The older man sighed. “I don’t know. The only one I’m absolutely sure of is Ivan.” He glanced over at Nikolai and added, “With all due respect, I don’t know you very well, and there was some question about your involvement until now. It was suggested you might have an interest in framing Sergei for a possible rebellion. That’s why I didn’t tell Valya all of this sooner.”
“I assumed as much,” Nikolai said.
Valentina frowned. “Nikolai has supported Sergei’s efforts here publicly, even against some of our other leaders.”
Grigory smiled. “Yes, he has. But if you look at it from a more personal standpoint, Sergei’s sudden split from your group was quite surprising. Shortly after that, rumors began spreading about you and Nikolai. It was safe to assume there were some tensions between all of you.” He paused for a moment. “Matters of the heart can cause people to do unexpected things, Valya.”
Nikolai brushed a kiss against her temple, and she leaned against him. She’d agreed to act as Nikolai’s lover so she could remain close and help safeguard him, but people had been gossiping and speculating for years. It had never been her intention to involve Sergei in those rumors though.
“Love does make people do strange things,” she agreed with a sigh. “Speaking of which, you insinuated Ivan and Lena were lovers. I happened to see her while I was in Ivan’s camp and overheard a curious conversation. She mentioned having one of her people check Ivan’s shipping manifest. It was strange she didn’t ask Ivan for them herself.”
Grigory’s eyes narrowed. “What else did Lena say?”
“That was all. Ivan appeared almost a minute later. I wasn’t aware they had a close relationship until you mentioned it.”
Grigory frowned. “Close may be too strong of a word. Ivan does not trust Lena or her motivations. We’re uncertain about Peter too. Viktor, his second-in-command, has been something of a pain lately. He’s been trying to investigate Ivan’s interests in the area.”
“I’m not particularly fond of Viktor either,” Nikolai said, his expression darkening.
When Grigory arched an eyebrow, Valentina shrugged and said, “Viktor offered me an invitation to join Peter’s camp. Or rather, a place here in the towers once Peter took over Sergei’s command. But our mutual dislike for him aside, Viktor shared some detailed information about Peter’s missing shipments.”
“Such as?”
“Specific cargo information, amounts, tracking information from point of manufacture up until they learned of the disappearance,” she explained, recounting the unpleasant conversation. “My gut is telling me Viktor was being honest, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Peter isn’t involved.”
Alec nodded. “We questioned Viktor under a truth barrier before we released him from the towers. There was no deception.”
“That technology is easily fooled,” Grigory began, but Valentina shook her head and smiled.
“Trust me, Uncle, this is one of their abilities. It cannot be easily fooled.” She paused, considering their options. “Viktor believed one of our leaders had a hand in this. If we give Peter the benefit of the doubt, we should probably investigate Lena first. Unfortunately, I don’t have any reliable contacts within her camp. I think Viktor might, but I don’t know how close they are to Lena.”
Nikolai stroked her side with his thumb. “No. You’re not working with him again, Valya.”
Valentina blew out a breath but didn’t argue. She wasn’t particularly interested in dealing with Viktor either, but more importantly, Sergei and Yuri would also lose their minds.
Grigory rubbed his chin. “Ivan prefers a more straightforward approach to things, so it’s unlikely he can help you in that department. The only thing I may be able to offer you is information regarding when Lena will be visiting Ivan next and her primary camp’s location. Her security will be lax once she leaves. In exchange, I would make a request.”
Nikolai tensed. “Such information would be mutually beneficial, but we would hold the majority of the risk. Yet you still wish to ask for payment?”
Grigory’s mouth twitched in the barest of smiles. “Indeed. A few things, actually.”
Nikolai’s eyes narrowed. “What?”
Grigory studied Valentina for a long time, and his gaze softened. “I would ask Valentina to visit with her sister at the earliest opportunity. Nadiya will be moving to the area in the next week or two.”
“You don’t even have to ask, Uncle,” she said softly. “I wanted to bring her here as soon as I learned about OmniLab’s abilities.”
