In Too Deep_BWWM Romance

by Erica A. Davis

  “It was you who destroyed my house?”

  Nicoletta looked gleeful. She giggled.

  “It was very enjoyable. I took great pleasure in ruining your things. Especially your panties. I never knew sluts wore white cotton panties. I thought you would’ve worn thongs or lacy underwear.”

  Blossom said nothing. She wasn’t going to dignify that stupid remark with an response.

  “Then when I heard about your ex still bothering you, it was perfect. They would be looking at him for that and not me. No one would suspect me of doing it. And Illya doesn’t like conflict. He’s a number-cruncher, he prefers to distance himself.” Nicoletta’s scowl deepened. “But instead of running the other way, Illya actually helped you. He’s a sucker for you, it seems. That was when I thought I’d try and get rid of you personally. Maybe scare you enough to leave.”

  Blossom could feel the chill. The room wasn’t even cold. She swallowed. If she could keep Nicoletta talking, maybe someone would be able to find them.

  Even then, she doubted anyone would find her.

  “But you got Jenny instead.” She said hoarsely.

  Nicoletta growled.

  “Stupid bitch shouldn’t have been there in the first place. By the time I realized my mistake, it was too late. I shot her for being the wrong person. Then I shot Chekov when he charged in like an angry bull. The stupid bastard wasn’t even supposed to be there, either. You messed all of that up for me.”

  “Nice to know I can do something right,” Blossom sneered. She struggled at her zip ties, not caring if Nicoletta could see. “Don’t you blame me for that. I wouldn’t have needed people with me if you hadn’t scared me enough not to be alone.”

  “Oh, but I do. I blame you for everything. I should have gotten you a week ago but then you went to stay with Illya instead of a hotel. That wasn’t part of the plan. So, I had to wait until he was out of the house.” Nicoletta grunted, “I’m not a patient person so that week was the longest one of my life.”

  She really was crazy. Blossom had thought she was a misguided young person who had gotten a crush on someone misconstrued with true love. But she really was deluded. Nicoletta actually believed Illya was in love with her and they were meant to be together.

  If she thought Adrian was off his rocker, Nicoletta was a whole different level.

  “I'm not responsible for who Illya wants in his bed or his life,” she snapped. “Neither are you.”

  “But I am.” Nicoletta eased herself out of her chair like a dancer unfolding. She stalked towards Blossom. “I am responsible for it. Illya and I are meant to be together.”

  “What does Illya say about it?”

  “He doesn’t know what’s good for him.”

  “But you do?”

  “Of course I do. I’m meant to know what’s good for him.” Nicoletta knelt in front of Blossom, laying her hands over Blossom’s clenched fists. “You’re a whore, just like the rest of them. Natalya was a whore. You two are cut from the same cloth. I was getting through to Illya and then you came along and ruined my plans. Never again. I won’t let you.”

  *****

  Illya had to grit his teeth as Ivan turned a corner, almost putting the car up on two wheels, and concentrated on the text message sent to Ivan’s phone.

  “Anton says he’s called Nicoletta’s cell phone. There’s no answer and it went straight to voicemail after the fifth time.”

  “So, she’s turned her phone off,” Ivan grunted, his hands tightening on the wheel as he put his foot down.

  “But her GPS is still on. Anton’s trying to track it now.” Ivan’s phone bleeped again. “She’s at one of the warehouses in downtown Baltimore.”

  “I think I know which one. Anton bought a lot of buildings in that part for renovation. I was there when everyone signed the dotted line.”

  “Would Nicoletta know about them?”

  “Of course. Anton wanted her to be useful and she came along. He gave her free rein to do something with one of the buildings.”

  The boutique. Illya wouldn’t be surprised if that was what Nicoletta was planning to do with it. She always wanted to have her own business but she didn’t have the head for figures or for business. There were already four failed stores to her name. And yet Anton was willing to give her another chance.

  Illya looked down at his phone and saw another text from Anton. He deleted it and put his phone in his pocket and Ivan’s in the center console.

