by Anna Antonia
“No, he didn’t. He wanted you to live, Elaine. Don’t stop obeying his wishes now.” My earpiece came to life.
“When I say ‘go’, count out for six. Once you hit seven a charge will set off.”
“Okay.” Cocking my weapon, a Glock 26, I relayed my count and added, “Thomas, take her when it goes off. One of Damian’s men has a car ready for you.”
I saw the question in Elaine’s gaze. I shook my head. He didn’t know that the firm he hired had already been contracted by Grigor to watch over him. Later, it would boggle my mind how well thought out this plan truly was.
For now, my thoughts emptied out except for the bare minimum. My job was to cover Thomas and Elaine. I had ten bullets in the clip and one in the chamber plus another clip in my back pocket. Once Damian’s parents were in the clear, Marcus would draw their fire and set off another charge.
That was my signal to run like hell. We’d evacuate and then Leon would get Damian safely away.
I just had to hold on until then.
62
DAMIAN
Darkness surrounded us, suffocating me with all I couldn’t see.
Not just visually.
I methodically picked an underserved point and shot. The suppressor helped, but even so, magnifying the blast by fifty still resulted in a jackhammer against my ears.
Why was this playing out this way? The Volkovs were laying siege against an enemy I hadn’t identified. Risa brought Elaine down. There was no sight of Marcus, but I knew it in my bones he was somewhere in this chaos. Wolffington and his team weren’t supposed to be here, but they were. Leon had disappeared.
Instead he was by my side, firing away and looking so much like our father it made me feel how much I’d lost when Grigor Konstantinov left this world.
One of Sascha’s men kicked over a box of ammunition. In no time at all, I reloaded and tracked my next target.
I circled through all the variables, every bit since Risa last walked out of the Romanian safehouse. Every word, action, and angle.
Elaine, Thomas, Risa, and Sascha.
All of her images, calls, and those heartbreaking last words just today.
“I love you.”
“Please forgive me.”
For what? For this?
The equations appeared and disappeared. Risa needed me to solve this. I was so close. I knew I was…I just needed to think it through again. No anger, fury, or fear to cloud my judgment.
Just a bit more…
“You…you…wouldn’t understand. I have to be this way. I mean…it had to be this way because…you…because…you’re wrong…I’m sorry…I just…”
And then a thousand other connections formed.
Sascha, Risa, Thomas, Elaine.
“Your jealousy is unnecessary. It’s a waste of time. She was a business transaction. Nothing more.”
Elaine needing Risa to be anonymous. Marcus hiding Risa for a month then Sascha suddenly parading her about town, several according to Wolffington.
Catching sight of Risa’s white shirt, I remembered all of Elaine’s reassurances that she never betrayed me and contrasted them against what I knew for sure.
Elaine extorted two hundred and fifty million out of me. She did it publicly when she’d been a fanatic for discretion my entire life.
“Do the right thing, Damian. Walk away.”
Why say that to me when Risa had just been kidnapped for money?
Because she needed time. Time for what?
Black was white and white black.
Elaine and Thomas had been my guardians for my entire life. Now they were a pair of Judases?
Yes. No.
Truth and lie at the same time.
Marcus taunted me and then warned me.
“You have to keep better care of Miss Kelly. Your government won’t. They’ll lock her away on an oil rig in the Atlantic and you’ll never see her again.”
Risa’s whisper. “Please forgive me.”
What was there to forgive if all she wanted to do was abandon me?
And just like that, all the connections clicked faster than I could keep up.
I knew then what had been done and why.
My father’s words just scant minutes before he died.
“Is there anything you’ve ever wanted to ask me? Now is the time.”
Grigor knew he was going to die. He counted on it.
“Goodbye, my son.”
“Goodbye, Damian.”
Elaine planned to die and Risa had just interfered. Which meant…
“Hey, wait! Dammit, Damian!”
I tore through my surprise allies with one focus in mind.
I had to get to Risa. Now.
63
RISA
I sprang to attention when Marcus said, “Go.”
One.
The darkness had been a twisted ally of sorts. It helped only long enough to get us some cover. What was a boon now became a hindrance when the other side engaged their night vision scopes and really started firing back.
Two.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the opposite side. Muzzle flash lit up the night. There had to be at least twenty people scattered throughout. How were we going to get them all when they looked to be dug in pretty deep?
Three.
I thought of my unborn baby. I’d already put her in so much danger when I didn’t know of her existence. Now we were both in the thick of it. I may have been wearing futuristic bulletproof material, but it wouldn’t save us if I took a hit to the skull. I had to survive this for her.
Four.
Damian’s voice jaggedly cut through the audible chaos. He called for me to stay low and that he was on his way.
Five.
Movement zig-zagged towards me. No, it couldn’t be him. He wouldn’t have been able to push his way past the Volkov line. They were supposed to hold him back!
Six.
My feet took off before my brain could register it.
“Miss Kelly, stay put!”
Marcus couldn’t guard Damian and take out the other side at the same time. I pumped my arms and legs as fast they could go, fixated on Damian’s body.
