At the time, Nina didn’t know what was actually happening, but she learned later that Viktor and his team of men were taking over the place and cleaning house. That same night, she hadn’t noticed the men planted in the club, or the fact that her brother, Zinc, was there. But Viktor had recognized her.
* * * *
“Nina, right?” Viktor asked her.
She looked at the tall, very attractive man with the Russian accent and tried to ignore him. She didn’t want anyone to think he knew her. Not when she worked for the Cubans and something was going down. Her instincts were on alert as she shook her head ‘no’ in denial.
“Hey, I know your brother. He’s been looking all over the place for you.”
“Listen, guy, I don’t know who you are or what game you’re playing, but I’m not interested,” she snapped at him, and he squinted his eyes at her. She saw his jaw tense. Something warned her to not piss the man off. He pulled out his cell phone, and she had a feeling he even took a picture of her as she worked.
Later on, when she headed to the back room, her boss’s men confronted her. They were pissed off and concerned because they saw Viktor talking to her, and they must have seen him take her picture.
Galvin grabbed her by her arm and pulled her into his office. “How the fuck you know them? You been snitchin’ on us? Bitch, I’ll fuckin’ slit your throat,” Galvin threatened her, and she shook her head. She didn’t believe that guy Viktor, and even if he had been telling the truth, her brother didn’t give a shit about her. He’d left her with their fucked-up mother and taken off for the service. Screw him.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know that guy,” she told Galvin.
“He said he knows your brother, and your brother has been looking for you,” said the other guy she didn’t know, who had a scar on his cheek.
“I don’t have a brother.”
“Bullshit. The bitch is lying.” The guy with the scar grabbed her. Nina remembered the strike to her face and then being thrown up against the wall. The men started threatening to hurt her, and then to kill her, if she didn’t give up information. She screamed when one guy ripped her shirt open and threatened to sexually assault her.
Nina was angry, scared, and knew these men had money and power and were into heavy criminal activity. So when she had the opportunity to escape, she took it.
Just then, a call came into the office as they slugged her in the stomach. She fell to the floor as the door burst open and someone said, “They’re coming.”
She didn’t know who, and she didn’t care. She jumped up, shoved the chair at Galvin, and pushed past the man who’d warned them. As she ran down the hallway, she heard them saying she was dead, that they would find her and kill her. She was crying and running to the exit door when a body slammed into her, and they both tumbled down the stairs. She hit the concrete parking lot, and the man with the scar on his cheek had a knife out and raised it as he threatened to kill her.
The gunshot was almost silent. The man jerked back and off of her, and she scurried away, crab-walking on her palms.
“Nina?” She heard her name, looked up, and saw her brother, Zinc, along with Viktor.
Zinc hurried to her, pulled her into his arms, and told her he was never leaving her again. From there on out, her life changed.
* * * *
Nina had started to sob when she felt the hands on her shoulders and gasped awake. It took a moment to get her bearings when she locked onto Atlanta’s eyes, then she saw Freeman, Jessup, and finally Corona when she looked up.
“You’re okay,” Atlanta whispered.
She nodded. “I know. I’m fine. I’m sorry.”
She shrugged off Atlanta’s hands.
He released his hold on her shoulders and walked back to his seat. She swallowed hard and thought about how much her life had changed, and for the better. Viktor and the family had taken her and her brother in, helped Zinc with his issues, and helped her go to college and become a professional business manager. She ran two of Viktor and his team’s restaurants and clubs. She was making money hand over fist, earning a reputation as a great businesswoman, and never worried about living on the streets, eating out of garbage pails, or dealing firsthand with men like the ones who’d assaulted her years ago.
