Chapter Two

Vladmir

Present day...

“I’ve scheduled the meet with Cesar Vitale. He is still refusing to tell me why he is requesting the meeting. Only that it’s important. Also, I’ve reached out to Montana, and so far, he says everything is quiet on his end. Pippen and Sypher are still digging into the ghost files and the database at the Trick Pony.”

“Any word on Ace?”

“No. I talked with Matthew, and he’s heading to California to talk with a military friend that might help.”

“What about the Golden Skulls?”

“Reaper locked the clubhouse down until Sypher and Phantom can make sense of this mess. Honestly, boss, it’s a clusterfuck. Two major clubs supposedly linked. If word gets out, it could cause a turf war.”

Maxim nodded. “And Remi?”

“She seems happy. Before they left, she told me I was going to be a grandfather again.”

“Congratulations, my friend.”

I frowned. “Still don’t like the asshole.”

“You don’t have to like him, but he is her choice. Just be there for her. What else is on the agenda?”

“Next month is the grand reopening of the Playground. The owner has specifically requested your attendance.”

“He say why?”

Shaking my head, I answered, “No. Only that it would be beneficial if you could make an appearance.”

“What do we know about the new owner?”

“Crispin Sinclair is a self-made billionaire. There isn’t much about his background. Only that he’s an entrepreneur and seems to know everyone; that, and he has ties to the Trick Pony.”

“Don’t like it. Get Dmitry on it. I want to know everything about the man before I meet him. Don’t need any complications.”

I nodded. “I also looked into that private elementary school for Henry. The place won’t work. While it’s private and offers a top-notch education, the school refuses to allow personal security for their students. They claim they have their own private security firm that is more than capable of protecting their students.”

“Illyria will not be happy. That school was her first choice.”

“I’ll do some digging and see what else I can find,” I said, getting to my feet. “If there is nothing else, I have other matters that need my attention.”

“Vladmir,” Maxim said softly, halting me in my tracks.

Turning to face my oldest friend, I silently waited.

“How is Remi, really?”

“She says happy. She has her children around her. Friends.”

“That’s not what I was asking, and you know it.”

Sighing, I sat back down. “She still has doubts. Reaper seems to be saying all the right words and is doing everything he can, but she hasn’t totally forgiven him yet. Time is on her side.”

Maxim smirked, shaking his head. “It’s that stubborn, unforgivable Russian blood running through her veins. But if I know Reaper as well as I claim to, in time, all will be as it should be.”

I frowned.

“You’re not happy about that?”

“He broke her heart. I could kill him for that alone.”

“You kill him, you kill her. They are one and the same, Vladmir. You know that.”

“I know,” I grumbled. “Still don’t like him.”

“You don’t have to like him. All you need to know is that he will kill to protect her, and he’s proven that. Many times.”

I didn’t say another word.

I was done with this conversation.

Remi was my daughter.

If I didn’t like the bastard she was married to, that was my right.

No one would ever be good enough for her.

No one.

Feeling my phone vibrate, I reached inside my suit pocket and retrieved it. Seeing an unknown number, I answered.

“Hello?”

“Um, hello. I was told to call this number and give you a name.”

Frowning, I sighed. “I’m waiting.”

“Aksana Baranov.”

I stiffened, turning to Maxim, who sat up straighter in his chair.

“Hello. Are you there?”

“I will take care of it from here. Thank you for calling.”

I ended the call as Maxim asked, “Who was that?”

Staring at my phone, I wondered if it was a mistake. I mean, it had been years since I’d seen her. She was safe. I had ensured it. There was no way they had found her.

“Vladmir,” Maxim firmly asked. “Who was on the phone?”

Turning to my boss, I said, “I need to leave. I’ll be gone for a few weeks.”

Maxim glared at me.

“Is it Remi?”

“No.” I shook my head.

There were still things I hadn’t told Maxim. Shit from our time, long before he took over as Pakhan. Shit I wasn’t proud of, and this was one of them. Standing my ground, I added, “I’m sorry. I will explain everything later, but I really need to go.”

Not giving my boss a chance to say anything else, I left, running to my car.

The flight from New York City to Las Vegas, Nevada took only five hours, and when the plane landed, I didn’t waste any time renting a vehicle. I had messaged Valhalla before I left, and she told me she would start looking immediately. Hopefully, when I arrived at the Nyght Nymphs’ compound, she would have a location for me to begin my search.

The drive from the airport to the Nyght Nymphs’ compound was going to take me at least an hour, which gave me plenty of time to remember the first time I ever met Aksana.

It wasn’t something I would ever forget.

Two years ago...

