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“Delphine,” I call out when we reach them. Rushing forward, I wrap her in my arms and swing her around. “Are you alright?”
“Yes, thanks to Dominic here,” she says, brushing her fingers across my cheek before kissing me.
I turn to the man who accompanied the girls off the ship and offer him my hand. “Thank you for saving our women.”
“I just got them off the ship. They did most of the work themselves,” he replies with a grin.
Hex has Cleo in one arm as he uses the other to hug his sisters. I see the appreciative look Dominic is giving Sasha and shake my head. No time to worry about that now. We need to get going.
“Let’s go. Levi is in the SUV ready to give everyone a ride back to the clubhouse,” I order.
“Levi’s okay? We heard a shot. I thought…” Olivia says, breaking off with a sob. Lake puts his arm around her shoulders and pulls her close.
“He’s fine. He was the one who shot at Irish when the other man attacked him. Where is Irish?” Lake assures her.
“Dead,” Delphine says. “One of Maxim’s guards shot him and pushed him into the water. He thought you guys wouldn’t patch him, so he switched sides. Maxim saw him as a loose end and nothing more. I’m pissed as hell at him for betraying us, but he didn’t deserve to die like that.”
“Can we go now?” Shayna asks.
“Levi is waiting in the SUV. We need to take care of Maxim,” Hex says.
“I’ll do it,” Vladimir says.
“I can’t believe I have to keep reminding you, but you’re supposed to be dead,” Hex says. “If the person who hired the hit discovers you’re still alive, they’ll contact Sigil. If Sigil finds out Dixie lied, you’ll put him in danger.”
“I’ll need to tell them eventually, but I’d rather do it in person. But if they discover I faked your death, they won’t wait for an explanation.”
“Maxim ordered the hit,” Delphine says. We all turn to look at her. She nods quickly. “He admitted it to me. Showed me the image of you lying dead on the floor. Even though I knew it was fake, it was hard to see. He knew you helped us escape before and considers you a traitor.”
“Good. I’ll take care of Maxim so he can’t contact Sigil. I’ll remain on the ship and out-of-sight so no one will discover I’m still alive. Will you have enough time to straighten things out with Sigil before we dock in Russia?”
“Yeah, I should have enough time,” I tell him, considering the best plan to follow. One that likely means a trip to Ireland. At least I can stop by and see Danny and Conor while I’m there.
“Go get our guest,” Vladimir directs his men. One takes off for the second SUV. A few minutes later, he and a second man return. They’re supporting a third man between them.
“Who’s that?” Hex asks.
“A friend. He’s been through hell and I’m helping him recuperate. He’ll get rest on the ship,” Vladimir explains. “We better get onboard. I need to have a long talk with my father. Where did you leave him?” He asks Dominic.
“Trapped inside the cargo hold. I lured them down there. Made him believe Cleo was on her way down to destroy the cars. Once he and the others were inside, I locked them in.”
“Any last words you want to share with him?” Vladimir asks Delphine.
“Just remind him I won, and he lost,” Delphine says. Her vindictive tone makes me chuckle.
Vladimir smiles as he gives his mother a hug and kiss on her cheek before hugging Hex.
“We will see you again?” Delphine asks, but the tone of her voice tells him he has little choice in the matter.
“You will. I have some business to take care of in Russia, then I’ll be returning to the States. I’ll call you soon.”
We leave them to board the ship as we make our way to the parking lot. Olivia takes off running and jumps into Levi’s arms when she reaches him. We can hear her sobs as we approach them.
“I’m okay,” he assures her, rubbing her back.
“Let’s get going,” Hex says, circling his finger in the air.
Delphine climbs on board my bike, which is all I need to feel my world fall back into place. This is where she belongs. Safe with me. I want nothing more than to return to the clubhouse and pull her into my room with no intention of ever leaving. However, I need to make plans for my trip to Ireland. I also need to prepare her and Hex for the possibility that I won’t return.