Suddenly, there was that old fear again. The one warning her that she could wind up right back where she started. Alone, living on the streets, fending for herself in every aspect of her life. Worse, she could wind up dead if Zinc had double-crossed the Russians. They’d cut their ties with her and leave her with nothing, or put her in her grave. She knew the deal. Nina swallowed hard and glanced at Corona then looked down at her lap. She had become reliant on the money she made, the security of the job she held, and the Russian mafia that protected her and gave her this false belief that nothing bad would happen. Reality hit her hard and fast. Her brother, Zinc, her only family, was dead.
Now what? How long would these men watch over her? How loyal would they be to a nobody like her, especially if Zinc had double-crossed them? Viktor had assigned these four men she’d never heard of, and she didn’t even know what exactly their positions were in the Merkovicz family. How long would they stay, and should she prepare herself to start all over, as a nobody, once again?
* * * *
Corona watched Nina as she fought falling asleep. When exhaustion finally won, she was restless, moaning in her sleep, calling to Zinc. It tugged at his heart and made him feel angry all over again. It wasn’t right. It never should have happened, and Corona would make it his mission to find the ones responsible and make them suffer. The fact that Viktor mentioned it was looking as though Zinc and Cobra had been dealing with the Cubans and had double-crossed the Russians, never mind their own military code of honor, didn’t sit well at all.
He and his team had known Cobra and Zinc for years. They’d done a few missions together in the service, as well as in their side professions. Although lately, Zinc had seemed different, on edge, and Corona couldn’t help but wonder if anything had been going on that could have put Zinc in trouble with someone. Either that or, like them, he was thinking of getting out of the side business. That thought didn’t sit right with Corona, either. Zinc was a lifer. He didn’t know much more than being a soldier and doing certain tasks for the Russian family. Unlike Corona and his team. They were friends with Viktor. They knew him from the service, and he hooked them up with jobs that entailed a little less danger and a hell of a lot better paycheck.
Corona and his brothers didn’t see themselves as made men, but because of the few jobs they did for Viktor or his uncle, they were always on guard and always suspicious. People in the underground world recognized them as being “on the payroll.” They gained a lot of respect, but they knew they weren’t the only soldiers doing side jobs for gangsters. At any moment they could meet their demise, whether on a mission for the government or on a mission for Viktor. Lately, especially after the last mission, they seemed more eager for a change.
Trust was definitely something that didn’t come easily. Hell, not at all, lately. There was too much turmoil going on in the families, in the country, and they were way too busy lately to even process their emotions. They were involved in fighting wars overseas and fighting a different kind of war here at home. They’d never been so busy. That crazy schedule had finally taken its toll on them when Jessup had been shot and nearly killed. He was still recovering, and that was what this trip was all about. A vacation, being home in Salvation, and thinking about what plans they had next. There were some other missions coming up, and time for Jessup to heal and go along, too—things they were required to complete before they could consider retiring from it all. The four of them had a lot to discuss this vacation.
Corona had gotten a file on Nina from Viktor. He asked for information because he liked to make his own judgment on who a person was instead of based on just what someone told him. He could read between the lines and determine a lot. He w
asn’t expecting the information he read, yet it wasn’t a complete surprise. Zinc never mentioned having a sister, and Corona supposed it was because he’d left her in a bad home environment and he had his own issues to deal with.
There was very little about Nina’s life before the family took her in. Just that she went to college, graduated at the top of her class, and was a savvy businesswoman. She operated the two hottest clubs Viktor and his team owned in Chicago. She was tough, and her only family was Zinc.
Corona read farther into the file and found that, when she’d been younger, she’d worked at a place known to be owned and operated by Cuban drug lords. He didn’t like the feeling he got. This woman showed no real ties to Viktor’s family except her brother’s friendship with all of them. He glanced at her, and she was once again sleeping. He looked at the address of the place. It was a club taken over by Viktor but run by the Mulicheck family. They were relatives of Nicolai. Since Nicolai was one of the top bosses, he knew instantly that this was important information. They apparently didn’t think Nina was a threat in any way. Where was she before working at that club? Where did she grow up? Who was she, really?
