by Helen Bright
In my mind, I already feared she was dead, but to hear the circumstances of how it happened, of how a fifteen-year-old girl had her life cut short in such a terrible way… I had no words just then. I looked to Franco, not knowing what to do in this moment, as my mind played out the horrific scene that Farid had just described.
Franco looked at me then shook his head. He let out a sigh, then cleared his throat before saying to Farid, “You were two grown men. You could have stopped this Hassan guy from hurting her, but you didn’t. You wanted her dead as much as he did.”
“No, I swear, we were only supposed to scare her. But Hassan…we can’t always stop him. He’s a loose cannon, he—”
“Are you saying this has happened before?” Franco yelled. “Has he killed another young girl?”
Farid became silent again. He stared at the floor, avoiding both mine and Franco’s angry glare.
I picked up my phone and dialled through to my team outside Farid’s home, putting it on speakerphone so Farid could hear.
“Sean, be ready to go in and take the children. We don’t need the wife. Dispose of her as you see fit.”
“No, don’t, please…I swear I’ll tell you everything, just leave my family alone. I was going to answer. I mean it. Please.”
“Sean, stand down for now. The prisoner has decided to cooperate.”
“Boss,” Sean replied in confirmation.
I should be happy that Farid had taken the bait: believing I was ruthless enough to take children from the arms of their mother. The thought was abhorrent to me. I would never follow through with such an act. But after discussing the situation with my team, we’d decided that we could use this form of deception as a backup plan. For it to work, Farid Ali had to love his children and want them safe and happy, even if that meant he wouldn’t be around to see them grow. It was a shame he didn’t feel that other children deserved the same happiness and safety.
“I am willing to spare your wife and leave your children alone, if you reveal the details of all members of your grooming ring, the adults and children involved—including any that are deceased—and the properties you took them to. I want to know the whereabouts of Sarah Crowther’s body, plus any others that you know of, and lastly, I want to know why you were searching for Tess Robertson. I want all this recorded in both voice and written form. To film you so beaten and bloody would invite too many questions. If you comply with my request, then I give you my word that your family will never have anything to fear from me.”
Both Franco and I breathed a sigh of relief when Farid nodded then said, “I’ll do it.”
16
Kolya
I placed the recording and letter Farid Ali had composed into a sealed Jiffy envelope and clear plastic bag, then allowed myself to take off the surgical gloves. There would be no fingerprints to trace this information back to me or my men.
My phone alerted me to an incoming message: Ivan had the helicopter ready and his flight back to Oxford had been cleared for take-off. Jonesy and Franco placed Farid Ali’s body into a large rolling laundry hamper, and were making their way to the helipad.
The completed recording had been run through a speech-to-text app, before sending the text to a printer—being careful that the paper was handled by gloved hands only.
After Farid had signed and dated the papers, I gave Franco a nod and watched as he swiftly broke the man’s neck. For his crimes, he deserved a long, drawn-out, torturous death, but I wanted his body gone so I could get back to the hospital to stay with Tess. Only, now it was over, it didn’t feel right to be in her presence. Despite the fact that the man deserved it, I had still ordered his death, and would carry that with me for the rest of my days. I felt unclean, as if tainted by my actions, or by knowing the full extent of the crimes those despicable men had committed. Crimes I decided to keep from Tess until it was safe to reveal them.
Another reason why I could not face her tonight.
Tess was desperate for information about her friend, but the trauma of finding out that she was dead could set back her recovery—something I did not want to happen. The sooner Tess healed, then the ever-tightening band around my chest might loosen, allowing me to breathe easier. I needed that to happen. Knowing she’d been so hurt due to saving my life left me with the strangest feelings. At least, that’s what I think had caused them.
The need to protect her and to keep her safe was a given. I could understand that. Also to make sure she was financially secure—a just reward I would say. It was the need to keep her close, to touch her, possess her even… That was something I had a hard time understanding. Not to mention the fact that when I did nothing more than kiss her cheek while she slept, I felt more at peace than I had for many years.
She wasn’t yet eighteen—nearly two years younger than my son, who was currently studying in America. Tess needed to finish her education, see the world, fall in love…
Why did thinking about Tess falling in love with someone make me feel so…empty?
Lucas took a call then came to stand by my side.
“Boss, they’re about to take off. Jack has the area you suggested ready, and will start the fire when they call to let him know they’re ten minutes from landing. Franco and Jack will stay and make sure there’s nothing left of the body but ash.”
“Thank you, Lucas. Tell Franco and Ivan to stay in Oxford. There is no need for them to fly back tonight; they may as well sleep in their own beds. Just have them here in the morning to bring Tess home from the hospital. Today has been stressful for everyone. I appreciate the hard work each of you have put in, and will see that you are all rewarded for your efforts.”
Lucas nodded then turned to leave. As he got to the door he turned around and faced me.
“You already know that each of us appreciate how generous you are, boss, but I know I don’t only speak for myself when I say consider today a freebie. The only reward I’d like is to see all those other sick bastards burning with him.”
