Welcome Party
“Ah, Sir Davis,” Gray said in his velvety smooth voice. “I see you’ve mastered death as well as life.”
Thane smirked at the comment, holding out his hand, genuinely glad the trainer had come for a visit. “I’m grateful to see you again, Gray.” He was surprised that the instant Gray entered his room, the fog of uncertainty he’d been feeling about Durov’s future began to dissipate.
Grasping Thane’s hand firmly, he stated, “There was never a doubt you would return to Brianna. You are far too stubborn to give up on her. I know this for a fact.”
Thane glanced at Brie. “Some things are worth fighting for.”
“Agreed, which is why I came today. May I say I’m surprised I did not receive a request from you to assist with Durov.”
Gray’s comment caused Thane concern as Wallace’s youthful face came to mind. He suddenly realized how risky the plan he was concocting truly was. People might die trying to save Durov.
“No offense, Gray, but I wouldn’t accept your help even if you offered. This will be a perilous mission, and you have Celestia to care for.”
“Actually, I was not offering to go. My plan was to remain here to look after…the vile flower.” He said the last two words with distaste, asserting his dislike for Lilly without speaking her name aloud. “However, I know someone who has the extensive experience required for this rescue.”
“What I’m proposing is dangerous, but I have no other option with time running out.”
“Let every person decide what they are willing to risk,” Gray advised. “All you need to do is tell us the plan, and those who volunteer will act as your hands and feet.”
Thane felt a quickening in his spirit, believing for the first time that his rescue plan might have a solid chance. However, without the help of Durov’s brothers, any attempt at rescue would be futile. “We won’t get anywhere without the support of the brothers.”
“I’m confident you will attain it,” Gray replied. “You are an articulate and persuasive man.”
“Sir, I know you are the man who can convince them,” Brie cried excitedly, the hope in her voice igniting his own.
Thane began formulating a new direction to take in his conversation with the brothers. “Once I get the ransom back on the table, we can execute the plan for the extraction.”
“Let us know when you’re ready to meet, and we will gather here.” Gray nodded to him, giving Brie an encouraging smile as he turned to leave.
Brie bowed her head. “Thank you for coming, Marquis.”
Thane added confidently, “We’ll be speaking soon.”
“Good. I look forward to it.”
As he was walking out, Thane spotted his uncle standing in the hallway. He turned to Brie and asked, “Could you tell him to come in, babygirl?”
His uncle walked into the room with his arm held tightly around his wife, Judy. Both were staring at Thane nervously as if they couldn’t quite believe he was awake and conscious.
“Unc.”
“Oh, my God,” Jack cried, letting go of his wife as he rushed forward to hug Thane. “You’re okay. Oh, my boy, my boy…” He grabbed Thane’s face in both hands as if needing to confirm it. “You’re back!”
Thane closed his eyes for a moment, soaking in his uncle’s intense love while the man hugged him tight and cried on Thane’s shoulder.
Judy was similarly affected, sniffling and dabbing her eyes as she smiled at him.
He could not explain why, but there was a powerful force associated with their unconditional love. His uncle’s maternal connection made it even more significant, considering Ruth had abandoned him as a youth. While Thane could not understand the reasons behind it, he was nonetheless fortified by their love—and deeply grateful for it.
“We were so sorry about what happened to your Russian friend. I felt just terrible watching the video of it,” Judy told them both.
Because of Wallace and Gray’s recent visits, Thane was able to answer her with conviction. “We will get him back, Auntie.”
Her lip trembled when she told him, “To hear your voice again, Thane. It’s like hearing the voice of an angel.”
“An exaggeration, but thank you.”
Brie hugged Judy, adding in her two cents. “I agree completely with you.”
Judy looked down at Brie’s stomach, her smile growing wider. “Every time I see you now, your baby bump gets a little bigger. Have you found out if it’s a boy or girl yet?”
“No, but Sir is joining me for an ultrasound in a few days, and I can’t wait to find out!”
Thane smiled to himself, certain he already knew the answer. However, he didn’t want to spoil the surprise for Brie and remained quiet.
“Is there anything we can do for you, Thane? Anyone you would like us to call?” Jack asked him.