  “Do you know where it is?”

  “Yeah. It’s prime real estate but all the buildings down there are built with the same stone.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means that they have walls that are naturally sound-proofed. Nobody would be able to hear anything if there are screams.”

  Illya growled.

  “Don’t say that, please.”

  Knowing Blossom was in Nicoletta’s company was bad enough. Thinking about her being tortured and more was worse. He was already sick thinking about it. His hand tightened around the gun in his lap.

  “Anton sent me another text. He told us not to kill her.”

  “Do you want me to take the gun off you?”

  “No.”

  Illya wanted to do worse to Nicoletta. But he didn’t think he would have the guts. His primary focus was Blossom.

  Ivan glanced at his brother as he turned the car around another corner.

  “Would Nicoletta really take it this far? She’s been known to hold a grudge but I didn’t think she would go as far as to attack someone else.”

  “I don’t know.” Illya wished he knew. “She wants me and the only way she’s going to get me is if Blossom’s dead. In her mind, that’s how it works.”

  “And then what? Swoop in and comfort you so you’ll end up in bed together?”

  Illya snorted.

  “Even in my grief that wouldn’t happen. But in her twisted mind that’s how it’s going to work.”

  “She’ll still kill Blossom even if she does know that.”

  “Not if I have anything to do with it.” Illya sat up, nodding out the windshield. “There’s Danilo.”

  A black Saloon was parked outside a building situated on the corner of a street that was bustling with various shoppers. A man topping six-five with dark hair and muscles the size of tires was hanging around outside the shop front. He waited as Ivan parked haphazardly on the curb and the two brothers hurried over to him.

  “Anton called me for backup. I wasn’t to go in without you.”

  Illya was glad about that. He checked his gun and took the safety off. Two women walking past saw the guns and then hurried off with a gasp.

  “Anton doesn’t want Nicoletta killed, Dan. Wounded, if we absolutely have to, but not killed. He said he’ll deal with her.”

  “Understood.”

  Danilo opened the door and Ivan went in first, Illya close behind him. Danilo closed the door behind them and they hurried across the empty shop floor. The place was completely clear, leaving just a mouldy carpet. There were two doors at the far end. One led to what looked like changing rooms and another to a set of stairs.

  Ivan reached the stairs first and took a brief look up. He looked back and put a finger to his lips. Then Illya heard it. Voices. Female ones.

  This had to be the place. Then Illya heard Nicoletta’s voice.

  “You’re a whore, just like the rest of them. Natalya was a whore. You two are cut from the same cloth. I was getting through to Illya and then you came along and ruined my plans. Never again. I won’t let you.”

  Chapter 12

  Nat? What were they discussing Nat for? Illya hurried past Ivan and took the stairs two at a time, trying not to make any noise. If Nicoletta knew they were coming, she could do something to hurt Blossom. He didn’t notice or care if Ivan and Danilo followed him.

  He reached the landing and heard Blossom speak. At least she was alive. It was coming from the door at the far end of the hall.

  “So, how
is this going to work for you? You kill me and dump the body, make it look like Adrian or his mother killed me and then you swoop in to comfort the grieving man left behind?”

  Nicoletta laughed.

  “Got it in one, sweetheart. I’m glad to see you’re not completely stupid.”

  Illya went to the door, only to be grabbed by Ivan and moved to the side. His brother gave him a look that told him to stay put as he moved to one side of the door. Danilo was close behind.

  Blossom barked out a laugh.

  “You do know that Illya’s not going to fall for that. Even in grief, he’s not going to go for someone he’s declared as not wanting to touch with a ten foot pole, especially when he’s lost someone he actually cares about moments before.”

  “I can be very persuasive.” Nicoletta sounded very smug about that. Ivan grasped the handle and slowly opened the door a crack. “I’d like you to watch it but you won’t be able to. Not where you’re going. Illya will be distraught, but not for long. I’ll make sure he forgets your name within a week.”

  “Fuck you.”

