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Billy Jo Walker laid on the roof next door to the hotel. He had his men watching the place for any sign of the girl Jaden. He’d already scoped out where she’d gone.
One of his guys had been watching her when Roman came to her small apartment. He followed them all the way to the safe house. He’d been there hiding out of sight when Yuri and his men came and went.
Billy Jo knew the moment they moved out and came to the hotel too. That was the last time anyone had seen her, so he figured she was still there somewhere in the hotel. All he had to do was find her and report back to Walter Franks. After that, it was up to him to get the little bitch away from the Russians.
All he agreed to do was find her and he had. He could almost taste the victory in his future. He glanced over at his boys, Jason, Larry and Jack. They were his best buds but he didn’t consider them friends. Billy Jo had no real friends. He had his buds. People he used to do his dirty work. The only time he’d ever gotten his own hands dirty or bloody was with Jaden. Glancing down at his hands, he saw flex of her blood imbedded deep within his knuckles. He’d missed that but after reflection he decided he didn’t mind that so much. He hated that bitch with every fiber of his being and he really didn’t know why. It started out when she rejected him in front of his followers in high school but over the years, it developed into a real hatred.
“How much longer are we going to watch this place?’ Jason wanted to know. “It’s been a long while we need to eat at least.”
“I think we’re done here,” Billy Jo said as he got to his feet. “I told Franks I would find her and that’s done. We know where she is. It will be up to him how he gets her away from the Russians.”
“So what is the little bitch to Walter Franks?” Jack asked.
“Don’t know, don’t really give a fuck.” Billy Jo shrugged. “But he seemed interested enough to find her once he saw her picture.”
“Think you’ll get a payday out of all of this?” Jack asked.
“Oh I’m going to get more than just money.” Billy Jo assured them.
“You really gonna mix it up with the Bratva?” Jason asked. “”that would be insanity, Billy jo.” He looked scared as hell.
Billy Jo smiled. “Not me, Walter Franks is gonna mix it up with the Bratva. I just report to him where the girl is and he takes it from there.”
“So now what?” Larry asked.
“Go home but keep your phones on. If something comes up I’ll call you.”
One by one, they left the building roof and when they hit the street, they all went their separate ways.
The first one to be taken was Jack. Yuri’s men grabbed him off the streets when he cut into the alley to get to his apartment. Shoving Jack into the back of a van he didn’t have time to even fight back before he was bound and gagged.
Next was Larry. Then Jason. The only one they missed was Billy Jo himself. That was only because they didn’t know his current address. They had no doubt they would get it from one of his men but for now, they had what they were sent to find.
Jaden looked out over the city from one of the apartment’s windows. After the visit this morning from Yuri and Nikoli she had been worried about what her mother’s ties to this Sergi would reveal. Was her mother really his cousin? She didn’t even know who this Sergi was. They all had acted like he was someone important. It all confused the hell out of her.
She had no idea what would happen next. What else would she find out about her mother, or her own life? All of this was too unsettling. She thought she was safe finally.
Iosif came up behind her wrapping his arms around her. Holding her close he asked, “Are you okay?”
“I’m not sure. Now there are more questions to be answered and no one to answer them. My mother is dead and has been a long time. She can’t tell me who she really is. If she’s this Sergie’s younger cousin who took her then how did she get half way across the world only to end up working in a strip club? How did she get herself in a position to get herself murdered? Who killed her and why?”
Iosif chuckled. “I know it’s not funny but you’re right, there are more questions than answers. It sounds as if we’re running around in circles. Maybe we’ll get some answers when Sergi gets here.”
Jaden shivered. “I feel so bad about what my presence has caused. To think I was invisible to everyone but Billy Jo. Now there is family? I didn’t know I had?” Tears ran down her cheeks and she didn’t bother wiping them away. “Then your father will also come here. He’s going to drag you away from me I know it. I only just found you and now he’ll never let us stay together.”
Iosif tightened his hold. “He can’t take me away from you.”
Jaden closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest. “You know something?”
“No what?” he whispered.
