Point Blank
Moments after Boris made the call, Vladimir arrived at the compound in a black Rover. He was dressed in one of his tailored suits with a crisp white shirt, a vibrant paisley tie, and his blond hair was perfectly tousled and trimmed to rest above his shoulders. He came alone and stepped out of the vehicle with the hard drive in hand. His expression sharpened and his gaze darted across the wall of guards until he found me standing beside his mortal enemy, hugging my midsection protectively.
It had only been a couple days since I’d seen him, but I desperately wanted to run to him and wrap my arms around him. I tried to pull away from Valentina, but she wouldn’t let me go. I called out to him and begged him not to surrender, but my pleas were in vain. Vladimir held up his hands and zeroed in on Maksim. “Let her go.” Even though he was unarmed in enemy territory, he exuded strength and confidence, and seemed to be the one in control of the situation.
“Patience, Vladimir.” Maksim signaled to Valentina and ordered her to collect the hard drive. She did, and once he had his precious hunk of hardware in his hands, he ordered Yuri to search Vladimir for weapons.
Yuri emerged from the crew and stalked toward his brother. When Vladimir saw his face, his expression soured. The loathing he felt for Yuri had enough toxic energy to melt the asphalt under his feet. I glanced at Boris to gauge his reaction to his estranged son. His eyes narrowed, the veins on the side of his neck bulged, and his complexion burned with condemnation. Yuri gave his papa a menacing glare but avoided eye contact with Vladimir as he patted him down.
“I’m unarmed, you fucking traitor.” Under different circumstances, my husband would’ve gone after Yuri and beaten the life out of him. Vladimir had a lean, muscular body, but when provoked, even a behemoth like Yuri who had about a hundred pounds to his advantage couldn’t defend himself against the lethal pakhan.
When Yuri finished his search, he called out to his boss, “He’s clean.” Then he clamped on to Vladimir’s arm and steered him toward the warehouse.
As Yuri led him away to a certain death, Vladimir turned and locked his gaze on me. “Be strong, angel. Ya lyublyu tebya. I love you.”
“Wait! Don’t go. Maksim, please. You promised I could say goodbye.”
Maksim gave a nod to Valentina, and when she relinquished her stronghold, I sprang forward, pushed past the line of security guards, and crashed into my husband. Yuri released his grip on Vladimir, and I wrapped my arms around my husband, kissed him with a frantic sense of urgency, and locked my grip around him so no one could steal him away from me.
Since I’d been captured, I had kept my focus on protecting the baby, escaping, outplaying Maksim, and finding a way to break free so Vladimir wouldn’t have to surrender. Now he was here, standing in front of a firing squad, and the realization settled in that I had failed.
Maksim is going to murder my husband.
“I’m sorry, Vladimir.” I buried my face on his chest and wailed, knowing this would be the last time I would ever feel his strong arms around me, the warmth of his body, or inhale the masculine scent of his skin. “I’m not leaving you. I won’t go. This can’t be happening.”
Vladimir whispered in Russian to calm me, and as he spoke, he removed his gold necklaces and clasped them around my neck. One of the chains held an Orthodox Christian cross, and the other was embossed with the image of Saint George slaying a dragon. Vladimir had never taken off his jewelry, never once since I’d known him. “Saint George will protect you and the baby, Carter. Give this to our son and tell him never to take it off.”
Imagining our child growing up without his father, a pain burned in my chest like I had been stabbed in the heart with a rusty knife. “No, no, no. Stop talking like that. I’ll never let you go. I won’t let Maksim take you from us.”
Vladimir lifted my chin and stared into my eyes. “I love you more than anything in this world, Carter. I need you to listen and follow my orders exactly. First, promise me you won’t blame yourself for my death. My war with Maksim has nothing to do with you, and I need you to find peace with my passing. Second, take care of our baby and never let him follow in my footsteps. Guide him to a path filled with success, happiness, and love for his family. He’ll have a good heart like his mama. I’m certain of that.”
“Please don’t give up, Vladimir. You’re stronger and smarter than him. Maksim hasn’t won yet.”
“Lastly, I want you to bring Mari and Ruslana into your home and raise them as if they were your own daughters. You know how much I love them, and it was my greatest desire to adopt them and give them a life free from heartache. Dmitri gives you his blessing to raise his sisters, and the adoption will go through the orphanage in Ekaterinburg. Boris will handle everything. You only need to agree and sign the papers.”
I nodded my consent and wiped away my tears on his suit jacket. I loved Dmitri’s little sisters, and Vladimir had been open about his intention of adopting them. My only objection was bringing them into our dangerous world. I feared for their safety because of his ties to organized crime. But if Vladimir was gone, the threat to their safety would be over. I wholeheartedly wanted to raise them along with the baby, and I was honored Dmitri thought I would be a good mother to his sisters.
“I love Mari and Ruslana. Of course, I want to be their mama.”
“Time’s up.” Yuri clutched Vladimir’s arm.
