Critical Play (Michael Cailen Book 3)

by Mel LeBrun

  Tatiana moved closer to Ivan. “OK, Mommy.”

  Jessica then looked at Ivan. “What do you need me to do?”

  “Bring me all the guns you can find.”

  “What?”

  “Bring me the guns,”

  “Ivan, you've been shot. What can I do for your leg?”

  “I only have a few bullets left,” Ivan explained. “If more come. I can't hold them off.”

  Though her father had mentioned that more might come, she had thought it was unlikely and dismissed it as irrelevant. The fact that Ivan was worried about the same possibility made her realize it was a legitimate threat; one that she was now very fearful of. She quickly did as he asked and gathered all the guns she could find, even prying them from the hands of the men who had died. She brought them to Ivan who began stripping them for ammo to consolidate and organize. Twelve guns became three with enough ammo to hopefully hold off another round of intruders.

  “Is there anything else I can do?” Jessica asked.

  “I need a belt or something that I can tie around my leg, and a fresh towel.”

  Jessica promptly filled his request and returned with one of her father's belts and a clean towel. The belt served both as a tourniquet and to hold the towel against his wound. With the belt secured, he asked for help to stand. He struggled to his feet and leaned on her for support.

  “Let's get your things packed,” Ivan then said.

  “Why don't you rest?” Jessica suggested. “We can pack.”

  Ivan shook his head. “I can't defend you if I'm not with you.”

  “Ivan, you can barely stand.”

  “Is your aim better than mine?” he asked.

  Jessica frowned.

  “I thought so,” he replied. “I don't need to stand to shoot.”

  handholding Tatiana in one arm, Jessica supported Ivan with the other. They made their way slowly to their bedroom, which was thankfully devoid of dead bodies. Ivan took a position by the window looking out onto the driveway. Jessica closed the bedroom door and then removed Tatiana's blindfold.

  “I need to pack our things,” Jessica explained. “We're leaving soon.”

  Tatiana sat on the bed looking traumatized while Jessica hastily threw stuff in bags.

  “Why did you call Jeff ‘Daddy?’” Tatiana asked.

  The question drew Ivan's attention as it did Jessica's. Jessica didn't think it was something she could give proper attention to at the moment, so she tried to push it off until later.

  “We can talk about that when we get out of here, OK?” she said.

  “Is he your Daddy?” Tatiana asked, not letting Jessica off the hook that easily.

  If Jessica answered that question, it would surely lead to more and they just didn't have time.

  “Sweetheart, I will explain it to you later. Right now, I have to get our stuff packed. Please be quiet for a little while longer. I promise we will talk about it later.”

  Tatiana sat quietly and didn’t say anything more.

  “LEAVE ME,” Jeff said to Dmitri once Jessica was out of earshot. “Save my daughter.”

  “I'd be more than happy to leave you here to die,” Dmitri stated coldly. “I've seen enough from my stay here to know what you do for a living. The amount of human suffering you facilitate is unforgivable,” Dmitri said as he pressed hard on Jeff's wound.

  Jeff grimaced through a painful chuckle, amused by his own ignorance. “And here I thought I did a good job hiding it from you.”

  “It's what I'm trained to do.”

  Jeff looked at him. “Stop wasting time. Leave me. I'm already dead.”

  “I'm not sure Jessica would ever forgive me if I did that. Besides, you're not as bad as you look. The shoulder wound isn't fatal, and this one in your side looks like maybe just a flesh wound. With some medical attention, you could live.”

  “Call my doctor then,” Jeff suggested. “Have him come to the house. In my office, there's a safe behind the bookshelf. It's hinged. Just pull on the left side. The combination is 17-48-93. There's a $100,000 in cash. Leave me $20,000 to pay my doctor and take the rest. If I survive, then I survive. But don't you dare endanger my daughter by trying to save me.”

  Seeing that as an acceptable solution, Dmitri was already on the phone with Jeff's doctor when Timur arrived. The pair then carried Jeff to the house. They put him on the couch in the living room that Ivan had been leaning against when Jessica found him.

