Chapter Nine
Elena
“This is a really bad idea,” my sister hissed under her breath.
An icy breeze swept up from the water as we stood in front of an old brick warehouse. Chain-link fencing circled the building, but a portion had been cut through, which was how we snuck in.
Ignoring her statement, I motioned for her to come with me.
My eyes followed the cracks in the cement as we walked slowly beside the building.
“The warehouse is empty,” I told my sister.
“I’d imagine.” She took a couple of quick steps to stay at my side.
Some of the building’s windows had been broken out, but the thick, rusty metal doors remained locked. Before convincing my sister to come out with me, I’d been here once already today and tried all the doors and peered through the grimy windows to see nothing but empty shelves, tipped over boxes, and broken tables. I couldn’t see every part of the building, so I hoped there was something I’d be able to find inside that would give me answers as to why my cousin had been here. I highly doubted he was delivering flowers to a place like this.
Her eyes caught mine and a shiver ran between us as we continued walking toward the water.
“What do you think Joey was even doing here?” My sister asked the question that had been bothering me from the moment I’d first arrived.
When reading the police reports and the witness descriptions of the scene, it didn’t really come across how isolated this place was. People didn’t just happen to mosey over here after grabbing an ice cream on the boardwalk.
A person had to drive here, have a reason to be here, and still, I wasn’t sure that would put the pieces of the puzzle together. There was no good reason to be here unless there was business being conducted.
“Do you think the building was like this when Joey was here?” she asked as I slowed my steps. “Or do you think it was in use, at least?”
“From the reports, it was an active warehouse, but they didn’t list the use.”
“So maybe after his death—”
“Murder,” I corrected, and she nodded.
“Maybe after that, they stopped using the place. Shut it down.”
“Could be.” I nodded as a shiver quivered through my bones.
It felt like we were being watched.
I drew a breath and kept walking until we got to the place where Joey was gunned down.
“This is it.” I pointed at the area of gravel where the concrete stopped and a weedy gravel mess remained.
“This is what?”
“Where he was killed by a Volkov.” I cleared my throat. “Jaxson Volkov.”
My sister’s eyes widened.
“He was facing that way.” I motioned toward the water. “He didn’t have a clue what was about to happen to him.”
She nodded quietly, and her eyes glistened with tears. “He’s not coming back. Nothing you do is going to bring him back.”
“I know.” I shoved my hands in my pockets and looked at the ground where my cousin took his last breath. “It’s been years and nothing has been done. He’s just another forgotten victim.”
“We’ll never forget him.”
I brought my gaze to my sister. “I can’t let his murder go unknown while a murderer walks around freely and is treated like a hero. Joey deserves for his story to be told.”
My pulse pounded as I walked over to where Joey had been gunned down. Just being here made fire run through my veins as images of the Joey I knew and loved flashed through my mind.
He always came to my rescue growing up and stuck up for me more than my own sister. A smile touched my lips at the memory.
“Joey had two pistols on him, one at his waist and the other in a holster at his ankle. They were both registered in his name, but he didn’t have the proper carry permit.”
“You never told me that before.” My sister took a couple of steps toward me. “Why would he be so heavily armed?” She shook her head. “He delivered bouquets and chocolates.”
“I don’t know. It doesn’t make sense.” I looked through the diamond weave of the chain-link fencing and watched the inky water move in a sweeping rhythm.
“Have you thought that maybe Joey was involved in something we didn’t know about?” she asked softly.
“Nothing warrants getting murdered.”
“I know,” my sister agreed. “But it might have put him in harm’s way, and the very same thing might put you in danger.”
“He had no arrest record, no criminal charges. Joey never even got a parking ticket.” I attempted to smile, but a scowl appeared instead.
“Doesn’t mean he didn’t do bad things.”
I swallowed a lump and cleared my throat.
That was not the Joey I knew. He was a kind soul with an even sweeter head on his shoulders. His father, our uncle, had shown him exactly what he never wanted to become. There was no way Joey would follow in his father’s footsteps. I forced my uncle out of my head and shivered at the baseless comparison.
“You’re getting yourself involved with very dangerous people.” Sadie lowered her voice and continued. “First, you’ll feed them information about somebody’s missing niece and then, you think you’ll just work your way into their family? And then what? You point your finger and say I know you killed my cousin?”
