Chapter 17

Tori

I can hardly keep my eyes open. I'm so weak that everything feels heavy and even the simplest of movements are too hard. I've decided this is how I will die. Vladimir hasn't returned in days, leaving me in the hands of Nik and Vivian, and neither of those bother to feed me, only occasionally dropping me scraps of bread and a few mouthfuls of water. So, maybe Vladimir made his decision and he's giving me a slow, painful death.

In the quieter times, I picture Dmitry and how he will look holding our child. It crosses my mind that Vladimir may keep me until the baby is born and then kill me and hand my child over to Vivian and Dmitry to raise.

My darker thoughts take me to worse places, like wondering if hell is real and whether that's where I'll go for what I did to Marcus. The thought of seeing him again makes me pray there is no afterlife and I'll just slip away into oblivion.

Nik shifts from his slumber in the corner, and I squint, trying to work out if he's moving or still sleeping. A minute passes and I hear another sound . . . tapping maybe? Nik must hear it too because he sits quickly, probably afraid Vladimir has returned. The tapping sounds again, and this time, he growls in annoyance. "Jesus, Vivian, why can't you ever remember your fucking key?" he spits, and I hear him march over to the door and unlock it.

There's a scuffle, and for a second, I think I hear Marshall's voice, but my mind's played that trick one too many times, so I allow my eyes to drift closed again.

"Dmitry?" It's Nik who says the name, and my eyes open again but still they're unfocussed. I try and push up to sit slightly, turning my head in the direction of the door, making out three shadows.

"Victoria?" Dmitry's voice sounds pained as my heart speeds up, praying to God it's really him. It's only when I'm pulled against a hard chest and I inhale the scent of his spicy aftershave that I begin to shake uncontrollably.

"Dmitry," I whisper, gripping his jacket in my weak fist.

"I'm here, my krasota . You're safe." I feel his kisses against my hair, and then he pulls back slightly. "Marshall, don't kill him. That's my job," he barks. "Bring some water," he adds. He cups my face in his hands, and my eyes focus on his worried expression. "What have they done to you?" he whispers, stroking his thumbs over my hollow cheeks.

Marshall appears over his shoulder, smiling with relief. "Told you I'd come for you," he says.

"Give her the water," Dmitry tells Marshall as he releases my face and steps back. My hand falls into my lap, and Marshall lifts me to sit against the wall.

He kneels before me and places a bottle to my lips, tipping it slightly so I can sip the water. I grip it, tipping it some more and greedily sucking down the contents. Marshall takes it away. "Not so fast, Tori. Take your time or you'll vomit."

I stare past him to see Nik sitting on the wooden chair in the centre of the room. Dmitry is knelt over a bag, rummaging inside. "How long have I been here?" I whisper, my voice raspy.

"Two weeks," he admits, looking guilty. "We struggled to find your location when we realised you weren't at the hospital." Two weeks! I almost sob because the chances of my baby surviving that are slim to none. "Who else is involved?"

"Vivian," I mutter, "and Vladimir."

"Anyone else?"

I shake my head. "I haven't seen anyone else. Did Dmitry believe you?" I ask, watching as Dmitry tapes Nik's hands behind the chair.

Marshall glances away, and that tells me what I need to know. "He's been lost without you, Tori," he whispers.

"I've been slowly dying without him, Marshall, and he chose to believe his father and Vivian again. They'll always come before me."

"That's not true. He's going to end them all. You haven't seen how angry he is. The second I showed him proof, he didn't even question me."

"He believed I was mad. He had me sectioned without any proof."

"He thought he was doing what was best for you."

I scoff, taking more of the water. "He listened to everyone around him instead of me. They wanted me out the way, and he made it easy for them."

"Let's worry about the details later. You need rest and food and a clear head."

I lean my head back against the wall, watching as Dmitry lays into Nik. Each punch brings me a sick satisfaction.

"I trusted you," Dmitry spits. "You were by my side from the beginning."

"Your father wanted what was best for you," Nik argues, spitting blood onto the ground beside him.

"And you chose to betray me and help him? How long have you been taking orders from him?"

"From the start," yells Nik angrily. "Because your father couldn't trust you to do right by him or the families."

"So, every deal, every transaction, you've run by him behind my back?"

"It was for your own good," Nik mutters, wincing when Dmitry punches him in the stomach.

"That's how he knew about Victoria?" Dmitry guesses, hitting him in the face.

"She was supposed to be a quick distraction, Dmitry. You weren't supposed to fall in love. The families can't rely on you to deliver leadership with a whore by your side."

It's enough to send Dmitry into a frenzy of punches, each one delivered with careful precision, causing Nik to grunt over and over until his head falls back and blood drips from his nose and mouth.