  Jessica had packed up everything she could think of and changed her and Tatiana's clothes in the time it took them to bring Jeff inside. She tossed the bags into the hall and was about to put the blindfold back on Tatiana when Timur stepped in the room.

  Tatiana called out to him with her arms open. He swiftly scooped her up into his arms. She squeezed his neck so tight it nearly made him choke.

  “It's OK, Ana,” he assured her in Russian. “We're going to be OK.”

  “I want my Daddy,” she told him as she began to cry.

  Though she said it in Russian, they were words Jessica understood. Jessica's heart broke. She wished that Michael was there. She felt helpless as Timur held Tatiana tight and tried to comfort her.

  Somewhere in the house, a cell phone began to ring. Timur and Ivan exchanged glances. They both knew it was time to leave. Timur passed Tatiana back to Jessica and helped tie the blindfold back on. He grabbed one of the bags and then offered his support to Ivan. Jessica struggled with another bag while trying to also carry Tatiana. Dmitri raced to the top of the stairs just as they were coming down the hall.

  “Is this everything?” he asked as he relieved Jessica of the bag.

  “No. There's one more in the hall.”

  “I'll grab it,” he offered. “Load everything into the SUV in the garage and wait there for me.”

  They reached the SUV, a pearl Cadillac Escalade, and began loading up the back. Timur grabbed Tatiana and buckled her in the backseat before helping Ivan to climb into the front. Jessica immediately noticed her father was not there.

  “Where is Jeff?” she asked.

  “He's not coming,” Dmitri replied as he tossed the bags he was carrying into the back and shut the hatch.

  “What do you mean he's not coming? Where is he?”

  “He can't come with us, Jessica,” Dmitri said as he took her arm and tried to move her towards the truck. “We have to leave now.”

  Jessica pulled free. “Where is he?!”

  Dmitri looked at her, his expression pleading with her not to fight with him. “Jess, we don't have time for this. We can't take him.”

  Before Dmitri could explain any further, Jessica took off back inside the house. Dmitri was just steps behind her trying to get her to understand how badly they needed to leave. She began running towards the back door to get to her father, not knowing that they had brought him in the house.

  “He's not out there, Jess,” Dmitri quickly informed her.

  She turned to him. “Where is he?” Her tone was far angrier than before.

  “You need to think about your daughter now,” he reasoned.

  “Damn you, Dmitri! Where is my father?!” she shouted.

  Dmitri clenched his jaw and tried to remain calm. “He's in the living room.”

  Emotional and irrational, she pushed Dmitri away and ran to the living room. She saw her father lying on the couch. His eyes were closed, and at first she thought he was dead.

  “Daddy!” she cried out and ran to him.

  His eyes slowly opened at the sound of his daughter's voice.

  Jessica angrily looked back at Dmitri. “We're taking him with us.”

  Jeff shook his head. “No.” His voice was but a mere whisper. “I'm not coming with you.”

  “What? Why? I'm not leaving you like this.” Tears streamed her face.

  “You have to,” Jeff said.

  “His doctor is coming, Jessica,” Dmitri explained. “We can't give him the attention he needs while we're on the run.”

  �
��But what if more come before your doctor does? Or before he's able to get you out of here?” Jessica was extremely distraught at the idea of leaving her father completely helpless.

  “Then they come, Jessica. It is what it is.”

  “No,” Jessica shook her head. “No I won't leave you here to die.”

  Knowing how stubborn his daughter could be and how little use reasoning with her right now would be, Jeff looked past her to Dmitri. “What are you waiting for?”

  Dmitri moved forward and Jessica knew instantly what was about to happen.

  “No,” she pleaded. “No, Dmitri.”

  She tried to fend him off, but he was so much stronger than her it did little good. He effortlessly subdued her and began carrying her from the room.

  “Please!” she cried. “Please don't do this!”

  “I love you, Jessica,” she heard her father say.

  “Please, Dmitri,” she cried. “Please don't do this.”

