Chapter 2

Two

Walking into Callum's home office, I know shit is about to hit the fan.

Our alliance with the Yakuza hinges on Callum's relation to Cleo. Haruaki only maintains the peace because of her, as does Callum. Without her, they would likely still be at war.

I think tonight wore some of that good faith down. I know Haruaki didn't really want to let Nikita leave, but with Cleo there, he made a concession.

He won't allow it to stay that way for long. My bet is that Callum has already been invited to a meeting. That's why I'm here tonight.

"I figured you would be here," Callum muses as he sips his whiskey behind his desk.

"When is the meeting?" I ask.

"Tomorrow morning. We are to bring the girl with us. Seems Haruaki would like to take over her care."

I swallow hard. I don't like Nikita, but I don't want her dead either.

"Are we giving her back?"

Callum stares at me for a long moment. "What other choice do we have?"

I curse. "We can send her back to Russia. Send her off to a deserted island. Anything but kill her."

"What makes you assume he will murder the girl?" He tilts his head as he asks.

"He will murder anyone he believes is a threat to Cleo. The shooting tonight, in his mind, shows that she is a threat."

"You're right. He doesn't necessarily have the same code we do. Then again, I can't say I wouldn't murder a woman if it meant my family was safe. Could you?"

I growl. "That's not what I mean, and you know it. Nikita had nothing to do with the hit."

"Oh, and we are trusting her word now?"

"No, we are trusting me. She hasn't been out of sight in over a year. There is no way she has had contact with her father. We have had eyes on him too. If this was him, she was not involved."

"We were always only supposed to be a temporary babysitter until he figured out what to do with her," he informs me.

He's right. I know he's right, but I hate it. I can't help but see her face in my head. I don't want her dead.

"Isn't there anything we can do? Make an offer? A deal?"

Callum swirls the whiskey in his glass. "You want me to do everything I possibly can to keep her with us? To save her life?"

I consider his question a moment. Do I?

"Yes. We don't murder innocent women. Do whatever you can."

"Very well. Go home. Get some sleep. Bring the girl with you in the morning. We meet with Kai at ten."

I glance at his arm a moment. "You okay, boss?"

He flexes the bandage. "Autumn fixed me up. All good. You did great up there. Proved why you were the right choice to place as my second."

"I would be better if I would've gotten shot instead of you. I'm supposed to protect you."

He waves me off."It doesn't matter. Get out of here."

The drive back to the apartment isn't long, but it was enough for me to feel anxious. I don't have a good feeling about tomorrow.

Why couldn't Nikita have just stayed home tonight? Why did she have to meet any of the women?

I won't let Haruaki kill her, though. Not on my watch.

"I'm not going."Nikita folds her arms over her chest.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but you don't get a choice. Either you get your ass in my car willingly, or I put you in the car," I growl.

I knew she would give me shit, but at the rate she's going, she's going to make us late. That is only going to make this worse for her.

"If I'm going to die, I would rather do it right here in my home, so go ahead." She opens her arms wide as if giving me a target.

I take a deep breath. The woman is cold. Heartless even. The way she stands in front of me now, not even flinching at the idea of her own death, she's either suicidal or stupid.

Yet yesterday I saw a crack in that wall she holds so tightly. As she held Emily, some of that ice melted away. She managed real expressions. She smiled a few times.

It's as if that was a mirage, though. The warrior ice princess stands before me now. All ready to lie down her life to be a brat.

I curse under my breath before I'm on the move. In the next second, I have a wild cat over my shoulder, thrashing about.

"Put me down, you asshole. You do not have permission to touch me!" she screams.

I smack her ass, making her go even more feral. I can feel her nails digging into my back. I grit my teeth, hating that my dick is stirring right now. She can't know how much I love the burn of pain with my sex, but fuck if I feel like she isn't doing this on purpose.

I can't stand her yet, right now, my body wants her. It's a special kind of torment.

When we finally make it to my car, I pop the trunk.

"Don't you even think about it," she huffs, clearly out of breath.

It can't be comfortable screaming while my shoulder digs into her stomach. Not that I care. She fucking deserves it for being such a pain in the ass. Nikita could have walked her pretty little ass down here herself. She doesn't deserve my pity for a situation she put herself in.

So I drop her into the trunk and slam the door shut before she can spring back out at me. She immediately starts pounding on the trunk, but it only makes me chuckle.

"All good, boss?" one of the soldiers who guards the building asks.

I nod. "We're going for a ride. Let me know if anything interesting happens while I'm gone."

He smirks at me before glancing at the shut trunk.

He doesn't say another word.

The ride to Haruaki's warehouse just outside of the city is a long one with traffic. I'm sure Nikita is seething back there. I can't tell if she's still banging on the trunk. I have the radio up so I can't hear it.

I don't need her annoying me any more than she already has. That won't be good for either of us with the meeting we are about to head into.