Dmitry removes metal from his fists, and I realise he's been wearing knuckle dusters the whole time. Good . Nik deserves it . He takes a knife from the bag and his eyes briefly meet mine before he sticks the blade into Nik's stomach, dragging it up slowly. Nik suddenly wakes, screaming in pain, and Dmitry slams his fist into his face, knocking him clean out again.

Blood pours onto the ground, splattering between Nik's feet, and then something heavier falls from him and I realise his guts have spilled out, hanging precariously between his legs.

Dmitry drops the knife and staggers my way. He falls to his knees and grips my face in his bloodied hands. "I'll burn the world for you, krasota . I am so sorry."

Tears balance on my lower lashes as he gently kisses me.

"We need to go," Marshall tells him, squeezing Dmitry's shoulder. "Cleanup is on the way, and we need a plan before Vivian or your father returns here."

Dmitry nods, standing and scooping me into his arms. I'd protest if I thought I had the strength to walk, but I don't and so I rest my head against his chest and enjoy this moment of tenderness.

I must sleep the entire journey home. I only open my eyes as I'm lifted from the car and the manor is looming over us.

Dmitry takes the steps two at a time, rushing me past Marshall and straight upstairs, where he lays me carefully on the bed, like he's terrified I might break.

He disappears into the bathroom, returning a few minutes later naked. "Bath," he mutters as a way of explanation. It's the first time I've seen Dmitry looking unsure and maybe a little lost.

I watch silently as he begins to undress me, giving up when the buttons won't open quick enough for his liking. He rips the material instead, shredding it from my body with complete frustration on his face.

"Did they . . ." He pauses, looking away. "Did they hurt you?"

I shake my head. "Not in that way."

He almost looks relieved as he pulls me into his arms and takes me through to the bathroom. The fresh smell of vanilla fills the steamy air, and it's a reminder I'm safe . . . for now.

Dmitry steps into the warm water, lowering me slowly until I'm settled between his legs with my back to his front. The waterfall tap continues to fill the tub and the bubbles rise, covering my thinning body.

Dmitry takes a sponge and loads it with my favourite body wash. He begins to run light circles over my torso, and I close my eyes, wishing this could have a different ending.

When he's satisfied I'm clean, he begins to rinse my hair, wetting it through and adding shampoo. He massages it into a foam, all the while remaining silent. Once he's rinsed that clean, he adds conditioner, taking the comb from the side and working it through the roots just like he's watched me do many times over.

I wait patiently while he rinses it away, and then I push to stand on unsteady feet and climb out. Taking a fluffy towel from the rack, I wrap my body, enjoying the softness as it warms my skin. I leave the bathroom, closing the door to put some distance between us.

I'm dressed in joggers and a loose T-shirt when Dmitry appears from the bathroom five minutes later. He keeps his eyes trained on me as he rubs his hair with a towel. "You need rest," he says, "and food."

As if by magic, there's a knock at the door, and Dmitry wraps the towel around his waist before pulling it open. "Thank you," he mutters, taking something from whoever is on the other side and closing the door. He places a tray of toast on the bed beside me, and I eye it greedily.

I pick the first piece up and take a large bite, closing my eyes as the salty, buttery goodness hits my tastebuds. It's too good, and I take a second bite before I've even swallowed the first.

"We'll also need to have you checked by the doctor," he continues, stepping into the wardrobe and returning in shorts. I'm not used to seeing him so casual and I almost smile. "You and the baby." I stop chewing and stare at him. He knows . "Why didn't you tell me, Victoria?"

I almost laugh in his face. "When?" I ask, dropping the half-eaten slice back on the plate. "Should I have slipped it in while you were signing the paperwork to send me to the nut house that didn't even fucking exist?"

"It wasn't like that," he mutters, placing his hands on his hips and staring down at the floor.

"Or when you were waving me off, Dmitry?"

"Eat," he whispers. "We'll talk later."

"You realise I was never sick, right?" I snap. "They made you believe that."

"I'm starting to catch up, yeah."

"You believed them over me," I yell, tears sliding down my cheeks.

"Some of the things you did," he shakes his head, "it was easy to believe them, Victoria."

Dmitry

There's a knock at the door and I pull it open, welcoming the interruption. Marshall stands on the other side looking worried, and I glance back to Victoria, who's wiping her eyes angrily. "I have to deal with this," I tell her. "We'll talk when you've rested."

"Sure," she mutters, rolling her eyes.

We head downstairs to my office. "How is she?" he asks.

"Angry," I tell him, "as she should be. I let her down."