He’s risking his life because he’s trying to save mine.
This wasn’t part of the plan.
Seven.
Marcus didn’t curse me out for breaking the line. Or if he did it got lost in the explosion. Damian and I instinctively lowered our heads as we barreled towards one another. Bullets rained all around us. Surely, we should’ve been dead by now.
The world was tearing apart at the seams. Yells, screams, and explosions ricocheted, but none of that mattered.
I had to get to Damian. I had to protect him. This was the man I loved, the only one I ever would love. He was my beginning and end. My world didn’t exist unless he was in it. He had to live so he’d know the miracle we’d created.
Just a few more steps. We were close enough to almost touch each other.
And then I wasn’t facing the right direction anymore.
Instead, I saw the stars. Thousands of them scattered across a black sky I didn’t notice until now.
Beautiful.
How could anything terrible happen beneath such breathtaking splendor? So many stars, so many possibilities spread above me made it difficult to breathe. I wanted to tell everyone to stop shooting for just one second and look up at the stars.
But I couldn’t seem to get the breath.
Damian’s wounded howl hit me nearly as hard as the pressure in my chest. I tried to tell him it was going to be okay, but then another shot came.
And the universe turned off its lights.
64
DAMIAN
I threw myself over Risa seconds after she’d been shot again.
“Please don’t be dead. Please, baby, don’t leave me. Not like this. Please, Risa. You can’t do this to me because I can’t live without you—”
Sobs tore through my chest, pummeling my body almost as
badly as the shots around us.
“I love you, little girl. I love you so goddamned much! You have to know that. You can’t leave me. You swore you never would!”
Risa lay so still beneath me. I tucked her closer, praying my body would be a strong enough shield to keep her safe.
She might already be gone.
Kissing her head, cheeks, and nose, I wept as I hadn’t since I was a tiny boy who missed his nanny.
“You can’t leave me too, Risa. Not when I love you this much! I’m sorry, love. I’m sorry for everything. My love, don’t go. Don’t…I don’t want to be alone in this world without you. We have so much to do still.”
The firefight continued around us, proving forever was now. Lying over Risa and praying that it was her heart I felt and not mine, I welcomed death if it meant I could save Risa. There was no point in anything if she wasn’t here. All of Grigor and Elaine’s sacrifices would crumble in the dust without Risa.
My fractured mind careened from one memory to another.
Our first words.
Our first date.
Our first kiss.
Our first time.
Our first fight.
Our first love.
We had too many more firsts to discover. Why did it always take tragedy to make us realize just how good our lives really are?
It couldn’t end like this because the genesis of my humanity wasn’t the first breath I drew. No, it was the first time I saw this perfect woman.
And she was perfect.
Not because she was without flaws. But because her flaws were exactly what I needed to grow. To be a better man.
I spent my whole life trying to be perfect, to control everyone and everything in my vicinity. I truly believed I could control my place in the world this way.
No amount of planning could’ve prepared me for Risa and that was why I couldn’t let go. I had been too afraid of becoming my father and losing the only woman I loved, so instead of enjoying this love I clenched it in both fists. I was terrified if I released the pressure just for an instance I’d lose Risa forever.
I created what I feared and I’d give up anything to do it over again.
“Risa, oh God. Please, please, please stay with me.”
I should’ve asked her to marry me before I left for Clichy. I should’ve listened to my heart in New York. I should’ve trusted Risa’s love enough to let her in while we were hiding in Romania. I should’ve known Risa would never have left me in New York without a damned good reason.
Our love story couldn’t be done. Not like this.
Two gunshots turned into one and then none.
I didn’t move. I wouldn’t take the chance of exposing Risa to a stray bullet just in case it started again. I continued to beg her, promising her the sun and the moon if she’d just please, please, please open her eyes for me.
Boots crunched on the ground, inexorably coming towards us. Only when she whispered my name did I allow myself to look up.
The Volkovs surrounded us.
65
Sascha stared down at me, eyes blank as they surveyed my own reddened eyes and wet face. I didn’t care if he thought me messy and mortal. Shame couldn’t touch me, not when Risa was alive and in my arms.
His judgment remained his own as I turned away and ran my hand over my love. It remained dry, but that could be because she hadn’t bled through yet.
“Risa, were do you hurt?”
She groaned softly. “All over. I’m going to soak in a hot bath for a week after this.”
I gently searched her body, looking for the entrance wounds. There was nothing there. I saw her get hit twice. She wasn’t wearing a vest so how did she escape damage?
Her small hand closed over mine. “The clothes are bulletproof. I’m okay, Damian. I promise.”
I wouldn’t fully believe it until I could see her unmarked skin later myself.
“Little girl,” I growled.
“Yes?” she said in a tiny voice. Good. She knew she was in for it.
“Don’t you ever, ever scare me like that again! You shaved a good twenty years off my life.”
“I’m sorry, Damian, but I had to do it.”
Letting out an angry sigh, I dropped my head against her chest. “I know. I know, love. I just don’t ever want you to have to do it again.”
