I watched the doors, waiting for Cerys and Raina to return. I wanted to curse Ilya for letting them leave without an escort. Viktor didn’t seem concerned. Perhaps he thought the hotel was secure enough. Whatever the case, I didn’t feel quite so at ease when it came to Raina’s safety.
Yes, I knew it made me a hypocrite. I’d pushed her away. Made her hate me.
I could feel the tension building in Natalia and knew I needed to pay her more attention. She sensed something about Raina, or perhaps it was the fact I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I’d known she would clean up nicely. The battered girl I’d brought home was a far cry from the stunning creature who’d entered the room on Ilya’s arm. It made me want her even more.
Not that the fancy dress and makeup mattered. Even bruised and resigned to life as a sex slave, she’d been beautiful to me. I’d found it hard to look away once Leeds had shown her to me. Then he’d made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, not after knowing the pain she’d suffered for so long. It was the only time I’d thought of someone other myself. At least, that I remembered. At heart, I was a selfish creature, and cared for no one else.
Until Raina.
I couldn’t get her off my mind. Even when Natalia tried to sink her claws deeper into me, it was Raina who held me spellbound. She’d been in my thoughts from the moment I’d carried her out of Leeds’ home, and I wondered if it would always be that way.
I swallowed the knot in my throat. Did I make the right choice? With Natalia came many benefits. I knew she’d bend to my will, give me anything I wanted. But therein lay the problem. I didn’t want anything from her, except her father’s connections. Raina was different. I enjoyed touching her. Wanted to hold her. Natalia felt more like a job.
“Feliks, you aren’t listening,” she whined, tugging on my arm.
I held back a growl. Barely. The woman was in her mid-twenties, and yet she acted like a spoiled child. Once we were wed, I’d set some rules. She’d fall in line or pay the consequences. The thought of spending the next few decades with the simpering idiot made me grind my teeth. I couldn’t stand being in her presence. How I’d father a child with her was a mystery, unless I closed my eyes and pretended she was Raina.
When Cerys re-entered the room, alone, I knew something had gone horribly wrong. I shook off Natalia and went to Viktor’s wife.
“Cerys, where’s Raina?” I asked.
She appeared pale and shaken. “I don’t know who took her. A man called her a little whore, and I heard her cry out. There was a bit of shuffling, like maybe he picked her up? Then nothing. I think they must have hurt her. Feliks, she sounded so scared.”
Her hands trembled, and her lip quivered. I saw tears gathering in her eyes and knew Raina’s abduction hit her hard. They may have just met, but Cerys had always had a soft heart, and it seemed she liked my Raina.
Shit. My Raina.
I’d known it all along, and yet I’d tried to lie to myself. I’d pushed at her, called her names, made her feel like nothing. Less than nothing. I’d been such a fool. And now, my Raina would be the one to pay the price. Bile rose in my throat, and I pushed it down. I couldn’t falter now. She needed me.
Viktor came from behind me and took his wife into his arms. He began crooning to her softly, trying to ease her fears. My pulse pounded loud enough I worried people could hear it across the room. Someone had taken Raina. A man from her past. It couldn’t have been Leeds. He wouldn’t have been able to get into an event like this one. The hotel wouldn’t have permitted him to even cross their threshold. So who?
“What’s happened?” Aleksi asked as he joined us, with Ilya on his heels.
“Raina’s gone. Kidnapped,” I said, my words clipped. I was barely holding on. I wanted to beat the hell out of someone. Make them bleed. If they hurt Raina, I’d make them suffer a hundred times more.
The fact I knew I’d feel nothing if Natalia were the one taken said plenty. I’d fucked up. No matter how much I wanted the connection to Fedor Gorev, I couldn’t marry his daughter. Not when I wanted Raina with every breath I took.
“I’ll check with hotel security,” Aleksi said. “Ilya, stay with Cerys and Viktor. They were likely just after Raina, but until we know for certain…”
Ilya nodded.
“I’m going with you. I need to see who took her,” I said.
Aleksi held up a hand. “Feliks, you left your fiancée standing across the room. You need to remain with her. Remember, you wanted power instead of Raina. She’s no longer your concern.”
His words, though coldly delivered, got their point across. If he’d thought it would dissuade me, he was wrong.
