Chapter 25

Twenty-Five

I'm waiting at the Brick City art installment like he said, but nothing has happened so far. Part of me wants to smooth my hand over the tracker Kenji brought me, but I know that would only call attention to it.

We have one shot at this.

I double-checked with Alexei. Vladimir is still in California. So he's not a concern.

As far as I can tell, Oleg is running things here, but he's doing a shitty job of it. Maybe that's how Grigoriy is running around like he is the leader.

I hate thinking about her with him. What could he be doing to her right now?

I shiver at the thought.

No, I will save her. She's mine. He doesn't get to have her.

After a few more moments, two men approach me.

"Come with us willingly or she dies," one states bluntly.

I hold my hands out. "I'm all yours."

The silent one checks me, but they won't find any weapons. I'm smarter than that. All I want is to see her, even if it's one last time.

Once they are sure I'm unarmed, they zip-tie my hands in front of me. Then they drag me to a waiting car.

I offer smiles to the people around us. Most are avoiding eye contact, but some look surprised.

Not one picks up their phone to call for help, though.

I don't blame them. I wouldn't want to get involved either. They would likely die if they did.

So I just follow along willingly.

When we get to the van, one of the men punches me in the face. The other gets me in the stomach.

I groan as I spit out blood.

"Nice shot," I hiss.

Neither respond.

Next thing I know, a bag is over my head.

Of course. Like they even plan to let me go. Still, I can respect the forethought. Don't let me know where we are going, so if by chance I escape, I don't know where to go.

We are in the van for an hour and six minutes. I counted every one of them. So either they drove around a while or we are an hour outside town. I'd bet on the latter.

My facial scan didn't catch Nikita on any cameras in the city. He likely drugged her and put her in the trunk of a car before bringing her somewhere my cameras can't catch. Cameras that can't be hacked.

I'm not surprised. It is what I would do.

That's the thing. I feel like Grigoriy is playing a game of chess with me. Only I didn't realize we were playing, so he's had the advantage. I don't like losing.

Especially with my wife's life on the line.

The van comes to a stop before rolling forward again. A gate I'd bet. Then it stops again, this time the side door opening.

Then I'm pulled out and dropped on the ground. I grunt as a foot hits a rib, cracking it.

It hurts like a bitch, but I don't let a sound escape me. They can do what they want to me for as long as they want. In fact, I want them to torture me longer.

"You kick like a girl," I mutter.

I grunt when a second kick comes. Then the bag is gone.

"You really are an idiot," the big one who spoke before says.

"I've been told that a time or two," I hiss through my teeth.

This is going to suck.

They pick me up, pulling me to the door before knocking on it.

After several minutes, Grigoriy himself answers.

"Our guest of honor. So happy you were able to make it. How was the drive? Don't you love seeing all the trees as you leave the city? Makes it seem like a different world out here. Oh dear, I'm so rude. Bring him in, boys. The lounge, please."

His jovial tone has my hair standing on end. This is not good. He's more unhinged than I thought. He's talking to me as if we are best friends and this is a dinner party.

He better not have hurt Nikita. I'm not sure I can handle that. The physical pain is easy. Knowing she's hurt? I can't stand the thought.

When we enter the lounge, my eyes immediately find her. Hers are locked on mine.

She's got that wall up. The same wall I once hated. I'm grateful for it now.

Don't let him see you, mo chroi. That's only for me.

A flicker of something is in her eyes one second, but the next, it's gone.

"Aren't you happy, big sister? I brought you your husband."

She deadpans, "So excited you brought the man who forced me to marry him against my will. Best. Present. Ever."

Grigoriy chuckles. "I know, right?"

Either he didn't catch her tone, or he doesn't care. Either way, he nods to the men, who then drop me on the floor. I quickly get to my feet, ignoring the sharp burst of pain in my ribs.

I hope both those fuckers die a painful death. By my family's hand. In Nikita's name.

"I won't have all the fun, my beloved. I'll allow you the final blow."

I snicker. "Letting the girl do all your work? Oh, that's right, you're only a kid yourself. Shouldn't you be in school? You should really let the adults handle shit."

