by Raven Rivers
She expected to get a big monologue about how he was not her private security company and had better things to do with his time than babysit kids. However, Tony got on his cell phone and her father was in the building within twenty minutes.
She sighed, showing them to the security office. Since her mother was the medical director, her sister was on staff, and her father sat on the board of directors, the security team thought nothing of them asking to review security footage. They discovered a tall blonde getting into a van. Several men were with her and one had his hand on her arm. Tilting her head, Cassandra rewound the footage and watched again. It was difficult to tell if the man was coercing her to get into the van or if they were together. They were talking and the woman wasn’t freaking out, but that hand on her arm almost suggested she was at least being guided into the van. “I can’t tell if she going of her own accord or being forced. What do you think?”
Tony stiffened in his seat. “Well, she sure a fuck ain’t here with her kid.”
Her father’s gravelly voice cut in. “We must assume that even if she went willing, she is now being held against her will. No mother would abandon their small child in a hospital.”
This was turning into a clusterfuck quicker than any situation she had ever found herself in. Somehow, she’d been expecting a light security detail or a gray-haired caregiver to be brought in to sit with the child. She hadn’t imagined in her wildest nightmares it would turn into Tony, her father, and a what appeared to be an abduction of some sort.
Her father and brother looked grim. She knew the look. It was reserved for situations where people got rubbed out in her world. She felt some panic rising in her gut.
“I don’t suppose I can get away without knowing this time, so just spit it out. What could be worse than her possibly being abducted?”
Her father was the one who answered. His voice was rough, like a person who had smoked his whole life. “Cassandra, the child’s last name Balakovich.”
“I know that. I’m her surgeon, after all.”
“The child belongs to Viktor Balakovich.”
It suddenly hit her like a ton of bricks, panic growing right along with the understanding. God, she had known that, but for some reason it hadn’t clicked. She shook her head, as if denial would make it not so.
Her father’s gruff voice raked over her. “Her mother went missing from the parking garage of Mercy Medical. Everyone knows I am on the board of directors, your mother is the medical director, and that you and your sister are on staff here. And there’s more.”
Cassandra held up her hand. “Enough, Father, I don’t want to know anymore. Can you or can’t you locate her mother somehow?”
She searched his face and found only annoyance. He shook his head. “Don’t worry. We’ll find her, hopefully before Balakovich arrives.”
She whispered, “Why would he think someone was out to get her?”
Tony’s sarcastic voice cut into the conversation. “I don’t know. Maybe because he’s a powerful Russian mobster, his daughter is in our territory, and his wife just came up missing for no apparent reason.”
Swallowing down her anxiety, Cassandra forced herself to calm down and think rationally. “The only thing that would make this situation worse is letting something happen to the child. I didn’t just save her life so some crazy criminals could abduct her to get leverage over her father. If he’s half as dangerous as his reputation would suggest, we do not need the kind of problems that he would bring to our doorstep.”
Her father’s face morphed in an instant. He looked more irritated than angry or frightened. “Don’t worry, none of us are quite that stupid. When can she be discharged? She would be easier to protect if she were not in such a public place.”
They were sitting on a powder keg. The last thing she needed was mob infighting at Mercy Medical. There were too many innocent people around, not the least of which was the child. It was picking the lesser of two evils time. Cassandra couldn’t even believe she was contemplating what she was.
“If I go with her, she could be discharged today. She just needs to be monitored by someone who’s familiar with her case. However, I don’t know if Viktor will even approve of her leaving the hospital.”
Her father looked stern, but it was Tony who spoke. “So, we’re on a first name basis with a Russian mobster now, are we, Cassandra?”
She seriously didn’t like her sibling’s smirk. He was supposed to be the one to bring the drama down, not the one throwing fuel on the flames.
Her father’s gruff voice cut through the silence. “Pack a medical bag. Include everything you could conceivably need for the child until she is fully recovered. We’ll stash her out of the way, at our place in Aspen. She can sit by the fireplace and play with Sparky till her father arrives.”
“Her father might not approve of that idea.”
“To hell with what he wants. If you want to keep her alive, this is the way.”
“Don’t you think this is just a little bit of an overkill? I should have just handled this myself.”
Before the older man could answer, they were distracted from their disagreement by a commotion in the hallway. They went out to find several Russian…businessmen in the hallway leading to the child’s room. Tony’s men were…conversing with them.
Cassandra approached quickly, hoping to head off a scene. The nursing staff were already beginning to take notice of the number of men around. Then again, that could have just been because they were mostly young, gorgeous, and well dressed. They were more likely to be taken for yuppie businessmen than hired thugs.
“Gentlemen, can I help you?”
One of the men stepped forward. Just when she thought he was going to speak, he stepped forward yet again, right into her personal space. When he looked down at her, his eyes were cold and filled with hate. It was all she could do not to back away like a frightened child. His hands were covered in tattoos and she could see a tattoo of a spider crawling up his neck towards a stylized Cyrillic symbol. The web had lots of little knots. She instinctively knew each knot was a human life he’d taken on his rise up the ranks. It sent a shiver up her spine and steeled her resolve in dealing with him.
