Her Russian Billionaires - The Complete Billionaire Romance Collection

by Westwood, Susan

He couldn’t. She wasn’t out of danger until they were back in his penthouse. He jogged beside her.

  “You don’t have to stay with me,” Kendra said.

  “Yes, I do.”

  As he jogged he stared at both sides of the road. There weren’t many onlookers. At each turn of the course several volunteers stood to cheer them on. As they turned into mile two, the crowd both running and watching had thinned out. Sacha was getting nervous. This wasn’t looking good at all.

  “I think we should stop.”

  “I’ve got a good stride, I’m not stopping. You worry too much.”

  “Kendra, there are few people here.”

  “It’ll be fine. Nik couldn’t give you specific information so I’m sure it’s just noise.”

  Sacha frowned. He wanted to carry Kendra away, but she’d be pissed at him. At least she’d be safe. They turned another corner and that’s when he saw the guy. Hot day for coat, but the man had a jacket on. Sacha searched for where he and Kendra could hide, but there weren’t anything but vacant lots and closed stores. He wished she’d picked a better neighborhood to run through.

  Kendra wasn’t paying attention, but Sacha was on high alert. The man raised his hand. He had a gun.

  “Look out!” Sacha shouted.

  He pushed Kendra out of the way. The man fired just as he did that. The bullet seared into Sacha’s shoulder. Damn. That hurt.

  Kendra was underneath him, but the man didn’t try to shoot again. When Sacha looked up, he was gone. A cop ran around from the next block. Kendra pushed him off of her and his shoulder hurt like he’d never felt before this.

  “Damn.”

  “Sacha,” Kendra said, and then screamed.

  It was a different sound than what she made in bed. This was not a happy sound. Not a sound he wanted to hear again. His shoulder was on fire. Kendra was shouting at him, but he couldn’t quite hear her.

  He had been shot. Had the bullet stayed in? He wasn’t sure. It just hurt and he was a tough guy. “Shit.” He opened his eyes to see Kendra above him, her eyes searching his face.

  “You okay?” he asked her.

  “Yes, I’m fine. You’re bleeding.”

  “Ouch,” Sacha said.

  The cop was holding a bandage over the spot where he was bleeding. The pressure hurt.

  “Did he get away?” Sacha asked.

  “Yes, but I’m not concerned with him,” Kendra said.

  ***

  Sacha was conscious but Kendra was still worried. She rode in the front of the ambulance, but kept looking in the back. No one seemed to be overly concerned so Kendra tried not to be. There had been a lot of blood, not that she had anything to compare it to. She’d never seen anyone shot before. Her heart has skipped a beat when she’d realized Sacha was hurt. She was concerned. That was it. He was a friend and he’d be just as concerned if she’d been hurt. In fact that’s why he’d pushed her out of the way. Part of her wanted to dismiss her feelings, but she couldn’t. Still. They had an agreement so she would pretend that everything was the same. That she was grateful for Sacha saving her life.

  The ambulance arrived at the hospital. The EMT told her to hop out. That she would have to fill out the admitting paperwork for the man. Sacha was wheeled past her and he looked pale. He smiled at Kendra. Gave a thumbs up but her billionaire looked like washed up dollar bill. She went to the desk where the woman sitting behind it asked her what seemed like one hundred questions. Sacha couldn’t answer them. She had to call Viktor, but she didn’t have his number.

  She realized that she had Sacha’s phone. It had been buzzing the whole time. That man received too many e-mails. She pulled it out of her pocket, scrolled through his contacts then called.

  “Sacha?”

  “No, Viktor, it’s Kendra. Sacha’s been hurt. He’s in the hospital.” She told him which one. Would Sacha be mad that she told his brother he was here? Was it a macho man thing to go through these things alone? She texted the nanny saying she didn’t know when she’d be home.

  She paced in the waiting room until a nurse came in. “Mrs. Kozlov?”

  Kendra was the only person in the room. “Yes?”

  “Your husband is asking for you.”

