Stripped Bare
When Durov returned, he insisted on talking with Thane alone.
There was no doubt the discussion had to do with Lilly, and Thane was impatient to find out why Brie had been drugged, since Brie had been vague about it.
His brother picked up the chair beside the bed and turned it backwards before sitting down. “We have much to talk about but, first…before anything else, you must know I would have been here the instant I heard about the crash. But there’s the catch, I was not informed about the accident until only a few weeks ago. Whether it was a legitimate mistake or by design, I am still not sure, but know that my absence was not of my own doing, moy droog.”
Thane shook his head. He couldn’t fathom why Durov wouldn’t have been the first one called and looked at his friend with concern.
Durov saw he was upset and quickly laughed it off. “In the end, it is not important because I am here now, radost moya is safe, and you, comrade, are wide awake.”
Thane glanced toward the door Brie had just exited, feeling apprehensive.
“Da, it is serious, moy droog. Your creature of a half-sister planned to do Brie and the babe great harm.”
Thane looked back at Durov, alarmed when he hesitated to say more. It was unlike the passionate Russian—his silence was ominous. “This woman deserves to die, and we both know she will continue to be a threat to you both until she draws her last breath. With forceful persuasion, I have gotten her to confess several key things. Are you interested in hearing them now, or would you rather wait until you have had a few days to recover?”
Thane would have punched Durov, if he’d had the strength. Instead, he was left glaring at his friend, waiting for him to speak.
“Very well, but I warn you, such knowledge may prove a hindrance to your recovery, for to know such things and not be able to take action is detrimental to the soul.”
Without hesitation, Thane forced out the words, “Tell…me.”
“You have been warned…” He leaned even closer, speaking to Thane in low tones to keep the conversation private, should someone walk in. “She’s truly depraved, comrade. When she met you the first time, the creature found you extremely attractive, dismissing the fact you both share a mother.”
Thane was sickened by the revelation and looked at Durov in disgust.
The Russian shared how Lilly had come to be with child, explaining, “He resented her for wanting to break up his marriage and became violent when she tried to blackmail him. Knowing she could not go to the police after the attack, she crafted a plan to ensnare you—the true object of her obsession. When you joined her in China, she’d already set in motion her trap for you. But, moy droog, as depraved as she was, claiming the child was yours, it is nothing compared to what she tried to do to radost moya and the babe.”
Thane stared at him, unsure if he could handle what Durov was about to say.
“The creature knew you to be a gentleman, and she convinced herself that you would insist on raising the child as your own after her false accusations. And, given enough time together, you would fall in love with her.”
Thane narrowed his eyes, shaking his head. The story Durov told was beyond anything he could have imagined.
“I agree the creature is warped in the head, and I could have had a level of sympathy for her, but for what came next.”
Durov got up and started pacing. Thane watched him with growing concern as the man paced back and forth in silence. His comrade had suffered a myriad of horrific experiences in his life, which left Thane dreading what had him so upset now.
Sitting back down, Durov looked at Thane, his whole being tense with rage. “The creature had your woman drugged so that…” Durov closed his eyes, fighting to say the words out loud. “She planned to kill moye solntse.”
Ice ran through Thane’s veins, seeping into the depths of his soul. He’d never thought her capable of murder.
“But that was not all.” Durov’s eyes welled up with tears as he continued. “The creature had already sold Brie into slavery and was going to have her delivered into the hands of a monster after the loss of the babe. A life like Tatianna’s, but so much worse…”
The devastation on Durov’s face matched his own. Thane fought back the dark rage that was mounting—ready to consume his soul.
“Moy droog, I regret that I am not able to eliminate the threat while she remains with child, and you can only lie here with the knowledge of what she tried to do.”
The Russian stared at his palms, looking gutted. “Both of our hands are tied for different reasons.”
The horrific truth was worse than anything Thane could have imagined. He struggled to digest it, the bile of how truly monstrous Lilly was proving impossible to swallow—as was the realization of how close Thane had come to losing everything he loved.
In the past, Durov had leaned heavily on Thane during critical points in his life, but now their roles were reversed. Thane needed Durov to be his strength.
