All The Way

by Tricia Jones

  “Hmm. Maybe if I tell her Pavel’s welcome to see her when she’s back in England, that might soften her up a bit.” She held his gaze, smiled. “I really appreciate what you’ve done, Niko. I don’t know where I would have begun looking.”

  Mesmerized by the dazzle of her smile, the laughter in her hazel eyes now that the worry had disappeared, Nikolai simply stared and drank her in.

  He wanted to warn her that they weren’t out of the woods yet. Far from it. But couldn’t quite summon the motivation to destroy her happiness by telling her he had no idea of Leah’s current whereabouts. While he hoped they might return to the house soon, he was more concerned that Pavel had found out he’d been traced and had moved location. While there was no concrete reason to believe this to be true, his gut warned otherwise. It rarely let him down and something told him it wouldn’t do so now.

  He had men watching. Waiting. Men he trusted. There was nothing more to be done until he received further news.

  So where was the harm in allowing Grace to enjoy a worry-free afternoon, perhaps coax her into a swim later? Selfishly, he enjoyed seeing her relax. Took pleasure in the light in her eyes and her easy smile. No reason to change that before it became necessary.

  If things turned out as he feared, she would need her strength to handle what would come. Dear God, he hoped it didn’t come to that.

  When their seafood salad was served, Grace tucked in. He was ridiculously pleased to watch her eat something, although why he should give a damn proved just what an idiot he was. Still, no reason to have her fall ill while in his care.

  “It’s good that we’re bang in the middle of the school summer holidays.” Grace put down her fork and looked up at him. “It means I can spend some time with Leah. She’ll accuse me of being unreasonable. Do you think I am?”

  “In what way?” How could he tell her she was doing the only thing she could do? That, if she hadn’t searched him out and asked his help, he would, once he’d known Pavel was free and had Leah, have taken matters into his own hands and gone in search of the girl.

  “She sees Pavel as a bad boy. There’s nothing as exciting to a sixteen year old than an older, handsome man who’s a little bit reckless.”

  “Do you speak from experience?”

  “No. I always played it safe at sixteen.” She looked up. “Have done since, with a few exceptions.”

  “I take it I am one of those exceptions.” When she didn’t answer, he put down his own fork. “You were never easy with me, milaya.”

  “You’re not an easy man to be with. You’re guarded, circumspect. We were together almost six months, Niko. Doesn’t that count for something?”

  “I assumed it did.” He raised his glass to his lips. “You decided otherwise.”

  She lowered her gaze. “I see we’re back to that again.”

  “We’ll always circle back to that. It’s difficult for a man to discover his lover doesn’t trust him.”

  Grace pushed shrimp around her plate. “With monosyllabic answers to my questions, what was I to think? It doesn’t take a genius to work out that you didn’t want me to know about your business. Still don’t. Which could only mean one thing.”

  He shrugged. “We do what we have to do.”

  “And there it is. The stock answer. Although I must say you’re a little more imaginative this time, Niko. We’ve progressed from those one word answers.”

  How soon the mood had slipped from easy pleasantries to attack and bite, he thought as he called for the bill. It was the way of things with them and would never change. The thought was not an easy one, nor did it settle very well. He didn’t know why it niggled at him or why he should care.

  As they walked back down the lovely little wooded path, Nikolai realized he wasn’t ready to relinquish Grace’s company and took her arm. “There’s a small terrace over this way. Let’s walk for a while and enjoy the sun.”

  “Haven’t you got some work to do? A covert operation that needs backing or a coup that needs organising?”

  “You’re tired. Perhaps you would prefer a nap.”

  “You mean perhaps I should just shut up.”

  “Your words,” he said easily.

  Grace eased out of his hold. Lord. He was infuriating. “Looks like we’ve exhausted what conversation we’re likely to have, so I’m going back to my room. I’m sure you don’t want to spend any more time with me than you have to. The feeling’s mutual.”

