After breakfast, Sergei took the girls on a tour of St. Petersburg, hitting most of the major sights – the Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Winter Palace, and the Bronze Horseman, a monument to Peter the Great – which took a majority of the day to see. Zoe and Dani took tons of pictures throughout the day. Dani found the architecture and color schemes of the different buildings fascinating, but her thoughts kept returning to Sergei and their encounter at the bar. She wanted to experience that feeling again.
“Thanks for taking us out on the town, Sergei,” Zoe said. “I had a great time.”
“Sure. Maybe we can all go out again later this week.” he said.
When they returned to the hotel, Zoe slipped up to the room, providing Dani and Sergei with some time alone to say their goodbyes for the day. They found a table in the corner of the bar, where they continued to chat. Sergei had entertained the idea of coming clean with Dani about the family business but was worried she would fear him if she knew the truth, and he couldn’t stand the thought of her being scared of him. For some reason, he felt the need to be near her and, in some ways, that scared him more than death.
A waiter approached to take their drink orders. “What can I get you to drink, sir?”
“Vodka,” Sergei replied. “Bring the bottle.”
“And for the lady?”
“A whiskey sour would be great. Thank you.” Dani replied.
“I’ll be back with your drinks shortly.” The waiter left for the bar and returned a few minutes later, placing their drinks, along with a bottle of vodka, on the table before rushing away.
“I had a wonderful time today.” Dani said, smiling at Sergei.
“It was my pleasure,” he replied, sliding his hand across the table and lacing his fingers through hers. “I enjoy spending time with you.”
“What are your plans tomorrow?” she asked
“I have family business to attend to in the morning. But I’d like to spend the afternoon with you... just you... if you’re free.”
“I am. At least I think I am. I’ll have to check with Zoe.” She hoped Zoe wouldn’t mind spending the day by herself. She could tell something was on Sergei’s mind but refused to question him about it.
He kissed her on the hand and stood from the table. “I must head home, Milaya moya.” He leaned over and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “Sleep well.” And then he was gone. Dani remained in the bar, sipping her whiskey sour, wondering how she could be so lucky to find such a hot man on her first day of vacation.
“The old law about an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind.”
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Chapter Eight
Dani and Zoe were dressed and ready to spend the morning checking out museums; one thing they hadn’t gotten around to during Sergei’s tour. Everything about their trip was turning out better than Dani could have expected or imagined. A knock sounded at the door as they were grabbing their purses.
“Who could that be?” Zoe asked.
Dani shrugged. “I have no idea. Sergei is busy until after lunch.”
Zoe flipped the latch on the door and opened it. A uniformed delivery man stood there with a dozen of the most beautiful white roses either girl had ever seen and a small box. “Delivery for a Dani McCade.”
“That’s me,” Dani said, wondering who the roses and package were from. Surely, Sergei hadn’t sent her something but nobody else knew she was here.
“Sign here, please.” The delivery man held a clipboard and pen towards her.
Dani quickly signed the paperwork. “Thank you.”
The delivery man smiled and nodded. “Have a nice day.”
Zoe and Dani eyed the package with curious looks each taking a moment to smell the gorgeous roses. Neither said a word for several minutes as they looked at the labels adhered to the box.
“Well,” Zoe said, “maybe it’s a special gift from Sergei. He really seems to like you a lot. Open it! I’m dying to know what’s in the box.”
“Maybe,” Dani said. “Grab my nail file from the bathroom counter. Let’s see what’s inside.”
Zoe dashed into the bathroom, returning within seconds, anxious to see what Dani had received. “Here you go. Tear into it already. I’m dying here,” she said, bouncing up and down like a child.
Dani laughed. “Give me a minute, will you?” She sliced the tape slowly, just to agitate her friend. She slowly removed the beautiful red ribbon – loving the way the material felt as it whisped through her fingers – and flipped the lid of the small box open. She pulled out layers of tissue paper, and then gasped.