Nikolai relaxed. “Was there something else?”
Grigory nodded and approached her. “Yes. I will not try to stop you from going because I remember your stubbornness well. But I would ask that you do not go to Lena’s camp alone. At the very least, take Sergei and Yuri with you.”
“She will not go alone,” Nikolai promised.
Valentina tilted her head to regard Grigory. All the requests so far had been reasonable, but she had the impression he wasn’t finished. “There’s something else, isn’t there?”
He hesitated. “Yes. Although, this last request isn’t dependent upon my cooperation, but it would mean a great deal to me if you would consider it.”
“What is it?”
Grigory smiled. “Once Sergei finishes persuading you, I’d like to be there when you marry him, Valya.”
Her mouth dropped open, and Grigory chuckled. “It’s only a matter of time before he does. Sergei has always been just as stubborn as you. Anyone can see how much he cares for you.” Grigory paused and regarded Nikolai thoughtfully. “How much they all care for you. You’ve been very fortunate, Valya.”
“I know,” she agreed, resting her head against Nikolai’s chest. They’d all enriched her life so much, it was impossible to imagine her existence without them. “I’d still like to have that dinner with you to catch up, Uncle Grigory. Now that you know about my abilities, I’d like to hear more about my parents. There’s so much I don’t know about them. My grandmother only told me a few things.”
“I’d enjoy that. Let me know whenever you’re available,” Grigory said and glanced over at Alec. “Charles and his people took my commlink and weapons before I entered the warehouse. Is there any chance I can get those returned? I need to check in with my camp to see if they have any damage from that storm.”
Alec nodded. “Of course. I’ll arrange to have someone escort you back.”
Valentina walked over and hugged Grigory. “Thank you, Uncle Grigory. For everything.”
He returned her hug and shook Nikolai’s hand. “Thank you, Nikolai, for taking care of Valya. There are few people who wouldn’t have taken advantage of her connection to me or Ivan for their own benefit. It speaks well of you that you never made any demands.”
Nikolai inclined his head. “Valentina is family. By extension, that makes you mine as well.”
Grigory nodded. “I see good things in the future between us. Take care, both of you. I’ll be in touch.”
Valentina lifted her head, allowing the water from the shower to wash away the blood. She poured some of the foaming cleanser into her hand and soaped up her body. A noise at the door caught her attention.
She turned to look over her shoulder at Sergei and gave him a teasing smile. “Are you here to wash my back, Seryozha? Or are you just admiring the view?”
He chuckled and approached her, pulling off his blood-stained shirt in the process. Dropping it on the floor, he unhooked his pants and said, “I wanted to join you the last time you asked me that.”
She turned around, watching as he removed the rest of his clothing, and bit her lip in appreciation. “You’re not the only one.”
As he stepped into the shower, she placed her soapy hands against his well-defined chest and looked up into his eyes. “Will you tell me what you learned?”
“Later,” he murmured, bending down to kiss her. “I’m having a hard time thinking about anything other than you at the moment
.”
Winding her arms around his neck, she said, “I can tell.”
“You’ve always been very perceptive,” he teased with a grin, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. His expression became more serious. “How do you feel? Any pain?”
“I’m not hurt,” she said, her heart aching at the worry in his eyes. “I went to the medical ward. You managed to remove the bullet. Grigory thinks you melted it.”
“Nikolai told me,” he said, cupping her face and tracing his thumb over her cheek. “I didn’t stop to talk to him though. I wanted to see you for myself.”
She ran her hands over his muscular chest, following the movement with her eyes. The water pelting over his skin was washing away some of the blood, but not all. There had been so many occasions over the years when they’d been injured, but each time seemed to hurt worse than the last. They’d been fortunate, but their lives were too unpredictable. She needed to treasure every moment with him.
He lifted her chin, the small flame around his iris flaring brightly with emotion. In a low voice, he said, “I love you, Valentina Golubeva. You’re the most precious thing in the world to me, and I intend to spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”
She swallowed and said, “Show me, Seryozha. No more words. I want to feel you inside me.”