A few seconds of silence passed before I responded. I knew it would be hard for my sister to understand, but I didn’t expect her to be so cynical.
“Not at all.” I hugged myself against the increasing wind. “I plan on understanding how their family works, how their businesses work, and why their connections with politicians and law enforcement run so deep and have remained undetected. I want to paint an accurate picture of the Volkovs to the public. I want to tear back the façade and show people what a real mafia family is like. They’re protected by the system because the system is indebted to them. I want to know why. If I can find that out, I bet I can figure out why they killed Joey. It all ties together.”
“You think a story is worth dying for?” My sister’s brows shot up.
“It’s not the story. It’s uncovering who these people really are. Everyone in the city thinks they’re so charitable and own these successful businesses. Most would never guess what these men are capable of... what they do in the dead of night.”
“And you think you’re the one who should risk your life to expose them? Don’t you realize how crazy that sounds?” Anger nipped at her every word.
It had been a mistake to bring her here. I guess on some crazy level, I thought bringing her would ignite the same curiosity I had burning inside. I was wrong.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made you come.” I shook my head. “I don’t want this to come between us.” I shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll never see Jaxson again and this is all one big pipe dream anyway.”
“You know that’s not going to happen.” Her eyes narrowed.
“I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know he’s my only shot at getting inside.”
“And you’d be willing to sleep with the devil if that’s what it takes?” she asked flatly.
My body shivered, but I wasn’t sure it was because of her question.
More my answer.
I looked around the vacant property, not seeing anyone or anything, before bringing my gaze back to hers.
“I suppose I would.” I’d really only slept with men I’d had feelings for, so I wasn’t sure how that would even work out, but I could only handle one step at a time.
“If you say you’re doing this for Joey, I can’t imagine he’d be thrilled about that.”
“It’s not just for Joey. It’s for all the other countless victims the Volkovs have been involved in destroying.” I shook my head. “If you’d seen how easily Jaxson smacked that guy’s head against the counter at the bar and beat him up without flinching—”
“Right. And doesn’t that maybe worry you about your own future? Think about Mom and Dad. Think about me. I can’t imagine losing you.”
I nodded. “You’re right.”
“I’m right?” she asked, surprised, just as another tremble ran through me.
And that’s when I saw him.
Jaxson Volkov was slowly walking our way. His stride was as grand as the rest of him.
“Elena, what’s wrong?” My sister turned around to follow my gaze and nearly gasped when she saw Jaxson.
I had no idea what I was about to tell this man, but it certainly wouldn’t be the truth.
“We need to get out of here,” she whispered.
“No. You need to get out of here,” I corrected. “Let me handle this.”
Noticing my hands were shaking, I slid them in the pockets of my jeans.
Jaxson’s stride was confident and his face was void of all expression, but that didn’t make him any less attractive.
“I’m not leaving you with this monster,” she hissed softly.
“Yeah. You are.” I turned my attention to my sister as Jaxson continued to walk in our direction. “You have no choice.”
Anger darted through my sister’s gaze, but she nodded slowly as Jaxson approached.
His dark hair was smoothed back and his blue eyes sparkled with an obvious curiosity. Surprisingly, I didn’t see any anger as he slowed in front of us and ran his gaze up and down my body. My heart fluttered unexpectedly, but I remained expressionless.
“Well, this is interesting, the Egorov sisters roaming around one of our properties with no particular place to go.” He crossed his arms across his chest, the dark suit fabric pulling across his biceps.
“Actually, that’s not entirely true,” my sister said. “I’ve got a dinner date that I don’t want to be late for back in the city.”
She reached for my hand, which I took.
“I’d like to know what you two are doing here when it is clearly abandoned, fenced, and clearly marked No Trespassing.” His gaze hardened as his eyes locked on mine. “Would you mind answering that question, Elena? I really don’t feel like calling the police and charging you with trespassing unless I have to.”
I cleared my throat. “My sister has nothing to do with it. Let her take off and I’ll be more than happy to fill you in. Maybe you can give me a ride back later?”
I let go of my sister’s hand, and she stayed frozen in place, but her eyes flashed to Jaxson’s and a smile touched his lips.
“You don’t want to leave Elena,” he stated, clearly amused.
Sadie glanced around the abandoned property and raised a brow. “Would any good sister?”
“Probably not.” He gave a half-nod. “But nothing will happen to her. You have my word. In fact, take a picture of us both standing next to one another.”
