Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

V adim

Two days.

Two fucking days had gone by since Caroline had been attacked all over again. Nothing. No information. No admittance from anyone they were responsible for hiring either Joshua or Francois. I'd put word on the street that I'd handsomely reward anyone with clean evidence.

I'd threatened informants and various associates to help me find out what the fuck was going on.

As my mother would say, crickets.

No one was talking.

I could walk down the streets of New York, and everyone would turn away. I'd always done that, realizing people were scared. Of what? They should be terrified of me but that wasn't the case.

The great leaders of the various organizations had experienced nothing troubling either. We were all sitting ducks at a dead end spinning our wheels.

Right where the bastard responsible wanted us to be. With all of us chasing our tail, that meant the asshole was laughing and had free rein to do whatever he was planning.

"Fuck," I hissed, slamming my fist on my desk. I'd never been so frustrated as this in my life. Plus, I'd been forced to leash my daughters for fear they were in danger. When I'd asked them to come and stay at the house, I'd been certain cat fights were going to begin but all had been quiet since they'd arrived the night before.

At least that was something. Maybe.

"Stop worrying," Nikolay said.

"How is that possible?"

"Just keep handling business."

"Are you trying to handle me now, Nik?"

He chuckled under his breath. "I will if you don't get your head out of your ass. I know you want to burn down the city but that's not going to do you any good. Let this play itself out. Have patience."

I laughed until I heard laughter coming from outside my exterior office door. As I moved toward the French doors, I also heard music.

Heavy metal music to be exact.

"I'll be damned."

Nikolay joined my side, peering out and seeing the same thing I was. "I told you they were lifelong friends. So you're fucking Caroline. So what?"

"How crass of you."

"I'm not known for my sophistication. You knew that when you hired me."

"Yeah, I did."

"I tell you what. I could go for that hot Sofiya. Yum-my."

I almost had my hand wrapped around his throat until I realized he was taunting me on purpose. "Men have died for less."

"Yeah, I know that. I'm teasing. So what do you want to do?"

Being uncertain was difficult and rare. I was the fucking Pakhan of an empire, for God's sake, considered one of the most powerful men in the city, yet I'd been all but frozen, apprehensive of doing anything outside of normal business operations.

As the girls jumped into the pool, I chuckled under my breath. What could I do at this point but wait? Have patience like everyone wanted me to do. "I'm going swimming."

"What?" Nikolay asked in disbelief.

"Yep. When all else fails, you need to enjoy the life you've been given, right?"

"If you say so, boss. What do you want me to do in the meantime?"

I turned to face him. "Take the afternoon off."

As I walked out, I could tell by the incredulous look on his face that I'd shocked the hell out of him. Maybe it was time I did more of that. "Call me if anything comes up. Otherwise, enjoy your afternoon."

I took the stairs two at a time and headed to my bedroom, more lighthearted than I should be feeling. It took me almost ten minutes to find a bathing suit, which I couldn't remember the last time I'd worn. Thankfully, it still fit. I'd bulked up even more in the last few years, not just determined to stay fit but because constant physical activity kept my anger levels low.

By the time I returned downstairs, I was whistling. I stopped long enough in the kitchen to grab my sunglasses, grinning as I headed outside.

None of the girls noticed me at first, the music loud and their boisterous laughter creating a noise barrier. I was able to place my shades on one of the tables and head to the deepest end of the pool and to my surprise I still hadn't been noticed.

They were having fun like they had in college, something I hadn't been certain I'd ever see again. They were standing in the shallow end of the pool, managing to converse over the loud music while enjoying a cocktail of some kind. My heart was full, more so than one would think. Without giving it a second thought, I dove into the pool.

When I finally surfaced, jumping high out of the water, my body weight created a significant splash. The slight chill covering my body felt damn good.

When I settled down, wiping water from my eyes, I noticed other than the music, there was no additional noise. I finally turned my attention in their direction, grinning from the shock and awe on their faces.

