Page 7

Chapter Seven

Dante

W hen I find out that Aiden not only didn’t tell me where Finn was located but that Aiden also kidnapped Elena and now no one knows where he is, I become enraged. Honest to fucking god enraged.

“I can’t believe this,” I mutter, pacing around the living room. Nadia watches me from the couch with a worried expression. “Why the fuck would Aiden do this?”

“I have no idea. How did you even find out?”

“Because I tracked Aiden’s location and found a house with no one in it. Not Finn. Not Aiden. No Elena anywhere in sight. So either Aiden and Finn are working together again or Aiden is up to something. Either way, he’s fucking me over.”

“What’s going to happen?”

“I suspect your brother-in-law is going to come over here any minute and tell me exactly what’s on his mind and it’s not going to be good. Finn isn’t dead and Elena hasn’t been returned. I never should have trusted Aiden.”

“You couldn’t have known,” she says, coming over to my side and resting her hands on my shoulders. Instantly I feel more calm. “You thought Aiden would do the right thing.”

“But it was foolish. I have to find him. I have to ask him why he’s doing this.”

“Finn is his brother. There’s no way he could kill him.”

“But I’ll have no choice but to tell Erik and Viktor and every other fucking Bratva member and then they’ll be off to go kill them. Matteo is still in hiding. I haven’t seen my friend in over a year. Now I’m going to lose both Finn and Aiden too.”

“I’m sorry,” she sighs. “I know this is tough for you.”

“When I agreed to make a deal for peace with Erik, I didn’t realize I would have to be the one giving everything all up. Erik hasn’t made any sacrifices.”

“Well, he did agree to put aside his anger and let us marry. I would call that a sacrifice.”

“But he hasn’t lost any of his friends. I’m starting to not like this deal.”

Nadia’s eyes widen. “Dante, you can’t go against Erik. He will kill you for it and I’ll be…” Tears form in her eyes. “I’ll be heartbroken. Please. Just work with Erik. For me. Give up Aiden and Finn and bring Elena home.”

I cup her face and press my head to hers. She feels so good in my arms. “I love you, you know that?”

“I love you too.”

“I will do anything I can to end this before it becomes a problem and I will keep you safe in the process. I swear it. Even if it means giving up my friends. Even if it means working with my enemy.”

“Erik isn’t your enemy.”

“He is, Nadia. He probably always will be. I’m only working with him for you.”

I can tell this answer disappoints her but what else can I say? It’s the truth.

As if on cue, there’s a loud knock at our door. Erik is here. I know he’s going to be pissed when I tell him what Aiden has done.

Fuck, Aiden. What are you doing?

Elena

I wait in the car as Aiden goes into the apartment building. A ‘for rent’ sign is out front. It’s not exactly in the nicest of neighborhoods. In fact, this is a place my father would have told me I was never allowed to go.

But Aiden doesn’t have that many options on short notice.

I can’t believe he’s doing all of this to save me from his brother. I’m not sure what to make of him. If I should trust him or still be wary. All I know is that if I go back home, I’ll have to deal with my mother and marry Viktor and I don’t want either of those things.

I don’t want to be with Aiden either but for some reason, I feel sort of safe with him. I believe him when he says when he wants to help protect me from Finn.

My painting enters my mind. I drew his face without even meaning to. Maybe my subconscious was trying to tell me something.

He comes back out a moment later. “We can go in.”

The apartment building is pretty disgusting. Trash all in the hallways. Flickering lights. Graffiti on the walls. It’s something out of a horror movie.

The actual apartment that Aiden rented is a little better but not by much. At least it doesn’t smell bad in here.

There’s furniture already in place.

“I wouldn’t sit down on that,” he says, nodding to the sofa. I quickly back away. “I’ll go grab us some air mattresses for the time being. Clean sheets. You stay here.”

“Wait. You’re leaving me alone in this place?”

“Why… do you want to go with me? I figured you’d want some space.”

