To Love A Hero (International Romance Series)

by Risk, Mona

  The whole audience, policemen, reporters, National Security guards and even Nicolai, gasped collectively. One of the deputies grabbed the general’s arm. She saw Sergei slowly turn his head toward the hand clinging to his arm. Afraid, the man yanked his hand away, stepped back and barked an order.

  Four men surrounded the Major General. He walked between them to the door, as straight and arrogant as when he headed the Hall of Officers meeting. Nicolai and Roussov followed on his heels.

  At the glass door, Sergei stopped and turned. He seemed to survey the hall, searching for something. His gaze paused on her and he brought his hand to his forehead in a military salute. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She waved her hand. He stared at her—with love or resentment, she couldn’t tell which—then gave her a half-smile and bowed.

  Roussov chose that moment to shout, “Thank you, Dr. Lornier, for helping to catch this traitor.”

  Cecile screamed. “No, it’s not true.” She propelled herself out of her friends’ hold to run toward her general. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Sergei’s fist connect with Roussov’s jaw.

  The Director of National Security collapsed to the floor.

  No one dared to interfere.

  Sergei turned and exited the hotel framed by the guards and policemen.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Cecile remained frozen in place, unable to move, talk, or feel. Dazed, she stared at the glass door that had swirled him out of the hotel. Sergei was gone, taken away. And it was her fault.

  “Cecile…Cecile, come.”

  The words hardly reached her. She didn’t know who had spoken. Her three friends surrounded her, enfolding her with sympathetic gazes. Without protest, Cecile let them lead her away from the lobby. They stopped in front of the elevator, waiting.

  They saw two men helping Roussov to a chair. A wave of rage, the like of which she’d never known before, washed over her, befogged her mind and jolted her to the bitter reality. Hatred flooding her heart and mind, she stared at the man responsible for her torment and her lover’s disgrace and savagely swore. “I won’t leave Minsk until I deal with him.”

  “If he ever recovers from the general’s punch.” Rob studied the Director of National Security with narrowed eyes. “He looks in pretty bad shape right now.”

  The elevator door opened and they shuffled inside. John yawned. “It’s been a long night and we don’t know what tomorrow may bring. I’m going straight to bed.”

  Cecile sighed. “I won’t be able to sleep.”

  “Would you like to go to the bar?” Rob asked. “You don’t have to drink. Just order a cup of coffee. I’ll stay with you.”

  Paul nodded. “I’m coming too. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep either.”

  “Thank you, guys. I appreciate your offer. But I’d rather be on my own, in the privacy of my room.” She needed to be alone, to think about Sergei and cry.

  * * * * *

  In the morning, a hot shower did wonders for her spirit. She knew she had to help Sergei. She was still the Program Manager with all the entitled privileges and she would use every single one to help Sergei.

  She donned a business suit, pulled her hair in a tight knot at the nape and was back in her professional skin. Even though deep inside, pain gnawed at her heart.

  When she entered the dining room of the hotel, John, immersed in his newspaper, raised his head to greet her. “Sleep well?” He flinched under the sharp look she threw him. “I mean, did you sleep at all?”

  “Nope. What’s in the newspaper?” She was becoming leery of newspapers and reporters.

  “A report of yesterday’s inauguration. This is the Minsk gazette in English. My dear, you’re the heroine of the day. Listen to this, ‘Dr. Lornier’s generous dedication to our cause went beyond the call of duty…’ Hmm.”

  His mouth twisted in a grimace. “Only two lines about the American Contract Director.” He folded the newspaper with an exaggerated sigh. “How can I compete with our pretty Program Manager?”

  “For heaven’s sake, John, who cares about the inauguration’s report right now? Anything about last night’s fight?” She fidgeted with the strap of her purse, her mind riveted on one subject.

  “Nothing in the English version. Maybe they haven’t had time to print it yet. We’ll check the Russian newspapers and the evening release.”

  Cecile tapped the table with her fingers. John eyed her and scowled. “Will you please, relax? One can get tired just looking at you.”

  She was about to tell him to bug off when she noticed Nicolai entering the restaurant. He came straight toward their table and hugged her.