  He faced her and slipped his hands in his trouser pockets. “On the contrary, I find you interesting and stimulating this time around.”

  “This time around?” She narrowed her gaze. “What? Last time I was a wimp?” Perhaps she had been. She had to admit she’d eventually stopped challenging him and settled into the status quo. “Well, I’m no pushover now. If you expect to find me so, you’ll be disappointed.

  “You have more fire, milaya. I always expected it simmered below the surface and needed only a spark to release the tigress in you.”

  “Really? You’re pretty much as I remember. Still the arrogant, supercilious, patronising jerk you always were.”

  He laughed, then took her chin between his finger and thumb, holding fast when she tried to break away. “Ah yes, fire,” he said as she moved. “How different would you be in bed, I wonder? Would you moan louder when I made you come, whisper my name with more urgency? Would your legs tighten around me with more determination? Yes,” he said when her face flushed. “I sense there will be additional benefits.”

  “Not that you’ll find out.”

  “Really?” He jerked her closer, slid his hand around to hold her neck. “Have you so quickly forgotten the terms of our agreement, Grace?”

  “No, but I won’t sleep with you willingly.” She pushed her hands against his shoulders as he moved in, knowing, fearing, he was about to kiss her. She couldn’t allow that to happen. If she did, she might not be able to stick to her resolve. He’d simply draw her into his arms, whisper words of seduction, and in seconds she’d be beneath him.

  Not this time, Grace thought as she pushed harder against his solid muscle. Not this time. “You know how much I appreciate your help and I’m happy to reimburse all your expenses for getting me this far, but I can take over on my own now.”

  “Indeed. And how, exactly, will you handle Pavel? He won’t give her back easily.”

  “Give her back? You make it sound like he owns her or something.”

  “He was able to persuade her to go with him. To leave her home, to leave you. He has that much power. You think things will have changed? That she will be ready to leave him? That he will be ready to let her leave?” Roughly, he released her. “You know nothing of what he is like.”

  Ice tripped down her back. “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t delude yourself that you no longer need me, Grace. In turn, I won’t delude myself that I still want you at any price.”

  “You’re talking in riddles.” She clutched her bag tight to her. “A moment ago you were threatening me with what you call the terms of our agreement, now you’re saying you don’t want me at any price.”

  “Perhaps I should rephrase. I want you,” he said simply, surprising her with that simplicity, that directness. “But not under duress. The women who share my bed are there willingly. As were you. I don’t intend for that to change.”

  Relief warred with disappointment, which was stupid. “This conversation is going nowhere.”

  He nodded. “But perhaps we should. We both need to cool off, it seems, and a swim in the hotel’s pool should do it.”

  “I don’t have a costume.”

  When his mouth twitched, she wanted to slap him.

  “I can arrange to have one brought to the hotel for you. There are several shops in the area. Your size,” his gaze slid over her, “appears the same as when you shared my bed.”

  “If you’re aiming to insult and embarrass me, it’s not working. Why I ever stayed with you for half a year is a complete my
stery to me. I must have been an idiot, or maybe I was just desperate.”

  “Ah, many times you were indeed desperate. I remember that well also.”

  Okay, she’d walked right into that. “My one consolation from the time we spent together was the sex. I enjoy sex. I enjoyed sex with you. It was never anything else for either of us.”

  His eyebrows drew together. “Are you sure about that?”

  “I’m sure. You never needed me for anything. Never once made me feel I was anything other than a bedmate. You don’t need me. You never did.”

  “Such weakness is distracting.”

  “And you never get distracted, do you? Never put yourself into a position of vulnerability. What do you think would happen if you ever did?”

  He turned and began walking back down the path toward the hotel. “Vulnerability is also a weakness. I have no need for that, either.”

  “You have ice for a heart,” she complained as she joined him. “Pavel might have responded a little more to you if you’d ever shown him a little bit of compassion. Maybe he would have liked an older brother figure. Did you ever consider that? Instead, he gets this glacier of a man who needs nobody, wants nobody.”

