired child of about seven years old caught her eye. She looked familiar. Not until she heard the girl laugh did Leighton realize why. That tinkling sound was an exact copy of Elena’s. She stood and moved closer to the fence that surrounded the school. The girl’s eyes matched Elena’s as well. A ripple of excitement ran through her veins and made her shiver. This had to be Viktor’s niece. Determined to find out the child’s name and who she belonged to, Leighton rounded the fence and hurried toward the front of the school. At one point the walkway was flanked by large bushes. Footsteps behind her sped up, a hand covered her mouth, and strong arms pulled her into a van. Alarmed as to why her guards weren’t responding to help her, she glanced up at her captors. They were her bodyguards, the men both she and Viktor had trusted with her life all these months.
Chapter 8
Leighton was taken to a ship anchored at the docks. It was less than pristine, rusty and old. The name had been painted over. Her bodyguards handed her over to some beefy men of undetermined ethnicity in exchange for a canvas bag, she assumed held a great deal of cash. The strangers dragged her down the rusty stairs and narrow hallway of the dank smelling ship. They shoved her unceremoniously into a small compartment that was absolutely empty. She fell against the steel wall, banging her head, and slid to the floor, unconscious. Within minutes, she was abruptly brought to consciousness by a sharp pain in her abdomen. She wrapped her arms around herself and curled into a ball. Pain, fear and sadness made her weep. She cried out for Viktor, but no one heard.
Viktor was shaking the hand of his new American partner when his phone buzzed with a text message. About to ignore it, he saw words that chilled him to the bone. It read, Leighton has been delivered. Pay us or she disappears. There was a symbol at the end of the message that he recognized. The art forgers had made their move. Too late, Viktor realized he did have something personal that he didn’t wish to lose. He was in love with Leighton. If she was killed, he had nothing worth living for. He turned pale and began to shake. The American, sensing bad news, reached for the phone and read the message. Understanding the importance of the message and the urgency of the problem he declared, “Our men and resources are at your service. If you need money, weapons or men just ask.”
“I have men and money, but these people would recognize my men and shoot them on sight. They tried to pass off art forgeries to me and I caught them red-handed. They want revenge. The money demands are meant to lure me in so I can watch them kill Leighton. I need to find a way onto their ship that keeps them from being suspicious. If we fought, she would die in the crossfire. She must be snuck out,” Viktor replied.
“There are bars all over the docks,” the American began. “Use my men as a distraction. They can act drunk and make a lot of noise. Possibly, they could try to board the wrong ship and lure many of the crew members off the deck to stop them. Dress as one of my crew and slip past the ruckus. If there is trouble, my men will be armed and hold the crew at bay.”
Thinking the plan was the best possible one on such short notice, Viktor dressed as an American sailor. He hid a gun in the waistband of his pants. The Americans went the long way around the docks, entering a bar from the back. They ordered drinks and to the bartender’s astonishment poured them on their clothes. Out the front they went, hooting, hollering, and discharging their weapons into the air. As they scattered, Viktor joined them. He was among the men who “mistakenly” tried to board the ship. Just as the American had said, the ship’s crew came to stop them. The Americans put up enough of a fight to allow Viktor safe passage to the deck.
Once on board, his progress was slow. Hiding from random crew members and checking every room for Leighton took valuable time. The deeper into the ship he went, the more heart sick he became. It was filthy, dank, and depressing. Shouting came from a hallway that lead to the ships engines. Instinct told him Leighton was near and in danger. He slid along the wall to the edge of an open door. A gruff voice said, “I know you’re there, Viktor. Your ruse didn’t fool me. Come inside and face your fate.”
With his hands in the air, Viktor entered the small room. It stank of sea water, engine oil, and blood. Leighton’s yellow slacks were soaked with blood and a gun was at her temple. “What have you done to her?”, he shouted. “I’ll kill you for this!”
“You cannot kill me without harming her,” came the reply. “She may be allowed to live if you sign over all of your holdings and Santos’ as well.”
“I don’t give a shit about my holdings and I can’t sign over those belonging to Santos. They aren’t legally mine,” Viktor growled.
“I see. They must belong to the little lady,” the man deduced. He kissed her cheek and said, “I guess I’ll have to keep her for myself. Once I force her to marry me, the wealth will be mine and my poor wife will have an accident.”
Leighton whimpered and her knees began to buckle. Her pale face told him she was weak from blood loss. The arm across her neck tightened and her fingers scratched at it as her breath was cut off. She suddenly became extremely calm. Her arms fell to her sides and she stared into Viktor’s eyes. The fire he saw there let him know she had a plan. He was ready when she used the last of her strength to elbow her captor in the stomach. A rush of air burst from his mouth and the gun in his hand wavered. It was enough to allow Viktor to use his hidden weapon to shoot the man in the head.
Leighton slumped and began to fall. Viktor caught her in his arms and lowered her slowly to the floor. “Where are you injured? What did he do?”
Leighton whispered, “He didn’t touch me. I’m having a miscarriage. Our baby is gone.”
Chapter 9
Viktor swept Leighton into his arms. With tears streaming down his face he traversed the ship’s stairs. He found no resistance on the deck. The ship’s crew was being held at gunpoint by the Americans. Their captain was waiting with an ambulance. He had the foresight to call for aid in case Leighton had been harmed.
When Leighton awoke, she was in a narrow hospital bed. Viktor’s warm body was curled around hers. She snuggled closer and he kissed the top of her head. Her hand touched her stomach and she began to cry. “Our baby is lost.”
Viktor covered her hand with his own and replied, “I know, my love. I’m so sorry. The doctor says you are doing fine and can have more children. I am aware that this one can never be replaced. It was to be our firstborn and we will not forget it. I love you so much.”
