Sitting cuddled against Mikhail while Hugh drove them into the city, India’s heart beat rapidly. She was nervous about what was going to happen next and the tension within the vehicle had everyone just about ready to explode.
Dimitri’s idea was for him to take them in with him so that they were protected from Mikhail’s father. She felt apprehensive though because they trusted a man who until last week was in the employ of Vasiliev, or so they had thought. It was confusing and she wished that she could go back to the time that life was peaceful and simple. Go back to the rose garden and to be able to meet Mikhail all over again without his father and hers being in the equation.
That wouldn’t happen though and as the cars drove into the underground parking lot of the Federal building her anxiety climbed and only settled when Mikhail intertwined his fingers with hers. “It’s going to be okay, India. Once this is done and I’ve told them everything I know and where they can get physical evidence against him, we’re out of here.” He kissed her cheek. “I promise.”
“I’m still worried. He’s a powerful man, your father. Once this is done what’s to say he won’t send someone after us.”
Dimitri cleared his throat. “That won’t happen. Word on the street is that Konstantine Vasiliev has gone past his expiry date. Things have changed from twenty, thirty years ago, and Vasiliev doesn’t like change. The others do.” He winced as he turned to face them from the front seat. “When Vasiliev is gone there will be new power . . . unfortunately for us. But trust me, anyone who is still loyal to Vasiliev will fall with him.”
Mikhail wrapped her in his arms and the scent of his cologne relaxed her and she felt as though she could breathe. She kissed his chest before moving slightly away. “I’m okay now.”
He quickly kissed her lips before taking her hand again. “Let’s get this over with.”
Armed agents stood close to their vehicle and once they opened the door all hell broke lose.
The sound of gunfire splintered the air the noise so loud that she was sure that she’d be hearing it in her sleep for a long time to come.
Mikhail took her to the ground and covered her with his body while Dimitri knelt directly in front of her head providing cover fire. With her face pushed into the ground, she braved opening her eyes and let out a strangled cry. On the other side of the car, lying bloody and still, was Hugh.
She tried to scramble and get to him, but Mikhail wasn’t moving from her. He put his mouth directly to her ear and whispered, “Stop moving. They’re not getting you.”
“Hugh’s not moving,” she cried, tears falling down her face. “We have to help him.” No sooner had her words left her mouth than quiet descended.
No one knew quite what to do, glancing at each other until Dimitri slowly stood and shouted for the other agents to move forward.
“Don’t move yet,” Mikhail whispered. “I’m going to crawl around the front of the car to Hugh, but I can only do that if you promise not to raise your head.”
“I promise.”
“Good girl.” He kissed her on the curve of her neck before he crawled off her and around to Hugh.
Even from her position she could see that he was hurt badly. She fixated on the slow rise and fall of Hugh’s chest, and what she presumed was Mikhail’s T-shirt was pressed against where he’d been shot.
“It’s clear,” Dimitri said. “Are you hurt anywhere?” He helped her up from the floor and quickly glanced her over.
She shook her head. “No.” Her voice wobbled and her hands shook as she looked behind her.
“Don’t.” Dimitri turned her away. “Don’t look. It isn’t a pleasant sight.” He directed a colleague, “They need help.” He pointed to Hugh and Mikhail.
“Who did this?” she asked, but she knew.
Dimitri held her gaze as she continued, “All this bloodshed because one man refuses to go down quietly.”
Dimitri’s mouth tightened into a thin line of anger. “The man had already gone too far, but this time he’s hit the Feds on home turf.” He shook his head and took her arm, leading her toward Mikhail.
Mikhail stepped away from Hugh when the medics arrived, and quickly took her into his arms, holding her so tightly she could hardly breathe. “My father is going to die for this.”
She stayed silent knowing he was venting and soothed him with long caresses back and forth along his back.
“Is Hugh going to be okay?” she asked as the medics got him ready to be moved.
“We need to get him to the hospital and into theatre. Only time will tell.”
They’d have to be satisfied with that.
“Dimitri, he’s going to need protection from here and while he’s in the hospital.” Mikhail stared at the agent.
“Reynolds,” Dimitri shouted.
The agent jogged over. “What do you need?”
“I need you to go in the ambulance with Hugh and to protect him while he’s there. Take your partner with you, and I’ll sort out a rotation.”
Reynolds nodded and disappeared.
“He’ll be in good hands,” Dimitri reassured while he kept glancing at his cell.
“Are you okay?” Mikhail whispered in her ear. “I hated to leave you.”
She shook her head. “No, don’t say that. You had to leave me to help Hugh.” Reaching up, she kissed him on the lips and hovered. “He’s your best friend, Mikhail. I wasn’t hurt. He was. You did the right thing so don’t keep thinking about it.”
He leaned his forehead against hers. “Two agents are dead because of me. Another was injured and Hugh is hanging on by a thread and it’s all because of me.”
“No.”
“Yes. I’m the one my father wanted dead. That’s why those gunmen waited.”
“Yes!” Dimitri shouted and he grinned when he met their gaze. “Vasiliev is in custody. The asshole tried to run, but we were ready.” He nodded at Mikhail before urging them toward the elevators.
She frowned. “What was that about?”
“I may have told Dimitri a few places that my father would likely run to before he tried to leave the country. I suggested one place above the others.” He shrugged. “Dimitri wants us to follow him.”
“If they manage to get something on him for today then you won’t need to testify against him, right? I mean, I know they promised to try and keep you out of it, but I didn’t see how that was possible. Not if they wanted a tight conviction.”
“I don’t know what would have happened, but now, they may not need us, which is what I’m hoping. I want to be able to walk out of here with you and to go to the hospital to Hugh. I want us to have a life far, far away from here.”
“That might happen sooner rather than later,” Dimitri commented. “One of your fathers men is talking. They can’t shut him up.” Dimitri grinned. “We have him good.”
She watched Mikhail closely while he held Dimitri’s gaze. He’d wanted his freedom for a long time and it was finally happening for the both of them. Part of him felt that it was too good to be true.
“Don’t look so worried. We’ve got him and he knows it,” Dimitri said, a smirk on his face.
Wrapping an arm tightly around Mikhail’s waist, she leaned against his chest, and asked, “We’ll be able to leave soon, right? If you have him and get a statement out of him,” she glanced at one of his father’s men, who had been captured and was now in handcuffs, “you won’t need Mikhail.”
“That’s what I’m hoping.” Dimitri sighed. “He’ll be taken inside and interviewed, and yes, I’m hoping that someway he’ll confess to today’s events. What happened here is enough to send him away for a very long time.” He pressed a button to take them up into the Federal building. “My boss is going to want to talk to you both before anything else.”