Judy suddenly turned red and glanced at Brie and then at her husband. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, honey. You know what happened the last time I was in charge of phone calls…”
Thane’s curiosity was piqued. “Tell me, Auntie.”
She blushed a deeper shade of red. “I’m so sorry, Thane, but I forgot to call Rytsar Durov after your accident.”
Her confession brought about a flood of understanding concerning the rift between his two college friends. Thane nodded to her, relieved it was a simple mistake and not something more grievous.
“Everything worked out. Don’t give it another thought,” Brie assured her, giving Judy an extra squeeze.
Thane appreciated his offer. “Unc, at this point, I don’t really need anything from you. But why not ask Brie?”
Jack put his arm around Brie and smiled at her. “You’ve helped me out countless times in the past when you worked at the tobacco shop. Is there anything I can do for you, young lady?”
She grimaced, looking almost apologetic when she answered, “Would you be willing to check on my cat and clean out the litter box?”
“Certainly,” he replied without hesitation.
“You won’t ever see Shadow, but he’s there all alone. With me staying here at the hospital and Rytsar gone—” She broke mid-sentence but quickly collected herself. “I want to make sure he’s well taken care of.”
Jack gave her a quick hug. “Not a problem. Judy and I are happy to help.”
Thane stared at Judy and Jack in silence, humbled by the fact he was here with them, no longer a ghost imprisoned in a paralyzed body. “You know, there was a point where I thought I would never see you two again.”
Fresh tears started as Judy sucked in a sob.
“I knew you were a fighter, Thane,” Jack replied. “You have been since you were a boy. It’s something I’ve always admired about you.”
“And you are my rock, Unc. You’ve always been there for me, even when I was a resentful ass of a teenager. Never judging, no matter what direction my life took.”
“You’ve always had a solid head on your shoulders, and a good heart. I couldn’t be prouder of you.”
Such high praise was embarrassing, but Thane nodded in appreciation.
He heard the sound of the clock beside him ticking off each second as they conversed, making him anxious. Durov was running out of time.
“While I dislike cutting this short, I—”
“Say no more,” Judy insisted. “We know you need your rest.” She gave him a quick kiss, and his uncle gave him one more hug before they hurried out of the room.
“I’m so glad they came to visit,” Brie sighed as she shut the door behind them.
“They are good people,” he agreed. “I am a lucky man.”
Glancing at the anniversary clock on the counter, he smiled at Brie. “Do you know that this clock was a welcomed sound in my coma?”
“Really?” Brie’s face lit up. “This is my parents’ wedding gift to us. Daddy took it with him whenever he had to travel for long periods of time. He said it helped whenever he got lonely because it reminded him we would be reunited soon.”
Thane held out his hand to her and pulled Brie close. “It served the same purpose for me.” He didn’t bother to tell her that each tick now reminded him that his friend was in mortal danger and there wasn’t a second to lose.
Kissing her on the forehead, he informed Brie, “It’s time I make that call to Russia.”
“You aren’t going to rest?” she asked in concern.
“No, babygirl, we’re going to bring Durov home.”
She threw her arms around him, nearly squeezing the breath out of him in her enthusiasm. “Back home to us.”
“While I speak to his brothers, can you call Thompson to let him know he needs to pencil in a few hours for me? It’s do or die time.”
Thane thought on that for a moment and shook his head. Dying wasn’t an option—for any of them.
After securing the allegiance and support of Andrev, the last brother Thane thought would ever champion Durov’s rescue, he was forced to take a moment to actually rest—Nurse Abby threatened to sedate him if he did not.
Brie lay in his arms while he stroked her hair and he forced himself to relax. Thane made it a point to keep his eyes open, refusing to shut them for extended periods after having spent far too much time in the dark.
Brie lifted her head suddenly, startled by a commotion just outside the door.
The door burst open and a huge bouquet marched into the room, carried by a tiny deliveryman. Following the flowers, another man holding a huge white box walked in. Behind him was Anderson himself, hefting an old-fashioned boom box on his shoulder with the song “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors blaring loudly.
The man with the bouquet tried to hand the giant vase to Brie, but Anderson stopped him. “No, no. You go put that on the counter over there. This little mama can’t be lifting heavy things in her delicate state.”
The man apologized and placed the large bouquet down where Anderson had indicated.