Sergei lowered his head, pressing his lips gently against hers. His kiss was as light as a whisper but as unyielding as the promise behind it. Her body softened against him as his heated fire energy swirled around her. This was Sergei in his purest form—raw, primal, and elemental, but also achingly tender and gentle. He was multi-faceted—like the flicker of a flame, but he was the only one who had ever been able to burn away all her subterfuge to reveal the truth of her emotions for him.
He caressed her skin, the heated path of his hands marking her like a brand. She surrounded herself with him, their hearts beating in time with each other as they explored each other’s bodies with gentle touches and soft kisses.
The care he was taking with her was almost reverent. She never would have allowed this tender lovemaking with anyone else. But this was Sergei, the man she had spent her entire life loving. He understood her in a way no one else ever had, touching the most vulnerable parts of her spirit and cherishing her heart.
When he finally pressed her against the wall and slid inside her, Valentina gasped at the sense of rightness that filled her. His movements were slow, drawing out their lovemaking and the exquisite sensations he evoked. His energy caressed every inch of her skin, their bodies moving together in an impassioned dance. Fire and water collided, his heat and her coolness blending together in an explosive union that had them both crying out their release.
Sergei held her tightly for a long time, and she lowered her head against his chest, panting softly. The room had filled with steam, a merging of fire and water, and her limbs felt boneless. If it weren’t for him holding her up, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to stand just yet. After a long moment, he withdrew from her body, and she whimpered at the absence of him.
Sergei’s voice was gentle as he asked, “Are you all right?”
She nodded and wrapped her arms around him, unwilling to let him go yet. “I am now.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “I was worried I might lose you tonight, little dove.”
“I knew you would make it to me in time,” she whispered. “I felt you and Yuri coming for me.”
Sergei cupped her face and searched her expression. “I know you have reservations still, but I’m not going to live another lifetime of regret in not making you mine. I’m going to marry you, Valechka. And soon.”
She blinked at him. “You’re bringing this up now?”
He was quiet for a moment and then nodded. “You tend to be very agreeable when you’re relaxed. I intend to take advantage of that.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she pulled away from him. He chuckled from behind her, but she ignored him and grabbed a drying cloth. Wrapping it around herself, Valentina stomped into the bedroom and over to the dresser. She pulled one of Sergei’s shirts over her head, listening to his footsteps entering the bedroom.
“How much time do you think you’ll need before you realize it’s inevitable? We could get married by the end of next week. Maybe sooner, if you prefer.”
She clenched her jaw. Picking up one of her throwing knives, she spun around and threw it in his direction. It embedded itself into the wall with a thump. He eyed it appreciatively and grinned.
“Well, you didn’t hit me. That’s not a no. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s promising.”
She huffed and pulled on her panties. Ignoring Sergei, she grabbed more of her knives and headed into Nikolai’s bedroom. He glanced up from his desk and cocked his head. “Sergei trying to convince you to marry him again?”
Valentina didn’t answer. Instead, she crawled into Nikolai’s bed, placing her weapons strategically around her. With a yawn, she said, “I’m sleeping here tonight. I’m tired, and he’s annoying me.”
Nikolai made a noncommittal noise and put down whatever he was working on. “Go ahead, but he’ll come in and remove you shortly.”
“Then I’ll sleep with Yuri,” she grumbled into the pillow. “He snores, but he won’t let Sergei take me away.”
Nikolai chuckled. “I beg to differ. It’ll only take a few days’ worth of training for him to agree.” He stood and walked over to her. Leaning over, he pressed a kiss against her hair and said, “Goodnight, Valya. I’m glad you’re safe.”
“I love you, Kolya,” she whispered. “Come to bed soon?”
“Soon enough,” he agreed, pulling the blanket over her. “But I don’t think Sergei will wait that long to take you back to his bed. Get some rest while you can.”