I see his fist coming, but I don't duck it. I let him hit me in the nose, the crunch telling me it's broken as blood begins to pour from it.

I let it.

Fuck this floor.

Glancing back to Nikita, I can see her hands clench before she takes a deep breath, letting the tension go.

"Grigoriy, I appreciate the theatrics, but he is bleeding all over the place. I really prefer not to have blood on my things."

Grigoriy turns, looking at Nikita. When he looks back at me, he has stars in his eyes. Like the woman, my woman, hangs the fucking moon for him. It makes me want to wipe that smug look off his face.

"How does it feel to know your wife doesn't care that you are bleeding? Shall I bleed him dry for you, my love? You didn't seem fond of the dogs, but I'm sure we can find a different way to torture him."

"A little pussy-ass bitch like you torture me? Psh. You couldn't torture a fly, let alone a grown man."

He hits me again, this time in my ribs, making them burn even more.

"Grigoriy, if you get blood on me, I will kill you." She's monotone, but I don't need to see her emotions to know she's afraid for me.

Stop intervening, baby,I think as I look at her.

"I love when you talk dirty to me." Grigoriy chuckles before kicking me behind the knee, sending me to the floor.

I grunt when I hit it, letting myself take a second to try and catch my breath.

"So you're into incest then, Grigoriy? You want to fuck your sister?" I taunt, pushing myself to my knees.

I'm feeling a little woozy, so I don't bother trying to get back to my feet.

"She's only half related to me. Besides, there are rumors that I'm really Oleg's kid. That'll be our little secret though, right, big sister?"

Nikita stares at him. "Of course. What about him, though?"

She nods to me.

Grigoriy smiles. "I have plans for him. Tell me, sister, did he touch you?"

She looks right at me as she lies. "No. I told him I was untouched, and he felt I was too young to violate. Said we would wait until I'm older."

Grigoriy lights up at that. "I was worried when he kept touching you, but I knew you wouldn't betray me like that. You were made for me."

"Are we done with him? Can you play with him later? I would really like for you to take me to bed now."

My eyes fly to hers as I glare. She doesn't let a single emotion show.

"Nah, mo chroi. He wants to play with me. You wait your turn," I growl.

She grits her teeth at the term of endearment. She has never even asked me what it means. I should have told her. I might never get the chance to now.

"Oh, it's a hard choice. I've been wanting to torture Declan since I first saw him touch you, but then again, I want to bed you. Choices, choices."

Nikita stands slowly, her legs shaking under her. I ache to go to her, but I stay still.

"His hands are zip-tied. Toss him in a closet, then come to bed. I won't ask again, Grigoriy."

Then she walks out of the room.

I watch her go, my eyes trailing her.

Grigoriy smacks me on the side of the head. "Stop staring. She's mine. Always has been. Always will be."

"Over my dead body."

"That can be arranged."

He drags me down a hall, opening a door before throwing me inside. Then he slams it shut as he locks it.

"Don't worry, Dec. I'll make sure she screams my name loud enough for you to hear. I wouldn't blame you if you beat off to it. I'll be back for you in a bit."

Then he walks away.

I curse, thinking about what I can do to get out of this. Nikita should have kept her mouth shut. She shouldn't have been trying to save me. Doesn't she know it's my job to protect her?

I'm still mentally cruising when the first explosion happens.

I smile.

The Calvary is here.

I walk outof that room, knowing I'm willing to sacrifice anything for Declan. Even my body.

I don't look back. I know if I do, I will cave. I will run to him and ask him to make this all go away.

The only place I have ever truly felt safe is in his arms.

I won't let him die for me. A world without him wouldn't be a world worth living in.

It's slow going with my body still feeling drugged, but I finally make it back to the bedroom I woke up in.

I start to pace in front of the bed. The more I move, the more my body seems to wake up. It is only a few minutes before Grigoriy is at the door. He smiles at me lovingly.

I heard what he said downstairs. There's a chance we share no blood.

I really don't think he cares either way.

For the sake of my mind, I'm hoping the rumors are true. It makes this slightly less disgusting.