“What’s this?” Brie cried out in awe, ogling the giant flower bouquet.
“What did you say, young Brie?” Anderson asked, turning down the music slightly.
“I hate to tell you this,” she giggled, “but it’s not my birthday today.”
“Of course it isn’t,” he replied, flashing her a charming smile.
Brie grinned, shrugging her shoulders. “So what’s the meaning of this massive flower creation?”
“You do not know this, but the day I had my car accident, I had a bouquet exactly like this strapped in the truck. I was coming to deliver it to you when the old lady and that dang turtle changed my plans. Since the original never made it to its final destination, I asked my florist to make another.”
Brie began stroking the various blossoms, taking in the scent of each flower as she explored the unusual arrangement with her fingers. “Master Anderson, this is like a work of art.”
“You like it, then?”
“I love it, and am thoroughly entranced by it.”
“What has you sending my wife such an impressive display?” Thane asked with a smirk.
Anderson’s answer was honest and true to his nature. “I just wanted to see young Brie smile again. She’s been through too much lately. You both have.”
Anderson pointed to the counter, instructing the man holding the large box to place it beside the flowers. Handing the deliverymen each a wad of bills and giving a hearty handshake, he sent them on their way. Thane did not miss the mischievous glint in Anderson’s eyes when he closed the door behind them.
“And now for the real reason I came…”
Brie tilted her head, giggling. “What are you up to, Master Anderson?”
“Open the box and find out.”
When she started to lift the lid, he stopped her. “Wait! Before you do, why don’t you tell me what you think it is?”
She stared at the large pastry box with an amused expression. “It’s really big for a baked good, but I still have to go with a cake.”
“Good guess, young Brie.”
Anderson gave Thane a wink.
Brie stood on tiptoes to look inside after she lifted the lid, and let out a pleased squeal. “It’s so pretty with all those flowers! What flavor is it?”
Brad put his hand to his ear, “What?”
Brie turned around to face him and asked in a louder voice, speaking over the music, “What kind of cake?”
He turned off the music completely and said nothing, grinning from ear to ear.
Brie’s eyes suddenly grew wide and she turned back to the box staring, transfixed, at it. Leaning forward while turning her head slightly, Brie appeared to be listening to the cake.
“Master Anderson, are those…?”
“They are, young Brie.”
He looked at Thane and chuckled. “I brought your wife a pussy cake.”
Anderson walked over to Brie and freed the intricately decorated cake from its box, setting the cake on the floor.
“How many do you think there are?” he asked her.
“I have no idea,” Brie squeaked, pressing her hands to her chest in excitement. “But their little mews are so stinking cute!”
Thane stared at Anderson and raised an eyebrow. “Kittens?”
“I had to bring the music to drown out the noises coming from the box. I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble.”
“I’m not the one who’s going to get in trouble,” Thane stated, looking back at the cake. He found himself captivated by the smile on Brie’s face as Anderson unscrewed the top of the plastic confection. The minute he lifted it off, a passel of kittens tumbled out.
“Oh, my goodness!” Brie cried, picking up one and then another, trying to pile all the furry creatures on her lap.
Anderson grinned at Thane. “I knew the kittens would be just what the doctor ordered. However, I wasn’t sure the hospital staff would agree. Hence the party theme to distract the staff from my true intentions.”
“Aren’t they the cutest, Sir?” Brie cooed, covered in kittens crawling all over her.
Anderson picked up a calico and walked over to Thane, placing the tiny animal on his chest. “She’s my favorite. Saucy little spirit, but a sweetie just like Cayenne.”
Even though he was not an animal person, Thane couldn’t deny those big eyes, and that tiny pink nose with long whiskers was appealing, especially when the kitten rubbed its furry head against his chin. The creature didn’t care that he was an invalid. It didn’t know that terrible things were happening—it was simply a bundle of carefree innocence.
Brie giggled from the floor. “I can’t believe you have so many black kittens, Master Anderson.”
“I know…” Anderson huffed in irritation. “If you can believe it, all the black ones are male. It’s as if the black bastard is taunting me with his offspring.”
Brie broke out in a fit of laughter.