  Had Sacha said something? Had he described her as his wife or did they assume? She followed the nurse who held a curtain aside for her to enter. Didn’t he at least rate a room? He was sitting on the edge of the bed. His color had returned.

  “What are you doing up?”

  “They’re springing me. I only needed some stitches. I feel fine though I’m a little loopy from the pain medication,” Sacha said.

  “They aren’t admitting you?”

  “No.”

  “I called Viktor.”

  “Call him back. I’m fine.”

  She handed him his cell phone. “You call him. He probably won’t believe me.”

  Sacha called his brother and reassured him that he was fine. He was going home to sleep. He then called for his car.

  “You sure you’re okay?” Kendra said.

  Sacha smiled. “I’m good. I’ll be even better when I get home.”

  She stood in front of him, eyeing his arm. It was bandaged up and he was favoring it. He had no shirt on. It was probably too bloody. She wanted to touch him, make sure he was still alive even though he was right there.

  “My car will be here soon.”

  “Okay. Then we’ll go home.”

  The grin on his face was almost creepy, but she had to laugh. His eyes were a little glazed. “I think we need to get you out of the city.”

  “Let’s talk about that tomorrow, or later; sometime when you aren’t doped up, Sacha.”

  “I’m fine. My critical thinking skills are fine.”

  Too bad he’d slurred a few of those words. His eyelids dropped a little. The nurse came in with a wheelchair.

  “Is he going to be okay?” Kendra said.

  “He’ll be fine. We’ll wheel him out of here. Is your car here?”

  “No, we’re still waiting on the driver,” Kendra said.

  “He’s here,” Sacha said, perking up. “He just texted me.”

  “Okay, then.” the nurse said.

  She helped him into the wheelchair. Kendra followed them out. The driver poured Sacha into the limousine. The nurse eyed the vehicle then smiled at Kendra. “Sweet ride.”

  “Thanks.”

  Kendra climbed in and the driver closed her door. Sacha was slumped over but when she settled into the seat, he rolled himself so that his head was on her lap.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said. “What the hell are you doing with me?”

  “I’m going to assume the drugs are in full force and that was a rhetorical question.”

  He put a hand on her face. “No, seriously. I’m no good for you Kendra.”

  She chuckled and shook her head. “Sacha, go to sleep.”

  “You could have any man you want. Why would you want someone who has no interest in getting married? Why not find someone and make babies with them?”

  She patted his hand then took it off of her face. She laced her fingers with his and then he let out a light snore. He was quiet the rest of the trip. He roused when she shook him.

  “Hm?” He sat up then he laid down again. “Everything just spun around.”

  “Get up slower then.”

  How the heck was she doing to get him upstairs and into bed? She couldn’t carry him. This time he sat up more gingerly. “Okay?” Kendra said.

  “Yes, I am. Thanks.”

  He leaned against the wall as they rode the elevator up. She wasn’t far from him, knowing he still wasn’t steady. “You should go to bed.”

  “Is that all you can think about Kendra?” Sacha said.

  “You are of no use to me in your present state,” she said. “You need help getting to bed?”

  “I think I can make it there.”

  He stumbled a little as he went down the hall. He ended up guiding himself with
his hand on the wall. Kendra watched, listening for a thud in case he fell down.

  “Is Mr. Kozlov okay?” Cliff said. He’d appeared at Kendra’s feet. The nanny wasn’t far behind. She said her goodbyes. Kendra could take over for the rest of the day.

  “He was hurt but he has to sleep it off. He’ll be fine.”

  She hoped.

  ***

  Sacha woke up several hours later. He was across his bed, with his running shoes still on. He hadn’t showered after the run and he felt pretty ripe. The pain medication had worn off and his shoulder was once again on fire. He didn’t like how he felt on the pills so he wasn’t going to take them again except that he wasn’t sure he could breathe from the pain when he finally moved to stand up. He sat back down on the bed. The stitches tugged and if he even breathed heavily he winced.

  “Damn.”

  “You’re alive?” Kendra was in the doorway. Cliff peaked in behind her.

  “Yes, I’m alive. And in a lot of pain.”

  “The nurse gave me some pain medication. You want some?” Kendra said.