Sergei ran a hand through his overly long hair, irritated by its length. He needed to cut it soon now that there wasn’t much point in keeping it this way anymore. Glancing at the closed bedroom door, he debated how long it would take Valentina to fall asleep. At least she was only next door with Nikolai and he could easily retrieve her. He wanted her with him tonight, and every night afterward, if he were honest with himself.
He smiled and pulled on some clothes, remembering the fire in her eyes when he’d provoked her. Catching her off-guard was the quickest way to get her to agree. He’d wear her down eventually. Although, he might actually have to take a few knife wounds before that happened. Those wounds would easily heal. The possibility of not having her in his life, however, was something from which he’d never recover.
Deciding to give her some time to fall asleep, he headed out into Lars’s common room to find the former exile and Yuri drinking together.
“Better, but you need a small bite of something to accompany it,” Yuri argued. “None of this dainty sipping shit.”
Lars chuckled and lifted his glass. “That’s one thing I’ll agree with. Your pickled vegetables are quite enjoyable.”
Sergei paused for a moment, watching the two of them. Yuri could be dislikable and abrasive on occasion, but he’d seemed to develop a fast friendship with Lars. The training Lars had been doing with him on his air abilities had only helped strengthen their camaraderie.
With a grin, Sergei said, “I’ve been trying to get Lars to learn how to drink properly for years.”
Lars grimaced. “I’ve never had to watch you cut off a man’s hand before. That changed my perspective. I plan to drink until I can erase that image from my mind.”
Sergei shrugged and walked over to the bar. “If he doesn’t have a hand, he won’t be able to raise a weapon in Valentina’s direction again.” He poured himself a drink and recapped the bottle. “Besides, Yuri took the other hand.”
Yuri scowled. “Brant said they were going to reattach them.”
“That’s a shame,” Sergei said, picking up his glass and walking over to the couch.
Yuri sighed. “It is.”
“We can always cut them off again,” Sergei
suggested.
Yuri brightened considerably. “There is that.”
“Scary motherfuckers,” Lars muttered, tossing back the rest of his drink.
Yuri grabbed the bottle from the nearby table and refilled his glass. “Valya ran out on you again?”
“Mmhmm,” Sergei said, swirling the liquor in his glass. “Threw a knife at me too. Only one, though, so she’s not really angry.”
“Is she in Nikolai’s bed?”
Something in Yuri’s tone caught his attention, and his eyes narrowed. “Yes. Why?”
Yuri chuckled. “You’re a fool. You think you know her so well, but you’re going about this marriage thing all wrong.”
Sergei paused, lowering his glass to study Yuri. “You know something?”
“I know a lot,” Yuri agreed with a grin and downed his beverage. “I could help convince her, if properly motivated.”
He hesitated. Yuri was playing with him, but it was possible he knew a way to get Valentina to agree. “One month of training.”
Yuri scoffed. “One month in exchange for a lifetime with Valya? Pathetic.”
Sergei leaned forward. “Three months. Two training sessions a day.”
Yuri leaned back and grinned. “Keep going and I might consider it. Although, right now, it’s far more enjoyable watching your frustration and knowing she’s throwing knives at you.”
Sergei’s jaw clenched. “Six months.”
“Keep going. I’m listening,” Yuri said, reaching over to splash more liquor into his glass.
“A whole fucking year. Twice a day.”
“Keep your mouth shut, Yuri,” Nikolai warned as he walked into the room. “Do not get involved in this matter between them. Valentina will carve you into pieces if she finds out. Then I won’t have anyone to train my recruits.”
“Spoilsport,” Yuri grumbled.
Nikolai’s only response was a dark look. He walked over and sat on the couch, pinching the bridge of his nose. “So what happened tonight?”
Lars snatched the bottle from Yuri’s grasp. “They each cut off one of Charles’s hands. Jakob only had his hands broken for grabbing Valentina’s ass, but both of them have been carted off to the medical ward. They’re reattaching Charles’s hands and regenerating Jakob’s bones. Brant’s downright pissed about the whole thing. He threatened to arrest Sergei and Yuri.”
The Omni Towers Boxed Set (Books 4-6): A Dystopian Fantasy Series Page 73