One of the kittens was frightened by her sudden outburst and ran to Anderson, trying to climb up his pants leg. He picked up the tiny black ball of fur and lifted it to his face. “Even though the last thing I ever wanted were kittens, I have to admit they are a kick to have around. And this one?” He turned it around so they could see its face. “I’ve been told this guy is extremely rare—black like his father, with blue eyes like his mother.”
“Too adorable!” Brie agreed.
Thane shook his head, surprised that Anderson seemed to be handling the whole Cayenne/Shadow debacle exceedingly well. “So, what do you plan to do with them?”
Anderson cradled the little kitten against his muscular chest. “I’m not sure yet. There’s no way I can keep all six, but I can’t stomach the idea of giving any of them away.”
“Really?”
He coughed self-consciously. “Yeah, the little buggers have started to grow on me.”
“I always suspected that deep inside that baby-hating man lived a giant softie.” Brie grinned as she rubbed her round belly, glancing at him teasingly. “I bet you are going to make an exceptional pseudo-uncle for our little one.” As soon as she said it, the expression on her face changed, and she bit her lip, trying to keep her tears at bay.
Thane knew she was thinking of Durov.
Suddenly, a vision of his friend beaten and bloody came to Thane’s mind. It felt like he’d been gut-punched, and he struggled to breathe.
The kitten on his chest moved closer, putting its paws on his chin and leaning forward to lick his nose.
Brie burst out in giggles, shaking off her melancholy. “That’s so adorable!”
Thane picked the kitten up in both hands and shook his head. “You don’t know this yet, but you have to ask permission before you can lick me.”
Anderson’s low laughter joined Brie’s lyrical one.
Thane glanced over at Brie, grateful for Anderson’s willingness to bend the rules that granted them this unexpected and welcomed distraction.
When he set the kitten back down on his chest, it started purring as it kneaded him with its tiny claws. Thane frowned and was about to pick it back up when Anderson commanded, “Just give it a sec.”
Sure enough, moments later, the kitten stopped and lay down, curling into a small ball on his chest, still purring loudly.
“She must like you, buddy,” Anderson stated. “If you really want her, I’ll make the sacrifice.”
As endearing as the kitten was, Thane did not want to take on the responsibility. “I wouldn’t dream of splitting up your feline family.”
Anderson smirked. “I won’t be offering again, no matter how much you beg.”
“Truthfully, Master Anderson, it wouldn’t be fair to Shadow,” Brie told him. “A father should be with all of his children, not just one.”
His low laughter was ripe with sarcasm. “Yeah, that’ll be the day.”
Brie got a funny expression on her face. Giving each kitten a kiss before she set them on the floor, Brie walked over to Thane and leaned over, cupping her hand to whisper her idea in his ear.
“Okay, what are you up to, young Brie?” Brad demanded.
Brie smiled sweetly. “Do you remember that bet you made with me at the apartment?”
He looked confused for a second, before his eyes sparked in remembrance. “I do, now that you mention it.”
“You bet on Sir’s first words when he woke up. But, sadly, Master Anderson, you were wrong.”
Anderson shrugged, grinning at Thane. “Hey, I was certain your first words would be directed at me. What can I say?”
Thane shook his head in amusement.
Brie explained to Thane, “At the time, I told Master Anderson I knew exactly what I was going to buy with the winnings, but I’ve changed my mind.”
“Woman’s prerogative,” Anderson replied amiably.
She walked back to play with the kittens, smiling at him mischievously as she passed by.
Anderson turned to Thane. “So, what is she planning?”
Thane didn’t crack a smile when he said, “Brie mentioned that Shadow takes his responsibility to the kittens very seriously.”
“Wait,” Anderson said, holding his hand up. “Please don’t tell me young Brie plans to write another love story about cats.”
Brie snorted in amusement. “Can you seriously tell me that you didn’t feel the love when you read their passionate romance?”
“I most definitely did not.”
Brie arched her eyebrow. “So if I read that story to you right now, there would be absolutely no response—at all?” Her eyes drifted down to his crotch.
Anderson covered up his groin, hiding it from her scrutiny. “I make no such claims, but it wouldn’t be because of the story, darlin’.”
Brie giggled.
“Please tell me it’s not another story,” he begged Thane.
“Fine,” he answered. “It’s not another story.”