Thane stared at him, lost in a feeling of helplessness, and whispered hoarsely, “Brother.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner, moy droog?” Durov accused him. “I could have squashed the creature before she had the chance to harm anyone.”
Thane was devastated by the question and could say nothing, knowing his silence had almost cost Brie her life.
Durov shook his head. “Actually, I am not being fair to you…”
Thane’s eyes narrowed, realizing his friend was hiding something more.
Durov sighed deeply. “I am also guilty of keeping things from you in an attempt to protect radost moya. Like true brothers, we share the same flaw.”
Thane frowned, squeezing his friend’s hand—demanding an explanation.
The resignation on Durov’s face when he met Thane’s gaze was disquieting. “Moy droog, the situation involving the maggot I killed has become…complicated. The Kozlov brothers are seeking revenge because it turns out he was their second cousin once removed. Although they’d never met in person, it became a convenient excuse for vengeance against me.”
Thane nodded slowly, the cold realization of how dire the situation really was now becoming apparent.
“I thought I was safe, but now I see the tides turning and I cannot stop what is coming.” He slapped his other hand against Thane’s and held it tight in both hands. “But I promise with every breath still left in me that I will not let radost moya suffer for what happened in Russia.”
Thane stared at him, unable to process it all.
Durov slapped his shoulder encouragingly. “The Kozlov brothers desire my death as payment for the maggot. I vow not to go down without a fight but, if the worst should happen, do not mourn for me. I will be with Tatianna, and will sup at my mother’s table again.”
Thane understood how dangerous the Koslovs were, but his friend was speaking as if he’d already given up hope of escaping.
Thane would not, could not, accept that this was his fate, and spat out a word, throwing down the gauntlet. “Coward…”
Durov smirked, accepting his challenge. “Fine, you peasant bastard. I will fight as hard as you have. We are brothers, after all. Stubborn to the depths of our dark souls.”
Thane stared at him, expressing with the force of his will, one single, driving thought:
I can’t lose you, brother.
Thane had not appreciated at the time that Durov suspected what was coming and was actually telling him goodbye.
To have his brother physically dragged out of the hospital room by the bratva to be tortured and killed that very next morning was beyond what Thane was capable of bearing.
He lay there in utter shock, listening to Brie’s sobs, as the room was flooded with strangers asking him questions he was unable to answer.
Thane held out his hand to Brie, holding her tight as he closed his eyes and tuned out the world.
This cannot be his fate.
Thane suddenly screamed, shutting up everyone in the room. They slowly filed out, leaving the two of them alone. The silence left behind was deafening.
“He’s going to come back,” Thane assured Brie. He said it not because he believed it, but because it had to be true.
Any other reality was not acceptable.
What little he knew about the Koslov brothers he’d learned from Durov. He understood they were a powerful faction of the Russian bratva and were feared in their country. Thane needed to learn more about them so he could get Durov back alive. Bribery was a powerful tool, and if placed in the right hands, it could open doors nothing else could.
Thane needed to contact Durov’s four brothers and enlist their help. Although he had no respect for the men because of their vile treatment toward Durov, Thane would have to rely on their assistance to have any chance of rescuing Durov.
Only a blood relative would be able to negotiate with the Koslovs.
Thane would approach Timur first, remembering that Durov had mentioned he was the most reasonable of the four.
Titov was another good option…
If Thane could keep his head straight, he was confident he could devise a plan to get Durov back. But time was of the essence.
The door opened, interrupting his thoughts, when Wallace entered the room. The boy seemed harried and overly nervous as he approached.
“I…I’m sorry to disturb you both.”
Brie looked up at him and complained weakly, “But I told you not to come.”
“I know,” Wallace said, looking at Thane as he answered. “However, I’m here to speak to you on the orders of a mutual friend.”
Thane narrowed his eyes, certain the boy was speaking of Durov. “Come…closer.”
Wallace stood next to Brie, speaking in quiet tones. “I have news about Lilly.”
Thane saw Brie’s face drain of all color.
“Durov spoke with me yesterday. Together, we formulated a plan to get Lilly behind bars as quickly as possible.”