“There’s one more thing you must do for me, Carter.” His eyes clouded over with disappointment as he gave me a tortured grin. “You have a long, blessed life ahead of you. Forget the day you met me, and let go of the memories of our love. Move on with your life and find happiness again.”
I shook my head as tears raced down my cheeks. The pain on my husband’s face as he delivered his blessing for me to move on crushed my soul. Now he was facing the end of his life, his once violent and possessive soul had been encapsulated with an aura of inner peace.
“Why aren’t you fighting? We need the pakhan.”
Vladimir’s alter ego terrified me and nearly cost me my life, but now in his eleventh hour, we desperately needed to evoke the dark side of my husband’s personality. The pakhan would never leave his children. The pakhan would never walk willingly to his death. And the pakhan sure as hell would never give his blessing for me to move on.
I shoved him in the chest. “What is wrong with you? Why are you letting him win?”
“Enough.” Maksim snapped his fingers. “Time to go, Carter. Hurry up before I change my mind.”
Vladimir gave me a weak smile. “I love you, angel. Forever.”
“No!” I held on to Vladimir so tightly, the devil couldn’t have dragged me away. When I refused to leave my husband, Maksim barked at Alexander, the vile dog who had left the imprint of his teeth on my neck, to collect me and deliver me to Boris. No fucking way. I couldn’t live with myself if I let this happen. Our game clock had wound down to the final seconds, and we were only a few ticks away from the buzzer sounding.
We were running out of time to launch a comeback, but as long as Vladimir’s heart was still beating, I had a chance to save him. There was still one thing left Maksim wanted. Me. I had possession of the ball and had one last chance to the steal the game with a Hail Mary play in the end zone. Instead of fighting Alexander, I let go of my husband and lowered my arms. “Please. I’ll go. I just need to do one more thing.”
I stood on my toes and reeled my husband in for our last kiss. When our lips touched, Vladimir slid his tongue inside my mouth and kissed me so hard and deep and with so much passion, I would’ve given anything to have one more night with my sexy Russian—but I had to stay focused on saving his life first.
It took all the self-control I had to pull away, but for his sake, I stepped back and whispered, “Do svidaniya. Goodbye. I love you, boss.” I touched my baby bump with one hand and blew him a kiss with the other. As I walked away from my husband and toward Boris, Vladimir repeated the sentiment and kept his gaze locked on mine until the goons dragged him inside the warehouse.
Instead of turning around and chasing him inside, I constructed my game plan. I had no clue what I could do at this point to prevent Vladimir’s execution, but once I left the compound, it was over. Our forever life would crash and burn until it was reduced to ashes. It wasn’t bravery that kept me tethered to my husband—it was my undying loyalty to the man I loved. No matter what the cost, I could never leave him.
When I reached the line of guards that stood between Boris and me, Maksim’s attack dog Alexander stepped forward to deliver me to my father-in-law. I cringed when that monster manhandled me, but I squelched my fear and slapped on my game face.
“Farewell, Carter.” Maksim kissed my cheeks and regarded me as if I were something tasty dipped in chocolate. “If you get bored of getting passed around to the old cronies in Moscow, you are always welcome to stay here with me. I’ll keep the bed warm for you, love.”
There. Maksim had given me a brilliant idea.
Alexander marched me away from Maksim, and when I was an arm’s length away from Boris, I dug in my heels and refused to take another step. “Nyet, nyet, nyet. Please don’t make me go with him, Alexander. I don’t want to go to Moscow.” Realizing he didn’t understand English, I repeated it again in Russian.
“Enough, Carter. Come to me now.” Boris’s tone meant business, but I held my ground. He opened the car door and glared at me, mentally sending me a message that now was not the time to have a “Stupid Girl” moment.
“I’m not going with you, and I’m not going to marry Pasha. I won’t let you steal my baby and give him to your wife, Anya, to raise. You hate me. You’ve always hated me. Everything is my fault. This is my fault. Admit it, you’re tired of dealing with me. Once the baby is born, you’re going to offer me up as some sex slave to your cohorts in Moscow. I’m not going anywhere with you. I’m staying here where I’m safe—with Maksim.”
Boris lunged forward to grab me, but Alexander yanked me back. At the same time, the guards raised their guns, threatening Boris not to take another step. Alexander glanced over his shoulder, waiting for orders from his boss.
“Don’t let Maksim poison your brain, Carter. You are my daughter and the mother of my grandchild. I’ll die before I let anyone hurt you. Get in the car.”
“Maksim! Don’t let him take me.” He was behind the line and I drew him out with my plea for help. Knowing Alexander didn’t speak English, I only had a moment to communicate with Boris before Maksim came within earshot. “Listen, Boris. I’m not brainwashed. The only way I can help is if I’m on the inside. I’ll get Vladimir and Dmitri free by sunset tonight. All you have to do is find a way to bust us out of here. I’ll get them loose, and you get us free. Got it?”
“That’s not the plan, Carter. Your job is to protect the baby.”