  “I have to tell you. While leaving the lobby last night, Sergei specifically ordered me to protect you.”

  She clapped a hand to her mouth and melted into tears. Dear Sergei, he thought of her, even when the guards were taking him away. If she ever needed proof he loved her, he unselfishly gave it last night.

  John shook his head. “Please, Cecile. I can’t stand weeping females. You’re the PM of my biggest contract.”

  She sniffed and nodded. “You’re right, John. I promise you I won’t lose my control anymore.”

  “Don’t feel bad. Cecile, it’s normal for a woman to cry when she suffers.” Nicolai took her hand. He stiffened as he looked at her fingers. “Sergei gave you his mother’s ring?” His eyes widened in disbelief as he rubbed the large amber stone.

  “He asked me to marry him and I agreed to stay here.”

  The colonel smiled, then sighed. “I hope this engagement will not interfere with his mission.”

  John slammed the table. “Oh my God. When did this happen? What do you mean, stay here? I’m counting on you for more proposals and contracts, now that you’re a big shot in Belarus.”

  Cecile shrugged and focused on Nicolai. “You haven’t told us yet. Where did they take Sergei?”

  He shrugged. “Nowhere special. He’s in his office at the Ministry of Defense. You can’t lock up the Major Generalle of Belarus without presidential permission.”

  She noticed his assessing gaze. “What else? Shoot, I can take it.”

  “I was told that Roussov went to the Minister of Defense first thing this morning. He wanted to show him the bruises he received from Sergei and give his account of the story as soon as possible.”

  Nicolai studied the table for a while. Cecile didn’t dare interrupt his thoughts.

  “I saw Sergei before coming here. He tried to meet with his boss, our Minister of Defense but the minister refused to receive him. He shouted on the phone that Sergei Fedorin has embarrassed the whole Ministry with his ill-tempered behavior.”

  Cecile bit her lips. It was even worse than anticipated.

  Nicolai continued to explain his view. “The minister can prevent the newspapers from publishing the new pictures. But then, there is the foreign currency found on Sergei. Roussov is doing his best to make Sergei look guilty.”

  John’s eyebrows gathered into a deep scowl. “This is terrible. Are they going to prosecute him?”

  “They may. It’s up to our minister. Justice here is often twisted and at the mercy of the wolf who howls louder than the rest of the pack.”

  Cecile banged the table with both hands. “Fine. The she-wolf who protects her loved ones is usually the most dangerous. And you haven’t heard her, yet,” she threatened through clenched teeth.

  The colonel’s lips stretched into a sad smile. “It’s very generous of you to try to help my Generalle. But there is nothing you can do if the President gives his approval for a trial.”

  “The president hasn’t heard both sides,” she claimed with stubborn determination.

  Nicolai sniffled. “He’s the most chauvinistic man in Belarus and he will never deal with a woman.”

  “Here comes Paul. Let’s order coffee and breakfast and brainstorm.” She laid her notepad on the table.

  Paul dragged his heavy bulk and slumped into the nearest chair. He patted her shoulder
. “Doing better, boss?” He pointed to the pad. “You’re scheming and planning. Good sign.”

  “Drink your coffee, Paul. I need your full attention. You’ll sleep later, when we clear the general’s good name.”

  Paul groaned then chuckled. “I can see you’re back to your old self. At your service, boss. I’m listening.”

  “Nicolai, you said Roussov has the president’s ear through a friend of his. Who else can influence the president?” she asked while drawing a table on her sheet.

  The colonel shrugged. “No one, unfortunately no one but the Vice-President.”

  Cecile bit her lip. “He listens to the Vice-President? Maybe we can reach the VP.”

  But Nicolai shook his head, “Forget it, Cecile. The Vice-President is a very reclusive man who doesn’t like company and doesn’t receive anyone. One wonders how he managed to fall in love with such a bubbling beauty as his second wife.”

  “Second wife? How old is she?” Paul asked with nonchalant curiosity.

  “Early thirties. He was a widower with grown up children. She was his secretary. He fell madly in love and married her two years ago.”

  John threw in his two cents’ worth of philosophy. “It happens everywhere, my friend.”