I roared and punched him in the stomach, then took another swing. He blocked me and slammed the heel of his palm into my nose, making my eyes tear up. Thankfully, he hadn’t hit it right, or he’d have broken it. He shook me loose and straightened his clothes. Inwardly, I seethed. The asshole knew I wanted Raina. I’d made it clear I’d planned to keep her until Viktor had demanded I choose between the women.
“I believe Natalia is in good hands,” Viktor said. “Maksim is consoling her. But Aleksi is correct, Feliks. You wanted to marry Natalia Gorev. Threw Raina away so you could advance in the Bratva. You need to stand down and let others handle this.”
“You heard what Ilya said. Raina is pregnant. With my child.”
What was wrong with these men? Didn’t they understand? Whoever took Raina hadn’t only taken my woman, they’d taken my unborn child. I wanted to bathe the city in blood, tear the world apart, and I’d do exactly that until she was back by my side. I should have never walked away. I’d do anything to have her safe again.
Viktor nodded. “Yes, and you knew there was a chance she was pregnant when you threw her away like garbage. It’s time you stopped trying to be a stingy kid holding onto all the toys. You can pick one woman, Feliks. I made that clear in my office, and you said to make arrangements with Natalia’s father.”
“You don’t understand,” I said. My throat felt like it was closing, and the room spun a little. The longer we stood here, the farther they could take Raina. I needed to know who had her so I could get her back. The horrors she’d faced before… Were they doing that to her now?
“I think I do.” Cerys pulled away from her husband. “You finally found a woman you want to protect. Is that it, Feliks? You want to keep her safe?”
“Yes.” I smoothed out my lapels. At least someone saw reason. It wasn’t lost on me. The one person who could see the situation clearly was completely blind.
“And you think about her when you’re apart?” she pressed.
My brow furrowed, and I sensed a trap, and yet I knew I needed to answer. If I refused, Viktor would take issue with it. “Yes, I think of her often.”
More like every second of the day.
“How would you feel if Raina were with another man? If she let him touch her. Kiss her. Raise your child?”
I growled and fisted my hands at my sides. Cerys smirked at me, and I took a step back. I didn’t like that look. Not even a little.
“You’re scaring him, myshka,” Viktor said.
“He should be terrified. He’s already falling for her, and he’s made a mess of everything. For whatever reason, she wanted to see him one last time. In the bathroom, she confided in me. I know how they met, and how he’s treated her. I don’t understand why she likes him. Feliks is easily my least favorite of your men.”
I folded my arms and tried not to take offense. “The longer we stand here, the more distance between us and Raina.”
“He’s right,” Aleksi said. “We can hash this out later. If he wants to come with me, let him.”
Aleksi charged out of the room and headed for the security office. I followed in his wake and hoped we’d be able to get to Raina in time. I could only imagine how scared she must be. When we reached Security, it only took Aleksi a few minutes to figure out who had Raina.
The look he gave me didn’t bode well. “What? Who has her?”
“Paulo Bini. The Italian mob enforcer for this region.”
“He’s used her before,” I said. “Why else would he have called her little whore? He had to have been offered her as payment by Leeds. It’s the only explanation. I don’t understand why he took her now. Did Leeds put out a bounty on her? I don’t see how he could afford it.”
“You said the men who’d accepted her in trade previously had all hurt her. I don’t think we have a lot of time, Feliks. We need to find her. Now!”
I followed Aleksi from the room and only paid half attention as he shouted orders to more of our men. We stepped out of the hotel, and he called for his car. I didn’t bother asking for mine. It was only the two of us. Two Bratva soldiers rushed down the sidewalk in opposite directions. I knew they’d take their own vehicles and do their best to locate Raina. But would four people be enough?
“We need more men, Aleksi.”
“What we need is a fucking miracle. I can’t believe you, Feliks. If you hadn’t hurt her the way you had, then none of this would have happened. You could have kept her from the beginning. You know Viktor wouldn’t have stood in the way. But not you. No, the mighty Feliks needs to marry above his reach, and try to keep the woman he actually wants to be with.”
I fisted my hands, knowing he was right. It didn’t mean I had liked hearing it. The fact was Raina had been placed in danger, and the blame lay solely at my feet. If I’d married her, protected her, then no one would have dared harm her.