"She'll calm down. Give her time."

I sit behind my desk and scrub my hands over my tired face. "So, that's two down," I tell him. "Two to go."

"Looks that way. Tori said there was no one else who came to the house, and they didn't talk about anyone else being involved. What's the plan?"

I crack my knuckles. "I want them to think I don't know," I say, and he frowns. "I can't just wipe my father out without the families' agreement. To get that, I'll need to prove I'm worthy of stepping into his shoes with no disruption to them or their income."

"Will they agree after what Nik said?"

"Yes, I'm confident they will when I tell them how much business and money I can bring their way."

"That's all they care about," he agrees. "And Vivian?"

"She's going to pay," I say, feeling the familiar burn of anger.

"So, what will you tell them? They'll begin to wonder what's happened when they find her missing."

I smile, taking out my mobile. I call my father, and he answers on the second ring. "Dmitry?"

"Are you with Vivian?" I ask.

"Yes. Why?"

"I have some good news. Victoria is home."

There's silence on the other end, and I can't help but smile. "Erm, that's . . . how? Have the doctors released her?"

"No," I tell him. "There was a plot twist in the story."

"Oh?"

"Nik took her."

I'm met with more silence before he clears his throat and says, "I don't understand."

"Well, it's clear, isn't it? He wanted her out the way."

"He did?"

"Maybe he planned to take me down next. Maybe he needed me weak. Either way, he's dead."

"What?" he barks.

"Should I have let him live?" I ask. "He almost killed Victoria."

"And is she . . . how is she?"

"She's very unwell."

"Is she able to talk? Has she told you what happened?"

"No, she's too weak, and the doctors have put her into an induced coma."

"Will she be alright?"

"They don't know. I'll update you when I know more. Are you able to hold the fort with regard to Vivian and the club?"

"Of course. Consider it done."

I disconnect, and Marshall smiles. "Do you plan to keep Victoria hidden?"

"For now."

"How do you think she'll take that?"

I shrug, remembering the way she looked at me with so much distrust and anger. "It's to keep her safe."

Marshall turns at the sound of footsteps, and we spot Victoria holding a large bag. He heads out of the office, and I follow. "What's going on?" he asks her.

She avoids my eyes and my heart sinks. "Can you give us a moment?" she asks Marshall.

He glances at me, and I nod. He heads for the kitchen, leaving us alone.

"You should be resting," I tell her, reaching for the bag. She takes a step back. "Victoria, what is this?"

"I've had a lot of time to think," she whispers, keeping her eyes to the ground. "I'm tired of this," she admits. "I can't keep competing with them."

"Victoria," I say, my tone warning. I feel the panic building because I can read her like a damn book. If her eyes were filled with that familiar fire, I could handle this situation, but instead, they're full of hurt and pain, and I know this is going to end badly.

"It's just too hard to be with you, Dmitry."

"We're having a child."

" I'm having a child," she says, finally bringing her eyes to meet mine. "And if you love me at all, you'll stay away from us both."

My heart twists painfully in my chest. I begin shaking my head, my mind scrambling for the words to stop her leaving, but I can see in her eyes she's made her mind up. "It's not safe for you out there."

"It's not safe here either."

"Vivian and my father are still out there and they're still a threat."

"Not if I leave," she says, taking a few more steps towards the door.

"You're not thinking straight," I tell her.

"There you go again," she mutters, "thinking you know my mind. I'm thinking clearly, Dmitry. For once, I'm seeing things very clearly. I've had two weeks without you crowding me and making my decisions."

"You're safer here for now," I try, mirroring each step she takes.

"Who are you trying to kid?" she yells. "I'm safe when I'm not with you."

"That's not true. I'm going to end my father and Vivian for what they did."

"Don't do that on my account," she mutters, reaching the door and pulling it open.

"Please," I whisper, and she stills with her hand on the doorknob. "Don't leave me."

"I'm so sorry," she replies, stepping out. "You've left me no other choice."

"Victoria," I plead, "I love you. Please don't do this."

She turns to me, smiling sadly. "Distraction," she whispers, swiping a stray tear as it trickles down her cheek.

I inhale sharply, bracing myself against the door frame as she rushes down the steps towards a waiting taxi. She throws her bag inside, sliding in and slamming the door. I watch in stunned silence as the cab pulls away. Victoria stares straight ahead, not looking back. I almost fall to my knees, watching my world leave and not knowing how to stop her.

I feel Marshall behind me, gently tugging my arm until I step back inside. He closes the door and hands me a whiskey. "Let her go, Boss. Just for now."

I repeat his words over and over in my head. Just for now .

Just for now, my krasota . Just for now.

To be continued…