  “Da, da, moy drouk but she is so different from him. An empty brain always shopping in our exclusive boutiques.”

  Cecile snapped to attention. “I think Tania knows her. She’d mentioned to me she’s often driven ‘elegant women, foreign ones, rich ones and even the Vice-President’s wife’?”

  “Pff, it doesn’t surprise me. The lady relies on chauffeured cars. Tania would be the ideal driver to visit boutiques.” Nicolai’s mouth stretched into an ironic grimace.

  Cecile scribbled furiously on her notepad. “Great, we already have one connection to explore. I’ll talk to Tania and maybe I’ll go shopping with the Second Lady of Belarus. Next. John, I’m going with you to the embassy today. We’ll pay a visit to our ambassador. We need him to pull some ropes here.”

  “Good idea, Cecile. As soon as we finish breakfast.”

  “Item three, Nicolai. I want you to talk to the Minister of Environment.”

  The colonel shook his head. “Maybe you should ask Dr. Kadelov to visit him. He admires the minister and has often done work for him. But what do you need from the Minister of Environment? I don’t follow your plan,” he admitted with a naïve expression.

  “I’m trying to collect names of important people. Anyone who can intercede with the Vice-President and the Minister of Defense.”

  “Cecile, this one will never receive you. He blames you for Sergei’s folly.”

  Cecile swallowed hard. “I know Sergei acted crazy because of me. If someone can take me to the Minister of Defense, I’ll explain the whole situation, take part of the blame and throw the rest on Roussov.”

  John shifted in his chair uncomfortably. “Hey, don’t put too much blame on your pretty shoulders. You’re part of the American delegation. It’ll reflect on us.”

  “Oh bug off, John.”

  “Okay, okay. But be careful. We need to stay clean for the rest of the project and the next one.”

  The colonel interjected. “Cecile, you’d better contact these people as soon as possible and ask them to intercede on behalf of Sergei. We need to stop the printing of the pictures in tonight’s press. The scandal would forever damage the public image of our Major Generalle.”

  Cecile glanced at her watch. “We have eight hours to reach our contacts and prevent the release of the pictures in tonight’s newspapers.”

  Nicolai pushed his chair and stood to leave. “I will get more information about the proceedings at the Ministry of Defense.”

  “Paul, call Rob at the lab. Tell him to send me Tania and Kadelov with the van, immediately. John, finish your coffee. Come on, let’s move.”

  The Contract Director held her back and leaned close to her ear. “Where’s your famous bribe tape?”

  “It’s safe and sound and will come in handy.”

  John scratched his head. He squinted at her from beneath shaggy eyebrows. “Hmm. Cecile, keep it tucked away. I don’t want you besmirched by this scandal.”

  At this point, she was beyond intimidation. She straightened up and raised a fist. “The tape will be my trump card.” And the hell with anyone who stood in her way.

  * * * * *

  Sergei Fedorin propped his booted feet on the desk, his hand still holding the phone receiver he just dropped into its cradle. A muscle flicked angrily in his jaw. The selfish oaf had refused to receive him and hear his side of the story. Typical of the Minister of Defense who was always on the side of the highest-ranking lobbyist. Right now his ex-father-in-law had the ear of a close friend of the President. If Sergei couldn’t talk to his boss, how could he defend himself against Roussov’s accusations?

  He recognized Roussov’s careful plan. To think he’d made it easier for him with an envelope of dollars in his pocket. If his mind had been clear and not muddled by his anger about Cecile’s picture with Roussov, he’d never have started such a stupid fight. All that mess, because he wanted to save Cecile a trip to the restaurant, because he wanted to make sure she wouldn’t evade his questions again.

  She’d been so beautiful with her hair pulled up, revealing a slim alabaster neck. Hovering so close to her, his lips had yearned to rain thousands of kisses on her slender throat and down to the scooped neckline of the blouse. More than once, he had itched to snatch her up in his arms and carry her off to her room. But he couldn’t. She was the hostess and the heroine of the party.

  Cecilya, the secret fiancée he loved so much.