My sister’s brows squeezed together. “Why would I want to do that?”
“I can guarantee that no murderer wants to be pictured standing next to his victim before the crime happens.”
A chill ran through me, but I knew he was right.
“Might as well,” I agreed as my sister pulled her phone out of her pocket.
My heart hammered as Jaxson took a step forward and brought me into him. My sister held up her phone and took a photo. I pushed away the thought of Joey’s murder scene right behind us but was left with a tide of rising nausea.
“There.” Jaxson nodded but didn’t let go. “Now, if I only knew why you were scared of me…?”
“Maybe because you beat that guy’s head in on the first night we met?” I teased. “And for the record, I’m not worried.”
“I said scared.” His eyes stayed on mine.
My sister’s expression remained blank as she eyed Jaxson.
“But, what I’d like to know is how you knew we were here?” I asked.
“Which time?” he asked, and my heart stilled.
He knew I’d been here twice.
“You’ve been here more than once?” my sister questioned.
“Just today.”
She nodded slowly.
“You didn’t answer my question.” I turned my attention back to Jaxson.
“It may be vacant, but we still have security cameras.” He pointed around the building.
I’d searched for them when I’d come here the first time and, like now, couldn’t spot any.
“They’re small,” he added. “So I’ve answered your question. How about you answer mine? Why are you here?”
I glanced at my sister, who nodded reluctantly and retreated toward her car.
“I’ll see you at home,” she said over her shoulder, but I could feel the anger rolling off her.
Turning toward Jaxson, I was taken aback at how closely he was studying me. His penetrating eyes stayed on mine as I took a slow and steady breath.
“I wanted to get inside the building,” I said simply.
His brow arched. “And why’s that?”
“My idea was wrong, so I’d rather not say.”
He shook his head and a curt smile covered his mouth. “Not how it works, babe.” He took a step forward and touched my chin. “Why did you want in there?”
“How about you show me inside and then I’ll tell you?”
He cocked his head and his smile widened. “Why do you think I need to bother with letting you inside one of our buildings?”
“I’m sure you don’t have anything to hide, so why not?” My pulse quickened as he stepped closer, and I tried to come up with an excuse as to why I was here. It had to be believable and completely unconnected with Joey.
“Only because you intrigue me will I go for this.” His eyes narrowed, and he drew in a deep breath. “Follow me.”
A chill ran down my spine, and I glanced in the direction my sister went. The sound of his shoes hitting the pavement brought me out of my daze.
I needed an excuse for why I wanted inside. Squaring my shoulders, I let out a silent breath and followed him around the building.
Lanky weeds sprang from the cracks along the foundation near the rusty steel door where he stopped. He quickly punched some numbers into the keypad, unlocking the deadbolt with a click.
“This had better be an entertaining story.” Jaxson sounded amused, and all I could think about was what I needed to come up with.
Sweat pooled at the base of my neck even though the temperature outside was near-freezing. I glanced at Jaxson and hoped he wouldn’t see right through me.
The sound of metal scraping along the warehouse floor echoed into the air as he stepped aside to let me in. The building looked large from the outside, but inside, it felt enormous.
Enormously empty.
A metal staircase to my right led up to a loft area where I assumed offices were located. Exposed support timbers propped up the ceiling, and several long tables had been scooted against the far wall.
“So, does this meet your expectations, Elena?” His brow quirked, and he shut the door behind him. The clunk of the heavy metal made a shiver inch down my spine as I took a few more steps.
“It does.” I turned to face him and crossed my arms. “And I’m quite relieved.”
“I wish I could say the same.” He took a step closer and cocked his head as his eyes stayed on mine. “You know, I’ve let a lot of things slide around you.”
“How so?” My brows furrowed, but fire burned in the pit of my stomach. The way he looked at me made my world spin into a place it should never go.
“Your stubbornness at the bar that night we met would have gotten most people thrown off their barstool. Let’s see. I warned you about the councilman’s people when it really had nothing to do with me. I also cleared my schedule when you came barging into my office. And lastly, rather than call the police, I let you inside the very property you’re trespassing on.” He touched his chin, which showed a day’s worth of stubble, and he pushed away a smile.
All things I shouldn’t be noticing.
“So, it sounds to me like I’m simply irresistible.” I smiled, and heat flashed through his eyes, sending an unintended spark through me.
