Chapter Thirty-Two

Vladmir

“All is quiet,” I said, sitting in Maxim’s office.

It had been a few weeks since the night I told Aksana how I truly felt and, in that time, life seemed to settle down. While she still needed to be protected, she was no longer fighting any of us, accepting that no matter where she went, someone would be with her. Her pregnancy helped tremendously because she’d been sicker than a damn dog the last few days, refusing to go anywhere.

“Nothing from anyone?”

“Nope.”

“Maybe everyone’s taking a break for the holidays. Speaking of which, when are we leaving for Rockefeller Center?”

“The tree lighting ceremony starts at nine tonight, so we need to be in the city no later than six. Montana and his crew will meet us there. I figure we can head to the penthouse first. Have an early dinner before we head to the Center. Apparently, all the kids are excited.”

“The women too,” Maxim groaned. “Illyria has already put a big dent in my Amex. The woman is determined to make sure Henry, Max and Katiya have a wonderful Christmas.”

“Speaking of Henry,” I said reaching for my phone. “I heard from the Caldwell School. You will be happy to know they have agreed to allow Henry one guard, with a hefty donation to the school, and they have the art classes Henry was requesting.”

Nodding, Maxim instructed, “Make the arrangements.”

“I’ve heard from Aleksandr. He has decided to stay for the holidays and will return before the New Year.”

Maxim threw his head back and laughed. “He just wants to see what happens at the wedding.”

Smirking, I agreed, “Even I have to admit, that wedding is one hot ticket. Aleksandr told me that LeeAnn has turned into a Southern Bridezilla. I had to ask Aksana what that meant. It’s not pretty. Poor Nikoli is doing everything he can to keep Laurel from killing her sisters. King is threatening to send Cameron to military school. Apparently, the little henchman joined the merriment and is now a page boy at the wedding, along with Kai, Benny and Jasper. Nash gets the honor of walking his grandmother down the aisle.”

“And the groom’s family?”

I grinned. “According to Aleksandr, Jack Orlean is enjoying every moment. He’s sitting back and letting LeeAnn and his daughter do whatever they want.”

“Smart man.” Maxim nodded. “Did you send the RSVPs?”

“I did. I also told King he was off the hook, that we will be staying at the Resort.”

“He cried, didn’t he?”

I laughed. “Damn near.”

“Have you spoken with Remi?”

“Yeah. We talked last night. While she’s thrilled to have a new baby brother or sister, she isn’t too happy that her child will be older. She sounds happy and so far, there are no problems with her pregnancy.”

“I’m sure Reaper will make damn sure everything runs smoothly.”

“He better or it’s his ass on the chopping block.”

Shaking his head, Maxim smirked. “You two will never get along, will you?”

“Not as long as I live.”

A knock at the door had us both looking when Illyria poked her head in. “We’re all ready.”

Getting to my feet, I sighed. “Let’s get this night over.”

Slapping me on the back, Maxim snarked, “Oh, come on, Vladmir. Where is your holiday spirit?”

“We’re going to a public place with hundreds of people. It’s a logistical nightmare.”

“Yeah, but it will be a pretty tree and the kids will love it. It’s tradition, Vladmir. Get used to it,” Illyria snarked as she took her husband’s arm.

Rolling my eyes, I followed them out of his office.

I didn’t like this.

In fact, I fucking hated it.

This was my worst nightmare.

The boss was out in the open.

Anything could happen.

Looking at Dmitry, I said, “Stick to him like fucking glue, Dmitry. I mean it. Rurik, you don’t leave Illyria’s side. Nikandr—”

“I know. Hog-tie Little Max and gag him.”

“Whatever works, just don’t let those boys out of your sight.”

“Vladmir,” my wife groaned. “Relax. It’s a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The NYPD has this place surrounded. Look at all the kids running around, enjoying themselves. Tonight is going to be a memory you will never forget. It’s Katiya’s first Christmas with her father.”

Sighing, I looked at my wife and nodded. “You’re right.”

“There you are.” Bane smiled, walking over to us. “This place is nuts.”

I tried not to growl when Bane hugged Aksana. She was his niece, after all. It shouldn’t have bothered me, but she was mine and I didn’t like anyone touching her.

My daughter yawned, hugging my neck, as she laid her head down on my shoulder to watch the merriment, barely able to keep her eyes open.

Scanning the area, I saw Maxim with Henry on his shoulders as Illyria held Little Max close. Dmitry and Rurik on either side. Nikandr, like me, scanning the area.