He rubbed his neck and wondered about Nina. Was she trustworthy? Did she deserve their kind of protection? Why would she be in danger as a manager of a restaurant and club? Zinc was a heavy and did crazy shit for the family, and right now, Viktor didn’t really know who else was after Nalia, but obviously Scarlapetti and Lapella were shaking things up big time.
“We’re getting ready to land,” Freeman said to him, and Corona nodded, closed up the file on his cell phone, and watched Nina. There was no reason to believe that Nina was a target for whatever reason, but they were still going to treat her as one and keep her close. He never let his guard down, and he certainly wasn’t going to start today.
Salvation always brought the brothers peace of mind and relaxation. He didn’t want that to change. Jessup, Freeman, and Atlanta all had friends there, just like he did, and they wouldn’t put them in danger. Salvation was a place they called their home, and he hoped they hadn’t been wrong about bringing Nina here until the danger was over.
Chapter 4
Corona gave Conway a hug and slap on the back hello when the chief of police stopped by to welcome them back.
“Damn, it’s been months. How are you guys doing?” Conway asked him and Freeman.
“We’re happy to be back home for a spell. It’s been a long six months. How is J.J.?” Freeman asked him.
“She’s doing great, thanks for asking. Been working a lot still, but hopefully we can get her to slow down a bit now that she’s pregnant.”
“Pregnant? Oh, my God, when did this happen? Congratulations,” Freeman said and shook Conway’s hand. The man was smiling wide.
“Just found out a few weeks ago. Of course, you know J.J. She’s stubborn as damn hell,” Conway said as Atlanta walked into the living room. Atlanta gave Conway a handshake hello. The chief looked past them.
“So, where’s your guest? I thought you wanted her to meet me?” he asked.
Freeman turned to see Jessup walking from the back room with Nina. Conway’s eyes widened as she entered the room, and he gave Freeman a wink.
“Nina, meet our good friend Conway, the chief of police.” Atlanta introduced them.
Nina gave a soft smile. It never really reached her eyes, but she was polite and classy.
“Nice to meet you.”
Conway nodded as he played with the rim of his hat.
“Welcome to town. Maybe when things get settled down we can plan to meet for dinner or go to Casper’s or something. I know J.J. would love to see you, Jessup.”
J.J. had sent Jessup well wishes when she heard about his injuries. She was concerned.
Jessup nodded. He didn’t smile. He was definitely feeling a little pain today but not wanting anyone to know about it.
“We’ll try to make plans soon,” Corona said. “Just some things to go over.”
“Of course, Corona. Well, I’d better get going. Call me if you need anything, and enjoy your vacation.” Conway exited the house.
They all headed into the kitchen.
“Wow, I can’t believe that J.J. is expecting. That is crazy.” Freeman said.
“Good for them. He and his team deserve some happiness after that whole situation a couple of years back,” Atlanta said.
“What happened to them?” Nina asked in a soft voice. She kept her head down and only glanced up when none of the men responded.
“They had some trouble. Nothing to worry about now. It was a long time ago,” Jessup said firmly, making it obvious he didn’t want to share any personal information with Nina.
Corona could see Nina’s reaction as she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and then looked around the kitchen, avoiding his stare.
“Nina, want something to eat?” Corona asked her, and she shook her head.
“You should eat something. You don’t want to get sick and feel worse,” Atlanta said to her.
“I’m not hungry. I have a headache still. I think I’m going to go lie down, if you don’t mind?” She glanced at Jessup, giving him an annoyed look.
Jessup didn’t even acknowledge it.
“Okay, if you need any ibuprofen, there should be some in your bathroom,” Corona told her, and she nodded then headed out of the room.
“You don’t need to give her an attitude. It would be better to make her feel comfortable, not like some prisoner,” Freeman said to Jessup.
“She’s not staying here long. She doesn’t need to know our business or any of our friends’ business. Stop looking at her like a piece of ass.”