Brie broke into tears, too fragile to handle anything more.
However, Wallace was insistent, and thankfully so. “I came to inform you that she has been arrested and is in jail. I made sure, personally. I wanted you both to rest assured that she is no longer a threat, and I will continue to monitor her situation to guarantee it remains that way.”
“You should not—” Sir began.
Wallace interrupted. “Durov asked me to manage the situation, and that is what I will do—without fail.”
Brie’s voice broke. “You…saw him…yesterday?”
“Yes, Brie. I vowed I would protect you if he could not.”
She looked crestfallen as she whimpered, “He knew this was coming?”
Thane held out a shaking hand, placing it on Brie’s. She instantly quieted, comforted by her Master’s touch, but the tears continued to fall.
“I’m here for you both in whatever capacity you need. I owe you my life.”
Thane shook his head. “You owe…nothing.”
Wallace vehemently disagreed. “You found my donor on the other side of the world when I’d all but given up, and Brie cared for me in the hospital—even making sure I had chocolate.” He met Thane’s gaze, adding, “I remember when you told me ‘There are families formed by blood, and others by character.’ Well, you guys, and that crazy Russian, are now part of my family.”
Brie lowered her head and let out a quiet sob.
Thane felt a punch to his chest as he relived that moment when Durov’s unconscious body was dragged out of his hospital room by Koslovs’ men. “We are both…still in shock.”
“Is there anything I can do to h—”
A familiar voice came bursting through the door, stating emphatically, “Of course he wants to see me. And even if he didn’t, nothing would stop me.”
The nurse following behind, apologizing to Thane. “He wouldn’t take no for an answer!”
Anderson ignored everyone else in the room, breaking into a wide smile when he saw Thane. “It’s a damn good sight to see those eyes open, buddy.”
“Master Anderson,” Brie cried, melting into his embrace as she laid her head against his broad chest. Anderson wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug as he lifted Brie off the floor, and carried her back over to Thane.
He looked at Thane, shaking his head, as he set Brie down and grabbed him in a muscular embrace.
Thane closed his eyes, soaking in Anderson’s strength—needing the power of his friendship to navigate what lay ahead.
When Anderson let go, he wiped his eye and pointed a finger at Thane. “Damn it, man. You gave us all quite the scare. Don’t be pulling that shit again, buddy.” Anderson looked over at Brie and added, “Neither she nor I can handle it.”
Thane stared intently at Anderson’s legs with a raise eyebrow, having heard about the car accident. “No…more…crashes.”
Anderson chuckled. “That’s a deal. No more crashes for either of us.” He made a wide sweeping motion with both his hands. “Ever.”
Brie let out a sad laugh. “I’ve had enough scares to last me two lifetimes.”
Anderson put an arm around her and winked. “Didn’t l tell you he would be okay, darlin’?”
“You did.” Brie looked at both Thane and Wallace, and said, “He never gave up believing Sir would recover, and he was unwavering in his belief in his innocence, no matter how calculated Lilly’s accusations became.”
Brie turned her attention back on Anderson. “You helped me hold onto the truth.”
Thane stared at his old college friend, unable to express the gratitude he felt. He’d heard from Brie how unfailingly loyal Anderson had been, not only to him, but to Brie herself. Even though Thane’s speech was limited, he yearned to express how grateful he was for their friendship, and summed it up in one simple word.
“Buddy.”
Anderson shook his finger at him again, tears in his eyes as he grinned. “You got that right, bud.”
It wasn’t until then that Anderson addressed Wallace, his tone hostile. “Explain to me exactly why you are here.”
Thane attempted to explain. “He’s helpin—” Unfortunately, the effort caused him to break into a violent fit of coughing.
Brie immediately grabbed a cup of water from the tray and tipped it up, helping him to drink. She turned to the other men and insisted, “We have to keep our questions to a simple yes or no.”
Anderson nodded, looking concerned as the nurse rushed in to check on Thane.
After she left, Wallace asked, “Do you know where they took Durov?”
Thane shook his head, upset he had no answer. Durov had once shared that the Koslovs were famous for making people disappear.