“I don’t want to be alone right now. I want to come with.”

He shrugs. “Well, it probably is safer. Come on.”

We head back out and drive to the nearest Walmart. People glance in my direction as we walk inside.

“Why are people looking at me?” I whisper.

“Because you stand out. You look like you come from money. The people around here don’t.”

“Why this area?”

“Because it was the fastest place I could find that took cash. Don’t worry. I’ll find a new place to buy. I just have to get my ducks in a row first.”

I study Aiden out of the corner of my eye as we walk around the store. He’s so tall and broad shouldered and… handsome. I can admit that to myself. Aiden is a very handsome man.

And now he’s my savior. A hitmen who’s saving my life. Whoever would have thunk it?

He grabs two air mattresses off a shelf. “I don’t trust the bed in that place.”

“I’m curious. Do you have a lot of experience with sleeping in places like that apartment?”

He looks at me out of the corner of his eye. “Why do you ask?”

“You’re a… hitman ,” I whisper the last word. “Surely you must move around a lot to avoid detection.”

“I have a home base but we can’t go there. Finn will know to look there. Hell, Dante or Erik will look there too.” He picks up an alarm clock shaped like a cat, frowns, and puts it back down. “But to answer your question: yes. I tend to travel for my work. Sometimes I have to stay in shitty places at night. But I have money. Usually I stay in nice hotels unless I don’t want to use my card. Like now. Dollar bills can’t be traced. The landlord won’t ask any questions. He doesn’t want anyone coming by looking for trouble just as much as we don’t.”

“Oh. That’s smart,” I say quietly.

“You don’t think I could be smart?”

I flush and turn away from him. “I just don’t know how someone who does what you do operates. I’ve never had to think about it before.”

“I’m just messing with you. And for the record, I’m not being smart right now.”

“What do you mean?” I step out of the way as a little kid runs past, his mom chasing him, looking frantic and tired.

“I mean, protecting you the way I am. It’s not smart. The smart thing would have been give Finn up and return you to your home.”

“But you can’t give your brother up.”

“I can’t give my brother up,” he agrees in a soft tone.

Watching him standing there in an aisle surrounded by random objects, I’m struck by how weird this whole scenario is.

Aiden is a hitman. I’m a sheltered Bratva daughter. And yet, we’re stuck together now. If I want to stay safe, he’s all I have. And if he wants to find a way out and save his brother, then I guess this is the way.

“Come on,” he says. “We should pick up some food while we’re here.”

We go over to the cheese aisle. While Aiden is grabbing a few things, my eyes land on the reflection of a man in the clear door of the aisle. It’s my father.

I gasp and stumble back, bumping into a woman.

“Watch it,” she mutters.

“Sorry,” I squeak out and turn around to search for the man. When I find him, I realize that he only faintly resembles my father. The sweater vest. The same comb over hairstyle.

But this man is not Ivan Romanov. I know that. I think a part of me just wishes that the past few days had never happened.

Aiden looks at me with a blank expression. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Do we have everything?”

“There’s a few more items I want to get, then we leave.” As we walk over to the bread aisle, he asks, “What upset you?”

“What?”

“You look upset. What happened back there?”

“I… thought I saw my father.”

Aiden stops walking. “Elena…”

“I know it wasn’t him. I just… hoped for a moment that it was him.”

“I am sorry about that.” He doesn’t look at me as he pulls down a loaf of grain bread.

“About helping your brother kill my father?”

“Yes. That. I don’t normally feel guilt. Not in my line of work. But…” He sighs and faces me. “I am sorry. I don’t say that a lot.”

“I can tell,” I say softly. “But I appreciate your thanks. It’s not going to bring him back though. It’s not going to heal this hole in my heart.”

“I know. I just needed to say it.”

“Elena?” a female voice asks. When I look over, I see Inessa and her father standing in the aisle. “Oh my god. Elena.” She rushes over and throws her arms around me.