Parking the car, I head to the suspiciously quiet trunk. Looking to the sky, I take a deep breath. Then I focus back on the trunk as I open it.

A screaming banshee comes flying out at me, a screwdriver in her hand. I catch her easily, both of us falling to the ground. I make sure I position myself so I hit the ground first, though. I feel the pain in my shoulder as the screwdriver makes contact, sinking into my flesh. I grunt, but ignore it as I flip her on her back, pinning her hands above her head.

She flails against me, but I have her immobile.

"Stop," I demand.

That only makes her buck harder. Hard enough that my dick is straining against her center as she rubs against it.

"Goddamn it, stop it. You're making this fucking worse for yourself. You do realize that, right?"

She's breathing so heavily at this point that I'm afraid she might pass out. Instead, she finally calms down a little only to look up at me. Then she says something in Russian before spitting in my face.

I squeeze her wrists harder until I notice the wince on her face. Immediately, I loosen my grip.

"I'm trying to save you. Haruaki wants your head on a fucking platter. So you can walk in there by my side and we present a united front, or I haul you in there kicking and screaming over my shoulder. Your choice."

"Fine, but I don't want you touching me."

"Don't do stupid shit to make me touch you then," I bark back.

She reluctantly nods, so I stand, wiping her spit off my face. Fucking crazy ass bitch.

I offer her my hand, but she doesn't accept it, standing on her own.

I shake my head before focusing on the screwdriver still sticking out of my shoulder. I grunt a little as I pull it out. It's bleeding, but I have a first-aid kit in the trunk. Moving toward it, I keep an eye on my little prisoner. She stands beside me looking like she could give a fuck less that I'm bleeding right now.

I pour peroxide on the wound, hoping it'll clean it out enough before slapping a huge bandage on it. It's not perfect, but it should manage to get me through this meeting. I'm going to have to call up the doc and ask for a tetanus shot.

Slamming the trunk shut, I wipe my hands on my pants. There's still blood on them but fuck it. Good enough.

"Come on before we are late," I mumble, moving ahead of Nikita.

I expect her to make a run for it, but she wisely follows. I have no clue what's going through her head, but it seems she gained some smarts in that trunk.

As soon as we round the building to the front door, Callum is standing there waiting.

"What the fuck happened to you?" He quirks an eyebrow.

"Accident. Let's just get this over with."

I walk ahead but glance back to make sure the ice princess is with us. Callum gestures for her to go ahead of him, blocking her between us.

Stopping at the door, I knock twice and wait. Kado opens the door, stepping aside.

It doesn't make me feel any better that Haruaki has his guard dog here with him instead of his second in command. Kenji is the more level-headed one out of the three. Kado does what his boss asks without question. Then there's Haruaki himself. He's unpredictable.

Case in point is the fact that he's sitting on a lone chair in the middle of the warehouse, flipping a knife between his fingers. He seems nonchalant. Relaxed even, but it's a front.

He's pissed. I can tell by the way his eye barely flicks to Nikita as she follows me in. I step over a little to block his view of her.

"I was wondering if you were still planning to come, brother-in-law." He holds his knife up, looking at it in the one bright light in the room.

"You asked me to come, did you not?" Callum steps forward, his hand pushing Nikita into my back before he passes both of us.

I expect her to recoil from me, but she stays in place.

"Good. Now give me what is mine, and you can be on your way." Haruaki stands and starts walking closer.

My hand goes back to hold Nikita even closer to me. I know she said not to touch her, but in the moment, it's instinct. There's a snake ready to pounce on her. I won't let that happen.

"Hold on a minute there, Kai." Callum holds up his hand, making Haruaki stop. "You gave her to us."

"To watch. She is still mine," Haruaki states.

"That's not how this is going to work. You came to me with a favor, and yes, you gave me business in return, but I'm feeling like this wasn't really fair to me. Tell me, what do you plan to do with the girl if we return her?"

"None of your business. She's mine to do with what I please," Haruaki seethes.

"See, I don't see it that way. She's lived in my building under my care for the past year. I've been the one paying her bills and ensuring she is fed. So it seems to me that she is mine."

"You will hand her over, Callum. Your relation to my wife will not protect you from this. I have been too lenient with you as it is." Haruaki steps toward Callum.

My body itches to put myself between them, but I can't. Not with Nikita behind me. I'm torn at who needs my protection more.

Then I see it. Kado moving closer. He's a silent man. Deadly. Moving until I'm in between him and Nikita, I pull my gun and point it at him.

"Take another step, big guy. Let's see if you are as invincible as the rumors say."

He tilts his head at me.

Then I hear Nikita huff behind me.

"I don't know why you are all fighting over me. If this man wants to murder me for the blood running through my veins, then let him."

"Shut up," I hiss at her.

She pulls away from me, stepping toward Haruaki and Callum.