“Is there someone you need us to contact?” Anderson asked.
He nodded, his heart racing, knowing that time was ticking away.
While they continued to ask yes and no questions, it quickly became apparent to Thane that Anderson had been left out of most of what was going on.
The man was none too pleased about it and took it out on Wallace.
“Look, Anderson, I wasn’t Durov’s first choice, by any means,” Wallace replied in a defensive tone.
Anderson shook his head, growling. “I don’t get it. I would do anything for you both. Why was I kept out of the loop?” He closed his eyes for a moment and then sighed in frustration, muttering, “That sadistic bastard…”
While Thane could not explain what was going on between Durov and Anderson, he didn’t have time to concern himself with it. Top of his list was reaching the Koslovs with an offer they could not refuse.
“Call Titov,” Thane commanded, his throat painfully hoarse after coughing so hard.
Wallace dialed the number, but shook his head afterward. “His number is no longer working.”
Thane frowned, the feeling of desperation eating at him.
“Why is the phone disconnected. What does it mean?” Anderson asked Wallace.
“They are all…in danger,” Thane answered.
“All of them?” Brie cried out.
Thane could not spare her from the truth. “Koslovs are ruthless.”
He heard the worry in Brie’s voice when she asked Wallace, “Do you have any other way to reach him—anybody?”
He shook his head sadly. “No. As far as I am aware, there was no backup plan.”
“Damn…” Anderson muttered. “But they all can’t have vanished into thin air.”
“They must to survive,” Thane informed him.
Brie looked at Thane in desperation. “What do we do now?”
Thane struggled to sit upright, determined to help his brother, but his body was too weak. His attempt only caused another bout of coughing, leaving him weak and out of breath. “I have to get out of this damn bed.” He tried again, but only succeeded in starting another round of coughing.
The nurse ran in, concerned.
“Sir’s pushing himself too hard,” Brie explained.
“I have to get out of bed,” he stated, looking to the nurse for help.
“I’m sorry, but that’s going to take some time,” she answered. “You need to rest.”
“I don’t have time!”
Thane glanced at Wallace and Anderson, the fear and desperation he felt impossible to hide. “He cannot die.”
Thane made the call to Timur after he’d had time to collect himself. In his condition, even a short call would take great effort, but he steeled his mind for the task, determined to bring Durov home.
Timur’s number was the only one he had of the brothers, kept under the name “Tammy”, in case Durov ever got hold of Thane’s phone. He knew of the bad blood between them, but being a prudent man, Thane had kept the contact number in case of an emergency. He never thought he would ever have to use it.
Speaking in Russian, Thane explained to Timur who he was and why he was calling. He was surprised by the cold reception he received.
“I have no interest in helping Anton.”
Thane was shocked. When he tried to explain the dire situation, the man refused to listen.
“Can I have the numbers of your siblings?”
“Nyet. They feel the same as I.”
“This is a life or death matter,” Thane insisted.
“Fine, you may have Vlad’s, but he disowned Anton long ago. He will not help, I guarantee it.”
Before Thane let him go he felt the urge to ask, “Have you never questioned it?”
“What?”
“Whether Anton deserves your wrath?”
“Do not speak to me again,” Timur stated, hanging up the phone.
Thane didn’t skip a beat, calling Vlad next. He met with the same resistance, although Vlad was more vocal about his hatred of Durov. Unlike Timur, he freely gave out his brother’s numbers. “It won’t make a difference what you do. They already offered a ransom and I turned it down.”
Thane stared at his phone in shock as he set it down. Vlad, oldest of the Durov brothers, had turned down the only chance of getting Anton, his own blood and kin, out alive.
How was that possible?
Thane glanced at Brie, who obviously knew something was wrong, but was too afraid to ask him about it.
For the first time, Thane began to doubt he could save his brother. He lay there with the knowledge that his friend was headed to certain death and there was nothing he could do about it.
Thane picked up his phone again and called Wallace. He’d mentioned speaking to Durov the day before. It was possible he might have information Thane could use.
“Can you come back? We need to talk.”