Chapter 60

Kimberly

W e’ve been staying at Jackson’s safehouse for three days now. That means it’s been four days since Innokentiy’s coup. Four days of not knowing if Yaroslav is dead or alive. Jackson has already managed to crack the flash drive Yaroslav gave us, it contains details of Innokentiy’s deceit and the many shady dealings he’s been involved with. David and I immediately wanted to send the information to the Petrovs and let them take Innokentiy out for us, but Jackson thinks we should bide our time. He reasoned that we should at least wait until my grandmother is safe before making our move. I can’t argue with that.

Thanks to Thomas Gillihan, we know where my gran is being held. Jackson is in the process of devising a rescue mission. We’re just waiting for the perfect time to strike.

I feel as though I’m losing my mind. Jackson’s safehouse is a nondescript three-bed house in the suburbs with a wooden exterior. The place looks like it’s seen better days, and with the three of us here, it feels cramped. It’s amazing how quickly I’ve grown accustomed to the grandeur of Yaroslav’s homes. However, according to Jackson, the more average and nondescript the house, the less likely we are to be found.

David had to be sedated after we arrived. The pressure and reality of the situation finally hit him, and all of his former strength seemed to dissolve. Since then, he’s been almost catatonic in his room. It pains me to see him like this.

It’s still early, and as usual, once I’m up I go straight to David’s room.

“David,” I call out, knocking on the door before entering even though I know he won’t respond.

He’s lying on the bed, stiff as a board, and fully dressed. Pretty much the same position he was in when I left him last night. His eyes are closed, but I know he isn’t asleep.

“Morning, I brought you some tea,” I say trying to force myself to sound happy as I place it on his bedside next to the cold cup from yesterday. The sandwich I made him last night sits untouched next to it. “David, please, you have to eat,” I beg.

But he doesn’t respond. I sit on the edge of the bed, taking his hand in mine, and sing to him. I sing songs that Gran would sing to me when I was young. This ritual is as much for me as it is for him. If I’m getting through to him, he doesn’t show it, but I try, nevertheless. As I sing, I fiddle with the locket Yaroslav gave me. I haven’t taken it off since, it feels like my last connection to him. That and the baby, I dream of a strong, handsome boy with chubby cheeks and his father’s eyes.

In the kitchen, I can hear Jackson moving around making breakfast. His phone rings and I can tell he’s speaking to someone, though I can’t make out the conversation. I’m tempted to eavesdrop, but I know Jackson will tell me any information he finds. A short while later, he appears in the doorway.

“Kim, I’ve got news.”

I look up at him hopefully, I don’t know if it’s my imagination, but does David stiffen? Is this what will get through to him finally?

“Gillihan just called, according to his men, Bogdan Sharkozi has left his home and is heading toward Orlando. We presume he’s meeting with Innokentiy. But this means that there are fewer guards at the house than usual. Amelia is there, and a small security detail, but nothing we can’t handle. We’re going to launch the rescue mission of your grandmother today.”

“We are? That’s fantastic!” I exclaim, jumping up from the bed, “When do we leave?”

“I’m leaving in a minute, you’re staying here,” he says sternly, “It’s too dangerous.”

Placing my hands on my hips and giving him my best ‘don’t fuck with me’ look, I reply, “Jackson, there is no way I’m sitting this one out. This is my Gran we’re talking about here. Besides, with her illness, she’ll likely make things hard for you. She knows Amelia, and probably even feels safe there, to her, you’ll be the ones that are dangerous and frightening. If I’m there, the whole process will be a lot easier.”

For a second Jackson looks as though he wants to argue, but I can tell he knows I’m right. “Fine,” he says with a sigh. “But you have to do everything I tell you to, when I tell you, got it?”

“Understood,” I say with a grin, the thought of finally seeing my grandmother and knowing she’ll be safe has me feeling almost giddy. “David, we’ll be back soon,” I tell him, though I’ve no idea how much of what we’re saying is getting through to him.

“I’ll have someone come and keep an eye on him,” Jackson says.

I’m relieved to know David will be safe. We can’t risk leaving him alone when he’s so vulnerable.