I shield her from Aiden’s view. Yes, Aiden has helped me but that doesn’t mean he’s a good man. He might try to hurt Inessa and her father.

“Inessa,” Gleb, her dad, snaps. “Come here.” He grabs her arm and hauls her behind him. “You’re that hitman. You’re…”

Aiden stands there calmly like nothing is going wrong. “I am.”

“I’m calling for help.” He grabs his phone.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

Gleb looks up uncertainly. “Why wouldn’t I? You kidnapped that girl.”

“Because I don’t want Erik getting involved in this mess. You see, he’ll try to kill me and I can’t have that.”

“He doesn’t have Erik’s number,” Inessa blurts out. “He can’t call anyone. Dad, let’s just go. Come on.”

Gleb flushes at Inessa’s admission. “I do have Erik’s number. I…”

I know for a fact he doesn’t. As a lower ranking man of the Bratva, he doesn’t have access to someone as powerful as Erik.

“Don’t hurt them,” I murmur to Aiden. “Please.”

“I won’t have to if they just leave.”

My eyes catch Inessa’s. “I’m ok. I promise. Aiden is protecting me from his brother. Just go. I’ll be safe.”

Inessa looks uncertain and I don’t blame her. If she were in my shoes, I wouldn’t believe me either. “Dad, let’s go. Don’t cause trouble.”

“You heard your daughter,” Aiden says.

Gleb looks like he wants to object but he ushers Inessa away. She gives me one final look before turning the corner.

That was a close one.

“Would you really have hurt them?” I ask.

“If they got in my way, yes,” Aiden responds simply. I can’t help but shudder. Killing is second nature to him. How does one even become that?

“But we should hurry,” he continues. “They might call for backup.”

We make our way to the checkout area of the store when a security guard starts coming in our direction.

“Shit,” Aiden says. “Looks like your friend called someone for help.”

“Don’t blame her. She’s just trying to help me.”

Aiden sighs. “Leave the food. Let’s leave this place. Now.” He ushers me in a different direction from the security guard, who won’t stop following us.

“We have to lose him,” Aiden growls. “Come on.” He grabs my hand and the feel of his touch sends an electric shock through my body. My entire arm tingles.

Aiden begins to run so I have no choice but to do the same. When I look back, I notice the security guard chasing us.

“Stop,” he shouts. “Let the girl go.”

“Come on.”

We’re so close to the exit when another security guard comes running in our direction. He barrels into Aiden and shoves him away from me. I hesitate.

“Elena,” Inessa shouts. She’s near the exit, waving at me. Her father is looking around like he’s paranoid someone is going to shoot him at any second. Aiden just might.

When I don’t move, Inessa runs over to me and grabs my arm. “Let’s go. We can take you home.”

Aiden punches the security guard and gets away from him and starts coming right for me.

Inessa pushes me towards the entrance and I force my legs to move.

The moment we’re outside, Aiden reaches me and pulls me away from Inessa. “Don’t,” he threatens. He pulls his gun out and points it at her.

“Don’t,” I beg. “Don’t hurt her. She’s just trying to help me. Inessa, run. Run!”

Gleb makes Inessa move and they run away to their car. Once they’re out of sight, Aiden lowers his arm and puts his gun back in his jacket.

“Come on.” We hurry back to his car and leave the store behind us.

“Damn it,” he growls. “So much for that trip. We’ll have to go somewhere else for food and an air mattress.”

I look at Aiden in disbelief. “You almost just killed my best friend and you’re talking about food and air mattresses?”

“We need them. Of course I’m talking about it. And I didn’t almost kill your friend. It was a warning. I wouldn’t have actually shot her. That would have only made things worse.”

“Don’t threaten my best friend ever again. She was just trying to help me.”

“Fine,” he says tightly.

“Fine.”

We drive in silence until we reach another Walmart. This time, Aiden tells me to stay in the car while he gets the supplies.

I could just leave this car and walk away if I wanted to. I’m tempted to.