  “I haven’t decided. I don’t like how I feel on them but I’m not a fan of the pain itself.”

  “Take half of one.”

  “Not yet. I need to think through this situation.”

  “What do you need to think through?”

  Sacha shook his head. He didn’t want to talk while Cliff was there. He didn’t want to scare the boy. “We can talk later.”

  “You need dinner?” Kendra asked.

  He was hungry. “Dinner? It’s that late?”

  “You slept the day away.”

  “And you snored, really loud,” Cliff said.

  Kendra hushed him but Sacha laughed. “It’s fine. I’m sure I snore.”

  Sacha wasn’t ready to stand so he motioned for Cliff to sit next to him. “What have you done with your day today? While I slept?”

  Cliff climbed up onto the bed. “Kendra and I played some games. I built more on that LEGO kit you gave me. I’m almost done.”

  “I guess I’ll have to find a bigger one next time,” Sacha said.

  Kendra stood in the doorway, a small smile on her face. Sacha liked Cliff. He was a sweet little boy, but it made his heart ache for his own son that he never knew. Would he be able to make up for lost time? He hoped.

  “Really? That would be great Mr. Kozlov.”

  “You’ll have to give me some ideas of what you like,” he said.

  “I’m sure whatever you get him will be fine,” Kendra said.

  Cliff looked from one to the other. “Right. What Kendra said.”

  Sacha chuckled. He’d talk to the boy alone.

  “Come on, Cliff. I’m sure Mr. Kozlov wants to shower and we need to make him dinner.”

  Cliff jumped off the bed. The jolt had Sacha wincing, but he didn’t make a sound. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”

  Kendra and Cliff left. Sacha stood outside the shower trying to figure out how he was going to get undressed with one hand. He shuffled to the door of his bedroom. “Kendra?”

  She appeared in the hallway. “Yes?”

  “I need some help.”

  She smiled. “Hard to undress with one hand?” She followed him to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

  “Yes. I’d ask you to join me in the shower but not with Cliff around.”

  “I would decline,” Kendra said.

  Sacha chuckled. He sat, and then untied his shoes. He toed those off. Kendra slid off his socks. He stood as she removed his pants and boxers. He was turned on of course, a beautiful woman was undressing him.

  Kendra just shook her head at the sight of his erection. “I’ll be back in ten minutes to help you get dressed.”

  “Thanks. I hate feeling so helpless.”

  She shrugged. “You’ve done so much for Cliff and I, it is the least I can do to repay you.”

  She left him. He took a shower, hoping that he was able to wash enough not to smell. He had to keep the stitches dry so it was a dance to keep his shoulder out of the water. Thankfully no one could see him. He must look pretty funny.

  Dressed with the help of Kendra, he now sat in his kitchen, eating dinner. Cliff played a game and Kendra sat with Sacha. “I think the situation has gotten worse. I have a feeling they’re going to escalate their attempts on you. I’m not sure if even this building is secure enough.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “I have a house in upstate New York. We can get there by helicopter. We can leave Cliff with Viktor and Alia.”

  “Isn’t she due soon?”

  “No, she’s not due for a month or so,” Sacha said.

  “I’m not comfortable leaving him there.”

  “I don’t think you have a choice. We need to get you out of the city until Nik makes his arrests. Then you’ll be safe again.”

  Kendra glanced at Cliff her lips pressed together. “I guess if you insist. I don’t want him to be in any danger.”

  “Since they’ve probably connected the two of us, I don’t think it’s safe here,” Sacha said. He’d feel better with Kendra out of the city. He could helicopter back and forth for work.

  “Have you talked to Viktor?” Kendra said.

  “I will. I know Viktor. He’ll do it for me.”

  “If you insist.”

  He reached across the table, squeezing her hand. “I insist Kendra. I said I’d protect you and I’m not going to stop doing that because it was more difficult.”

  She looked at their hands then nodded. “Okay. When will we go?”

  “First thing in the morning. I can have my driver take Cliff to Viktor’s place in the city. They’ll make sure to take him to their house.”

