AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ouch. You sound like my father,” he deadpanned, and shot me a cold look. “I don’t think we need to talk anymore. Don’t give me any trouble, Mrs. Chernova. You won’t like me when I’m irritated.”
“I don’t like you already,” I snapped.
“Likewise, but I’m the man you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy, so be careful.”
Just then, the door opened, and an older man arrived. I took him to be the infamous Detective Levin.
“Ronan O’Connor, I’m surprised to see you here. Mrs. Chernova isn’t being charged with anything,” Levin started.
Ronan smoothly interrupted him. “I go by Black in professional matters, Levin, as you know. Try to remember that. The name O’Connor has no influence here. Kirill thought it would be nice for his expectant wife to have some company to ensure she is comfortable while she helps the NYPD find its own ass in this case. Really, you can’t pin down who killed a senator’s son right in the middle of your own city, Levin.” Ronan tutted and Levin’s face turned red.
I stared between them, feeling like I was going mad. I was pretty sure everyone in the room knew it was Kirill who had killed Kaplan Holmes, something I didn’t like to dwell on too much. It was unhinged, yet given the rules Kirill lived by these days, it was expected. Kap had drugged me and meant to hurt me. There was no making amends for that by bratva standards.
“Are you seriously going to keep me here while my husband risks his life—”
“I’m going to keep you here until the threat to you has passed and Kirill says it’s safe. As his lawyer, I look after his best interests, and keeping you safe is his number one priority. That’s all there is to say on the matter. If you refuse to be quiet about it, perhaps Levin here can find a solitary cell for you for the next forty-eight hours,” Ronan said to me with an iron-like tone that warned me not to push any more.
I sank back in my chair, shaking my head. Levin looked nearly apologetic as he sat opposite me.
“I’ll ask a few questions to get us started,” he said, giving me a weak smile as Ronan settled his powerful body into the chair next to him.
Un-fucking-believable.
* * *
I losttrack of time in there. Ronan charged my phone and brought me magazines. I stared at the same issue of Mother and Baby; my mind lingering on Kirill. It had to be nighttime by now. Where was he? What was he doing? Was he hurt? Dead? Was he coming to get me?
Ronan got a call a little later, and thankfully, left me to stew in my own juices. He’d left with a warning he’d be back first thing. I stared at the wall and let my mind wander.
I thought about the first time I’d met Kirill in the principal’s office in Woodhaven, his neighborhood, and the terrifying people he’d lived next door to without fear. I didn’t know who his father was then, but I’d bet anything those guys had known, and that’s why they’d steered clear of him. I thought about Henry and my mother, and all the moments we’d run together, and hidden, poor and desperate. I thought about Kirill when he first found me, and the swirling pit of darkness that had been swallowing him whole.
A knock on the door startled me from my thoughts. Officer Peterson popped his head around the door. “Erm, Mrs. Chernova, there’s been a mistake. I’m sorry,” he said, coming into the room.
“A mistake. You mean, I don’t have to stay here?” I was already standing.
Peterson shook his head. “No, you’re free to go. It’s all cleared up. It was a misunderstanding.”
Unease unfurled in my belly as I stared at him. It was night, and he was letting me go. Alone.
“Does Ronan Black know, or Detective Levin?”
Peterson frowned, seeming as confused as I was. “No, I mean, I don’t think so, but . . . I don’t know. There’s someone here to speak to you. Maybe that will shed light on it.” He turned away and gestured for me to leave the room. I suddenly felt apprehensive about leaving the secure building bustling with police.
As I followed Peterson to the waiting room, my gut instincts proved to be right.Nikolai sat in one of the chairs and slowly got to his feet when he saw me.
“No, it’s okay. I’ve changed my mind. I want to be held,” I said quickly to Peterson, resisting the urge to turn and run.
Nikolai held his hands aloft. “I come in peace, Mallory. I swear. Just hear me out. If you love your husband, then hear me out.”
I hesitated. The fucker always knew the right words to twist any situation in his favor.
I stood before him, firmly inside the station.
“Fine, I’ll hear you out right here. I’m not going anywhere with you.”
Nikolai smirked. “Let’s see what you think in a minute,” he warned.
He started to speak. His low, urgent tone filled my head, and his words caused a buzzing sound to echo in my ears.