“We’ll lead quiet, safe lives after this. I promise.” Risa ran her fingers through my hair. “Just so you know—I’d do it again. I’d do anything for you, Damian, because that’s how much I love you.”
“I know you would because I’d do the same.” Getting up first, I helped Risa to her feet. She leaned against me, an arm around my back and the other around my waist.
“Oh!” she squeaked.
“What is it, love?” Risa leaned down, taking me with her.
“My gun.” She looked at it with a frown. “I didn’t even get to shoot it once.”
Before I would’ve pulled it out of her hands, disturbed by the thought of her ever having to need one. Now I was glad she had it, but still gladder she didn’t have to fire it.
“I love you so much, Damian. I’m so sorry for everything and how it went down.”
“Ssh, love. You have nothing to apologize for.” Leaning down, I kissed her forehead. This was as far was I’d go because of our audience, considering how much they’d overheard already, but I’d show Risa exactly how much I loved her the first chance I got.
“Miss Kelly, you are responsible for three new gray hairs after that stunt you pulled.”
Marcus’s cheerful tone filled me with an uncertain cauldron of emotion. This was the man who’d stolen my love and yet had undoubtedly protected her, and by extension, me.
I could no longer hate him.
Risa raised her voice, directing it to a spot just out of view. “I was just protecting the board.”
“Yes, we all saw that.” Marcus strolled towards us, easy smile affixed to his face. His attention shifted from Risa to me. His keen gaze searched mine, looking for something I no longer feared showing.
Gratefulness.
I waited until he was within arms-length. Once this would’ve been hard, but after my awakening I knew I didn’t have time to waste on pettiness.
“Thank you for all you’ve done to protect Risa and our future.” I turned to include Sascha, Ivan, Leon, and all the other Volkovs. “I am forever in your debt.”
Sascha’s coolness flickered. I’d surprised him. He bowed his head slightly. “The Volkovs are blood-bound to protect you and your house from all threat. Call upon us and we will be there.”
I understood the gravity of Sascha’s vow. It unsettled me, but I accepted his protection. Although, if I had my way, I’d never have to press upon that bond.
My father, Elaine, and Thomas had all sacrificed pieces of themselves so I’d live a pure, honorable life. The temptation to walk against the line left me. Risa was far too important to ever risk again.
“I thank you.” Then in Russian I added, “Even an old lady makes mistakes.” It was one of Elaine’s favorite sayings.
Sascha finally smiled for a fraction of a second. His accent was as flawless as mine. “Better a good relative than a bad neighbor.” When he held out his hand I didn’t hesitate to grasp it.
Once I would’ve predicted the odds of me going from pure hatred to gratitude to be less than .001%.
I was different now and I’d never be the same.
“Lovely. Peace is always better, isn’t it?” Marcus addressed Sascha. “The deal has now been fulfilled. My employers thank you for your diligent efforts. You will be rewarded handsomely. Know an offering is an order for La Madonna. None of your good fortune would have been possible without her.”
The message remained cryptic for me, but apparently the Volkovs understood. Sascha nodded once more. “Our offering will be generous.”
“Good.”
The conversation was out of my element, but I was fine because I had Risa. She was alive and
smiling. What more could I ever want? Intrigue and the pursuit of power could remain a game for other men.
Marcus turned his focus back to me and Risa.
“Mr. Black-Price, know you are free from the overreaching arm of the US government. All who would’ve done you harm are now in the afterlife. Live your life in peace.”
“Elaine?”
The unspoken reached the enigmatic mercenary. Thinking back, I wondered if Wolffington had been truthful when he said he didn’t know who Marcus was.
Maybe he’d tell me one day. Not that it mattered anymore.
“She sacrificed more than anyone should ever have to, but she did it eagerly for you. She was never your enemy.”
Bittersweet joy filtered through my body. I wanted to see Elaine and tell her how much I loved her and always had. My gaze scanned about, but she wasn’t there.
Would I ever see her or Thomas again? I could only pray for it to be so.
Risa took a step towards Marcus. “I can’t thank you enough for what you did tonight. How you saved them both. If you ever need anything from me at all, don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll be there for you anyway I can.”
Marcus rocked back on his heels. “Careful, Miss Kelly. Never offer a favor to a man like me. I’m liable to take you up on it one day.”
“I mean it.”
Squeezing Risa to me, I doubled down on her generosity. “So do I.”
He shook his head. “You two have been enlightening. That is payment enough, but I thank you both all the same. However, if that changes I’ll be sure to call upon you. Now, Mr. Black-Price, I suggest you get Miss Kelly to a hospital for a check-up. Her clothes are experimental after all.”
This spurred me into immediate action. I scooped Risa up off her feet, yelling for Leon and Wolffington. A SUV rolled up, driven by one of my guards. I’d contact Wolffington later for an accounting. Right now I had much more important matters.
Leon opened the door for us. I looked at him, communicating silently how much I appreciated his help all the way back to Switzerland. We’d need to talk soon. There was so much I wanted to say to him.
Regardless of our historical distance, I was keen on changing it. Leon was my brother and it was past time for me to acknowledge it.