“How can I look our child in the eyes and tell him I deserted his papa when he needed me the most? I won’t slink away like a coward. I’m sorry, I can’t do it.”
“You have no idea what Maksim will do to you. Remember what happened to Vladimir’s mama? You want to be beaten and raped until your body is no use to him anymore? Maksim’s uncle slit Irina’s throat and put a bullet between her eyes while her husband watched. You think he will show you mercy because you are pregnant? Do you understand what they will do to you? Vladimir surrendered his life to protect you. Listen to your brain, not your heart. Do your job. Get in the fucking car.”
I felt like I was going to be sick. Boris was right. I wasn’t thinking clearly. My duty was to protect our child, and I failed miserably—but I loved Vladimir and couldn’t force myself to abandon him. On our wedding day, I made a vow in front of God and our family. Till death do us part. As long as my husband was breathing, I would fight to keep him alive.
“Nyet. You’re never going to let me go home. I’m never going to be free. I know you’re going to make me suffer.” I yelled louder than necessary so Maksim could hear me.
Maksim stood in front of his army and held out his arm, inviting me to come to him. He smiled wickedly as the realization had set in that once again, he had the upper hand. “Change of heart, sweet pea? Come to me now. Your life will be a fairytale. I’ll give you everything you’ve ever dreamed of, and I’ll treat your beautiful baby as if he were my own.” He held out his hand, inviting me to turn against my family. I shot my gaze between Maksim and Boris, teetering on the line between doing the right thing and spiraling down into a sinkhole Boris may never be able to hoist me out of again.
“Carter!” Boris pounded the side of the car. “He’s a violent man. When you’re locked behind closed doors, he’ll dominate you and force you into a lifestyle unbecoming of your gentle nature. The only one who will protect you is me.”
“You’re lying. As soon as we get to Russia, you’re going to beat me with your belt to punish me for allowing Maksim to capture me. You abuse me every time Vladimir turns his back. I’m not going anywhere with you.”
Boris’s expression tanked as the truth of my words penetrated his soul.
“That’s right, Carter. You won’t escape a beating from your father-in-law. He’s a ruthless, unforgiving brute. Stay with me and I’ll sweeten the deal. I will keep you safe, and I will give you one last night with your husband. A nice dinner, a quiet bedroom, time to say your formal goodbyes to the papa of your baby.” He placed his hand on his heart and manufactured a condescending smile. “I give you my word, I will respect your wedding vows. As long your husband is alive, you belong to him. When he is gone, we can build our relationship and strengthen our bond. I don’t expect you to love me right away, but I’ll do anything to have you look at me the way you look at him.”
“He’s lying, Carter. Don’t fall for his tricks.”
“I’ll end Vladimir’s life mercifully. No beating, no torture, no robbing him of his dignity. When the moment comes, he’ll feel nothing. He’ll simply go away.” Maksim waved his hands to mimic a bird fluttering its wings, soaring peacefully toward the sky.
Boris charged forward to take me by force, but Yuri drew his gun and aimed it between his papa’s eyes. Boris ignored the warning and stepped up to his son until the barrel was point blank against his forehead. “Have you learned nothing from me, son? When you draw your weapon, you pull the trigger. Never make a threat you don’t aim to deliver.”
Yuri sneered at his papa, itching for Maksim to give him the order. The resentment he felt toward his father was palpable. Yuri wasn’t hurt because Boris blamed him for Katia’s death, the anger he felt had festered and made him volatile enough to take his father’s life.
Slowly, I reached out to Maksim and took his hand. I felt the rush of victory coursing through his veins as he reeled me into his arms and planted a wet kiss on my lips. I pushed him back and wiped off my mouth with the back of my hand. Maksim laughed either at my stupidity for staying with him, or at my unapologetic reaction to his unwanted advances.
“Oh, Carter. You are delicious. I’m not sure if you’re the stupidest person I’ve ever met, or if you’re smarter than all of the men of the Bratva put together.” He locked elbows with me and corralled me back to the warehouse. “Either way, I’m looking forward to unraveling your mystery.”
I glanced behind to see what was going down with Boris and Yuri. They were in the same positions as if frozen in place. Both men oozing with pent-up anger and resentment, both unwilling to waver.
“Lower your gun and escort your papa to his car, Yuri. You can settle your grudge on your own time. Do svidaniya, big papa.”
Yuri followed orders and lowered the gun, but Boris didn’t move. Ticked off by his insolence, Yuri raised his hand and pistol whipped his papa in the back of his head. A stomach-turning crack sounded, and as Boris stumbled back, Yuri grabbed hold of him, ushered him to the car, and shoved him into the driver’s seat. He slammed the door shut, and a moment later the car sped away. I said a silent prayer for Boris as Maksim escorted me inside the warehouse. Terror washed over me as I considered my next move. My decision to stay with Maksim in hopes of saving Vladimir was either the smartest decision of my life, or the biggest mistake in the history of mankind.
Right or wrong, I didn’t regret my decision. Live to fight another day.