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Larissa’s sharp words chill me to the bone.
This is a wake-up call. My guilt over using Nikolai’s authority and Larissa’s trust to achieve my goals eats away at the edges of my conscience. I know what I’m doing is wrong, yet I still justify it by thinking it will work out for everyone in the end.
What if things don’t necessarily work out? What if the cost of being with Nikolai is too great? What if I lose him in the process?
“Maybe there’s another way,” I whisper to myself. “One where no one else has to get hurt.”
But if I believe I can save the world, then perhaps I’m the biggest fool in it.
41
NIKOLAI
I glanceat my watch—seven hours and thirty-seven minutes left. Time’s running out. Rurik, Pavel, and Zakhar take off to look for Alexander, and their determination is evident in every stride. As I search through his abandoned house in Maryland, my heart pounds in my chest as I kick down the front door. The stench of sweat and fear assaults my senses, making me hold my breath in disgust.
“Mercy?” I call out, my voice betraying the urgency I want to suppress. And then I see her.
She’s tied to a chair, face bruised and battered, but otherwise very much alive.
“Get away from her!” I shout at the man towering over her, his hand raised, ready to deliver another blow.
“Who the hell are you?” he snarls, turning towards me. I don’t hesitate. I pull the trigger and watch as the life drains from his eyes. His body collapses to the floor, and blood pools around his head.
Mercy looks up, defiance still strong in her eyes. When she speaks, her sarcastic voice is shaky yet defiant. “Took you long enough.”
I ignore her remark and quickly untie the ropes binding her. As soon as she’s free, she collapses into my arms, tears streaming down her face. Her body trembles violently against mine, and I hold her tight, promising her that she’s safe now.
“Thank you,” she whispers through her sobs. “I owe you.”
“Let’s get you out of here.” I help her to her feet, and we make our way out of the house. “Your father’s looking for you in the woods,” I tell her as we step into the sunlight. She blinks back tears, overwhelmed by the thought of being reunited with her dad after everything that’s happened to her.
“Mercy!” Vito rushes forward suddenly and pulls her into a tight embrace. I watch their tearful reunion and smile with joy and relief. Finally, the good guy wins, and Mercy will be going home.
“Are you hurt, sweetheart?” Vito asks.
“Not as bad as the other guy.” Mercy smiles at me and then squeezes her dad tight.
Vito claps me on the shoulder and grins from ear to ear. “I’ve got one hell of a daughter,” he says, and I agree. “Thank you,” Vito murmurs, clasping the hand of Rurik, who joins us. “I don’t know how to repay you both.”
“Go back to New York,” I reply. “This isn’t over yet.”
Vito wavers, but Mercy needs him more than either the Lanzzare or the Starukhin at the moment.
“C’mon, sweetheart.” Vito helps Mercy to the SUV. “We’re going home.”
“Go with them,” I tell Rurik, and he’s about to complain, knowing that we need the manpower. “Zakhar and Pavel are here. You need to see her safely returned. There are bigger issues at play.”
He nods. Together, they begin the ride to the airport and the journey back to New York. I smile at this victory, but deep down, I know this is just the beginning.
I turn my focus back on finding Alexander as I face the house. Its dark windows stare back like lifeless eyes, and I have no idea if he’s watching us. Zakhar and Pavel appear at my side, their expressions grim as we stare at the ramshackle Victorian home miles from the closest neighbor.
“Let’s split up,” I say. “We’ll cover more ground that way.”
Zakhar nods, his eyes hungry for vengeance. “Just make sure you leave some of Alexander for me.”
“Likewise.” I clap him on the shoulder before we part ways.
I navigate the dark hallways. The silence sharpens my senses, and every creak resonates in my ears. I can’t shake the sensation of being watched, though I can’t see any signs of an inhabitant. No fingerprints or footprints in the dust, which is an inch thick on every surface.