Freeman stepped toward Jessup and went to grab him, but Corona and Atlanta stopped him.
“Whoa, everyone calm down,” Corona ordered.
“Calm down? Tell this asshole to stop being a grumpy fuck. I’ve had it with his somber attitude and hating the fucking world. This is supposed to be a vacation.” Freeman walked out of the room.
“He wants to fuck her,” Jessup stated, pointing at Freeman and then shoving the box of crackers on the table across it.
“Cut that shit out before she hears you. What’s your fucking problem?” Corona asked.
“I don’t have one.”
“Bullshit you don’t,” Corona replied, staring at him with his hands on his hips.
“You don’t even know Nina. We were friends with her brother, and this is how you’re going to treat her? She’s in mourning, man. You read her file. She is all alone in this world, and right now, she doesn’t need to feel like an outsider or a burden,” Atlanta said to him.
Jessup was silent.
He raised his hands in the air. “Whatever.” He stood up and walked slowly out of the room. He was in pain, and more than physically. He was feeling inferior because he’d gotten caught not paying full attention on their last mission. Because they were all fucking exhausted.
Corona looked at Atlanta.
“It isn’t going to be instant. We knew that when we said we were ready for a vacation. He needs time,” Corona told them.
“I think he needs more than time. Maybe we should have declined Viktor in taking on Nina?” Atlanta said to him.
“It will work itself out. She doesn’t have anyone. We’re it.” Corona went back to making something to eat for lunch.
“She’s a beautiful woman,” Atlanta whispered.
“She is, but this is business. Freeman needs to remember that,” Corona said to Atlanta.
Atlanta started making a sandwich.
“I saw her before today, too. At the club a couple of months back, when a few of us were hanging out. Zinc was there. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her, Corona. So I know how Freeman feels having her here. We started talking and flirting a bit, and the next thing I know, Zinc is saying that she’s off-limits and belongs to some heavy.”
Corona scrunched his eyes together. “A heavy? Do you know who?”
Atlanta
shook his head.
“I liked her, Corona, in a matter of minutes, and to tell you the truth, I wasn’t giving a shit about any guy who may or may not be involved with her. Then she disappeared into the back with some problem, and I got called out for a job.”
“So I’ve got two of you who met her before and were attracted to her, but there’s also a possibility that she was seeing a made man?” Corona shook his head.
“This is turning into a shit show,” he added, and then his phone buzzed. He looked at the text message.
“It’s Viktor checking on Nina.”
Atlanta sat down to eat.
“You don’t think Viktor is her guy?” Corona asked, joining him at the table.
“Not if what we heard is true. That Boian trained Nalia when she was younger and that training saved her life. Boian and the rest of his team were madmen trying to find her. How Viktor and Cosivan talked about getting back to her quickly, I’d say that she belongs to them, and they’re claiming her.”
“That’s heavy shit. Especially combining those two families. Damn. I wonder who Nina was involved with, then?” Corona took a bite of the sandwich he’d finished making.
“Obviously no one very loyal. He didn’t try to get to her or provide protection for her. Viktor stepped in.”
“I guess it doesn’t matter. As soon as things clear up, I will escort her back home to Chicago, and we can work on relaxing.”
But Corona got an uneasy feeling in his gut. And one look at Atlanta and that serious expression, and he knew his buddy felt it, too.
* * * *
Nina had to admit there was something to be said about the country. The peacefulness, the quiet, and the acres upon acres of open land, along with the lone, large house with the wide wrap-around porch, were breathtaking. She glanced around the porch and saw the large boots and what appeared to be a thick walking stick, carved out of wood then polished shiny and smooth. She wondered if one of the men had made it. This was their home, their place to separate from their duty as soldiers of our country and soldiers of the mob. She gulped down a lump of emotions. She was in over her head. She didn’t have a soul to trust, and that hurt and made her feel lonelier than ever before.
The American Soldier Collection 14: Baby Love (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 4