  As they left the room, Jessica broke down. She knew it was probably the last time she would ever see her father alive. Dmitri carried her quickly to the SUV. He forced her into the backseat next to Tatiana and climbed in next to her. Frightened and confused, Tatiana clutched her mother’s arm seeking comfort and reassurance. Something Jessica was unable to give in that moment. Having no more fight left in her, Jessica simply cried.

  “Go!” Dmitri ordered and Timur obeyed.

  Dmitri pulled Jessica into his arms and held her tight as she languidly sobbed into his chest. He kissed her head and whispered, “I'm sorry.”

  THEY DROVE for hours without a word being spoken. Jessica held Tatiana in her arms and stared numbly out the window at the passing landscape. Dmitri glanced at her from time to time, wondering what she was thinking and if she would forgive him while Timur kept glancing at Dmitri wondering what kind of feelings he had for Jessica. Ivan was the only one who didn't seem to care what anyone else was thinking. Though the bleeding had slowed, his wound still needed attention, something they were putting on hold while they put some distance between themselves and Jeff's house. And then of course, there was the mind blurring pain which made it near impossible to think about anything else.

  “Should we stop now?” Timur's voice cut through the air.

  “Yes,” Ivan readily answered.

  Timur looked back at Dmitri, who nodded his head in agreement. “Yes, we should probably take care of Ivan's leg before we go much farther.”

  They made a few stops to pick up supplies they would need to care for Ivan's gunshot wound. As night was approaching they found a motel. Dmitri pulled out some of the cash Jeff had given them and handed it to Jessica.

  “You're the only one with ID,” he said. “You'll have to rent the room.”

  She barely looked at him and didn't reply. She took the cash, grabbed her purse with the fake ID and credit cards that Corvo had given her, and stepped out of the truck with Tatiana at her side. Dmitri sighed as they walked away.

  “You had no choice,” Timur said to him.

  “I know,” Dmitri replied. “And deep down she knows it too.”

  “Why is she so angry with you then?” Timur asked.

  “I'm not so sure it's me she's angry with.”

  They parked right in front of their room and made sure no one was around when they helped Ivan from the truck. His bloodied leg would surely bring unwanted attention if spotted. They quickly set him on one of the beds. Ivan was so thankful he could finally lay down. While Dmitri and Timur were absorbed with tending to Ivan, Jessica brought Tatiana into the bathroom to get her cleaned up and ready for bed. Ivan's muffled screams while they removed the bullet carried from the other room.

  “Is Ivan OK?” Tatiana asked worried.

  “He's going to be fine, sweetheart. Dmitri and Timur will take care of him.”

  “I like Timur,” Tatiana said.

  Jessica smiled. “Well I think Timur likes you too.”

  The smile faded from Tatiana's face. “When is Daddy coming back?”

  “I don't know, Ana. Hopefully soon.”

  “I miss him.”

  “I do too, baby.” Jessica kissed her head trying to hold in her emotions. She was desperate to see Michael. She ached to feel his arms around her again, hear his reassuring voice. She hadn't heard from him in days and wondered if he was all right and if he missed her too. She tried not to dwell on those thoughts.

  When they came out of the bathroom, Ivan was resting. The bullet removed, he finally was getting some relief. They were giving him a minute to recover before they stitched the wound, which would result in more muffled screams. His pants were completely removed and just the sheet was covering all but his wounded leg. He was sweating from the pain and pale from the blood loss. He didn't look very good.

  “Is there anything I can do?” Jessica asked.

  “No,” Dmitri answered. “You and Ana should try to get some rest.”

  “Do we have any food?” she asked.

  Dmitri hadn't even thought about food. If she hadn't mentioned it, he may not have even noticed he was hungry.

  “Good question,” Dmitri replied. “After we stitch him up we'll get some food.”

  “Hurry up and get it done,” Ivan said. He just wanted it to be over already.