“I have fallen in love with you too. I think we were always meant to be.” Leighton turned over to face him. He kissed her lips tenderly and tucked her head under his chin. “Why did my bodyguards betray us?”
Viktor sighed, “I wish I had an answer to that as well. My men caught them at a private airfield and forced the answer out of them. It seems they were paid extremely well to deliver you to that ship. They were promised big rewards when the perpetrator took over as mafia king. Instead, they are dead and their endeavors caused Santos’ men to pledge their allegiance to me. Harming the king’s daughter was treason in their eyes. Oddly enough, the position, money and power don’t mean that much to me anymore. It is only you that I need. I want to marry you, if you will have such a rascal .”
“Underneath your ruthless dominance, you are actually a good man. My father was the opposite. He pretended to be wonderful, but was evil inside. Yes, I’ll marry you, for richer or poorer. Give me more babies and I will be happy,” Leighton answered. “Oh, I can’t believe I almost forgot. I was having coffee at a cafe by the schoolyard. I saw a child with Elena’s eyes and her tinkling laugh. I was headed for the school office to ask questions when I was taken. You must look into it! It’s her, I just know it.”
“Why would she suddenly be in the open after she was hidden for so long? We’ve asked so many questions, you would think she would have been taken far away,” Viktor queried.
“I don’t know. Maybe, they’re not connected to the ones we’ve questioned. The woman may have given her to someone outside the mafia and didn’t tell them where the baby was from or possibly they’re trying to hide in plain sight.”
Viktor stood up and paced the floor. “There is the chance that it’s not her or that it’s another trap. I can’t get my hopes up just yet. We will have to make careful inquiries.”
The school refused to give out any information, even to the rich and powerful mafia king. It was going to be a long while before they had any answers. Leighton hung around the school each day and selected mothers to ask about the girl. No one acted as if they knew who she belonged too. The most she learned was that the child was new to the school. The teachers were too protective of their charges to allow Leighton to question the girl herself.
After two months without progress, Viktor made the decision to be more aggressive. He had the child followed. It was a difficult task. She rode a bus and was dropped off with many other children. They scattered like the wind when the bus stopped. The general direction of her home was noted, but not the exact house. Victor and Leighton began going from door to door in the neighborhood. People hid in their homes, refusing to answer. They were scared of Viktor and what he stood for.
Leighton suggested, “Hire some of the local women such as laundresses, fruit pickers and cooks. Let them take their business door to door and ask questions for us. They will not be feared and the extra money will provide food for their families.”
“Why not hire an investigator?” Victor asked.
“A professional would stick out from the population. The people would be just as wary of them as they are of us. Santos frightened so many and destroyed any relationship between us and the villagers. You are different and we will gain back their trust, but it will take a long time. Each day, your niece grows older and it is another day we have lost with her. She may also disappear again.”
Viktor took her advice. He scoured the city for woman who needed extra income the most. He found three that he felt he could count on. One was a widow with six children to feed. Her hands were blistered and cracked from washing other people’s clothes without the aid of a washing machine. Another was an aged seamstress who had no one to care for her in her old age. The third was the daughter of a cruel man who forced her to sell herself for money. She would have wages to give him without the torment of lecherous old men.
Chapter 10
Viktor rolled atop Leighton’s soft, warm body. She giggled as he kissed the tip of her nose. She ran her fingers through his thick, dark hair and pled, “Make love to me.” He lowered his lips to cover hers and she wrapped her legs around him. Their bodies, still nude from the previous night’s antics, responded quickly to the deep, soul searching kiss. Viktor hardened and rubbed himself over her mound. Leighton raised her chin so that he had access to her slender neck. His love bites left small red marks. She pushed at his shoulders and said, “Please.”
Taking the hint, Viktor rolled onto his back and gave over control to his new wife. She was the only one he would ever relinquish control to. As she slid her hot
, wetness onto his rock-solid member she demanded, “Say it!”
He smiled broadly and said, “I love you, Mrs. Krovia.”
“Those are the best words I’ve ever heard,” she declared. “They make me so hot!”
More than willing to take care of her needs, Viktor raised his hips skyward as he allowed his wife to ride him. One hand slid between them to touch the button that was guaranteed to send her over the edge. She groaned and leaned forward, letting her plump breasts dangle temptingly above his mouth. They were the perfect bait and he suckled. Slowly they moved, allowing the passion to build. They fell apart together, leaving them both breathless.
Leighton collapsed onto his chest and listened to his heartbeat. As it slowed, she whispered, “I have a secret.” Taking his hand, she placed it on her abdomen. “Say hello to our baby.”
Tears sprang to Viktor’s eyes. He hadn’t let himself think about how much he wanted Leighton’s child. It would never replace the one they had lost, but it would be welcomed and loved beyond measure. He could not let his men see him cry or show weakness of any kind. With Leighton, he could be his true self and she would continue to honor and love him. “I’ve never been happier,” he exclaimed.
The phone rang, breaking the intimacy of the moment. Viktor kept his eyes locked on Leighton’s as he reluctantly answered. “What do you want so early in the morning? You’re disturbing my honeymoon.”
Abruptly, he sat up. “We’ll be right there.” He dropped the phone and jumped up from the bed. As he grabbed whatever clothes were available, he said, “Get dressed. There is someone here to see us about my niece.”
Leighton needed no other encouragement. She picked up a pair of jeans and a t-shirt from the floor. They glanced at one another and laughed. She stated, “You would never guess who we really are. We look like American tourists. At least we’re not going to intimidate anyone.”
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