Sofiya reacted first. "Who is this man and what have you done with my father?"

"It's apparent either he's been cloned, or an alien landed somewhere close to the house," Daniella offered.

Only Caroline remained quiet, but she lifted her shades, giving me a spectacularly heated onceover. When she licked her lips on purpose, neither one of the other two noticed but in truth, I doubted it mattered any longer. They'd obviously worked out their differences, which was surprising but refreshing.

If only that could so easily be done in my business.

"I'm right here, better than ever. Now, why don't one of you make me a drink."

"What about the business day?" Sofiya eyed me suspiciously.

"I own my own businesses. I think that entitles me to taking an afternoon off. Don't you?"

"Woot. Woot! Welcome to the real world. Hey, Sofiya darling. Why don't we make a fresh batch of margaritas and you can help me." Daniella yanked Sofiya's arm, refusing to take no for an answer.

I was laughing by the time they tumbled out of the pool, finally able to give my full attention to Caroline. She had a saucy look on her face, sipping her drink through a festive straw and leaning back against the edge of the pool. Where she was standing near the stairs, she used a step to place her leg provocatively, even twisting it back and forth.

She was doing her best not to pay attention to me, but I could tell otherwise.

Dressed in a red bikini, her hourglass figure would make any red-blooded man go nuts. Maybe she'd already had that effect on me.

"Do you honestly think you can avoid me?" I asked her.

"Is that what I've been doing?" She yawned, although I knew she was faking it.

"You know that's not possible since you belong to me." I shifted through the water and the electricity tingled all my senses. I could easily become a crazed man, ignoring all common sense and decency. Perhaps it was damn good we had an audience.

She shrugged. "I can escape any time I want to."

Within two seconds flat, I was crowded in front of her, planting both hands on the edge of the pool. I allowed her space.

For now.

"Not possible. Wherever you go, and no matter how many people you enlist to help you in your escape, I will find you. When I want something or someone, there isn't a single entity on this earth or act of God that will keep me from hunting, capturing, and keeping what already belongs to me."

She shivered visibly, slowly turning her head. "Why me?"

"Why? You dare to ask why?"

"Yeah. I'm a former pink-haired girl who prefers holey tennis shoes and jeans, sweatshirts and watching scary movies versus going out to five-star restaurants or dancing until dawn. I'm boring. Old-fashioned. I like computers and sticking my nose into a book. I enjoy ice cream cones and chocolate truffles. I could eat an entire sixteen-inch pizza by myself. I abhor precious jewels and most fancy cars. Well, kind of." She grinned, her lower lip quivering, which was entirely too adorable. "And I love, love taking long hot showers and languishing on Sunday mornings in bed with a mimosa even with cheap champagne."

The way she brushed her finger down my chest had the same electric effect. I was hard as a rock, my balls so tight I could easily fuck her like some wild animal right here in the middle of the beautiful, sunny day. "And you believe that's not something I hunger for or would enjoy?"

As she lifted her sunglasses, giving me one of her hard looks, I couldn't help but be amused. "You live in a ten-million-dollar mansion. You have several cars worth well into six figures each. You have the most amazing, expensive attire of any man I've ever known. You always have. Even when I was a kid visiting, you were almost always wearing perfectly tailored twelve-thousand-dollar suits, and I'm certain my figures are low. You have staff working for you, enjoy fancy-dancy restaurants and how many watches do you own? Thirty? I bet each one cost more than I will ever make in a year. So, yeah, I find it tough to believe you could enjoy all those simple things, even some that cost little or no money."

I lowered my head, giving her a stern look. "I'll give you a hint. Watching the three movies with you the other night with empty cartons of Chinese food and an empty box where a sixteen-ounce pizza had once nestled was one of the best times I've ever had in my life. I've never laughed so hard and I thoroughly enjoyed holding you as you cringed during the slasher movie." I removed her sunglasses, placing them on the pool deck. I longed to see her beautiful eyes. "Lady. You're what I've been hoping for but had refused to find since Tonja passed. And just to think, that woman is Sofiya's best friend."

