by Vi Carter
I do as he says. He approaches the table with a bowl of porridge. I’m staring at the white oats.
“Isn’t that an Irish breakfast?”
My head snaps up, and I hate that I told him so much about me. “I’m fine. I’m not hungry.”
His jaw clenches at my answer. I love porridge. My mam made the best porridge in the world. I push the bowl away, the smell raising too many memories that I had forgotten about. Lucca doesn’t step away but pushes the bowl back in front of me.
“I want you to eat, Evie. You look pale.”
My heart races as I glare up at him. “I don’t want it.”
I’m waiting for him to lose his temper and smash the bowl or force the food down my throat, but instead, he moves away from me and gets himself a bowl of porridge. He sits down and starts to eat it. He doesn’t put any sugar or milk on it.
His face twists at the heavy taste, but he doesn’t stop eating it. The smell continues to surround me, and my stomach grumbles. Lucca’s gaze swings towards me.
“You can’t eat porridge like that.”
He stops eating, waiting for me to continue.
“You need milk and sugar.” I drop his gaze and stare into my own bowl. “A dessert spoon of sugar and cover it with milk.” I frown as pain burns my throat.
“I’ll put sugar and milk on mine if you eat.”
I exhale before looking up at Lucca. Was he trying to show me kindness? “No.”
His jaw clenches, but he doesn’t say anything as someone steps into the kitchen.
“He is here.”
I glance over my shoulder at the deep voice as his security man leaves the kitchen.
When I face Lucca, he isn’t looking at me. Instead, he scoops up another spoon of porridge before leaving the table.
The front door opens, and male voices travel all the way to the kitchen table. Footsteps move closer. My spine is rod straight, and I flinch when a large warm hand touches my shoulder.
“The doctor is here to assess you.” Lucca’s voice doesn’t give away anything. I glance at him, and he removes his hand from my shoulder.
I’m in a trance as I follow Lucca to a room where a man in his sixties waits for me. I’m pausing at the door.
“Don’t be nervous. It won’t hurt.” His smile curls back over his white false teeth. I take another look at Lucca, but he isn’t watching me.
I don’t know what I’m waiting for. The sky to fall around my feet? Or for Lucca to tell the doctor that this isn’t necessary? Neither happens. Instead, the door closes behind me, and when I turn around, I’m alone with the doctor. The bastard left me.
“Why don’t you lie down.” I turn back to the doctor who’s bent over his bag, taking out instruments to check for my innocence.
I move to the bed, wondering why I am going along with this. I lie down.
He turns to me as he puts gloves on. His lips curl across his pearly whites again. “Don’t be nervous.”
My heart is ready to come out of my chest as I tug up my long skirt as he instructs.
“You’ll have to remove your underwear, also.” I don’t know why this felt more humiliating than it ever has. We get checked regularly, so this shouldn’t bother me, but it does.
“Evie.” The doctor’s voice has me unclenching my fists and pushing my panties down my legs. Slipping them off, I hold them as I lie back. My legs are spread, and he gives me one final smile that’s meant to be encouraging.
I close my eyes, and I’m ready to laugh when I hear his small “Oh.”
The cold instrument has me stiffening. It’s always been uncomfortable, but the pain from last night resurfaces, and my eyes snap open.
It takes me a moment, and I even tilt my head.
“Oh.” The doctor repeats. “You’re not a virgin.” His words should shake me to the core, but I can’t look away from Lucca as he steps right up behind the doctor, who’s oblivious to him.
I’m ready to scream when Lucca’s gaze clashes with mine, and at the same time, he runs the blade across the doctor’s throat. Blood sprays from the doctor’s throat and pours down the front of his shirt.
A siren blares, and the sound morphs into sobs that I realize are coming from me.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
LUCCA
Her screams continue as I release the doctor, his blood pooling between her legs. Horror takes over her stunning features, but I’m listening for the footfalls of my men.