I still didn’t know why Valhalla contacted me. I barely knew the woman, but her efforts in helping abused women were legendary. Everything about the Nyght Nymphs was extraordinary. An all-female motorcycle club, made up of strong professional women determined to save as many women and children as they could. At the helm was Valhalla herself. The president, the leader of her club. A gifted doctor by day, and Florence Nightingale by night.

We had agreed to meet at a local diner in the city, as Valhalla flat-out refused to let me anywhere near her compound. I completely understood the need for autonomy, but she did call me.

Intrigued, I agreed to the meeting.

I was the first to arrive and didn’t have to wait long before she walked into the diner. I knew her on sight. She was stunningly beautiful and when she walked right over to my booth and sat down, I knew this would not be a typical social visit.

“Thank you for coming so quick.”

“I must say, I am intrigued.”

“I’m going to cut to the chase. I have a woman that desperately needs to disappear, but no matter where I send her, she will not only put herself but anyone she’s around in danger.”

“Forgive me for sounding heartless, but how does this concern me?”

“She’s Russian.”

“There are a lot of Russian women that need rescuing, Valhalla. I’m still not understanding why I am here.”

“Her real name is Aksana Baranov.”

Sitting up straighter, I growled, “Excuse me?”

Valhalla nodded. “Now you know why I called you. I can’t hide her. You have to.”

“You mean to tell me you have Konstantin Baranov’s daughter in your possession?”

“Yes, and not only that, but she is also married to Steele from the Satan’s Angels. She needs help.”

“If Baranov finds out you are helping his daughter, he will kill all of you. He won’t think twice.”

“And that’s if Satan’s Angels don’t find her first. Look, Vladmir, I know Maxim. I know the man is hard, but he’s also understanding.”

“We are in a war with Baranov right now. Petrovich is making waves with the Valentinettis and the Golden Skulls. Maxim is barely holding on to the east coast as it is. If Baranov finds out that Maxim helped hide his daughter, then everything he’s been fighting for is over. Baranov will kill him.”

“That’s why I’m asking you and not Maxim.”

Groaning, I leaned back in my seat, shaking my head. “I don’t know what you think I can do. Baranov is watching all of us like a hawk. It’s not like I can take her back to New York. Until Baranov is dead, there is no place safe for her.”

“She’s pregnant, Vladmir.”

Shit. I internally cursed.

Of course she did.

“Steele’s kid?”

“Yes, and you know what that fucker will do when he gets his hands on her. That baby is as good as dead.”

Leaning forward, I asked, “What about the Soulless Sinners? They have chapters all over the world. Have you reached out to Montana?”

Valhalla shook her head. “I mentioned them, and Aksana flat-out refused. She doesn’t trust the Soulless Sinners. She was rather adamant about it, too. My gut is telling me she knows something about them and it’s not good.”

“Well, Montana can be a hothead when the mood suits him.”

“I don’t think it has anything to do with Montana.”

Intrigued, I asked, “Who then?”

“She wouldn’t tell me. Look, Vladmir, I barely got her to agree to let me call you.”

“Why me?”

“She said a bodyguard of her father’s knew you. A man named Mikhail. He told her to reach out to you if she was desperate. That you would help.”

“Mikhail Vaidisova. He was a good man and an honest man, before Baranov put a bullet in his head,” I whispered, refusing to look at her.

“Look, Vladmir, just meet the woman. Let her tell you her story. If you still want to walk away after that, I won’t say a word.”

“Why do I feel like you are setting me up?”

Valhalla smirked. “Because I am.”

About an hour later, I found myself staring at a beautiful Victorian house in the middle of nowhere, somewhere north of Las Vegas. As to the exact location, I had no clue, because the second I agreed to meet the woman, Valhalla told me to leave my rental and get into her vehicle, where she handed me a black cloth bag to put over my head.

“Welcome to the Nyght Nymphs.” The woman smiled, getting out of her vehicle. Following her into the large two-story house, I wasn’t surprised to see females milling around.

“Kytten, will you please go get Aksana?”

The cute pixie woman with pink hair nodded, quickly leaving the room. Motioning me over to one of the comfortable-looking sofas, I took a seat when another woman walked over, placing a beer on the small table before me.

“Thank you,” I said politely. The woman turned and immediately left.

“Please forgive Slyce. She isn’t very talkative.”

Nodding, I watched as Kytten returned, followed closely by a stunningly beautiful woman with golden blonde hair and eyes so blue they reminded me of the Kara Sea. Barely five foot six, the beautiful woman had delicate features not indicative of Russian heritage. In fact, she had a more French-Swedish look about her. Still, she was something to look at.