We both laughed.

"Of course, I'm not into cradle robbing," I admitted.

"Oh, that would make you one kinky man." She scrunched up her nose. "I'm being serious though."

"What makes you think I'm not? Yes, my life is not traditional by any means. And yes, there will always be aspects of danger that I can't control but I have ways of keeping someone safe."

"I'm not worried about safe. I could walk across the road and get hit by a bus. I'm just… I need a life too. I'm not a pampered poodle."

"And I don't ever want you to be. You're far too intelligent and creative."

Her eyes lit up as if I'd finally said the right thing.

"Are my daughters treating you okay?"

Her giggle made my heart swell. "I read them the riot act."

"Really?"

"For God's sake. No. I didn't need to. They brought me a gift and told me they were sorry. We're all good. That means…"

I didn't need an invitation. I captured her mouth, savoring every moment of being with her in the very simple way she preferred. It was just as much of a shock to me as I was certain it was to her. I wrapped my fingers around her neck, tilting her head with my thumb. As she slipped her arms around me, a strange feeling settled into my system.

It was time to let go of the past.

"Hey, now. Kids. There is a time and place for kinky passion," Sofiya teased.

"In other words, get a room," Daniella added.

I pulled away and shook my head. Family. I'd been forced to realize I'd taken that for granted, allowing twenty plus years to go by of loneliness. That stopped right now.

"Have a drink. Maybe it will cool you down." Sofiya crouched down, her grin just as mischievous as the woman.

I'd barely wrapped my fingers around it when the French doors were flung open, Nikolay taking long strides toward me.

"Didn't you hear what I said? Take the afternoon off," I told him.

"No can do, boss. There's been a development," he said, obviously anxious.

"Meaning?"

"The jump drive was partially saved."

As I returned to my office, my men stared at me. No, I couldn't remember if they'd ever seen me in a bathing suit or having a towel wrapped around my waist. Well, it was past time for things to change.

"It would seem I have a full house," I said as I glanced from Aleksander to Nikolay, Sergei and Maxim to Joe Myers. I'd hired the kid directly out of MIT. I'd followed him during his time in school, bailing him out when he'd been caught hacking the mainframe at the FBI headquarters in DC. And I'd made him an offer he hadn't been able to refuse.

Of course, the kid was smart enough to realize the five hundred grand plus benefits I was paying him wasn't just chump change. Now he ran a team of six, three men and two of the most intelligent women I'd ever come in contact with.

Not only did they keep my extensive computer and security and communications systems secure, they'd also developed several applications I used in everyday business as well. I was reminded just how young he was by the Pink Floyd tee shirt and jeans he was wearing. What did I care what he wore? As long as they ensured my world was kept private and without interference.

"Joe. You managed to glean some information?" I asked as I headed to the bar. This news was a good enough reason to have my kind of a drink. Even though the margaritas had looked tasty. I'd left the girls by the pool, although I'd seen the look in Caroline's eyes. She wanted this nightmare done with as much as I did.

"Yes, sir. I'm sorry that it took me so long. I mean I had the entire team working on it as well as seeing if Blackbird, I mean Joshua had said anything on the dark web, but it took longer than expected. So I…"

"Relax, Joe. I'm not angry. Eager? Yes. Just tell what you got."

He was cradling his laptop as if I'd steal it from him. "Can I show you, sir?"

"Of course you can. Make yourself at home." I indicated he could use my desk, using the time as he set up to head toward Aleksander, teasing him. "So I heard you had that job interview. Trying to leave the fold?" Neither one of us could figure out why the governor would be stupid enough to think my best friend would be disloyal to me.

"Well, you and I might need to renegotiate." He laughed then his face clouded. "I don't know what these assholes are doing. Yep, they interviewed me like it was any other typical position but it's not working for the big firm I thought it was."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning. It would appear a new corporation of some kind has formed and no, they wouldn't provide any details. But they mentioned there would be traveling to ensure offshore projects weren't tampered with."