  Then there was a sound of flesh on flesh. Illya tensed. Then he heard Nicoletta’s sneer.

  “No, thanks. I don’t go for your type.”

  Illya moved behind Ivan as his brother pushed the door open a bit more. They could see Blossom in profile, tied to a chair. Her face was a bloody mess, her nose a funny shape. Illya’s chest tightened at the sight. Nicoletta was standing over her, the expression on her face showing she was enjoying this.

  She stalked out of sight.

  “Any last words before I begin the fun?”

  Ivan drummed his fingers gently on the doorframe. It was a quiet sound, but it got Blossom’s attention. She looked around, her eyes widening when she saw them. Then she smiled grimly.

  “Enjoy explaining all this to your brother.”

  Nicoletta laughed.

  “How’s he going to know? I’m certainly not going to tell him.”

  Illya stepped back and Ivan entered the room, keeping his gun at his side.

  “But I will.”

  Nicoletta gasped and spun around. She was holding a hammer. Her face went white when she saw him.

  “Illya! What are you doing here?”

  “Do you really have to ask that,” Illya moved over to Blossom, who was trying to tug her arms out of the ties, “when you entered my home and kidnapped a guest?”

  Nicoletta sputtered. Then she tried to take a step back.

  “It’s not what it looks like.”

  “Oh, I think it is.” Illya glanced at Ivan. “And Anton’s not very happy with you. You’ve got a personal escort to see him.”

  Nicoletta’s face went even more pale when Ivan and Danilo entered the room. Then she let out a loud cry and charged at Blossom, the hammer raised above her head. Illya darted between them and cried out when the hammer hit him on the shoulder. Ivan tackled Nicoletta to the ground, pinning her down as she screamed and thrashed in his arms. Danilo hurried over to join them while Illya turned to Blossom, the pain in his arm making him fall to his knees.

  “Illya?”

  Blossom was staring at him. Blood crusted her face and one of her eyes was swollen. But she was alive. Illya’s hand had gone numb. He reached out and touched her jaw but his fingers couldn’t feel anything.

  “You okay?”

  “I will be if you get me out of this fucking chair,” Blossom growled, tugging at her bonds.

  Illya tucked his gun into the back of his pants and hurried over to the table. Surely there was something he could use. He found a Stanley knife and brought it back, managing to cut the zip ties. Blossom let out a sigh of relief and rubbed at her arms.

  “They feel raw.”

  Illya knelt and cut the ties at her ankles.

  “Can you stand?”

  “I’ll try.” Blossom pushed herself up and almost buckled. “Or maybe not.”

  Illya caught her and held her up.

  “Lean on me. I won’t let you go.”

  Blossom leaned her head against his shoulder. Illya didn’t know which one of them was trembling more.

  “Illya!”

  Nicoletta had been rolled onto her stomach and Ivan had found some more zip ties, using them on her wrists. She'd managed to twist around and was looking pleadingly at him.

  “Help me, Illya! Please!”

  Illya couldn’t feel anything staring back at her. The woman had kidnapped Blossom, had tried to kill her and still thought he was going to come to her aide. He took a step back, holding Blossom against him. Nicoletta’s smile snapped off when she saw this and glowered at Blossom.

  “He’s still mine, you bitch! Once I’ve spoken to Anton, I’ll make sure you never have him.”

  “I don’t think so,” Danilo grunted. He hauled Nicoletta up by her bound arms, forcing her to her feet. “Illya won’t be able to help you once Anton’s seen you.”

  Nicoletta’s venom disappeared, replaced by pure fear.

  “What? Anton won’t let you kill me! He wouldn’t allow it!”

  “He’s not going to kill you,” Ivan said grimly. “Although I wouldn’t blame him if he did. But he does want a word.” He held up his gun. “Just don’t give me an excuse to use this on the way.”

  Nicoletta eyed the gun and began to cower. For a brief moment, he felt sorry for her. She couldn’t help her delusions and was genuinely frightened. But then he looked at Blossom and that reminded him of what she'd done.

