by C. Luca
Nikolai shakes his head, signaling that he’s not ready to end the topic. His fingers move across his phone’s screen. We need to figure out who killed Ava and attacked you.
I give him a frustrated look. “That’s what the detective is doing.”
He gives me a look that visibly reveals that he has no faith in the detective’s ability, and resumes typing. Do you have any idea how many homicides happen daily in Chicago? Ava’s case is going to end up on the bottom of the pile within a few days. You know I’m right.
I swallow hard and look away.
Unfortunately, he has a point. If the detective can’t find any evidence of Rob hiring a hitman, then there’s nothing more for him to go on, and the case will remain unsolved. That doesn’t mean I want to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life. It was tiring enough doing it for the past year.
“I won’t live my life in fear,” I say with determination.
He quickly sends me his reply. I have the resources to eliminate the threat, but I can’t do that until I know who he is.
Feeling tired, I set aside the yogurt and look at him warily. “It’s too much too soon, Nik. I still haven’t wrapped my mind around her death. I just need…time.”
His expression eases as he types his reply. I know it hurts, but I’m trying to help you.
“I know, and I appreciate that,” I say sincerely.
His eyes drop as he returns his attention to his phone in his hand. A second later, his text appears on my screen. At least tell me if she was sleeping with anyone else besides the man you briefly met.
Guilt overwhelms me over not being at the apartment enough. Ava had been so lonely, and I hadn’t done enough to ease it. Would she have been looking to men for attention if I’d been a better friend?
How could this have happened?
Is this somehow my fault?
My eyes sting, and I blink away the tears and focus on Nikolai. “I can’t do this right now,” I repeat.
His expression relents and he sends, Would it be easier to text me if you think of things that I should know?
I readily nod. “I can do that,” I agree.
He nods and glances at the yogurt that is still left in the container. “You s-s-should eat m-m-more,” he tells me, his voice stilted from the effort of speaking.
I give him a tired smile. “I’m not as hungry as I thought.”
He looks like he wants to say something, but his phone vibrates in his hand, and he glances at it.
“You need to deal with business?” I ask dryly.
He gives me a look. “Y-y-yes.” He rises to his feet and carefully picks the tray up from my lap.
“Good night, Nik,” I say as I yawn hugely.
He nods and then leaves.
* * *
The following morning, I’m wide awake as the sunshine struggles to filter in through the closed blinds. I’d like to open them, but I don’t have the energy to try to get up. Simply using the connecting bathroom was bad enough during the middle of the night.
I gaze at the phone on the nightstand, chest aching.
I have no one to call or text besides Nikolai, and I feel a sense of crushing loneliness. Ava had brightened my life and made me feel wanted. I’d begun to rely on her and to expect her to always be there.
Now, that part of my life is empty once more.
As my thoughts begin to grow dark and heavy, I push them aside and focus on the fact that I still need at least one of my jobs. Honestly, it’d be wise to let the distribution center job go. It was just too time-consuming working full-time and part-time. Once I’m back on my feet, I’ll look into a second part-time job so that I’m not always so tired.
Later today, when I’m certain someone will be at the club to answer the phone, I’ll call and explain my situation and that I can resume work towards the end of next week. I also need to find a new place to live, and I have to figure out where Ava will be buried.
There’s just so much to do, and yet here I am, stuck bedridden as I recover from surgery.
A brief knock announces Nikolai’s arrival, and he opens the door a second later, a tray balanced in one hand.
I brighten and carefully ease up into a sitting position, the stitches on my abdomen pulling and causing a bit of uncomfortable pain. A distraction from all my overwhelming thoughts is just what I need.
I note that Nikolai is dressed in business attire as my eyes roam over him. He’s wearing a black, long-sleeved, button-down shirt that shows off his muscular upper body, and gray pants that complement the darkness of his shirt. He looks sophisticated and strikingly handsome.
He must be headed to the corporate office, and I’m disappointed that I likely won’t see him much throughout the day.
Nikolai carefully sets the tray on my lap, and I see that he’s brought me applesauce, and a glass of water. The usual pain pills are waiting for me.
I reach for them and swallow them down with the water as Nikolai moves to the blinds and opens them, allowing the sunlight to filter into the room.
He then walks over to the armchair and takes a seat, pulling out his phone. As I swallow a spoonful of applesauce, I watch Nikolai type on his phone.
Whatever he has to say is lengthy.
When my phone on the nightstand vibrates, I readily pick it up and scan the message. Good morning. Later this evening, you can try pasta or rice if you feel you’re ready for it. Reed will also be dropping by sometime today to check your stitches and apply new bandages.
I glance at him to see him watching me intently. “I would absolutely love some rice, maybe with gravy?” I ask hopefully, deciding to focus on the idea of food rather than Reed dropping by.
He nods, letting me know that he’ll make it happen.
I’m still wearing the tee shirt that I’d put on at the hospital, and I’m anxious for my own belongings. “Have they opened the apartment yet?” I ask lightly.
Nikolai’s eyes sharpen, and he nods before typing on his phone. I already planned to send Jonah over to retrieve everything.
“Thank you,” I say gratefully.