“Good,” he replied, sounding relieved. A few seconds later, however, he frowned at Thane. “Did you just say that because I told you to?”
Thane smiled.
“Young Brie…” Anderson implored.
She gave him an innocent look. “What?”
“No more stories from you.”
“Oh, don’t worry. This isn’t coming from me.”
“What isn’t?”
Brie picked up two of the black kittens, giving them each an Eskimo kiss, ignoring the question.
Anderson looked back to Thane.
Thane nodded his head toward Brie and watched her for several moments, touched to see the open joy on her face. He glanced back at Anderson in gratefulness.
Anderson understood, and tipped an imaginary hat. “Anytime, buddy.”
A few days later, Thane was looking at Durov’s rescue team: Wallace, the boy he had trained to collar Brie; Captain, a friend of Gallant’s who’d become like family after the airplane crash; and Samantha, a long-time friend and colleague, who shared a complicated past with Durov.
Anderson, Baron, Gray, and Boa were also in attendance, having all agreed to assist in the dangerous mission. However, Thane had quickly whittled it down to these few because of the extreme risks involved.
He felt the three he’d chosen stood the best chance of getting Durov back with minimum peril. There was no point to saving his Russian brother, only to lose someone else he cared about in the process.
Thane grabbed the rails of his bed and forced himself into an upright position. He looked at each person there, inspired by their bravery. “Thank you for your friendship, your courage, and your selfless hearts. Each one of you here has offered the same sacrifice, and for that I am eternally grateful…” His voice faltered, and he lay back down, tears of gratitude blurring his vision.
He would never forget this moment or the people standing before him.
Captain took over the meeting, being a trained leader who understood the urgency of the mission ahead. “We need nonessentials to leave so we can go over the plan in order to execute it quickly and efficiently.”
The four men staying behind shook hands with those who were leaving for Russia, wishing them good luck and a quick return. It was sobering for Thane to realize, as they all shook hands, that there was a distinct possibility one or more of them might not make it back.
By the end of the night, each person knew their role and how the mission would play out. While Vlad would act as the spokesperson for the family and deal with the Koslovs while negotiating the ransom, Andrev would join the team and assist where he could.
Having extensively researched the Koslov brothers, and knowing their unbalanced nature, Thane determined that Samantha should act as the leader during the ransom exchange, with Andrev remaining out of sight. Thane was afraid that having one of the Durovs physically present would take away from the impersonal nature of the business, adding a dynamic that could complicate things.
The only catch was getting the Koslovs to agree to having a third-party act as a representative for the family. He would have to rely on Vlad and Andrev to convince them.
Gavriil was known to have a fetish for subduing and punishing strong women, but Samantha was a skilled Domme, and he felt confident she could exploit that to her advantage. Having Captain and Wallace take on subservient roles would make them appear as less of a threat during the potentially volatile exchange.
“You are not to engage,” Thane stated emphatically. “Make it a quick exchange and get Durov the hell out of there. These men are infamous for changing their minds at the flip of a dime and won’t hesitate to kill you if they get spooked.”
“Understood,” Captain replied. “The helicopter will be prepped and ready for takeoff as soon as we have him in our possession.”
Thane appreciated the military background Captain brought to this operation. With Samantha’s command of the Russian language, as well as her quick wit, Thane felt certain she would be able to navigate any unexpected issues that arose during the exchange. As for Wallace, his youth and strength could prove vital if things suddenly went south.
Before the team left, Thane told them, “Durov’s life is not worth one of yours. If it comes to that, leave him behind. Anton would not want you to sacrifice your life for his, and neither would I. You three must come back alive, with or without Durov.”
He saw Samantha balk at his statement and met her gaze. “Do you understand?”
She nodded, but tears filled her eyes.
Thane shook hands with each of them. He wished, with all his heart, that it were he and not them taking this risk for his brother.
To be left behind was almost more than he could bear.
Brie cried as she hugged each person, thanking them through her tears.
When they were alone again in the hospital room, he was overwhelmed with the weight of responsibility he felt for those three, but it was quickly followed by a hope that settled over him like a blanket of protection.
Thane pulled Brie close and kissed her tear-stained cheek, stating confidently, “They will bring him home.”