“No!” she yelled, shoving the tiny box across the table away from her, stumbling away from the box, knowing no matter how far away from it she got, it would never be far enough. Tears streamed down her face as the reality of the situation consumed her. He was back, and his twisted game had begun again.
Zoe looked from her best friend to the little box on the table and then back to Dani, a confused look upon her face. “What is it? You’re freaking me out?”
Dani could scarcely draw breath, her lungs tight, her throat burning as she sobbed and dry-heaved, collapsing in a panicked heap on the floor. She watched through tears as Zoe approached the box. “Don’t!” she shouted at her.
“Oh my god! What the hell...” Zoe screeched, as she too backed away from the suddenly horrifying gift box.
Dani sat on the floor, knees pulled up to her chest, breathing heavily as she wrapped her arms tight around her legs, rocking back and forth, the fear of the note settling around her like a storm cloud. She knew exactly what was coming; well, not exactly, but she had an idea and it wouldn’t be good.
She looked at Zoe, saw her pale skin and wide eyes. She had seen the… gift, if you could call it that. Inside the innocent-looking box, nestled in tissue paper, sat a human eyeball. She knew from experience that it wasn’t fake. He didn’t do fake. It was real… and it had been removed from… someone. She also knew he wouldn’t keep that part secret. That was part of his game, and she had to know. She slowly rose on shaky legs and quickly stepped forward, plucking a small card from the box, before retreating back to her spot on the floor.
Breathing heavily, trying to still her trembling hand, she read the message.
I’ve been watching you from afar but now I want to play.
So cute how you thought that Waters bitch saved you.
I’ve always known where you are!
Soon I’ll rip your fucking heart out like you did mine!
I’m coming for you!!
Oh! Here’s a little something from Margo! She had such beautiful eyes.
Her stalker was back. They were far away from home. She had a different name. And he still found her. She didn’t know what to do, but she didn’t want to move or leave the safety of the hotel room. The safety she had known for the past few years had been shattered with the acceptance of one tiny little box. How did he find her? Why now, after all this time?
“Dani?” Zoe whispered, as if someone could hear her. “It’s him isn’t it?” Fear oozed from every word she uttered as she wrapped her arms around her friend, crushing their bodies together.
Dani nodded, unable to utter the words because speaking would make everything that was happening real… and she wasn’t ready for that. Not yet.
As they huddled together on the floor of their hotel room, time seemed to stand still. The noises from the street faded, leaving them bathed in silence. She had been through this before, but she was more prepared now, wasn’t she? There was so much she needed to say to Zoe, yet the words wouldn’t come when she opened her mouth so she clamped it shut again. She needed to think.
She didn’t know how much time had passed, but her bones were beginning to ache. All she could think about was making sure Zoe was safe from harm. The depraved psycho only really wanted her but he would use Zoe to hurt her, just like he did poor Margo. How could she persuade her best friend to leave her behind? Was that e
ven possible?
Looking at Zoe, the only person she had been brave enough to share her story with, she realized her friend would never leave her behind. Even after sharing her past, Zoe had stuck by her side. Danger or not, Dani knew she wouldn’t leave, and she still didn’t know what to do? Call the police? She didn’t know who the guy was or what he looked like or where he was. All she had was a box, a letter, and an eye, and he had never left a shred of evidence to link him to the crimes he had committed. Bastard!
She glanced at the clock on the wall. Almost noon. They had been sitting on the floor for hours. Sergei would be arriving soon. Maybe, just maybe, he could help. Maybe he would know what to do. Regardless if he could or not, having a man around would possibly deter the bastard from trying anything.
“Dani, I’m scared.” Zoe whimpered, the words barely audible.
“Me too,” Dani said, her eyes cemented to the carpet. “I’m so sorry this is happening.”
“What are we going to do? Should we go home?”
“He’ll follow me no matter what we do. Here or there the problem is still the same. Maybe Sergei...” A loud knock shattered the silence, slicing through the fear permeating the room.