He focuses on his phone for a moment, and then a new message appears on my screen. What would you like done with Ava’s belongings?
A lump develops in my throat. “Can everything be stored until I’m ready to go through it?” I ask tentatively.
He immediately nods, and after a hesitation, he adds, “I’ll t-t-take care of it.”
I give him an appreciative smile and reach for the spoon, tasting the applesauce. It’s sweet, and I’m glad it isn’t the unsweetened, boring kind.
When my phone vibrates, I glance over to read Nikolai’s next comment. I’ll have Jonah bring you a laptop so you can begin deciding where you’d like Ava laid to rest.
“Thank you. There’s so much to do yet, and it’s all weighing on me. It’d be good to start sorting things out.” My eyes travel his attire. “Busy day ahead?”
He nods. “C-c-can’t be helped.”
“It’s fine. I seem to sleep more than I’m awake anyway.” I grimace. “I really want to try a shower. I feel so gross.”
He types on his phone and sends me a message. Make certain you mention it to Reed. I’m sure he can secure the bandages so that you can shower comfortably without them getting wet.
“That would be great.”
He types something on his phone and gives me a warning look as he waits for his message to appear on my phone’s screen. Other than the shower, stay in bed and rest.
I give him a wry look. “I’m still sore, so you have nothing to worry about,” I say dryly.
He gives me one more stern look and then rises to his feet. I watch him leave the room, closing the door behind him so that I have privacy.
I’m looking forward to Jonah bringing by the laptop. My mood is much better than it was moments earlier, and I finish off the applesauce and set aside the tray. The laptop will help keep me busy until I can hopefully get back on my feet and go to a hotel.
He briefly knocks on the door and then peeks in. When he sees that I’m presentable, he enters the room, his expression completely devoid of emotion as he holds out the laptop to me. He’s dressed in a nice, pressed shirt and pants. I still can’t help but wonder if his professional attire is an expectation of Nikolai’s or simply Jonah’s preference.
“Thank you,” I say lightly as I accept the laptop.
His blue eyes meet mine briefly, and there’s no hint of emotion within their depths. Without a word, he turns and exits the room, only to come back in with two of my duffel bags stuffed with what must be my belongings. He sets the bags on the floor by the bed.
Part of me wants to apologize for stabbing and using the stun gun on him, but yet he’d helped Nikolai hold me captive. I had every right to fight for my freedom.
Before I can make up my mind if I should say something, he’s gone, firmly closing the door behind him.
Well, I guess that solves that quandary.
Eager to be doing something useful, I open the laptop and turn it on. My eagerness quickly diminishes as I begin to search local funeral directors so that I can get the process going for Ava’s burial.
I contact a funeral director that sounds reasonable, and afterwards, I set aside the laptop and rest for a bit. I seem to do a lot of sleeping as my body heals, and since I want to be off this estate as soon as possible, I am making certain to listen to my body’s needs.
It's quite some time later when a knock on the door stirs me from my light nap. “Come in,” I call out as the sleep fades.
The door opens, and Reed enters the room, a black medical bag in his hand. “Hello, Blakely,” he greets.
“Reed,” I murmur, still peeved that he’d drugged me.
There’s no sign of remorse in his gaze as he crosses the room. “Nikolai mentioned you wanted to shower?”
I nod.
He moves to my bedside and sets the bag down. “I’ll need to look at the incision site and your other stitches, and then we’ll see about waterproofing them.” He motions to the blanket. “If you wouldn’t mind,” he says lightly.
This is awkward.
Not as awkward as him talking me through removing my own catheter, I remind myself.
This should be a breeze after that fiasco.
I carefully pull down the blanket, and then I lift the shirt high enough so that he can get to my incision site and yet my breasts are still covered. I still have on the cotton panties that Nikolai had brought me along with the tee and sweats from yesterday.
With great gentleness and professionalism, Reed peels back the bandage on my abdomen to check the stitches. I don’t want to look, so I stare up at the ceiling and let him do his thing.
“How long have you known Nikolai?” I ask curiously, hoping to draw him into conversation.
“I’ve known him quite some time,” he replies while I wince. He quickly cleans the incision and then carefully rebandages it.
“How did you meet?” I press, wanting to know more. Nikolai is so closed off to everyone, I’d very much like to know how he met Reed and Jonah.
Reed begins to check the stitches on my ribs from the knife wound. “How’s the pain?” he asks, ignoring my question.
“Still constant,” I admit.
He glances at me to examine my expression. “Manageable though?”
“Yes.”
He nods as he pulls medical tape out of the bag. “I’m going to set you up so that water shouldn’t get through to your wounds, but in any case, I’ll be stopping by later to remove the bandages. It’s important to replace them with regular ones that will allow the wounds to breathe.”
TWENTY-TWO
Nikolai
Later that evening, Ezra drives me back to the estate after a long day of meetings. Now that the necessary meetings are over, I shouldn’t have to stop back in until next week. That leaves the rest of this week and weekend to focus on Blakely.
Not to mention Peter is no longer of any concern. He’s been cleared and is already back out on a contract. Everything seems to be in order, and nothing should distract me from handling Blakely’s safety.