“Dude.” Payne walked over to us, looking at Bane. “Montana’s losing his shit. He wants everyone surrounding the kids.”

“He can kiss my ass,” Bane grumbled. “I’m saying hello to my niece. Besides, he’s got the entire damn club surrounding those kids. Not even the French Foreign Legion can break that circle.”

“God, I need this night over,” Mercy groaned, walking over with Largo and Sophia. “Fury’s girls are driving Montana nuts, and Malice isn’t helping. Fucker is egging them on.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, moving Katiya closer since she was now asleep.

“He’s chasing them around the circle, hyping them up.” Largo laughed. “It’s adorable.”

“Not if Montana kills him,” Mercy snarked.

“Dad, Uncle Montana can’t kill Uncle Malice. Aunt Tessa would make him sleep on the couch for life,” Sophia informed.

“She’s got you there, Mercy.” Largo chuckled as she walked over to talk with Aksana, with Sophia.

Stepping next to me, Mercy asked, “All quiet on your end?”

I nodded. “Your side?”

“Same,” Mercy said, then added, “I don’t like it, Vlad. Feel it in my gut. Something bad is coming.”

“I know. I feel it too,” I replied as a frisson of fear coursed down my body, right before someone screamed.

In the next instant, people started running in different directions.

Turning fast, my eyes went to Aksana, where Bane was covering her with his body, while Payne covered Largo and Sophia.

Looking to my left, I saw Dmitry, Nikandr and Rurik rushing Maxim, Illyria and the kids away from Rockefeller Center as people screamed, running for cover.

Standing in front of me Mercy drew his weapon, protecting me and Katiya. I already had my gun in my hand, looking for the disturbance.

“Oh, dear God in heaven,” Mercy gasped, aiming his gun.

The second I turned, I didn’t think and quickly handed my daughter to Bane. “Get them the fuck out of here, now. Do not let them see what is behind them.”

“Vladmir?” Aksana asked, her voice laced with worry.

Quickly kissing her forehead, I never took my eyes off the scene ahead of me. “Go, baby. Go with Bane. Do what he says. Please.”

“Get my wife and daughter the fuck out of here, Payne,” Mercy demanded. “Now.”

Within seconds, both men ushered the women and kids away. Reaching behind me, I grabbed my secondary gun.

“This fucker dies,” I sneered.

“Agreed,” Mercy growled as we both moved forward.

There, standing before the unlit Christmas tree, was Steele, the President of Satan’s Angels, and in his arms was Linsey, with a knife against her neck.

“Baby, just look at me,” Vicious said, his voice trembled, laced with fear. “That’s it, baby. Only me. Nothing else matters. Just me.”

“I love you, Gregory,” Linsey cried when Steele tightened his grip on the woman.

“I love you so much, baby.”

“Let her go, you sick fuck!” Montana roared, aiming his gun at the man as the NYPD surrounded him and us.

Shit, this was bad.

Really fucking bad.

“Mercy, there is no way out of this.”

“I know,” the man solemnly said, taking stock of the situation.

“We have you surrounded. Let the woman go!” several police officers shouted, and Steele laughed. Licking the side of Linsey’s face, the woman whimpered while police officers tried valiantly to hold Vicious and Fury back.

This was turning into a massive clusterfuck.

A logistical fucking nightmare.

“Steele, you aren’t walking away from this. Let her go!” Crispin Sinclair shouted. He walked over to stand next to Montana, brandishing his own gun, pointed directly at Steele.

Silas Sharp moved next to us. “I don’t have a shot. Do you guys?”

“No,” I answered for both myself and Mercy, neither of us taking our eyes off Steele.

“Fuck you, Sinclair!” Steele roared. “This is all your fault! All you had to do was let me keep her, but you had to interfere!”

Growling, I asked, “What the fuck is he talking about, Sharp?”

“Sinclair tried to tell you before.”

“Tell me what?” I sneered at the man who never took his eyes off the scene before us.

What the fuck were they doing here, anyway?

“Can we discuss this later?” Mercy clipped. “Like when that sick fuck isn’t holding Linsey hostage?”

“Let my wife go!” Vicious shouted, fighting the men holding him as Steele tightened his hold on Linsey. Petrified, the woman dared not move while she looked at her husband.

All around, men and women pointed guns at Steele. There was no way for him to escape. He would leave this place in a body bag.

I knew that; everyone else knew that, but more importantly, Steele knew that, too.