He took another step forward, closing the gap between us. “Is that how you see it?”
“I don’t know what else it could be to make you so lenient in my presence.”
His gaze intensified, and I pushed down a swallow. Being this close to him nearly unhinged me.
“Why don’t you tell me why you and your sister were here?” His voice was steady and his eyes were still heated.
I took in a deep breath and dropped my gaze to the concrete floor.
“I—” Bringing my eyes back to his, I saw a mixture of desire and pleasure running through his gaze. My only worry was that it would soon turn to anger, and I’d yet to see a Volkov angry. “I thought I’d check all of your vacant properties.”
“And why would that be a hobby of yours?”
“You’re a friend of the councilman. His niece is missing. Police always look at friends and acquaintances first.” I stopped myself, watching the amusement quickly fade.
“You think I might have had something to do with his niece’s disappearance?” He bit his teeth into his bottom lip before letting out a large sigh.
“You asked. I didn’t want to tell you for, obvious reasons. I knew it was a long shot, and I realized I was wrong before you showed up.” I stood up straighter, but it gave me no extra confidence with Jaxson being almost a head taller than me.
“And you thought you’d swoop in here with your sister, find a woman tied up, and then what?” I detected a hint of sarcasm, which I’d gladly take over many of the other emotions my harebrained idea could have produced.
“I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”
“I don’t buy that for a second.” His sarcasm completely vanished. “Do I really strike you as the kind of man who would kidnap a poor young girl?”
He didn’t strike me like that in the least bit. He reminded me of a man who would kill the person who did it.
“No, which is why I prayed I was wrong,” I said softly.
“I see.” He brought his hand to my chin and slowly ran his thumb along my jaw, sending a rush through my body. “You never cease to amaze me. One minute, you want to help me find answers, and the next, you want to put me in the same box as the monsters of society. Do I look like a monster?” His blue eyes filled with apprehension, as if my answer could crush him.
Nothing about the Volkovs fit the mold I’d imagined of the most ruthless mobsters in New York’s history, which would only add depth to the story I wanted to write.
“You look like anything but a monster,” I breathed as he took his hand away.
“Good.” A smile coated his lips, and he dipped his head slightly, his eyes falling to my lips.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, bringing my arms around his neck. “I don’t know what got into me.”
“I’d much rather have a woman be honest with me than not.” His smile only grew, and the energy running between us couldn’t be denied. “I’m getting the sense that the longer you’re around, the more interesting my life might be.”
My eyes accidentally slipped to his mouth, and that’s when he brought his lips down to mine. His kisses were as strong and demanding as the man himself.
A riot of emotion spilled through me as his lips parted, and I fell into his arms, feeling his strength wrap around me. Every part of me knew to run, but the way he teased and taunted me as our kisses deepened made me immune to the reality of the situation.
He tasted so good, and his kisses held some kind of promise, as if he could unwrap every secret fantasy I’d ever had. Jaxson’s strong hands slid down my back, and my body trembled even though my mind knew better than to fall for this.
Desire pulled at me as his tongue tangled with mine in a rhythm that felt completely out of this world. A little moan escaped my lips, and a deep growl was returned as his hands skimmed my hips. He kissed like a man who knew what he could get from the world.
Jaxson’s phone buzzed in his pocket, but he ignored it. Our kisses only intensified as his hands traveled along my hips, but his phone buzzed again.
And again.
I slowly eased away, and his lips parted from mine, leaving me in a whirlwind of sensations that I’d never experienced before.
I wanted to believe the emotions crashing around me were because I’d tasted the forbidden, but I feared it was more than that.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket but didn’t take his eyes from mine, which only made the buzz running through my veins intensify.
“It sounds important.” I bit my lip and his eyes darkened.
“Doubtful.”
He drew a breath and finally glanced at his phone. His body stiffened, but he let out a heavy sigh.
“A girl’s body matching the description of Missy has been called in.”
My blood froze and a shiver ran through me.
“I can drop you off at your house and then I’ll go check it out, but maybe—”
“I want to go with you.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He shook his head. “But something tells me you’d find your way there one way or another.”
“You know me well already.”
“I hope to get to know you more.” He slid his arm around my waist, and I finally allowed myself to catch my breath.
There was no turning back now. I would finally be able to expose the Volkovs and all of their dirty sins.