“What the…” Two words, I allow two words to leave his mouth before turning and slicing his throat. His large hands instantly go to the wound. Blood that can’t be stopped pours between his fingers, and he crumbles to his knees with a look of shock that dies on his face as he gurgles for the last time.
I step over his body as the second member of staff storms into the room with his gun drawn. He’s not looking at me, but around me, he’s looking for the threat.
It’s almost too easy as I move and, in one swift movement, remove the gun from his hand before running the knife across his throat. He doesn’t expect it, and the look of shock and confusion mars his face. Instead of grabbing his wound, his hands reach out, and he clings to me as he slowly makes his way to the ground.
Evie is still screaming when Pavel enters the room. He doesn’t march in with his gun drawn. He knew what would happen here. He's quick with the needle as he marks the three dead men behind the ear, just like all the security on the ship.
Cleaning the knife, I place it back in its pouch on the band of my trousers before turning fully to Evie.
I reach out my hand, and she blinks rapidly. “We have to leave.”
At my words, her gaze snaps up to me, and I can see she doesn’t want to, but she takes my hand, and I pull her off the blood-soaked bed. We didn’t have time to clean her up, and she doesn’t ask any questions. Shock has silenced her as I lead her from the house and to the waiting car, where Lenny awaits. Pavel follows behind, and once he’s in the driver’s seat, we leave my home.
I had Anita leave last night when I decided that Evie would remain with me. I would not give her back. She’s trembling beside me, and I pull her into my side, she’s pushing me away as she sobs, and I drag her closer.
“Don’t fight me,” I speak softly in her ear, and she stops struggling. Her tears dry up, and she slowly looks up at me.
“Why…” She’s shaking her head in disgust. Her pale skin has me dragging her closer to me, and with one hand, I push her head to my shoulder. She doesn’t resist, but her stiff posture tells me she doesn’t want to be here with me.
Why? Why did I just kill two of my own men and Igor’s doctor to keep her safe? Because the thought of handing her over became too much. I tighten my hold on her, not fully understanding the want she stirs in me. Last night when I took her without remorse, I knew I couldn’t let her go, I had marked her, making her mine.
“It will look like the same men who attacked the ship came to the house for you.”
Evie tries to move her head, but I keep my hand on it, keeping her in place. I’m not ready for any more of her questions. This territory I have entered is new to me.
“Igor will think they have taken you.” That thought has me wanting to hold her tighter, but I’m already holding her too tight.
“What do you think he will do when he discovers you betrayed him?” Evie’s angry words have me releasing her head.
She won’t look at me, so I tip her head back. “I told you already, Evie…” I run my finger down her cheek. “I have no fear of Igor.”
Tears refill Evie’s eyes. “What are you going to do with me?”
“Are you not happy that I didn’t allow the doctor to take you? Isn’t this what you wanted?”
The pulse in her neck becomes visible.
Lenny is sitting on the opposite side of Evie. His gaze is focused on the headrest of the passenger seat. His tense posture annoys me. I glance back down at Evie, who’s watching me.
“Isn’t this why you taunted me last
night?”
Color leaks slowly into her cheeks, and I like the color. She’s too pale right now.
“Yes.” She blinks, and tears fall. I pull her back into my side as Pavel continues to Nicolai’s house.
We arrive, and I feel relief at seeing Nicolai waiting at the door for us. His own security team fans around the property, but I know I’m safe with him. We kept each other alive in prison.
Evie remained quiet the rest of the journey, but now as she looks out the window and up at Nicolai’s home, she speaks. “Where are we?” More fear fills her voice.
I don’t answer her but look at Lenny. “Go ahead. Tell Nicolai to give me a moment.” Lenny gets out, and I meet Pavel’s gaze in the rear-view mirror. I nod at him. And he turns off the ignition and gets out too, leaving Evie and me alone.
Panic takes over her features, and I have to drag her gaze back to me by holding her chin.
“You have nothing to fear.”