* * *
After Lucas left, I placed the bag containing the information Farid Ali supplied in my safe. Even though my suite here at the hotel was completely different from the room where we’d held—then killed him, I could almost see the image of Farid tied to the chair, his head lolling over at a strange angle.
I had seen death many times in Russia. My father’s business saw to that. I first killed a man when I was just eleven years old. Gunmen had opened fire on the car in which my mother and I rode back from church. One of our guards took a bullet to the temple; his dead body slumping over my mother most likely saved her life.
There were automatic rifles under the seats, so I joined the other guard who rode with us as he tried to take out the men who attacked us. As I’d been taught so many times by my father, when it came to using an automatic rifle, the “spray and pray” approach should be used when your options to take aim are limited: such as being in a moving vehicle. With the first round I managed to put a bullet in a man’s forehead and hit the arm of another. My mother was screaming for me to get down, but I wouldn’t do so until the threat was gone. That kill was different. It was self-defence.
The memory of that day caused adrenaline to rush through me. My head began to pound—the scotch I was drinking not helping matters. I brought myself back to the here and now by recalling the reason why Farid said they’d been searching for Tess. She’d had Sarah’s iPhone, which contained photos of all three of the men, plus others. And they weren’t sure how much incriminating information Sarah had told her.
They were going to take Tess to a house in Nottingham, drug her, then let men use her for sex for a month or two before disposing of her. They were going to make it look like an overdose, then dump her body in a river.
Suddenly the image of the sick bastard’s dead body didn’t seem so disturbing. If anything, I found it almost pleasing. Only now, I regretted not making him suffer more than he had, and wished it was I, not Franco, who had taken his life with my bare hand
s.
17
Tess
I should have been happy to be deemed well enough to leave the hospital, but as the car I was travelling in pulled up outside the hotel Kolya owned, I couldn’t help the anxiety and fear taking over my whole being.
Nate and Kolya sat in the back of the vehicle with me. Franco and Lucas were up front, although due to the privacy screen, I wasn’t sure who was actually driving.
Kolya had looked calm as he tried to make conversation, pointing out a few billboards advertising West End shows that I might enjoy. Nate, on the other hand, had been busy studying people outside our vehicle every time we stopped. Neither of them had commented on my obvious nervousness.
There was also a security team in the car that had been following us, but none of my worries were about the reasons they were required. The actual reason for the crippling nervousness that had manifested itself in me since last night, was waiting for me on the roof of the hotel we were about to enter.
A guard I recognised as Jonesy came towards the car as Nate opened the door. From out of nowhere there seemed to be a line of men making a kind of man alleyway, as Nate and Franco hustled us through the hotel foyer and into an elevator.
Kolya had his left hand pressed against my lower back from leaving the car until we were in the elevator, kind of like he was expecting me to fall back at any moment. His right hand was bandaged due to him having an accident last night. When I’d asked what he’d done, he told me it was nothing. He’d been more concerned about getting me home.
My shoulder ached from getting in and out of the car, although Kolya and Nate made sure I had all the help I needed to do so. I focused on the pain to avoid thinking about the helicopter ride, but Kolya told me there was a surprise awaiting me in his suite first.
We stepped out of the elevator into a room that was minimally furnished, having only two cream leather club chairs and a few gilt framed paintings on its burgundy walls.
Kolya took my hand and led me through a double doorway into another room, and there, on a sofa opposite a large fireplace, sat Danny with Bess—who was wagging her tail exuberantly at his feet.
I walked forward quickly, intending to hug him as he stood up to greet me, but with only one good arm and the other being supported in a sling, the hug was awkward, although no less heartfelt.
“Steady, Tess,” Danny said as he put his hand on my good arm to support me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, lowering myself into a squatting position so I could fuss Bess.
“Careful,” Kolya cautioned as he came towards me and bent to help me up.
“Someone called Franco came to find me, to let me know what had happened to you. I was really worried, Tess, and I couldn’t believe you’d been shot. I asked him if he’d let me know how you were doing because I knew they wouldn’t let me in with Bess. Then about an hour later, Franco came back and said that someone called Mr Barinov—who was taking care of you, said I could spend a few nights at his hotel, so I could get cleaned up properly and come and see you while someone looked after Bess. I was a bit dubious at first, but I wanted to see for myself that you were going to be okay. So I went with him and ended up here.”
It was then that I let myself really look at him. He looked cleaner and had shaved; his wavy blond hair had been cut much shorter. He wore smart grey trousers and a blue V-neck sweater over a white shirt. Even Bess, the black wire-haired terrier, looked like she had been bathed and groomed.
I’d had tears in my eyes since I’d first spotted him, as had Danny, but it wasn’t until I turned to thank Kolya for finding and helping him that the tears began to fall.
Kolya pulled me close and gave me a kiss on top of my head as I cried and said, “Thank you.”
“Don’t cry, malyutka, it is all good news. Danny has agreed to join my security. He will be travelling by car with the rest of my team just after we leave. He’s moving into the staff quarters with little Bess, so you will get to see him often.”
I looked at Danny who was smiling at Kolya as he finished speaking. Taking his PTSD into account, I wondered how that would work, but I said nothing. I was just so glad to be seeing my friend again and there was no way I was going to spoil this opportunity for him.
