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Jason moved cautiously behind Mitrofanov. “I have a warrant for your arrest, Niklaus.”
“Gentlemen, I think you may be…how you Americans say…getting the cart before the donkey.”
Dylan kept his eyes tight on the other men in the room.
Jason put the cuffs on the mobster and read him his rights. “You’re going away for a very long time.”
“I doubt that, Sheriff. Before you take me to your jail, let me introduce you to my family. You’ve met my nephews, Gleb and Gerasim. These are my two living sons, Anton and Roman, Sergei’s brothers. You remember Sergei, Sheriff. Don’t you?”
“Shut up, asshole,” Dylan barked.
“And who are you, sir?”
“The name’s Strange.”
“I see you took Gleb’s gun.” Niklaus pointed to the gun in his left hand.
“I did.”
“I bet he wasn’t even aware you snagged it from him, was he? I know a thing or two about picking pockets, but those criminal days are behind me, Strange. Why are you here? You’re not an officer of the law are you?”
“I’m the guy who is going to see to it that you get locked up for good for what you did to Erica.”
“Erica? Erica?” Niklaus’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, I remember her. Is she your podruga?”
Dylan didn’t answer the scumbag, though he spoke Russian and several other languages fluently and knew the word meant “girlfriend.” He wasn’t about to give Mitrofanov any information about Erica. She’s much more than my girlfriend, asshole. She’s my life.
* * * *
Erica and Nicole were enjoying a quiet Saturday afternoon alone at the cabin. Erica’s brothers, Sawyer and Reed, built it years ago after their parents died. Now, they were building a real home for them and Nicole.
With Mitrofanov’s arrest the day before, Dylan and Cam had lessened their bodyguard duties for her. They’d headed back to town ten minutes ago to buy some steaks that Cam promised to grill for tonight’s dinner. It was nice to have alone time with Nicole.
Sawyer and Reed were shoeing their horses in the barn, which was a hundred yards to the left of a single-building construction site.
“The new house is coming along nicely, Nicole.”
“I think so, too. Another three months and we should be able to move in. Of course, we’ll have to save up to buy furniture.”
“I’m sure my brothers would be satisfied with recliners and a giant flat screen.”
“You’re right about that.” Her soon-to-be sister-in-law was out of uniform and looked so at ease. “Did I tell you that we spotted Connie again?”
Connie was the mountain lion that held a special place in all their hearts. “No. When?”
“Last week on Friday morning, but there was no sign of Charlie, her mate.”
“Friday morning, huh.” Erica’s gut clenched. “The day I got taken.”
“I’m sorry I reminded you of that,” Nicole said. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”
“You’ve also had your demons to contend with. And look at you? Strong. Powerful. Come what may, you take care of it.” Erica sighed. “I wish I was more like you.”
“We’re more alike than you think.” Nicole leaned forward in her chair. “You’re every bit as strong and powerful as I am. Don’t let those two guys of yours fool you into believing you’re helpless. Yo
u’re not.”
“Cam and Dylan wouldn’t do that. Believe me, they actually think I’m some kind of female superhero.”