“My name is Ivan Issiak. I am here to pick up…my niece.” The slight hesitation told her his coldly spoken words were a blatant lie.
Cassandra had no intention of taking any chances with her little charge. She squared her shoulders and clicked into professional mode. “I’m terribly sorry. There has to be some kind of mistake. I spoke to the child’s father just a couple of hours ago. His instructions were quite clear. I’ve been instructed to hold on to the child because he is on his way to pick her up.”
She saw the other man’s jaw set into a firm line. He was quiet for a brief moment before speaking in a lowered voice. “I do not believe a woman like yourself would wish to involve herself in such matters.”
“A women such as myself? I’m a doctor, therefore my first responsibility is to my patient.”
“I meant no disrespect. A fine, upstanding professional such as yourself has much to lose coming between…opposing forces beyond your control.”
He was insinuating the situation was mob related, between two Russian factions. Wondering where her brother was, she looked up to find he’d cleared the area of hospital staff. Her father was monitoring the situation with his hand on his gun. Turning on the Russian, she spat, “Look, mister, I didn’t save her little life just so you could use her as bait in some conflict with her father. You’ll have to figure out some other way to get him.”
“I think the Nash family is far too used to getting their own way. The world is always changing, Dr. Nash. Old alliances shift, making room for new and more powerful interests or they get torn down. Think carefully about your next words, for they will seal your fate in that regard.”
Stepping back, she crossed her arms over her chest. “So, all I have to do in order to stay safe is hand you a sick child? I think not, Mr. Iss
iak.”
Cassandra took a brief look down the hall at the child sitting in her hospital bed. “The child isn’t going anywhere without her physician, and I’ve decided to stick with the devil I know. You’ll not be walking out of here with my patient.”
She couldn’t believe how easily the words spilled from her lips. Jesus, this was a bit of ridiculous, high drama. Her life was taking a sharp spiral downward, not that she could probably stop it at this point.
The man took a step back and looked at her. He glanced down the hallway, to the open door. The child sat on the bed, playing with a doll. Cassandra’s jaw tightened as she realized that her father had brought additional men on top of her brother’s crew.
As they looked down the hall, each of the men pulled open their well-tailored suit to quickly flash a semi-automatic handgun. The child looked down the hall, and Cassandra’s eyes got big. Each of the men holding open their suit jackets turned around, held up their hand, and waved to the child. She smiled and went back to playing.
Cassandra let out a relieved breath as she realized the child was getting the back view and would not have been able to see any weapons. Thanking God for small favors, there were also no hospital staff observing. The Russians left as quickly as they arrived.
Cassandra didn’t like this situation one little bit, but she couldn’t take a chance on the child turning up missing as well, especially after promising she would keep her safe. Cassandra’s cell phone rang. It was Viktor and the man was in a panic.
“What’s going on there? I just got a call that a bunch of Russian mobsters and a bunch of Italian mobsters are having a standoff in the hospital.”
Her first thought was how the hell did he know what was going on halfway around the world in real time? Cassandra replied nervously, “Ivan Issiak is what happened. He said you sent them to get the child.”
His voice was dripping with fear. “He is one man alive who poses the most danger to my family. Tell me you didn’t give them my little girl.”
She turned, walked into an empty room, pressed her back to the wall, and slid down to sit on the floor. Shoving her lab coat aside, she rubbed her aching chest. This day was taking a toll on her.
Her voice was exasperated. “Viktor, I’m not a freaking idiot. I’m a doctor. I didn’t save your daughter’s life just to hand her over to a bunch of damned Russian mobsters.”
His voice was serious, but still tinged with fear. “But you called in the Italian mob. I should have known you would do that…being who you are. God only knows what I will have to do to get her back from them.”
Anxiously twirling her finger around one loose shoe string, Cassandra sighed. “I’m only involved in this whole situation because of you. You are the one who asked me to keep her safe. How did you imagine a woman like me could possibly pull that off? I fix broken hearts for a living, Viktor. I do not carry a gun. So yes, I called my family. I don’t like getting them involved any more than you do. However, you asked me to keep her safe and I’m doing my very best here.”
His voice softened a bit. “So you have my daughter, Cassandra? Not the Italian mob?”
Cassandra decided honesty was the best for everyone in this situation. “Look, Viktor, I really like your daughter, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to her. But you need to understand that my world is very complex. When you get here, don’t trust anyone…I mean anyone. Your wife turned up missing and I’ve got no idea what happened to her. My best guess is the Russians who showed up here today took her. Though this is his territory, my father has no idea what happened to her. I could see the truth of it on his face when we spoke about it. He’s not involved in whatever’s going on here. He’s only here because I called him.”
He murmured darkly, “It is all Ivan. If he’s is trying to start a mob war, he’s off to a very good start.”
“Look, my family will keep your daughter safe. Don’t light the fuse on your end until you get her back. I don’t want your child in the middle of whatever’s going on between you and Ivan.” Sighing loudly, she rested her head on the wall. “Just come and get her. Sooner would be better than later, Viktor.”