  “You have it all figured out.”

  “I usually do. I’m a detail kind of guy,” Sacha said.

  “Thank you again. You’ve done more than anyone else would. More than anyone has ever done for me. I don’t know how I will ever repay you.”

  “There is no need to repay me.”

  Chapter8

  Kendra kissed Cliff goodbye. Alia had insisted her driver would get the little boy and she would come with him. Kendra hugged the pregnant woman. She really did glow. “Thank you for taking him.”

  “It’s not a problem. I look forward to spending time with him,” Alia said. “Sacha said that he’s a sweet kid.”

  Alia held out her hand to Cliff, who took it. He skipped alongside her to the car parked in the underground garage. Kendra had a wistful moment. Cliff wasn’t her child, but she’d raised him just like a mother. She would miss him, but he was in good hands. She was sure of that. Sacha wouldn’t put Cliff or her in any danger. Not on purpose for sure. Still, she’d been with Cliff since he was born. She fulfilled the role of a mother and now she was feeling like she shouldn’t abandon him.

  He didn’t seem too upset to be going with Alia. She waved again before she climbed into the limousine. This family single-handedly kept the limousine companies in business.

  Sacha put a hand on her arm. “He’ll be fine.”

  “I know that rationally. I’m just a little unnerved by all of this.”

  He nodded. “You packed?”

  “I have some last minute items to put in.”

  He entered the elevator with her. He studied her as the car went to the top. She finished her packing then rolled her suitcase to the front door.

  “The helicopter is here,” Sacha said.

  “We aren’t driving?”

  “No. We’re flying,” he said.

  Kendra had never been in a plane let alone a helicopter. They took the elevator to the roof. Sure enough. There it was. Its rotors were still and a pilot sat in the front. He climbed out then shook hands with Sacha. He helped her climb in. When she was strapped in, he handed her headphones. “It’ll be loud otherwise and we can talk.”

  She nodded then put them on. She helped Sacha with is because his arm was in a sling. He felt better when it was immobilized. He
refused to take any pain medication. He didn’t like how it made him feel.

  The helicopter took off and butterflies chose to occupy Kendra’s tummy. Sacha held her hand. She must not have looked good. “Look outside,” Sacha said.

  She did and the view was breathtaking. She smiled. She wasn’t afraid anymore, but she didn’t know which way to look at all. There were so many sights. Then they were out of the city and the hills and trees looked so green. “It’s beautiful,” she said.

  She turned to Sacha who was smiling. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

  “I’m a city girl, born and bred, Sacha. I hope I can hack it in the wilderness.”

  “We’ll be in a house, not a tent. Running water and indoor plumbing.”

  She laughed. “Okay, but I’ve never spent much time outside the city.”

  “You’ll enjoy it. You won’t have to stay inside at all. You’ll be free to get fresh air.”

  “Cliff probably would have loved it.”

  “Yes, but if he’s with you, he’s in danger. Viktor had a nice house in the suburbs with a yard and woods. Cliff will be in heaven,” Sacha said.

  Kendra was still second-guessing her decision to go along with Sacha’s plan. She should be taking care of Cliff. He was her responsibility.

  “He’s in good hands, Kendra. I promise. I wouldn’t have put his life in danger. Not for anything.”

  “You like Cliff don’t you?”

  “He’s growing on me,” Sacha said. “There it is.” He pointed for her and she saw a house rising out of the forest. Not a castle, but could have been.

  “Wow. How many acres do you own?”

  “About a hundred and sixty-five. Not a big plot for up here.”

  “A hundred and sixty-five?” She couldn’t wrap her head around that much land.

  The helicopter landed on the front lawn, a flat expanse of green. All around the house were woods. More trees than Kendra had probably ever seen. And she’d spent some time in Central Park. Sacha climbed out then gave her his good arm to hold onto. She was so busy looking at the house that she almost tripped out of the chopper.

  “Careful, Kendra.”

  She laughed, but stopped to stare at the house. It had a porch than ran the length of the house. Five dormers stuck out of the second floor. “It’s amazing, Sacha.”