“Aksana, this is Vladmir Ivenok.”

“Thank you for coming, Mr. Ivenok.”

“You’re not Russian?”

“No, sir. I am not.”

Looking at Valhalla, I frowned. “You said she was Baranov’s daughter.”

“She is. Baranov raised Aksana from birth, but she is not his biological daughter.”

Confused, I waited for one of them to explain, and when Aksana spoke, I found myself enthralled in one of the wildest stories I’d ever heard.

“I knew from a young age that Konstantin Baranov wasn’t my father. I looked nothing like him. In fact, I felt nothing for him. He was a total stranger to me. I never knew my mother. From what I could find out, she was young when she had me. What I do know is that a man named George Stone sold me to Baranov in exchange for an alliance that would eventually bring down a biker club called the Golden Skulls. Baranov hates the Golden Skulls. More so than he hates your boss, Maxim Fedorov. For years, Baranov has been supplying ammunitions, drugs, and women to a group called the Society.”

“I’m aware of the Society.”

“The fact is, Baranov doesn’t care if the Society succeeds or not. All he wants is a woman called Remi. He’s obsessed with her, and so is his chosen heir, Boris Petrovitch. Both men want her more than anything in the world and are willing to do anything to get their hands on her.”

Uncomfortable, I shifted in my seat.

I knew what she said was true.

“Do you know why Baranov wants Remi so badly?”

“It’s because of her mother, Ekatarina Elizabeth Monet, but everyone called her Nina.”

“That’s odd,” Valhalla muttered, looking at me. “Russian, English and French?”

“What does Nina have to do with anything?”

“It’s not her, but the legacy she left her daughter.”

“I don’t understand. What legacy?” I asked, confused. “Nina was just a student at the Academy of Dance in New York City before she died. No one even knew she was pregnant.”

Aksana looked at me and said, “I’m sorry to tell you this, Mr. Ivenok, but Nina wasn’t just anyone. She was the daughter of a man named Charles Henry Monet and his mistress Sophina Olenski. Baranov knew about your relationship with Nina. He couldn’t risk Nina running to her father, so he ordered Sergio Pavlov to kill you both the night she died.”

Shaking my head, I sat back on the sofa.

This was not happening.

“Remi?” Valhalla whispered, turning toward me. “Reaper’s wife?”

I nodded.

“She’s your daughter?”

“I met Nina shortly after she started school. She was young, innocent, pure—everything I should have avoided, but didn’t. Her death was something I will never forgive myself for. No one was supposed to know.” I sighed, running my hands down my face.

“Well, Baranov knows, and so does Petrovitch. They also know that Maxim has aligned himself with the Golden Skulls, the Valentinetti Family, and the current president of the Soulless Sinners. Though, if Maxim knows what’s best for him, he will sever that alliance fast. The Soulless Sinners are not to be trusted.”

“Montana is nothing like his father.”

“He’s still a Stone. When the truth comes out, he won’t have a choice.”

Looking at the beautiful woman, I asked, “What aren’t you telling me?”

“The Stones have a long torrid history with the Golden Skulls. There is bad blood between the two biker clubs. That club is not what everyone thinks.”

“And you know it all?”

Aksana nodded and smirked. “I may have been born a girl. Inconsequential in the Russian world, but I have eyes and ears, Mr. Ivenok. I know all the players and what is really at stake here. This war you’re fighting, it’s a smoke screen. The Society is dying. They are no longer a threat. But there is another hiding in the shadows. Someone stronger, someone so patient they are willing to sit back and let everyone else fight to the death, and when the last man is standing, that’s when he will make his move. He is the real threat.”

“And you won’t tell me who that is?”

Aksana shook her head. “I need protection, Mr. Ivenok, and I will only speak the truth when I know my child and I are safe.”

For some reason I couldn’t explain, I knew what Aksana said was the truth. Whoever this mysterious person was, was the real threat. Baranov and Petrovich’s days were numbered. They had sealed their fate when they went after my daughter.

“I want to help you. I really do, but you must give me something. I won’t put my life on the line for a story.”

“Mr. Ess.”

Frowning, I said, “Mr. Ess?”

“I heard Konstantin and George talking one night. Something about a meeting with Mr. Ess. Whoever, or whatever that is, I don’t know, but the way they were talking about him made me feel as if they were scared, and I don’t need to tell you that Konstantin Baranov doesn’t scare easily.”

“Did they say anything else?”

“Only that he wasn’t happy.”

Looking at Valhalla, she shrugged her shoulders. “I’ve never heard of anyone called Mr. Ess.”