"I know you don't like to look at him. He probably brings you a lot of pain, but you will be there when I end him. I want him to see that you were never his."

"I'm fine with that, Grigoriy, but it doesn't need to be now. Let him stew in the closet while we go on with our evening. We want him hurting both physically and mentally. What do you think he feels when he knows that he wanted me as his toy, but you took me back?"

His eyes are on fire with the thought. He loves thinking about the fact that Declan is probably downstairs pissed.

Only he's got it wrong. Declan has never been like him. He isn't mad that he lost a toy. He's angry that I'm in danger. That he can't do anything to make it better.

I know that's why he sacrificed himself to come here.

My big, strong husband. Always putting me first.

I never even got the chance to tell him I loved him.

That's the part that breaks my heart.

I need to figure out a way to get him out of here alive.

Grigoriy begins to pull his shirt off when an explosion outside draws his attention.

He runs to the window, cursing in Russian.

"They are attacking. I told him to come alone. Those imbeciles were followed and didn't even realize it? Useless, the lot of them."

He turns to me, pressing a kiss to my lips before I can even react. Only a quick one, but it's enough to make me want to puke.

"Raincheck, beautiful. I'll be back."

He heads out the door, slamming it behind him.

I wipe my mouth profusely before following him. I keep my distance, watching as he heads out the front door. Heading the opposite way, I try all the closet doors until I find a locked one.

"Declan?" I whisper through the door.

I can hear gunshots outside, so I know something big is happening.

"Mo chroi. Are you okay?" I can barely hear him through the door.

"Stay here. I'll get you out." I tap the door.

"Not like I have somewhere else to be." His sarcastic tone makes me laugh.

I pause for a moment. "I love you, pumpkin."

He grinds out, "That's somehow worse than snookums. I'm not saying it back when I can't see you. Get me out of here, wifey."

I smile at the nickname. Running down the hall, I find a kitchen. I look through drawers until I find a knife. Heading back to the closet, I pry at the wood until the door clicks open.

Then Declan is right there. He moves his arms over my neck, pulling me in to kiss him. I let him wipe away the memory of Grigoriy, filling my mind with only him.

After a moment, we pull back. I duck under his arms, using the knife to cut him free.

"What now?" I ask.

"Now we get the fuck out of here."

He grabs my free hand, running toward the back door. I pull him to a stop before we get to it.

"There are two dogs out that door. They didn't seem friendly, but they are eating what used to be Trisha."

"Not Trisha. Trisha was found in the dumpster at the building down the street. That was just some random lady."

"Jesus Christ," I mutter.

"You're telling me," he tells me as he begins to pull me back the way we came. Before we can react, the door opens and slams shut. Turning, Grigoriy finds me standing with Declan.

His eyes were already cold, but they turned glacial seeing Declan touching me.

"You are mine, Nikita. Let the man go and come to me."

Declan pushes me farther behind him. "You won't touch my wife. You're a sick bastard if you think I will let you have her. She's your fucking sister, for god's sake."

"I'm going to kill you," Grigoriy growls before charging us.

Declan pushes me to the side, meeting him halfway. They clash with the slap of skin as they start to wrestle. I can't even keep up as they begin to punch and pull and pinch at one another. I can hear each man grunt with each hit, but neither stop. If anything, they get more vicious. Declan sweeps Grigoriy to the floor, but he falls with him. He begins to rain punches down on him when Grigoriy uses his momentum to toss him over his head. Then Grigoriy is on top.

He's not just punching, though. No, he's trying to get his hands on Declan's face. Specifically his eyes.

A vision flashes in my head of him driving his thumbs through his eye sockets. I remember watching him do it to my dog after he shot it dead.

Father praised him for being ruthless. For not being squeamish about the dirty work.

I can't let him do that to Declan.

Feeling the knife in my hand, I take one step. Then another.

I keep walking until I'm standing over him.

Declan's eyes flash to mine for a moment, shock registering in them as I pull the knife over my head.

Then I bring it down a split second after Grigoriy turns to see what caught Declan's attention.