“I’ve never been wanted my whole life. I think the only person who ever wanted me was my mom. She ran away to have me and I think we were happy after I was born. I don’t really remember her but I’d like to think that we were happy. I think the only kindness anyone showed me was the little bit I got from Mrs. Bradley. I know she did the best she could when she placed me in what she thought were good homes and she always gave me a hug when I saw her. Every once in a while she would come by to see me and when she did she would just watch me. I asked her about it once and she said she was just checking up on how I was doing. I always got the idea she held something back. Kind of like she had a secret but she couldn’t share it. I was sixteen when I met Billy Jo and his thugs. No one wanted me around in case Billy Jo started in on them. He had a reputation he was trying to build on and got to be his favorite punching bag. I was just trying to survive, you know? Now... For the first time in my life, I finally have something I’ve never known before. I feel wanted.” Twisting around in his arms she looked up at him. Raising her hand, she cupped his jaw. “I know we haven’t known each other very long, but I’m not here because I want your money. I’m here because I want you.”
Iosif closed his eyes and held her hand against his skin. “You don’t have to tell me that. I know that.”
“I don’t want to lose you,” she whispered.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Laying her forehead down on his chest she asked, “Ok, then who the hell is this Sergie Constantine?”
Iosif chuckled. “Sergi Constantine is the leader of the National Council of the Bratva in all of Russia.”
Jaden began to tremble. “So he’s a big deal then right?”
Iosif nodded as he raised his brows. “Da. He is a big deal, yes.”
“And Yuri thinks my mother was his cousin?”
“That’s what the blood test tells us.”
Jaden sighed heavily. “But we may never know for sure will we?”
Iosif tipped her chin up so he could look in her eyes. “It doesn’t make any difference as to how I feel about you, you do realize that don’t you? I do not care.” Frowning he thought back to something she’d said, “You said this Mrs. Bradley would watch over you, almost acted like she had something more to tell you, but didn’t feel she could. What did you mean by that?”
Jaden shrugged. “I remember one time when I was ten and she changed my foster home yet again she told me when I was older she had something she wanted me to know. I think it was about my mother but I couldn’t be sure. She couldn’t tell me, not yet. I had to reach a certain age first.”
Iosif frowned down at her. “Did she ever tell you what that was?”
Jaden shook her head. “I never saw her again after Billy Jo forced me to run away. To tell you the truth I never thought about it again until just now.”
“Maybe you should call her and let her know you’re still around and ask her if there was something she was holding back from you all these years.”
Jaden thought for a moment then nodded. “I remember when I was thirteen, she came to see me for another one of her visits. She gave me a small package. When I opened it, there was a necklace inside. She said she thought it belonged to my mother. It had been turned over from police evidence from my mom’s murder. When he case went cold and the police couldn’t do anything else they turned over some of the pieces they found in the apartment to her for safe keeping. She told me when I aged out, she would turn them over to me.”
“Why didn’t she then, when you turned eighteen?” he asked.
“Probably because I ran away when I was sixteen?”
“You should make contact with this woman and get whatever else she’s been holding for you.”
“Well, I can try. It’s been a few years since I’ve spoken with her.”
Iosif smiled. “I have a feeling she’d want you to call her. She may have something waiting for you that will help us solve the mystery of who you really are.”
She shrugged. “I suppose I could call her and find out.”
Iosif glanced over at the clock on the wall. “I figure we might have about eight more hours before Sergi and my father arrive. It’s about a twelve hour flight. I’m sure my father at least got started right after our phone call this morning.” He shook his head. Then he looked at her a certain way before he asked, “Do you still have the necklace Mrs. Bradley gave you as a girl?”
Jaden nodded. “Yes I had hidden it so no one would find it in case Billy Jo found me yet again. This time, I had it taped to my belly. I’m sure your brother saw it the night they wrapped my ribs.” Her cheeks flushed. “I’ve had hidden it all over my body and I never leave it anywhere. Mostly in my bra. He ruined everything I had a couple days ago but he never found the necklace.” Pausing she asked, “Would you like to see it?”
Iosif nodded and she disappeared for a moment. When she came back, she had a small chain in her hand though the main piece of the necklace wasn’t small.
Giving it to him, he gasped. The necklace was handmade but he recognized the piece. He had seen similar pieces in museums. This necklace was an old piece of history from his own country. Then he frowned, it looked as if it was only part of the whole.
He looked over at her. “Is this all she gave you?”
Jaden nodded. “Why?”
“Because there is a piece of the whole necklace that’s missing. If this is what I think it is, the entire necklace isn’t here.”