Zoe’s eyes went wide, both girls jerking their heads towards the door. Neither of them moved, just watched and waited.
Another loud knock.
Dani and Zoe stared at the door.
“Dani? Zoe? Are you there?” Sergei’s voice boomed, knocking again.
“Thank god,” Dani said, her eyes meeting Zoe’s. “Just a minute. Coming.” She lifted herself from the floor and made her way to the door, making a point to not look at the table or what was on it.
Sergei stepped into the room, immediately noticing the looks of dread on each of their faces. “What’s wrong?” he asked, looking around the room for signs of trouble.
Zoe pointed to the box on the table. Sergei followed her finger, his eyes drifting to the package. He made his way to the table in a few powerful strides, his body tense, reacting to the mood of the room. He grasped the box in his hand, his eyes going wide as he looked directly into a human eye. His eyes flicked to the lid of the box, saw who the gristly package was addressed to. “Dani?” He turned to look at the girls. “What’s going on? Someone talk to me. Now!” He demanded, his voice laced with concern.
Dani met his dark, brooding eyes, a tear slipping down her cheek. Her legs turned to jello and her body crumbled to the floor in a heap. She sobbed, gasping for air. Sergei was by her side instantly, kneeling down and scooping her tense little body into his strong arms. He lifted her up and carried her to the couch. “Tell me, Milaya moya. What is going on? I am worried. Someone is after you?” He put his arm around her and pulled her close. “Let me help you.” he urged her softly. Her body was tense against his, fear rolling off her in waves. Sergei glanced away, his eyes darkening as anger swept through his body. Whoever was responsible for this would pay.
Dani cleared her throat, snuggling closer to him. It felt so nice to be wrapped in the safety of his arms, the strong musky smell of his cologne calming her. She sighed, worried that whatever might have happened between them was now shot to shit. Nobody would want to get involved in this twisted mess.
“Five years ago, I was attacked outside a bar. I couldn’t identify the man but he terrorized me for weeks after that. Finally, after things got really bad, I was given a new identity. Everything was fine – normal – for the last four years… but he’s found me again.” She bit her lip until the metallic taste of blood invaded her senses. She eased her hand to her mouth, slowly wiping away the blood seeping from her lip.
“Hmmm. I see. I am sorry this is happening to you, Milaya moya,” Sergei said, his voice gentle at first but quickly taking a firm, commanding tone. “You will both pack your things... now. He knows you are here so this place is no longer safe. You will stay with me.” He looked from Dani to Zoe, making sure they understood he wasn’t asking.
Dani nodded. She had felt ill after opening that damn box but that disquiet had been replaced by comfort shortly after Sergei had arrived, when she realized he wouldn’t run away from this. His presence alone made her worries wash away, his strong take-charge attitude making her feel safe. She knew he would do anything for her. She eased herself from his arms, immediately missing his warmth and comfort, and made her way to the bathroom to collect her things. Zoe was already zipping their bags when she entered the bedroom, her arms full of cosmetics and hair products.
“I’m so sorry, Zoe,” she said, barely meeting her friend’s gaze. “I know that’s not enough considering... everything, but I mean it.”
“This isn’t your fault,” Zoe said, her brows drawn together in irritation, left hand on her hip. “It’s that bastard stalker.” He’s to blame. At least we have Sergei to help keep us safe.”
“I know,” Dani said, rushing across the room and hugging her friend tight. She didn’t deserve a friend like Zoe.
The girls grabbed their luggage and headed for the living room. Dani’s eyes darted around the room until she saw Sergei standing before a window, talking on his phone. He spoke in a thick Russian accent, his words melting the room’s tension with each velvety word. She couldn’t tell what he was saying, but his tone was angry and it was easy to tell he meant business. He ended the call, placing the phone in his pocket. “Are you ready to go, ladies?”
“Yes,” they said in unison, eager to get the hell away from the hotel.
Sergei closed the little box of horror, squeezing it so tight the edges of the box buckled under the pressure.