  How he longed to throttle her pretty neck. She’d lied to him, consorting with his worst enemy, while melting in Sergei’s arms and ensnaring him with kisses. In that awful picture, she was practically sitting in Roussov’s lap, a big smile on her lips. He wasn’t jealous of Roussov. He realized the snake must have trapped her into meeting him but Sergei felt betrayed by her silence and her lies. He loosened his tie to breathe better.

  Sergei was sure the dinner had to do with the permit. Why did she deal with that son of a dourak? Why didn’t she come to him and tell him she needed help to get the equipment? He could have used his authority to get the permit.

  The press would publish the damning pictures that would ruin his reputation and cost him his position as Major Generalle.

  How could he ever trust her again?

  * * * * *

  Both the U.S. Ambassador and the Minister of Environment had promised to talk to the Vice-President. Cecile needed to knock on two more doors. In fact, it was Tania who rang the bell at the Vice-President’s house, a white villa in a secluded residential area, where a guard stood at attention, next to the front door.

  The stunning figure, molded in an apricot suit with a fox boa looped around her neck, could graciously adorn the cover of a Vogue magazine. She glided on three-inch heels over the icy sidewalk. Tania, her chauffeur’s cap tilted on her forehead, rushed to open the door. Her client contorted right and left to heave her tightly clad body onto the backseat.

  Tania yanked open the front door. “Dr. Lornier,” she asked in a respectful tone. “May I suggest you move to the backseat next to Natalia Galinova, our Second Lady.”

  Cecile didn’t waste a second to sit in the back. The gorgeous redhead with almond-shaped eyes smiled at her.

  “Mrs. Galinova, I’m honored to meet you. I am Cecile Lornier.” Cecile used the polite jargon she had perfected since coming to Minsk.

  “Oh Sissyl, yes, I have heard so much about you. Moy drouk, you know, my friends, they say you enhance the woman’s cause. You toasted the wives, yesterday. I wish I could have been at the reception.”

  “Oh yes. Too bad you couldn’t come. We had a wonderful reception,” Cecile said, while digging her nails into her palm. Patience, Cecile. She had to proceed slowly and surely.

  Natalia sighed and pouted. “My husband does not like to go to a
ny fun places. At home, I receive only political men. I try to make the boring dinners fun. I knew your reception would be fun… He would not let me go alone anywhere, except shopping with Tania or tea with my lady friends.” The baby-blue eyes twinkled. “Without Tania, I would be a prisoner in my beautiful house.”

  Cecile listened carefully, nodded in understanding and smiled with empathy, afraid to make her request too soon and alienate the pretty doll. Time was of the essence for Sergei but any wrong move or word could jeopardize her mission. Gathering her last shred of patience, she complimented Natalia on her elegant outfit and humbly admitted she could use some advice in the field of fashion.

  The Second Lady examined her thoroughly, with the same quizzical glance Tania had used the first time she took her shopping and summarized her assessment. “You are quite pretty, Sissyl but hmm, excuse me, you do not dress very ladylike.”

  She said something in Russian to Tania who answered in English. “Da, da, I told Cecile the same thing. She needs more feminine clothing. Today, you will have an expert to help you, Cecile. Natalia used to model.”

  “I appreciate your interest so much.” Cecile nodded. I’ll buy whatever clothing you suggest. God, I’ll even spend a fortune on futility as long as you help Sergei.

  She had an hour, one single hour, to build a friendship with the Second Lady and then lay her cards on the table.

  In the boutique, Cecile let Natalia order clothes for her and dutifully tried them. She bought her new mentor’s choice and paid without bargaining, thus winning the everlasting gratitude of the boutique’s owner and Natalia’s friendship.

  As they left the boutique and rode back in the van, Cecile grabbed her companion’s hand and smiled coyly. “Natalia, I don’t know how to thank you. I’m sure Sergei will like my new clothes. I will tell you my secret but it’s not official yet. The Major General has asked me to marry him. I accepted and I’ll stay in Minsk.” She waggled her finger to show her ring.

  Natalia clapped her hands and Tania slammed on the brakes. “Watch out,” Cecile screamed.

  “Is it true, Cecile?” Tania twisted her head and the van slid sidewise.