  When they got to the entrance she marched in front of him. “Don’t bother about the swimming costume. I’m not going swimming, or anywhere else with you. Except to see Leah.”

  “As you wish.”

  She spared him a glance. The simple retort seemed incongruous when considered against the hard line of his jaw, the lone muscle that pumped in his cheek. Had her attack on him hit a nerve? Good.

  They walked through the foyer and found a somber Vadim waiting.

  As Vadim started to speak, Nikolai touched his arm. “Not here.”

  When they were inside the lift, Grace could bear the silence no longer. “Are they back? Do you have news?”

  Vadim glanced at Nikolai, received a nod, then turned back to Grace. “They are now returned to the house. Your sister seems well.”

  Grace smiled as she touched her throat. “That’s great. Thank you.” She turned to Nikolai. “Do you still have people watching the house? You said if they got wind that—”

  “We have men there. If there is any indication they plan to leave, we will know about it.”

  When the lift came to a stop, they stepped out and headed toward the suite of rooms.

  Nikolai virtually shoved Grace inside. “Stay here. We’ll be back soon.”

  Grace whirled. “What? You’re not going without me.”

  Vadim, who obviously knew this wasn’t about to end well, moved toward the lift as Nikolai lowered his voice. “You’ll stay here. If this doesn’t meet with your approval, then our deal is off.”

  “You’re not blackmailing me, you bastard. She’s my sister and if she gets a look at you storming in there and confronting Pavel with whatever vendetta you two have going on, I’ll never talk her out of staying with him. She’ll stick up for him and you’ll only make Pavel more desirable to her.”

  “You try my patience, Grace. You always did.” He drew in a breath, narrowed his eyes. “You stay out of the way until I tell you.”

  In a pig’s eye, she thought, but nodded anyway.

  “Let’s go.”

  Chapter Six

  They parked in a quiet side street. The two men exchanged hand signals and Vadim walked away, disappearing around a corner.

  “Why are we waiting here?” Grace’s stomach was doing somersaults while her hands felt clammy. “You’re not letting Vadim deal with this?”

  “Vadim is checking in with his man. As soon as I get the signal I’ll join them. You’ll stay here.”

  “For God’s sake. If you tell me to stay put one more time I swear I’ll…”

  Grace shook her head. If getting Leah back home safe and sound meant kowtowing to His Lordship, she’d just have to suck it up. She had no option but to sit there and wait patiently even though her baby sister was only a couple of minutes away. An image popped of Leah as a cute, dainty slip of a thing running in the park, squealing with delight as she glanced at Grace standing by the swings, ready to indulge her. Before Grace could smile at the memory, it was replaced by the heartbreaking moment when she’d had to tell Leah first that their mother had died. And then their father.

  Her throat contracted as she pushed back the memory. “Don’t do anything to jeopardize her agreeing to come home with me.”

  From the front seat, Nikolai turned to look over his shoulder and held her gaze. “Trust me.”

  Both plea and accusation melded in his eyes, and Grace wondered if he was asking both for the present and for the past. Could she trust him? Could she hand her sister’s wellbeing over to him? Even if she couldn’t let go of their past, could she trust him with her future? With Leah’s future?

  Yes.

  The single word, clear and unexpected, reverberated in her head as she nodded. He reached out and brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers, the gesture so tender Grace wanted to lay her cheek on his hand.

  Then a movement to the side alerted them. Vadim stood a few yards away and held up a hand. With a glance at Grace, Nikolai got out of the car. He and Vadim had a brief conversation before both men disappeared around the corner.

  As she stared at the empty corner, Grace had to steel herself not to get out of the car and race after the men. She could only imagine what Leah would do when she saw Nikolai. They had always clashed, at least on the couple of occasions they had actually stayed in the same room long enough. If Leah dug in her heels…

  With her hand already on the door latch, Grace squeezed her eyes shut. She had to wait. She couldn’t ruin the chance to reason with Leah. Besides, she’d virtually promised Niko.