“I know.” The lie from her trembling mouth has my lips twitching.
“You have nothing to fear, Evie,” I repeat, and she frowns.
I want to say more, but she’s not ready to hear any more words from me. I release her chin and get out of the car. Holding the door open, she climbs out.
Nicolai is still at the door; he doesn’t remark on Evie’s bloody appearance. Instead, he smiles at her like we are here for dinner.
The moment I reach him, I pull him into a hug, and he laughs.
“Thanks, brother.” I release him.
“Come in.”
I step into his home and wait for a dazed-looking Evie to move past the threshold.
“I have a room ready for you. Mila left some of her clothes for Evie.”
“Mila’s not here?” I ask. I didn’t exactly care, but for Evie, it could have given her some comfort.
“No, she’s spending the weekend with her father.”
I try not to grin at his words.
“Don’t start.” Nicolai closes the door before leading us to our room. Clothes are lined out on the bed. Evie stands staring at them.
“Do you want to shower?”
She exhales before turning to me. “Yeah, a shower sounds nice.” Her lips still tremble. “Alone.” She adds quickly. Nicolai is at the door, but he hasn’t entered. I didn’t want to leave Evie, but maybe some time to take in what happened would ease some of her shock.
I don’t tell her not to try to run. She wouldn’t get past the front door in Nicolai’s home.
I leave her, and I can see so many questions in Nicolai’s gaze. Once we enter his lounge area, he pours us both a shot of vodka. I sit down and knock mine back before holding up the glass. He refills it, and I drink it down. I decline a third shot.
“I would ask you if she’s worth it, but I understand.” Nicolai sits down across from me. “I was the same with Mila.”
I didn’t believe this was the same thing, but I don’t correct Nicolai.
“I need to find The Torpedo. I need to know for certain if Igor is involved in all this.”
Nicolai takes another shot of Vodka, keeping the bottle beside him. “You do know that Igor is a Boyevik.”
I’m sitting forward. “No, I didn’t know that.”
Nicolai smiles. “Yes, he’s a soldier for the Brigadier.”
I sit back. That wasn’t good. “But no one knows who the Brigadiers are.”
There were two Brigadiers, and they paid tribute to the boss. No one knew who the Brigadiers were or who the boss was. That way, it kept them safe.
Igor was only a soldier, so he ran all the special activities for the Brigadier. That meant Igor knew who the Brigadier was. No wonder I never knew he was a soldier. Men would cut his throat for the Brigadier’s identity.
Nicolai takes another shot of vodka.
“You want to tell me how you knew Igor was a soldier?”
Nicolai smiles again, and this time I don’t think I will find out how he knows that valuable bit of information.
“You have leverage.” Nicolai stands and takes the bottle of vodka with him. He slowly places the cap back on it before putting it back on the stand. “So threaten Igor. He will let Evie go when you tell him you know who he is.”
Nicolai was right, and I should take this. But it wasn’t enough. “I don’t just want Evie.”
Nicolai returns to the couch. “Brother.” He tilts his head. “Leave the Torpedo alone. Let sleeping dogs lie.”
I give a half-laugh. “When have I ever let sleeping dogs lie?” I twirl the glass in my hand. “There are six other girls that I want back. Then I will let the dogs get all the fucking sleep they want.”
Nicolai isn’t smiling, and I don’t want to end on a bad note with him.
“If you’re stuck for another groomsman, Pavel looks good in a suit.”
He still doesn’t smile.
“I have to find him,” I say, holding Nicolai’s gaze.
“I haven’t heard anything,” Nicolai finally says.
I stand up, ready to get back to Evie. “I have Nev on the job.”
Nicolai raises both eyebrows. “Impressive. How do you know him?”
“From Camp.” Nicolai knew how I grew up. He knew the training I had. “I better check on Evie.”
Nicolai gets up too. “You want something for your face.”
“It’s not that bad,” I say.
He grins. “Suit yourself. Don’t be a martyr.”