“I can’t take her to New York. There has to be someplace we can hide her until it’s safe.”

“There isn’t anywhere. That’s why I contacted you. You must know of a place where she will be safe, hidden from everything and everyone. Wait a damn minute. I know of someone,” Valhalla said, quickly reaching for her phone. “It’s a long shot, but no one would ever think to look for her there.”

“Is it safe?” Aksana asked.

“About as safe as anywhere else. However, you would be secluded, hidden from everyone else,” she admitted, putting the call on speaker so we could all hear.

Frowning, Aksana looked at me as I slowly shook my head.

“Damn it, Cupcake! Stop aggravating Scribe.”

“He started it!”

“And I’m finishing it!” The man sighed. “Hello? Who is this?”

“King, it’s Val.”

“Not a good time, Val. Got problems of my own.”

“I heard. I would say congratulations, but I think you are going to need all the help you can get. Venom, really?”

“What can I say? I enjoy a challenge.”

“Got a favor to ask of you.”

“I’m listening,” the man groaned as we all heard a loud commotion in the background, followed by several people roaring with laughter.

“You still have those cabins out back? The ones you use for special projects?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ve got a pregnant woman who really needs to disappear.”

“Do I want to know what from?”

“No. Let’s just say that she’s the magic eight-ball and everyone is looking for her.”

“Jesus Christ, Val,” King groaned. “This have anything to do with my neighbors to the west? ‘Cause if it does, I don’t want to get involved. Bad enough my niece is married to one of those bastards.”

“You don’t have to. Just need you to give the woman a place to lie low for a few weeks until he can find her a more permanent place.”

“He?”

“Vladmir Ivenok will bring her to you.”

King cursed.

“Val, that is not staying out of shit. He works for Maxim Fedorov. Level with me here. Is this life or death? Because I wasn’t joking around when I said I had my own shit to deal with.”

“She’s dead if no one will help her, King. You know I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t serious.”

“Fine. Call when you are close and come up the back way. I don’t want anyone knowing she is here.”

“Thanks, King. I owe you one.”

“Oh yes, you do,” he said before disconnecting the call.

“Okay,” Valhalla said, smiling at Aksana. “How do you feel about the Shenandoah Valley?”

The trip from Las Vegas to Virginia was a long and arduous drive. Neither Val nor I wanted to risk Aksana getting on a plane, so the only other option was driving. While driving with a woman I barely knew was an experience, it wasn’t all that bad. Aksana was a wonderful conversationalist and made the trip interesting and enjoyable.

In the interim, it was my job to get her to Virginia safely.

And I did.

It was dark when I pulled onto the dirt road that would take us to the Sons of Hell compound, and when I saw movement up ahead, I slowed the vehicle to a complete stop as two large men walked toward us. Rolling down the driver side window, one of the men leaned over and said, “You got my Special Project?”

I nodded.

“I’m King. Just park here. We will walk the rest of the way.”

Doing as he said, I cut the engine and got out as the other man walked around to the other side and opened the passenger door. Extending his hand, Aksana took it as she slid out of the car.

“You must be Aksana. I’m Banks. You’re safe here.”

“Thank you.”

King added, “No one will know you are here. As far as I’m concerned, you are not here and never were. Only Banks and I know. If it’s not me checking in with you, it will be Banks. Anyone else and you run. Got me?”

“Yes, thank you.”

It wasn’t long before King and Banks got Aksana inside and settled. While I still wasn’t sure about leaving her here with another biker club, Valhalla vouched for them, and that was good enough for me.

King escorted me back to my car.

“As soon as I have something more permanent for her, I will come retrieve her.”

“Take as long as you need,” King replied as the other man, Banks, walked out of the cabin before disappearing into the surrounding woods.

Watching the man walk away, I shook my head and asked, “Does he know his brother is alive?”

“Banks doesn’t have a brother.”

“You sure about that?” I quirked my head at the man. “Because he’s the spitting image of his older brother, who last I checked was alive and well in New York City. Now, let me ask again. Does he know his brother is alive?”

King growled. “I fucking hate you Russians.”

“Right now, the feeling is mutual. Just answer my question.”

“No. He doesn’t know, and you will not tell him. Not until the threat is gone. I don’t want him caught up in your fucked-up mess. If you and your boss do your fucking job, then I will tell him. Until then, he’s safe here and none the wiser.”

“Then I suggest you keep him that way. I know his brother. He will not be happy if anything happens to his baby brother.”

“You let me worry about Banks. You worry about finding her a secure place.”

Only I never got the chance to do that, because on my way back to New York City, several of Petrovitch’s men found me.