I turned as I heard someone cough behind us and saw Nate. “Boss, we’ve been given clearance to leave twenty minutes earlier than planned if you’d like to take advantage of it.”
“Good,” replied Kolya. “Come, Tess, let’s make our way to the helipad. The sooner we are home, the sooner you can rest.”
I nodded and tried to smile, as the fear I’d forgotten when I’d spotted Danny and Bess reared its ugly head once again.
We ascended yet another floor. The rotor blades of the helicopter were already spinning as the elevator doors opened—and I froze. Kolya’s hand was on my back urging me forward, but I couldn’t move or even breathe. The sounds, the force of the draft, and even the sight of the huge helicopter kept me immobile.
Kolya, Nate, and Jonesy all stopped and turned to look at me in surprise.
“What’s wrong, malyutka?” asked Kolya, leaning down to get his mouth level with my ear so I could hear him above the deafening noise.
“I can’t do it,” I shouted, stepping further back inside the elevator.
“What do you mean? What’s wrong, Tess?” Kolya asked again, concern and worry wrinkling his brow.
“I just can’t get in it. I’ve never flown before. What if I’m sick, or we crash or, or…”
“Sshh,” whispered Kolya in my ear. “Don’t panic, malyutka. We will take a moment. Don’t worry yourself.” He moved away from me slightly and shouted something to Nate and Jonesy. Then he stepped back into the elevator and closed the doors.
“Tess, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were feeling so nervous about flying. I should have talked to you about all this before.”
“No, I’m sorry,” I said, sniffling. God, when did I become such a crier? I could count on one hand how many times I’d cried in the last ten years before all this happened. And three of those times were when I’d seen animals die in films, like Old Yeller and Marley & Me. E.T. did it for me every time, too. But I never cried for myself. The only humans I’d ever cried about were Jean—when she’d had her heart attack—and the old lady from next door to her when she’d died. Never for myself, or any situation I found myself in.
“You can do this, Tess. You are a brave and strong young woman. You have survived some terrible things in the past and lived to tell the tale, so you can get through this. Do you think I would allow you or my staff to fly if it wasn’t safe to do so? Do you think I would willingly put you in danger when you saved my life and nearly lost your own in the process?”
I shook my head and met his ice-blue eyes—momentarily mesmerised by the emotion in them. Kolya kept his eyes locked with mine as he pulled my body gently into his and held me against him, putting his arms around me carefully so as not to hurt my wound.
“Tess, you are shaking,” he stated, his voice full of concern. “Please don’t be afraid. I will keep you safe. I will always keep you safe, malyutka. Never doubt that.”
My tummy seemed to fall straight to my feet at that moment. My heartbeat raced through my chest and when I tried to swallow, it felt like I had something in my throat. But it wasn’t through fear this time. No, not fear at all. It was the feeling of being held so close by this handsome, strong, caring man that caused my heart to flutter and my head to spin.
I closed my eyes, took a slow, steadying breath, then looked up to meet his concerned gaze.
“Okay,” I almost whispered. “I will do it. Go in the helicopter, I mean.”
He grinned in that slow, sexy way I’d seen him do over the last few days, then kissed me on the tip of my nose. I swear I almost swooned. I would have been happy to stay that way forever, but Kolya turned and pressed the button to open the elevator doors.
The noise and draft from the helicopter filled my ears again, but
I didn’t have time to think about it as I was ushered towards the open door of the huge blue flying beast.
Nate got inside first and reached down to place his hand under my good arm, while Kolya placed a hand over my ribs on my left-hand side, helping me step inside the surprisingly spacious aircraft.
I’d been expecting something like I’d seen on TV—in the helicopter rescue series with the air ambulance—but it wasn’t anything like that at all.
This was pure luxury.
Two rows of three comfortable, tan leather seats faced each other. In the middle of one row the seat opened up mechanically, revealing a small bar with bottles of water and various wines and spirits. The walls were a deep cream and the floor held a plush, taupe-coloured carpet that my feet seemed to sink into.
Kolya, Nate, Jonesy, and Franco joined me in the helicopter, and I wondered whether Ivan was flying, but the seating area was closed off from where the pilots were, so I couldn’t tell.
Kolya held my hand as the helicopter lifted away, and I was surprised at how smoothly it rose into the air. I’d been expecting a jolt or some sort of pulling feeling, but there wasn’t anything at all other than the small vibrations as we lifted away from the building. It wasn’t until the helicopter veered slightly to the left that I experienced a swooping feeling, similar to being on a fairground ride—like the Waltzer—but with much less force.
I gripped Kolya’s hand even tighter and took a deep breath. He made sure the seat belt I wore wasn’t too tight when I leaned forward a little so I could see all the capital’s landmarks he was pointing out.
Gradually, the landmarks got smaller, and we were flying over seemingly endless stretches of motorway. The view turned more pleasant as we flew over green fields and woodland. Nate winked and told me it wouldn’t be long until we arrived, and I was surprised at how quickly the time had passed.