His voice relaxed a tiny bit. “She’s not my wife. She’s my ex-wife. I’m sorry to say if Ivan thinks to get to me through her, then he is sadly mistaken.”
“I think he took her to get to Viktorija, because he knows he can get to you through your innocent little daughter. Be careful. Like I said, don’t trust anyone. And for crying out loud, bring men with guns to protect you when you parley with my family. They’re no more trustworthy than Ivan when it comes to you.”
“Cassandra, Cassandra, Cassandra. You are like a gift from the gods for me in this situation. Do you know that?” His voice was deep and rumbling, sending a thrill right up her spine.
She whispered, “This is a serious situation, so you will need to stop doing that.”
“Doing what?”
She sighed. “Seducing me with your voice.”
His voice turned sultry. “Glad to know you find my voice seductive, Cassandra. I will see you soon…very soon. Have my daughter ready when I arrive.”
“Do not worry, we’ll get through this.”
“Who are trying to convince, me or you?”
It was a good question, and one she refused to answer. offending the call, she leaned her had back again for a brief moment. God, how did she get mixed up in this situation? This was very unlike her to stick her neck out this way. It was that crazy Russian mobster and his deep baritone. He was turning her into his puppet on a string, and she didn’t like it one bit.
Chapter 4
Twenty-Seven-Year-Old Virgin
~ Cassandra ~
She immediately went to her office, grabbed a bag, and packed everything she could possibly need for the child. She also grabbed supplies to treat wounds, the likes of which her family was famous for receiving and inflicting. She stuffed her pack full and headed for the pediatric nursing station. A few minutes later she had written a discharge order and then went to the child’s room.
She called Viktor. “How far away are you?”
“They are replacing a part on my private jet. They were not expecting to transport me today. The soonest I can be there is twenty-three more hours.”
Cassandra responded, “It’s not safe for her to be here. We are very exposed in such a public place. Also, it’s not safe for the other children to have so many men with guns around. Do you understand?”
His voice was tight and angry. “You do not have my permission to move her.”
“Be reasonable, Viktor. My family has a large and relatively isolated cabin in Aspen. I am sending you a digital file with the location and a layout of the house. My space has always been the attic. I would like to take your daughter there. I’ll go with her, monitor her physical condition, and take care of her. I’ll keep her safe, I promise.”
Grudgingly, he acquiesced. “I will arrange a car and security from Timur’s operation.”
“You are one stubborn man.”
“She’s my daughter and therefore mine to protect.” Some of the fight had gone out of his voice, like he understood the futility of his own argument.
“The thing is, your little one needs me to look after her and there is no way on God’s green earth my father is going to let Timur’s men take me. I’m sure he thinks at least some of the those were Timur’s men outside a minute ago.”
“I checked. They were not.”
“The bottom line is we’re getting dragged into your shit, not vice versa.”
“Trust me, this I already know.”
“Let me handle this, Viktor. My family will ensure absolutely no one goes up into our space. Trust me, they’re extremely good at protecting me.” She paused briefly before admitting, “They’ve been doing it all my life.” Her voice was low and embarrassed.
He teased, “I’ll just bet they have. Did they chase away all your boyfriends, Cassandra?”
Hot anger flared through her
chest. “None of your business, mister nosey pants.”
Rumbling laughter drifted over the line. “I’m speaking a second language and better at trading insults than you are. I will bet none of the boys got within ten kilometers of you when you were growing up.”
“Can we get back on task? We’ve got big problems here. Now is not the time for flirting, Viktor.”
She heard him sigh. “I know. With you, I almost cannot help myself. But you are correct. For now, I have a much rougher task in hand, than to driving liking to the name of love.”
Her anger fell away completely. “I love Shakespeare. ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ is one of my favorites.
He replied, “Mine too.”
Cassandra whispered, “Viktor, I…umm…never mind.”
He responded warmly. “I…umm…you too, Cassandra.”
She immediately chastised him. “You have just lost name privileges. My name sounds entirely too nice rolling off your tongue.”
Deep, masculine laughter filler her ears. “Fine, take my daughter with you to Aspen. But be warned, when I come, I might just take you both home with me.”
Cassandra’s voice suddenly became panicked. “Don’t even joke about something like that, Viktor. You’d have a mob war on your hands, the likes of which you have never seen.”
His casual response stunned her. “You might be worth it, little one.”
She almost shouted, “Trust me, I’m not worth it…in no way, shape, or form.”
Shoving off the floor, she walked back to the child’s room and handed her the phone. She could hear Viktor explaining that she was going on vacation with her doctor for a day or two.
She turned to find her brother standing in the doorway, staring at her with a strange little smirk on his face.
“Stalker. Stop lurking around, listening to my phone calls. God, I feel like we’re ten again sometimes.”
Tony’s eyes were fully of mischievous humor as he spoke. “And here I was all worried about telling our folks that I proposed to a stripper. I was planning to just show up with her for dinner on Sunday, but now, I think I’ll hold off. It’ll be fun to watch them freak totally out when they realize you have the hots for a Russian mobster who lives in another country. My little sweet vixen will seem tame by comparison.”