As Ezra expertly navigates through traffic, I think over Blakely’s situation. Whoever killed Ava snuck into the apartment and quietly killed her. So why go to Blakely’s room to kill her as well? That’s a very risky move, and one that I would consider not worth making.
If she hadn’t witnessed anything, why bother?
If Ava was the target, she was handled, and he could have easily slipped away.
I’m beginning to doubt that Ava’s ex hired someone. Men as territorial as he would want to be hands on and to be there himself because of his need to be in control. I can’t imagine him wanting anyone to touch the woman that he had so boldly claimed—not even to kill her.
Then, there’s the fact that the kill was messy and not at all well thought out, or Blakely never would have been able to get away.
Whoever the killer was had to be a novice, so likely not a hired killer.
I’d also had Jonah do some digging of his own when it came to Ava’s past and the club she’d used to work at in Seattle. There doesn’t seem to be any logical reason for someone to kill her. Apparently, Ava was very much well-liked by everyone.
That leaves Blakely as the target, which doesn’t sit well with me.
Why kill Ava first? Or at all? And as far as I can tell, Blakely hasn’t been around anyone long enough to make an enemy.
Sure, I’ve witnessed her flirting, but no one’s going to get that jealous in the short amount of time that she’s been back in Chicago. She doesn’t appear to have any connections to anyone but me now that Ava’s gone. I eliminated the entire crew she was involved with last year, so it can’t possibly be tied to that.
I feel like I’m missing something.
Did Blakely bring some kind of trouble back with her?
First thing I’m going to do upon arriving home is hole up in my office and do some research. As much as I want to see Blakely, I know I’ll start asking questions that she won’t appreciate, and she doesn’t need that right now. If she’d taken her shower today, she’s probably exhausted, and I’d like her to rest.
We’ll talk more tomorrow, and I plan to start asking the kinds of questions that need to be asked.
TWENTY-THREE
Blakely
The following day, I feel a little stronger, and I’m sitting up in bed as I wait for Nikolai to stop by with my breakfast. I’d been disappointed last night when Reed had been the one to drop by with my evening meal, though Nikolai had made certain to keep his promise. I’d very much enjoyed the rice with beef gravy.
I haven’t seen Nikolai since yesterday morning, so I’m looking forward to seeing him today. I also feel much better wearing my own clothes. I’m wearing a long-sleeved shirt, no bra because of the bandages on my ribs, and loose-fitting, lounge pants.
My phone rings on the nightstand.
I’m startled by the sound, and I immediately wince from the abrupt movement. The shower yesterday had been heavenly, but it had also been painful. Today, I’m a bit more sore than I was expecting, but that should hopefully ease as the day wears on.
I reach for the phone, not recognizing the number. “Hello?”
“Miss Reeves, it’s Detective Markwell,” a masculine voice greets.
My heart automatically skips a beat. “Did you find anything?” I ask hopefully.
“I just wanted to update you on the investigation. I’m sorry, but we found no evidence that Mr. Sletzer hired anyone to kill Miss Jennings. At this point, I regretfully have nothing else to go on pertaining to the young man that you saw her with. If you have any new information that would help with the case, I’d like you to call me.”
My heart plummets. “That’s it?” I ask softly.
He sighs over the line. “I’m doin
g the best that I can, Miss Reeves.”
And I’m not much help. Had I missed something during my conversations with Ava? Why can’t I think of anything that might be important?
“Okay,” I say quietly, knowing there’s nothing more I can do.
“Take care.”
“You too,” I murmur as the conversation ends.
I set the phone on the nightstand and close my eyes, breathing deeply as I fight the urge to scream with frustration. There’s nothing more I can do for Ava except give her a proper burial. I want so badly to bring her murderer to justice, but I can’t seem to be of any help to the investigation.
Needing a distraction, I pull the blankets aside. Very carefully, I sit up and ease my legs to the side of the bed and rise to my feet. My abdomen protests, and the stitches on my ribs tug uncomfortably, but I ignore them.
I need to get back on my feet.
If I can tolerate a shower, I can handle at least walking around the room to regain my strength.
My teeth sink into my lower lip as I slowly walk across the room. I feel a bit lethargic, but that’s in part from being in bed so much for the past several days. I’m still leisurely walking around when there’s a brief knock on the door.
Nikolai opens the door and looks in on me.
When he sees me on my feet, he quickly scowls and enters the room, a tray balanced in one hand. He uses his free hand to close the door, and then he gives me a firm look and nods towards the bed.
I tilt my chin, my expression determined. “The nurse said nothing strenuous, this isn’t strenuous.”
However, I’m exhausted and hurting from my very short exercise, so much to my regret, I make my way to the bed and climb in, sitting against the pillows. So much for demonstrating that I’m improving a little more each day.
I note that Nikolai’s dressed casually in a well-fitted, navy blue ribbed sweater paired with jeans. He must be staying on the estate today.
He walks over and sets the tray on my lap, and I’m thrilled to see pancakes. As I take my usual morning pain reliever, Nikolai settles into the armchair near the bed and pulls out his cell phone.