  The moments slipped into minutes until eventually Vadim appeared at the corner again. He signalled her to join him. “Is she there? Is she okay?”

  “Come with me.”

  Vadim didn’t say anything more until they were walking up the short flight of stairs to a first floor room. He stopped by a blue door already ajar.

  Grace’s stomach roiled. She wasn’t certain from Vadim’s expression that everything was okay. When he pushed his palm against the door and stood back, Grace stepped in.

  Leah sat on a chair in the corner by a small window with a cracked pane of glass. Nikolai towered above her, his hands on the arms of the chair, his body barring her escape from where she sat with her arms crossed and a defiant look on her face.

  “Leah?” Grace resisted the urge to rush across the room. “Are you okay?”

  “Oh, great.” Leah glared at Grace, then turned her head away toward the cracked window. “I’ve got the whole bloody cavalry.”

  Without taking his eyes from Leah, Nikolai straightened up. “You’d do well to listen to your sister, even if you won’t listen to me. And if I hear you speak to Grace using the kind of language you’ve addressed to me, you’ll be sorry.”

  “I’m not frightened of you.” Leah pouted, but it was more bravado as she looked at him warily. “I’m not frightened of her either.”

  “Then you should be, if you know what’s good for you.” He leaned ominously down to Leah again, bracing his weight on the arms of the chair as he moved his face close to hers. “And believe me, little one. You definitely do not know what’s good for you.”

  Leah pushed back against the chair, trying to get away from Nikolai at his determined best. Grace knew the feeling. She’d been on the receiving end of that look a few times herself.

  “Niko.” Grace moved forward and touched his arm. He met her gaze, then nodded and moved back.

  Grace crouched in front of Leah. “I’ve been so worried about you.”

  “Don’t know why.” Leah turned away again.

  Since Leah still had her arms crossed tightly across her chest, Grace tried unsuccessfully to pry them free. “I needed to know where you were. Who you were with. You didn’t…wouldn’t tell me. It’s only natural I was worried about you.”


  “So you coming running after me. I’m not going home.”

  As Grace continued to reason with Leah, she heard Niko and Vadim murmuring behind her. “Leah. You’re sixteen—”

  “Which means I’m old enough to make my own decisions. I’m old enough to go where I want and be with who I want. You won’t stop me from doing either. I don’t care what you do. I’m not fucking coming back with you.”

  “Watch your tongue!” Both Grace and Leah turned to look at Nikolai. “I told you to treat your sister with respect. She’s been worried sick about you.”

  Wisely, Leah remained silent but looked out the window again.

  Grace rubbed Leah’s thighs. “Sweetie, please. Let’s just talk about this. Can we go somewhere? Just the two of us?”

  Leah didn’t say anything until Grace rubbed her thigh again.

  “You won’t persuade me to go home. I’m staying with Pavel.”

  Grace swallowed. Hearing it confirmed by Leah that she really was with Pavel was hard to accept, but the first step in making Leah see sense was to get her away from the house she shared with him. Neutral territory meant Pavel wouldn’t be able to return and influence her.

  “At least let’s talk about it. Why don’t you come back to my hotel, we’ll have dinner together and just talk.” As Leah shook her head and started to refuse, Grace said quickly, “Or we can go somewhere else. I just want us to talk.”

  Leah glanced at Grace, then to Nikolai, then back at Grace. “I won’t change my mind.”

  “Okay.”

  “But I’m not going anywhere until Pavel comes back.” The sense of relief Grace felt disappeared before it had time to take root. “He told me not to leave the room.”

  “We’ll leave him a note.”

  “No.”

  “For God’s sake.” Nikolai brushed past Grace and grabbed Leah’s arm. “We’re leaving now.”

  “No.” Leah tried to shake off his hand. “Grace, tell him. I’m not going anywhere if he’s there.”

  “There’s something you should know, little girl. I can put you over my shoulder and have you on a plane back to England without breaking a sweat.”