AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Anything Christopher’s family needs, and ensure the girl is okay. Her brother might be a dickhead and a criminal, but she doesn’t deserve to be caught up in this.”
“It’s done, boss.”
Jane returns with the cops, a male and female detective wearing sharp suits. “Sorry. They wanted to talk. I didn’t know what to say.”
I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile. “No apology needed. Best to get this out of the way.”
Just after the police leave, my cell phone rings from the bedside table. Jane and I glance at it.
“Expecting a call?” she asks.
“It’s an unknown number,” I say, picking it up.
“It could be them,” Jane whispers.
She’s right. It could be. That’s why I answer, but not before initiating an app on my phone to be on the safe side.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Jane
My man looks so strong sitting up in bed. He’s already changed out of the hospital gown and sits in a gray T-shirt and casual sports pants. If not for the bandage showing beneath the T-shirt, nobody would ever guess he was shot. His muscles bulge despite his injuries, especially his forearm, when he holds the phone to his ear.
He glances at me, then lowers the phone, putting it on loudspeaker. We share a moment and a brief smile. It’s a small thing, but it means a lot that he cares enough to include me.
“Mr. Hart?” a man says in a heavy Russian accent.
I freeze at the voice. Something is mocking about it, casually violent. It’s childish, but I pinch myself again. Still hurts. Still real.
“You should’ve hired a better shooter,” Luke growls, glaring at the phone like he wishes the man was here, but I don’t.
That makes us such a good team—my fear, my need to retreat and stay safe, and his wild side, beast mode, and rage. He’s ready to tear this man apart for Christopher, and maybe for me too—for the threats they aimed at me.
“Very funny,” the man says in his deep, gravelly voice. “If you knew who I was, you’d speak to me with more respect.”
“Sergei Romanov,” Luke says.
There’s a long pause, and the man grunts. “How did you know that?”
“It’s not difficult to work out. You’re the biggest player in the Russian East Coast mafia, and you know your time is almost up. Too many leaks in your business. Some of your men will soon want to disappear into witness protection.”
Another pause, and I find myself beaming despite the craziness. This is Luke in business mode. Forget beast. He speaks quickly but doesn’t rush, more like he’s bluntly stating facts the other party can’t possibly refute.
“You have done your research, Mr. Hart.”
“I always do my goddamn research,” Luke snaps. “What do you want?”
“For you to know something. I have taken care of the man who ordered your death.”
Luke pauses, glancing at me. I remember what he said about looking for a right-hand man. He asked if I was auditioning for the role. I hold my finger to my lips.
Sometimes, silence is better. He nods and waits.
“It wasn’t me,” Sergei goes on. “I want you to know that. There was a lower-level man who wanted to make a name for himself. He overstepped.”
“There was a man?”
“As I said, he overstepped, but you are correct in your description of me to an extent. That’s why we are talking. I want a new life and to disappear. I’ve already done you a favor, removing men who behave with unnecessary violence.”
“How much?” Luke asks.
“Twenty million. Cash.”
Luke smirks as if to say, It always comes down to money. “Is that all?”
“See, I knew it would be a small sum for you.”
“I’ll need a few days if you want it on paper.”
“Don’t bullshit me.”
“I mean it, Sergei. Banks don’t hold that kind of cash. Anyway, you have nothing to offer in return. This is a favor I’m doing you, so you’ll have to be patient.”
“I’ve already done you a favor.”
“I’ve only got your word for that. Give me a week.”
“Three days.”
“Five.”
“What if I were to find that little lady—”
Suddenly, Luke sits up, and every one of his muscles swells and expands. He could snap anybody in half, regardless of their size or supposed toughness.
“Make a single threat to Jane, and it’s all over. No cash. No deal. Nothing, you fucking dirtbag.”
Sergei doesn’t say anything for a while, giving me time to drink in the sight of Luke, so protective, so fierce for me. I almost wish I could take back the lie about the crush, the twisted untruth that the crush itself is a lie, which is not the case and never could be.
“I apologize,” Sergei says, and it’s like he’s forcing the words out, undoubtedly dollar signs in his mind. “Habits are difficult to break. Four days.”
“Five, and count yourself lucky.”
“I’ll be in touch.”
Luke hangs up, then looks at me. “You showed good instincts there.”