But I truly do believe Aiden is the only one capable of keeping me alive. If that security guard had succeeded in keeping Aiden there while I left with Inessa, I have no doubt Finn would have found me.

Even though I’m sure Inessa is heartbroken about not being able to help me, it’s better this way.

I don’t really have a home to go to anymore. My mom made it clear I wasn’t welcomed there when she blamed me for my dad’s death. And the last thing I want right now is to feel trapped in a marriage to a man I barely know, even though Viktor seemed sincere in wanting to protect me.

I’m lost is what I am.

And I doubt Aiden will be able to help me find a new home but for now, he seems adamant on protecting me from Finn and that’s all I can go on.

He comes back in thirty minutes with air mattress, food, and a few other things like deodorant and shampoo. “I figured you’d want to take a shower,” he mutters.

I hold the bag of supplies in my lap and stare down at the feminine looking shampoo and conditioner. Thinking of Aiden, a scary hitman, buying this for me makes me laugh. It’s the first time I’ve laughed since my dad was murdered.

He looks at me funny. “What?”

“You bought me shampoo and conditioner. That’s just funny.”

“Right.” He turns back to the road but occasionally, I’ll catch him glancing in my direction with a curious expression in his eyes.

We make it back to the apartment and while Aiden blows up the air mattresses, I start putting away the food. It dawns on me as I do it that I’m alone in an apartment with a man. I’ve never dated. Never even had my first kiss yet. For many Bratva girls, it’s expected of them to wait for marriage before doing anything. It’s their husbands’ right to claim them.

My father made sure I was never alone with a young man and yet, here I am, acting domestic with the man who is technically my kidnapper. It’s all a bit surreal.

“I’m gonna take a shower,” Aiden says.

“Ok.” It’s just so weird how casual he is about it. Like we weren’t just running for our lives earlier today.

With nothing to do, I try to nap but my mind is restless. Images of my dad’s face, Inessa’s face, and my mother’s face fill my mind.

I couldn’t save my dad. I couldn’t spare Inessa the pain of watching me get taken by Aiden. I couldn’t make my mother happy, no matter what I did.

That hurts almost as much as losing my dad.

The shower shuts off and Aiden leaves the bathroom in noting but a towel. I almost fall off the air mattress at the sight of him.

Shirtless with only a towel covering his waist. Dripping water. Looking incredibly handsome. He’s like an actor from any romcom I loved growing up.

Except, this isn’t a romcom. Aiden is a bad man. It doesn’t matter that he’s saving me from his brother. That doesn’t mean he’d save me in any other capacity. I can’t help but wonder if at the end of the day, will Aiden always put himself first?

I have to assume so.

He doesn’t even look at me as he walks over to the fridge and grabs a beer. The sight of him tipping his head back and taking a gulp makes me feel very strange things in my body. Things that I’ve never really felt before.

It’s only when he sets his beer down that he faces me. Neither one of us says a word. My body is frozen in place. Aiden’s eyes darken as he looks down at me.

What is happening? I’m too inexperienced to figure it out but I’m not na?ve. There’s an energy between us. It doesn’t make any sense.

“Like what you see?” he asks.

My lips part but no sound comes out.

He huffs and takes another drink of his beer before grabbing some clothes from one of the shopping bags and heading back into the bathroom.

I only start breathing again when he’s out of sight.

Aiden comes out a moment later, fully clothed, and stands in the bathroom doorway, looking down at me. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“You actually… care about that?”

“Truthfully? Not really. I’ve never given much thought before to whether I make someone uncomfortable. I’m used to doing whatever I want.”

“And that includes walking around in a towel?” My lips feel dry. Why is my heart racing?

“Not normally. I needed to grab some clean clothes. I figured you wouldn’t want me coming out here fully naked, would you?”

No. Of course not. But… that does make me curious now as to what Aiden looks like naked.

That should be the last thing on my mind. It doesn’t matter that he’s muscular. It doesn’t matter that his face is so handsome, I almost want to blush every time I look at him. It doesn’t matter that my heart is racing.