***

The room my grandmother is being held in is bright and cheerful, she and Amelia are sitting playing cards at a table overlooking the manicured lawns of the backyard. To the unsuspecting eye, it seems like the perfect picture. Stood to the side is a burly yet professional-looking nurse, ready to assist should Gran have an episode. The whole scene feels surreal, it’s such a juxtaposition to the bloodshed that just occurred.

Jackson and his men efficiently dispatched Amelia’s guards without making a sound. David wasn’t kidding when he said Jackson should have been involved in Marta and my rescue mission. If only I could convince him to rescue Yaroslav too. I’ve told him that the man hinted he was still alive, but I can tell Jackson doesn’t believe it to be true. To him, Yaroslav is as good as dead. Once Sharkozi’s house had been secured, Jackson came and got me from the armored van as promised.

“Kimmy!” Gran exclaims as she notices us enter the room, “What a wonderful surprise! How was your trip?”

I’m not surprised that Amelia told Gran I’ve been away somewhere, at least it means Gran has no idea of the danger she’s been in. She doesn’t even know she’s been a prisoner. She looks well, I’m relieved to note, that at least they’ve taken good care of her.

“It was good Gran, I’ve missed you,” I say, my voice getting choked up as I walk toward her.

Amelia sits there calmly, silently surveying us over her cards like a lioness preparing to pounce. She’s calculating her next move. No doubt she’s wondering how to get out of this. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Jackson’s men escorting the nurse out. If he doesn’t resist, they won’t harm him. He was just hired to care for my grandmother, he has no knowledge or involvement in this as far as we know.

“And I you sugar,” Gran says, enveloping me in a warm embrace.

She smells as I remember, of cocoa butter and patchouli. Feeling her solid, comforting presence again, I can’t help the tears that fall.

“Now, now child, there’s no need for tears,” she soothes.

“Did they look after you well?” I ask, desperate to know for sure that she hasn’t been mistreated.

“Why of course, Amelia and I have had a wonderful time!” she says with a smile directed in Amelia’s direction.

Amelia smiles back, “The best. I have to say, Kimmy, I’m surprised to see you so soon, and with a new man no less,” she says directing her attention toward Jackson. “I thought you might have waited a while longer. I suppose you and Yaroslav truly are dead and buried,” she taunts.

At that moment I feel as though I could kill Amelia.

The only silver lining is that only I understand the true meaning behind her words.

Gran looks surprised, “You and Yaroslav broke up? That’s a shame, he was such a nice man. No offense, young man, I’m sure you’re quite the gentleman too,” she says smiling warmly at Jackson.

“None taken, ma’am, but Kimberly and I are just friends,” Jackson says stepping forward to shake Gran’s hand while still keeping an eye on Amelia. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Walsh, I’m Jackson Brown.”

“Please, call me Emma,” Gran says with a smile.

“That’s right, Jackson is a friend. Yaroslav and I are still very much an item,” I say, giving death stares to Amelia.

“Silly me,” Amelia trills, “I guess he’s just tied up right now and that’s why he can’t be here,” she says with an evil glint in her eye.

She knows exactly what she’s doing, she’s trying to rile me, to make me slip up and give her a chance to escape. I won’t rise to it.

“Come on Gran, let’s get your stuff together and go. Jackson is going to stay behind to have a chat with Amelia,” I say, shooting a pointed look at my ex-best friend.

I wish I could be the one to interrogate her. I never thought I’d be capable of hurting someone. But I killed a man, and now I know I’d happily torture Amelia if it meant getting Yaroslav back. Heck, part of me just wants to hurt her for what she put me through. But I know Amelia, my indifference and ignoring her will hurt her more than my presence ever could.

“Goodbye Amelia, dear,” Gran says, still oblivious as we leave.

“Goodbye Emma, I’m sure I’ll see you again real soon,” Amelia replies, the veiled threat evident in her voice.

Jackson shoots me a look, an unspoken question, should he leave Amelia alive at the end of this? I shake my head.

Amelia seems to finally realize what’s about to happen, her eyes widen with fear, “Kimmy…” she starts, but I turn my back and ignore her as Gran and I walk out.

Amelia isn’t going to hurt me or anyone I love ever again. Over my dead body. Or rather, over hers.