I laugh. “Me, a martyr?”
His grin relaxes me, and I leave him to check on Evie. I don’t expect her to welcome me with open arms, but I also don’t expect to enter an empty room.
She couldn’t have gotten far. I’m ready to turn around when I hear her breathing in the room. I pause like I wasn’t going to leave but close the door.
“I can hear you breathing,” I speak to the door before turning around. She doesn’t respond, and I stay where I am.
“You’re afraid. Your breathing is harsh and fast. Anyone could find you, Evie. You need to slow your heart rate down. You need to relax.” I take a step into the room and pause. She’s to my left. There’s a large white freestanding wardrobe that she must be behind. Her breathing hasn’t slowed down. If anything, I think she’s getting louder.
“I told you in the car you have nothing to fear.”
“You hurt me.” Her words come from behind the wardrobe, just like I guessed.
I shrug out of my black jacket. “You wanted me to.”
She steps out, my words igniting her temper like I knew they would. “I didn’t want you to hurt me.”
“Then you shouldn’t have provoked me.” I start to unbutton my shirt.
“I don’t want you to touch me again.” Her lip trembles. She’s showered and changed into fresh clothes. Her long dark hair is still wet around her shoulders. The navy summer dress is tight on her bust area but flows down her long legs.
She’s really a beauty. I continue unbuttoning my shirt. “I won’t. I never touched you without your permission.” I remind her.
“I know.” It’s the first time her voice has sounded real since I entered the room. Her shoulders relax slightly, but not completely.
The phone in my pocket buzzes, and I take it out.
An address pops up from Nev’s. He’s still typing.
Where the Torpedo is and the man with the tattoos.
This was why he was the best. Nev continues to type. It’s his bank account details.
Wire the money in the next 2 hours, or I’ll alert them you’re coming.
I look up as Evie steps closer. “What are you smiling at?” She’s trying to see the screen of my phone.
“Just a friend making a joke.” I quickly type back. I know you wouldn’t double-cross me.
I switch screens as I walk to the bed and wire the money to his bank from mine.
Try me.
I close the message window. He’ll realize in a few minutes that he has been paid.
“I found the man who has the
girls.”
Evie moves around the bed, so she’s standing directly in front of me. I focus on taking off my shoes, so I don’t reach out for her.
“I thought they were with Igor?”
“Me too. But Igor was lying about having the girls.”
Evie moves and sits down beside me. I don’t think she’s aware of what she’s doing since only moments ago she looked at me with fear and disgust.
“So what happens now?”
I remove my other shoe. “Now, I’m going for a shower.” I stand up and take off my shirt. I like the look that sparks in Evie's eyes. I haven’t lost her completely. I wasn’t sure if that’s what I was trying to do last night, brand her or lose her. Her words had taken me to a dark place. I’m looking down at her. Her lids flutter closed, so I can’t see the attraction in her eyes. I kneel down so she can’t avoid my gaze. “Then I’m going to find the girls.”
Hope fills her blue eyes. She swallows a mountain of emotions. “And then?” It’s a fearful whisper, and when I reach up to touch her face, she flinches away, and I let my hand drop.
“Let me find them first.” I rise, and once again, I have the urge to touch her, but I keep good on my word and leave her as I shower.
I don’t take long, and I’m hyper-aware of Evie moving around in the bedroom. I also don’t trust her to be alone for long.
Once I get out, her pacing stops.
“Will you let them go?” She appears at the bathroom door, but her flustered gaze darts around the space before she turns her back on my naked form.
I pick up a towel and start to dry. “Where would they go?”
Evie half glances at me over her shoulder before turning away again. “To their families.”
Would Evie run back to hers the moment she got the chance? I let that question slip away before it took root and developed into a poisonous thought that had me going down a dark path.
“I’m not making any promises,” I finally say, but I already know what I will do. The only way to free Evie is to free all of them. If she is the only one missing, my story would never stand.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
LUCCA