What matters is that Aiden is a hitman and a danger to me, no matter if he’s protecting me right now. I have to keep my guard up around him.

“No,” I finally answer him. “The towel was… better.”

“Right. That’s what I assumed.” He nods once before going into the kitchen and grabbing his beer and practically chugging it.

“I have to go deal with something,” he says. “I’ll be back later tonight. Stay here. This isn’t a safe neighborhood. My brother isn’t the only danger to you.”

“I’ll stay,” I whisper. I’m too tired to go anywhere even if I wanted to.

“Good.” Without another look at me, Aiden leaves.

Why do I feel strangely disappointed?

Aiden

Finding Dante is easy.

I go to his house and wait until he leaves, then I follow him. He shows up at one of his bars and collects money owed to him. I enter before he can leave again.

Dante stops in his tracks when he sees me. “Aiden.”

“We need to talk.”

He motions me towards the back of the room and we settle into a private booth. “So talk.”

“I’m sure you know by now that Finn isn’t dead.”

“Oh, I do know. You were supposed to tell me where he was so I could kill him.”

“I know.”

“And when I went to find you, I didn’t find you. What I found was you gone. Elena gone. And Finn gone.”

“I’m not working with Finn.”

Dante’s eyebrows shoot straight into his hairline. “So then who are you working with?”

“No one.”

“Does Finn have Elena?”

“No. I have her.”

Dante runs his hands down his face. “Please fucking explain to me what is going on.”

“I took Elena to protect her. From Finn. He’ll never stop hunting her down. I had to do what I had to do.”

“No, you didn’t,” he growls. “You could have told me where Finn was and I could have ended him. If he’s dead, then you don’t need to protect Elena. Viktor is pissed that his fiancée was stolen from him. Again. He’s already angry with me for taking Nadia away from him. This is just adding fuel to the fire. He will hunt you down and kill you for taking her.”

“I figured something like that would happen. But that’s why I came to you. I want your help.”

Dante looks at me like I’m fucking insane – and maybe I am – before he scoffs. “You can’t be serious. Help you how?”

“Keep Viktor and Erik off my scent. Let me keep Elena safe.”

“Until… when? Finn dies?”

“I don’t want Finn to die.”

Dante flaps his hands onto the table. “So then what? You don’t want Finn to die. You won’t give the girl up. What do you expect is going to happen, Aiden?”

“I’m doing this to keep Elena alive. I’m not going to hurt her. You can come with me. Ask her yourself. That’s how much I’m showing trust in you.”

“Aiden, this only ends with Finn’s death. If he dies, Elena can return home. You can live. Well… except now that you’ve kidnapped her yourself, Viktor and Erik might just call for your death too.”

“I am going to keep Elena safe and prevent my brother from getting killed.”

“You can’t have both. I only see this ending one way: in pain and death. You’re going to get hurt, Aiden. You’re being stupid. Na?ve. You have to let your brother go.”

“Never,” I growl.

“Then I can’t help you.”

“At least tell Erik that I’m not hurting Elena. At least tell them that she’s not being tortured.”

“They won’t believe you.”

“But at least they’ll know. I’m not doing this to start a war. I’m doing this to save my brother.”

“That’s the sad part,” Dante says, shaking his head. “You and your brother started a war when you kidnapped Elena the first time. And when you killed her father. And when you didn’t kill your brother and kidnapped her again. You’re digging yourself deeper and deeper into shit. I hope you know what you’re doing but I don’t think you do. I’m sorry. I can’t help you. Not when it could put my marriage at risk. Or my own life.”

“Where’s the Dante who wanted to take down every Bratva member?”

“He married one.” Dante pats me on the shoulder as he gets out of the booth. “I’ll try to hold Erik and Viktor off as long as possible but you’re on your own now.”

I remain seated in the booth long after Dante leaves, feeling a heavy weight in my heart.