“Why do we need that?” Dani squeaked, her lips drawing into a thin line.
“It wouldn’t be good for the staff to find it in your room,” Sergie said. “And my people will need it to track the delivery company. It is possible to find the sender. Yes?”
Dani hesitated before responding, wondering who his people were. It didn’t matter. “Oh… um… right. It’s just that the… the eye belongs to a friend of mine. I mean, I think it does.” Her stomach lurched as she realized the psycho had possible killed her friend, Margo. She looked away from the box, “Unless he lied, which is entirely possible.”
Zoe was outside the room, standing near the elevator, in full view of Sergei and Dani, a look of pure terror masking her face. No matter how hard Zoe tried to hide her fear, Dani knew she’d always be able to see it. She had lived with that very fear but the fear she felt now was different. It was still fear, but it was laced with a desire to make it all come to an end, no matter what the end might be.
Dani might not know who her stalker was, but all the research she had done after beginning her new life basically gave her a good idea about what to expect. Most stalkers began with watching and escalated into other avenues of torturing their victims. Some would break into their victims’ homes like hers had done, taking things or leaving unwanted surprises. ‘Gifts’ weren’t always a part of a stalker’s MO but they could be; sweet gifts a boyfriend would give a girl or darker, more vile ones like the eye. No matter the stalker, they all wanted the same result – to have the person they admired. They would seek them out at all costs. If the victim had snubbed the stalker in any way, as Dani had, then the game usually became deadly. If the stalker couldn’t have the victim he admired, then no one else would either.
Dani held Sergei’s hand as they walked across the hall to the elevator bay where Zoe waited. He quickly looked down the hallway in both directions, making sure the girls were safe. Stepping into the calm silence of the elevator, he stood so that his body was in front of the girls in a protective gesture. When the elevator shuddered as they reached the ground floor, he hesitated a few seconds before stepping out.
“Wait a minute,” he said, stepping into the lobby, looking around, taking in the faces of the guests that were milling about. Everything looked okay. He motioned for the girls to follow. When they walked out of the hotel, he say his driver standing by a black limousine parked at the curb, waitin
g for them. He opened the rear door and the girls quickly crawled in. With a last look around, he climbed in behind them while his driver placed the girls’ meager luggage in the trunk. Within minutes they were on the road, traveling through the lush countryside of St. Petersburg. Wildflowers grew along the roadside as they made their way deep into the country. Farm houses dotted the landscape here and there. Dani noticed Sergei had become rather tense the farther they traveled, his eyebrows drawn together, his jaw clenched. Something was definitely weighing heavily on his mind.
“Where are we going?” Dani asked. Zoe perked up at the question, obviously wanting to know as well.
“We are going to my family home.” Sergei replied. He swept a tendril of stray hair behind her ear and heat flamed within her. Something about this man drove her to the brink. She didn’t care that they hadn’t known each other but a few days. She could love this man, she thought, taking in the gentle soul tucked inside the brickhouse body beside here.
“Oh. Are you alright? You seem worried.”
“My family is – They’re different.” he said.
“I’m sure they are fine,” Dani said. “All families are different.” Sergei nodded and returned his gaze to the window.
An hour later, the car slowed, turning onto a gravel driveway leading down a long road that was lined with trees on either side. Up ahead, the road split, curving around a beautiful fountain set in the center of a beautifully-landscaped garden, forming a circular driveway in the front of a mansion. It was an old home, with a historic beauty that spoke of the rich life the home had lived. Dani wondered what stories it would tell if it could speak, imagining the things it must have seen over countless years. It was a breathtaking sight.
The car came to a stop just outside the entryway. A large muscular man dressed in a black suit and wearing dark sunglasses waited by the front door. Sergei pulled Dani across the seat into his arms and placed a kiss on the top of her head. She leaned into him, her eyes closing against the pain and sorrow of her life. Being away from the city was for the best. She couldn’t help but think about the man that was after her.
My Russian Hero Page 5