"This is about real estate?" I was slightly confused.

"Yes, but I think there's more. They were very cautious and I was careful in the questions I asked. But at the end, one of them walked me out and as we shook hands, he said something that in my mind was a clear threat. He said I should leave a sinking ship before it was too late. I don't like it at all."

Well, well. It would seem the stakes were getting higher. And the dangerous situation was coming to a head.

"Here we go, sir," Joe said from behind me.

Aleks, Nik, and I crowded around my desk, the other two men standing guard. Everyone was still reeling from Francois' betrayal, but I had a feeling it was just the tip of the iceberg.

"I can tell you that Joshua was running scared at the end," he said, the kid still excited.

"How do you know that?" Nikolay asked.

"He was asking for help to get out of a messy situation," Joe answered.

"Had he said anything before?" I asked.

"Yep. Whoever hired him must have thrown huge dollars in his direction, or at least the promise of it. I captured a couple screen shots. See here? He was bragging he'd come into the promised land and soon, he'd be basking on a tropical island somewhere."

"So, Joshua was hired to figure out a way to infiltrate all four mafia organizations, then he hired help to disguise a trail leading to himself."

"You got it, sir. And if I had to guess, I'd say this Joshua was setting the girl up for a fall."

"As in using her as a scapegoat?"

He nodded. "Now, I don't think he counted on the fact someone found her trail and decided to take her out."

Aleksander snorted. "If it wasn't the Italians, then who?"

"I think the Italians at least knew their system had been hacked. I don't know about the men. There's no trail or mention of them. That skull Ms. Randall mentioned? It came from the main intranet system located in the corporate headquarters of Marino Industries."

I laughed softly. "Stefano is such an arrogant man. Okay, go on. What's on the drive?"

"This is the fun part. At least Joshua wasn't hedging all his bets. He was smart enough, like I would be, to realize that he could be considered collateral damage."

"Nice," Nikolay whispered.

"He captured correspondences?" I was getting somewhat excited.

"Yes, including what everyone thought were secure emails between certain people asking for his help, but Joshua went further. He dug into the responsible party's computer systems as well, snagging information on who they were and their purpose. That's where some of the data remains damaged, although I'm not giving up on salvaging that too."

The kid was one of the best hires I'd made. "Go on." I knew the talented young man was looking for accolades and he'd get them. His entire team would, but my patience was running out.

"He might have been discovered. I'm not sure about that. Let me pull up a few very interesting pieces of information."

"Who was Francois in this cagey world?" Nikolay asked.

I sipped my drink. "Yes, I'm curious."

Joe tilted his head. "Don't quote me on this, but I think he was hired to be this organization's cleanup crew. Paid very well to do so."

"To the tune of two million dollars." Hence what Caroline had heard.

Nodding, Joe studied me briefly.

"Tying up those loose ends," Aleksander mused.

Sighing, I was more than eager to see what Joe had found, prepared to make a list. However, I'd already started filling it out in my mind.

"Here is one email that's pretty incriminatory," Joe said, pulling back so we could all take a look. I had to admit one of the names who'd signed off on the email I hadn't expected.

"Fuck," Aleksander said in a gruff voice.

The sense of a new presence behind me created a stiffness in my muscles.

As I turned my head, I could see the look of horror in Caroline's eyes. She was struggling to breathe, her eyes flitting back and forth across the email. Damn it. This was the last thing she needed.

"Caroline," I started and she threw out her hand.

"Just don't. Okay? Just… don't. I need some time to process."

She was as stubborn as ever, but I didn't blame her this go-around. To find out her own father was a part of what was going on would be damning for anyone.

As Aleksander glanced into my eyes, I smiled. I was already developing a vile plan.

The fuckers had no idea who they'd attempted to back into a corner.

I wasn't just dangerous. I could turn into the worst kind of monster when it came to protecting those I cared about.