Jaden frowned. “What are you saying?”
“I think you need to call this woman and find out if she has more to give you,” Iosif urged her.
She held out her hand and he returned the necklace to her she turned the center piece over, pulled the tape off, and removed a folded piece of paper.
He could see a phone number written on the paper.
Jaden walked over to the phone and dialed the number. She gripped the phone as it rang and then when Mrs. Bradley answered the call she found she couldn’t say anything at first. She had to clear her throat and try a second time to be able to talk, “Mrs. Bradley, is that you?” she asked.
“Is this Jaden?” came an excited voice on the other end.
“Yes, this is me.” Jaden’s knuckles whitened as her grip tightened.
“My child, it’s been so long.” Mrs. Bradley wept. “I thought I lost you.”
“You did for a while,” Jaden admitted.
“What happened? Why did you run?”
“Billy Jo Walker,” Jaden whispered.
After a moment of complete silence Mrs. Bradley asked, “Did he come after you? Did he hurt you?”
“He wouldn’t stop coming after me,” Jaden admitted with tears running down her cheeks. “Do you have any idea why he hates me so much? Cuz I never did.”
“Where are you child?” the older woman asked. “I think we need to meet face to face. I have something I need to give you. I’ve been holding it since your mother was killed and it’s time to give it back to you.”
“I’m staying with some friends in New Orleans.”
“Is Billy Jo there as well?”
“He’s in the city, I’m not exactly sure where.”
“Are you safe where you are?” Mrs. Bradley wanted to know.
“Yes, I’m safe.” Jaden smiled and glanced over at Iosif.
“Then I’ll come to you. I can be there in an hour and a half,” Mrs. Bradley insisted. “Tell me where you are.”
After Jaden told her the name of the hotel Mrs. Bradley told her she knew it, then the line went dead.
Jaden turned confused eyes to Iosif. “She’s coming here. She has something she wants to give me. She said she’s had it since my mom was murdered.”
Iosif frowned then his phone pinged indicating a text was coming in. He checked his text center and found a message from Yuri. Looking over at Jaden he said, “Yuri just let me know his security men have taken custody of Billy Jo’s crew. They are still looking for Billy Jo himself but they got the three thugs he runs with.”
Jaden’s eyes grew fearful. “He wouldn’t come here would he?”
“Not even Billy Jo is that stupid.” Iosif scoffed.
Jaden shook her head. “I don’t think so, but with him you never know. He usually doesn’t go anywhere without his crew. They do all the dirty work, Billy Jo liked to watch but not get his hands dirty.”
Iosif glared at her. “He didn’t mind getting his hands dirty with you.”
Jaden hung her head. “I know but I think he just enjoyed hurting me. I don’t know why and I don’t really care why, I just wanted him to stop.”
“Security is looking for him and maybe someone in his crew will give him up. One way or the other he’ll be stopped. I’ll stop him myself if I have to. Suka, blyad,” Iosif swore.
Jaden titled her head at him. “Suka...? What?”
He chuckled.” It’s not words that you should hear.”
“So it’s not like that word you used before? The babe word?”
He grinned at her as his eyes sparkled. “No. It is not as sweet believe me.” He laughed.
Jaden smiled and her whole face lit up. “I love your laugh. It feels like... like sunshine along my skin.”
Isoif paused and stared into her eyes. “I have never heard someone say such a thing.”
“But please don’t waste your life for someone like him. He simply isn’t worth it.”
“But you are worth it.” Isoif pulled her close. “And you belong with me now and I protect what’s mine.”
Jaden moved into his arms and held him. “I’m glad I belong to you. It’s nice not to be so alone in this world. But if I belong to you does that mean you belong to me too?”
Iosif smiled. “I totally belong to you too.”
“Good, because I think I’ll keep yo,.” Jaden whispered, standing up on her tiptoes she wrapped her hand around the back of his head and gently pulled his down to meet her lips. The kiss started out as a gentle reminder but ended up a hot mess.
Jaden felt her body respond to his touch and as he ground his hard cock into her belly as she wanted nothing more than for him to pick her up and carry her off to the bedroom. Groaning, she lifted a leg and began rubbing her wet core over his cock but before he could respond, there was a sharp knock on the door.
Growling Iosif broke away from her and Jaden felt abandoned. Her breathing was heavy and her eyes were glazed over until she heard the knocking again. Turning away from the sound, she tried to get her body under control again.