"The girl is the only one who sees sense." Haruaki gestures for her to come closer.

"I know why you want to kill me. You believe my father is responsible for the attack on your family. Truth is, I haven't spoken to him since you took me from him. I am missing the kind of equipment he needs to truly value me. So if it makes you feel better to end me, then do so."

There's that cold woman I've been sharing a building with. Is she really this callous? Does she really not care about her own life?

"I have another proposal," Callum cuts in.

Haruaki looks at him. "I'm listening."

"You're concerned she is a threat. We have had surveillance on her for over a year and she has never once done anything suspicious. I've taken her into my building and cared for her. So let me continue to do so."

"No. I don't trust her."

"Very well. How about we send her back to Russia then? She will be far away from us. She hasn't learned anything about you she can use. I'd be taking all the risk," Callum counters.

Haruaki considers his words, but it's Nikita who speaks up.

"I will never return to Russia. It would be a death sentence on its own. I would rather die here by your hand," she tells Haruaki.

A flash of surprise lights his face as a stone settles in my gut. That was freedom for her, or it should have been. Yet she turned it down in favor of death. What is wrong with this woman?

"Very well. The woman has chosen," Haruaki says.

"Wait," I call out, making them all look at me.

I curse to myself silently, but nod at Callum. His eyes show he knows what I mean. Last resort. Something I never wanted.

"Final offer, you allow me to marry her to someone in my crew."

Haruaki snorts. "Who would want some cold Russian bitch?"

I swallow hard.

"I would."

"I would."

If I wasn't so locked down on my feelings, I might have shown surprise at Declan's declaration.

Marry him? Does he realize what he is proposing? Why is he fighting so hard for this?

I was pissed when he threw me in the trunk. I was sure he was going to hurt me when I stabbed him. Then he protected me. It's the feelings that stirred in me that made me speak up.

Hope is a killer. I can't hope for anything better than this miserable life I'm stuck in. So if it comes down to it, I would rather die here and now. Not in Russia years from now after my father uses my body until I'm a shell of who I once was. I also don't want to die by the Irish's hands. No, Haruaki is promising a quick death. I can tell by the way he looks at me. He doesn't enjoy killing women. He only enjoys protecting his family. I don't blame him. I want what those women have. I'll never have it, though.

So death it is. The familiar comfort settles into me at the resignation. I don't really want to die, but the alternative is a life I didn't choose. At least in death, I'll finally truly be free.

"No." I look at Haruaki. "Please proceed."

I bow my head slightly, showing respect. He looks confused.

"You do not wish to save your life by marrying Declan?" he asks, looking confused.

I shake my head. "I do not wish to be in a loveless marriage. That will turn to hate, which turns to misery. Death is kinder. It's a mercy."

The truth is, marriage scares me. After seeing what my sister went through, I don't want it. I don't want to suffer abuse for the rest of my life. I would rather die.

"Nikita," Declan hisses behind me. "You will marry me."

I glance over at him. He looks wounded by my admission. Like he actually cares. It's all a facade, though. How could he care for me? He has told me millions of times about how much he dislikes me. He resents me for being assigned as my keeper.

This will free him as much as it does me.

"You are not my master, Declan. This is my choice."

"I accept your offer," Haruaki cuts in before Declan can speak.

I turn back to him ready for my end, but he's not talking to me. He's looking at Callum.

"She will marry Declan, and you will integrate her into your family. Only then will I allow her to attempt to earn any sense of trust. If anything happens to my family because of her, she forfeits her life as well as Declan's. Deal?"

Callum looks over my shoulder at Declan.

"Deal."

"Wait. I do not agree to this. I will not marry him."

Haruaki smirks at me. "You asked for mercy. I'm giving it to you. I don't kill women without a damn good reason, and you haven't given me one. You were never going to die today. Not by my hand. I don't want you in my city anymore. I don't trust you, but if you refuse to go back to Russia, then your other choice is to marry Declan. Renounce your Russian ties and devote yourself to the Westies."

I swallow hard. Marry Declan? The man can't stand me. Yet he is the one who demanded I do it. Why? Maybe he wants to hurt me like my sister's husband does. Or maybe he wants somewhere to stick his dick when he gets tired of the random women. Not that I have ever seen him bring anyone to his home.

Do I want to submit to this? Give him my hand in marriage?

I have no illusions about it giving me any privileges. No freedom will be won by doing this, but if the alternative is to be sent back to Russia, what choice do I really have?

I sigh. "Fine. I'll marry him."

Maybe I'll finally find the courage to run away. Finally use the little go bag I have packed under my bed. I haven't found a way to obtain a new identity, but maybe if I run off somewhere off the grid, I don't need it.

The thought of leaving my safe little prison causes my heart to stutter.

I need to figure something out quick before Declan turns into the devil all men do when married.