  She was prepared to take away the woman he'd fallen for, just because she was jealous.

  “Illya?” Blossom tugged at his shirt. “Get me out of here.”

  Illya wasn’t about to argue with that. Turning away from Nicoletta, he led Blossom from the room with Nicoletta screaming for him.

  *****

  “That’s looking good.” Doctor Dmitri Demidov sounded surprised as he inspected Blossom’s nose, prodding it gently. “I’m amazed your nose didn’t get broken apart.”

  Blossom flinched.

  “It hurts like hell,” she complained.

  “I’m not surprised. Nose injuries always hurt. But you’ve got some very strong cartilage. Some painkillers will ease the swelling right down. But that will take a few days.” Dmitri moved to Blossom’s cheek, his fingers running across the top of her cheek. “You've got a broken cheekbone, though. And you’ll have a very impressive black eye. Again, lots of painkillers for that.”

  Blossom grunted. She'd been given a broken cheekbone before as a teenager during a fight with a neighbour’s kid. But that pain was nothing in comparison to this.

  Dmitri moved to his laptop which was propped up on the dresser and began typing up his notes as Blossom sat up from the bed. He'd been waiting at Illya’s house when Illya took them back. Blossom knew she needed to go to the hospital but she didn’t want to go anywhere except home. Illya hadn’t argued but he'd called ahead for Anton’s personal doctor, who was waiting in his car when they arrived.

  Blossom wasn’t sure what to make of Dmitri. Tall, redheaded and very handsome, the man didn’t look like a doctor at all. He didn’t act like one, either. But then he pulled on his gloves and inspected the damage and it was like a switch had been flipped. He was very professional.

  “I’ve made a prescription out for strong painkillers. My pharmacologist will bring it over later today.” Dmitri gave Blossom a sideways smile. “The cheekbone should heal on its own unless you’d like some plastic surgery. I can recommend a good one.”

  “No, thanks.” Blossom grimaced as she touched her jaw. That was starting to hurt now. “I’m not that vain.”

  “Fair enough.” Dmitri’s smile faded and he shook his head. “I’m surprised Nicoletta didn’t do more damage. She’s been known to do worse to others she’s hated less.”

  “Well, I suppose she just…” Blossom stopped. What had he just said? “What did you say? She’s done worse?”

  “She has. Nicoletta Romanova is a very obsessive, jealous woman.”<
br />
  “Something I hadn’t noticed before,” Blossom said wryly. She slid to the edge of the bed, still staring at the doctor. “I’m not the only one she’s done this to?”

  Dmitri then realized he'd said something wrong and began to backtrack.

  “Well, not exactly.”

  “Define not exactly.”

  If Nicoletta had done this before, why hadn’t anyone called her on it? She could have killed her.

  “I can’t really.” Dmitri shook his head. “I shudder to think what Anton’s going to do now. He knew Nicoletta had done it before but…”

  “Wait a minute. Did you say her brother knew about her previous ‘transgressions’?”

  “Yes. With your ex after you, he didn’t make the connection,” Dmitri said grimly. “But Nicoletta has done this before. With other girls over men she wanted in college. And Anton always covered for her, got her to stop. But when the man in question is one of his own people, he’s not going to take it lightly.”

  Blossom hoped not. Because if he let Nicoletta roam free again, she would simply do this to someone else. Blossom had no doubt about that.

  “Can I make a request to ban Anton Romanov from my bedside? Because I’ll kill him if he comes near me.”

  “I’ll make a note of it.” Dmitri stood, closing his laptop and gathering his medical bag. “I’ll let you rest now. Are you willing to have other visitors?”

  “Please. How’s Illya?”

  “No idea, he wouldn’t let me look at him.” Dmitri looked towards the door as it opened. “You can ask him yourself.”

  Blossom looked up. Illya was there, now dressed in jeans and a blue t-shirt. He was holding his shoulder with a grimace but he didn’t look any worse for wear. And he was a very welcome sight.