“Are you ok?” Iosif whispered.
Jaden peeked over her shoulder and nodded. Then her eyes widened as she looked down at his crotch. She could see the outline of his hardness through his jeans.
Iosif grinned at her then he groaned and adjusted himself then turned and marched to the door. Grabbing the handle, he flung open the door. “What?” he growled.
Yuri simply raised an eyebrow at the gruff greeting. Then he looked over at Jaden and understanding came to him. He grinned briefly and tipped his head in acknowledgement. “Sorry to interrupt but I wanted to tell you your father is on his way. He’s coming with Sergi and Misha.”
Iosif ran his fingers through his hair and stepped back. “You should come in here a minute. We have something to tell you too. Maybe Nikoli and Roman should join us as well.”
Yuri frowned but got on his phone and called the others. Moments later, all three men were sitting at the kitchen table. Iosif held Jaden’s necklace and sat it down on the table.
Yuri held his eyes for a moment then glanced at the piece of jewelry. His eyes widened and he glared at Iosif. The he handed it over to Nikoli.
Nikoli took one look at the item inside and got to his feet so fast the chair he’d been sitting on crashed to the floor. “What the hell? Where did this come from?” he demanded instantly.
Iosif glanced at Jaden and back to Nikoli.
Nikoli swung his gaze to Jaden and demanded, “Where did you get this and where is the rest of it?”
“It was given to me by my social worker when I was thirteen. She told me it belonged to my mother,” Jaden offered her explanation. “She’s on her way here with something else she says belongs to my mother. She wouldn’t tell me what it was but she’s been looking for me since I left the foster system.”
“She’s coming here?” Yuri asked.
Jaden nodded. “She’s coming from Baton Rouge so it will be another hour before she gets here.”
“Then we will wait,” Nikoli stated as he looked agitated. He picked up his chair again and sat down again. Crossing his arms, he glared at Jaden.
“Relax Nikoli,” Yuri spoke softly. “No one is going anywhere and she didn’t have anything to do with this. She’s as much in the dark about this as we are at the moment.”
Nikoli glanced over at Yuri and the others. “When he sees this he’s going to have a fit. You’ll be lucky if he doesn’t burn this city down to the ground.”
Yuri nodded. “I know but we have to speak with this social worker first. She may have some of the answers we need before he gets here.”
“I don’t understand,” Jaden voiced her uneasiness. “What does my mother’s necklace have to do with anything else? Why would someone be angry over it? And who is this he you keep taking about?”
“The ‘he’ is Sergi Constantine,” Yuri explained. “The necklace you say belonged to your mother is an old family heirloom. The Constantine family is almost Russian royalty and this piece has been missing for decades. Only this is just part of it. There is a small second piece to the necklace. When the two pieces are put together the necklace is whole. We must find the second piece before Sergi arrives.”
“But what does that have to do with my mother or me?” Jaden asked.
“We aren’t sure just yet.” Nikoli shrugged. “Maybe all or maybe nothing. That’s what we have to find out.”
Jaden glanced over at Iosif. He held out his hand and she put her own in his and he hauled her over to his lap. His arms wrapped around to hold her close and she felt safe again.
Billy Jo unlocked his front door and went inside his small apartment. Looking around, he sneered at the interior. He couldn’t stand this place but after he reported where Jaden was, he had a feeling his circumstances would change for the better.
He dropped his keys on the table next to the door and went over to the phone. Dialing a number he let it ring then when the call was picked up on the other end he spoke, “I know where she is but it’s going to cost you some green.”
“How much?” Franks growled.
“Five hundred k should be a good round number to start with.” Billy Jo oozed confidence as he made his demand.
“Fine, now tell me where she is?”
“What do you think I fell off the truck today? I’ll tell you after the payment is made to my account.” He jeered. “I’ll text you the numbers your accountant needs. Then as soon as the money is there, I’ll call you back with the location.”
For a moment, Franks didn’t say anything, then he swore and the phone went dead.
Billy Jo chuckled and texted the routing number and the number of his bank account to Franks.
He got up, walked over to his refrigerator, and grabbed a beer. He was still chuckling when he sat down and took a sip. He grinned and lifted his beer in a silent toast. “Good riddance bitch,” he whispered.