  With Timur helping to hold Ivan still, Dmitri stitched his wound. Ivan buried his face in a pillow and screamed when it became too much to bear. Though he would never admit it, the pillow covered more than just his screams. The pain was so great towards the end that he gave in to tears. When it was finally over, he lay motionless in bed with his face still buried in the pillow. After a minute when he hadn't yet moved, Dmitri tugged on his arm to see if he was OK. He flopped onto his back unconscious. Dmitri checked for a pulse. He was alive, just passed out.

  Dmitri turned his attention to Jessica and Ana. “Does pizza work for you two?”

  They both nodded.

  “I'll go,” Timur offered. He smiled at Dmitri as he took some cash and left the room.

  After he left, Dmitri slumped in one of the chairs around a small table and lost himself in his thoughts. Jessica watched him, feeling numb and yet also somewhat conflicted. She understood why Dmitri did what he did but in her heart she still believed they could have taken Jeff with them. She was angry that he could so callously leave her father in the condition he was in. Part of her started to feel like she didn't even really know Dmitri. She looked away from him and tried to think about something else as she felt the anger boiling inside her.

  “I know this is my fault,” Dmitri said out of the blue.

  Jessica looked back at him. He wasn't even looking at her and for a moment she wondered if he was talking to himself. But then he turned to her.

  “This is all my fault. I should have never come to you.” He took a deep breath and looked away. After another minute he buried his face in his hands and didn't move.

  Jessica's anger slowly subsided as she began to feel sorry for him. Leaving Tatiana on the bed, she pulled the second chair closer to him. She leaned across the table and touched his arm.

  “I don't blame you for what happened, Dmitri. Whoever is behind this is to blame.”

  Dmitri shook his head and looked in her eyes. “It was selfish. I should not have involved you or Michael. I'm so sorry I put you in this position.”

  “It's true this probably wouldn't have happened, but I don't regret helping you. You've risked your life more than once to help both me and Michael. There's no way we could sit by and do nothing.”

  “I know,” Dmitri agreed. “Which is exactly why I should not have come to you.” He pulled away from her and muttered, “What have I done?” in Russian.

  Jessica didn't know what more to say. He was refusing to be comforted. They sat silently, neither knowing what to say to the other.

  “Should we call Tim?” Jessica finally asked.

  Dmitri shook his head. “I don't know how they found us.”

  “Well Tim didn't send th
em.”

  “Maybe not, but he was on a short list of people who knew where we were.”

  “No one on that list of people would have told where we were.”

  Dmitri looked her right in the eyes. “One of them did.”

  Jessica realized he was right. There was no other way they could have been found. They had no traceable ties to Jeff. He would have never been on anyone's radar when it came to searching for Michael or Jessica. They should have been safe there. The thought that someone she knew had given her up was hard to swallow. It was nearly impossible to believe anyone she knew would do that.

  “Why would they do that?” she asked out loud.

  “Maybe they didn't have a choice,” Dmitri answered.

  “We need to call home. We need to find out what's going on.”

  “We're too vulnerable right now. We can't risk exposing our location. Not with Ivan the way he is.”

  “We need help,” Jessica insisted.

  “The only people I trust right now are staying in this room,” Dmitri said.

  “Michael is going to be worried about us, as will everyone else.”

  “I'd rather have them worried for you than grieving over you.” Dmitri made his position clear. He wasn't going to budge.

  Jessica disagreed but knew she would be overruled by Timur and Ivan. “We need help,” she said again, knowing it would fall on deaf ears.

  “I need time to think. My first priority is keeping you and Ana safe. And I'm going to do that no matter what it takes.”

  “Yeah, I've seen that already.” Her words betrayed the bitter feelings she carried just under the surface. She knew her anger was misplaced, but found it hard to control. She left the table and went back to the bed with Tatiana and tried to calm her emotions.

  Her words were like salt in an open wound. Dmitri tried not to let it get to him but that was easier said than done.

  Timur returned a short time later with the pizza. The men let Jessica and Tatiana take what they wanted first.

  “I switched the plates on the truck,” Timur said to Dmitri in Russian.

  Dmitri nodded. “Good.”

  When Jessica and Tatiana moved away, a snarky grin crossed Timur's lips. “So did you two kiss and make up?” he asked quietly.