“You’re right,” I said.
The car swerved as Aleksi glanced my way. “I’m sorry. Did you just agree with me?”
I nodded. “It’s my fault someone has kidnapped her, and I will get her back. I’ll break the engagement with Natalia.”
“Fedor Gorev won’t handle that well. He’ll claim you’ve made a fool of him and his daughter,” Aleksi warned.
“I’m aware.” I looked out the window. “Do you have any idea where you’re going?”
“The docks. The Italians have a big shipment heading out today. There’s a chance Raina is on that boat. If she’s not, then one of the others will find her. But I’d rather hit the biggest threat first. If they get her on that ship and leave, you may never get her back.” His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “If you did, you may not want her anymore. Their cargo is of the human sort. Once Paulo is finished with her, he’ll sell her.”
“She’d rather die than live like that again,” I said. “The day I brought her to the apartment, she’d asked me to kill her. I’d been so furious, I’d wrapped my hand around her throat. She’d looked me in the eye and begged me to end it all.”
“I think if she hadn’t discovered she carried your child, she may have tried to kill herself when she heard about your engagement. I wasn’t there, but I could tell how much she cared about you. I’d imagine it destroyed her to see you with Natalia tonight. That’s probably why she escaped with Cerys to the bathroom.”
Yet another sin I needed to atone for. I seemed to hurt Raina at every turn. I’d taken her bare when she’d said I needed a condom and had gotten her pregnant. For that matter, I’d never used protection with her. I’d only thought of how incredible she felt with nothing between us. Then I’d let her be taken from the apartment. I’d chosen another woman over her and said cruel things when I next saw her.
If she never wanted to see me again, I’d understand. It didn’t mean I’d allow her to leave. She’d forgive me, eventually. I’d shower her with gifts. Move her into my home. Help her set up a nursery. She’d see I planned to keep her, to cherish her. Wouldn’t she?
“What are you thinking?” Aleksi asked as we drew closer to the docks.
“Of ways to keep Raina by my side,” I said.
He snorted. “You might start by telling her you’re an asshole, an idiot, and that you’re sorry you ran off the only woman you’ve ever loved. Anything short of that…”
“I know.” I’d never been good at expressing my feelings, unless it was anger. How would I tell her all that? I wasn’t sure I was capable of such a thing. The Bratva had made me cold. Hard. If I still had a heart, it had blackened with each sin I’d committed.
Aleksi skidded to a stop, and I scanned the area. With so many ships docked, how would we know which one to approach? We hadn’t had time to plan. I hated going in blind, but in this case, it couldn’t be helped.
“Let me do the talking,” Aleksi said. “I’m more rational right now.”
I cast him a glare as we exited the car. I kept pace with him, since Aleksi seemed to know which ship we needed.
“Scusami. We’re looking for Paulo,” Aleksi said.
One of them stepped forward, scanning Aleksi from head to toe and back again. “What for?”
“Business.” Aleksi shoved his hands into his pockets, looking completely relaxed.
“Paulo’s busy.” The man smirked. “Won’t be available for a while.”
So, he’d brought her here. I advanced on the man, shoving Aleksi aside. Rage filled me as I thought of all the vile things he could do to my Raina right now. And this fucker was keeping me from saving her. Wrapping my fingers around the asshole’s throat, I lifted him off the ground. “Paulo has something of mine, and I’ll be taking it back. You can either tell me where to find him, or I can make you.”
The others moved closer, but I saw Aleksi pull his weapon. He forced them back, leaving me to deal with the arrogant fuck who thought to keep me from Raina. The man spit at me and sneered. “I’ll tell you nothing.”
“Very well.” I grabbed him and tossed him farther into the shadows. Aleksi moved the other two as well. The fewer witnesses, the better. I shoved him to the ground and kneeled on his chest. He thrashed but couldn’t dislodge me. The stench of liquor told me plenty. He’d probably had enough alcohol he’d not only dulled his wits, but he’d be slower too. Perfect.
I slammed the man's hand against the concrete and he cursed at me. I did it again. Then a third time. I felt the bones give as they cracked, and he screamed like the little bitch he was. “Last chance. Tell me where Paulo took Raina.”
“Fuck. You.”
I sighed. I didn’t have time to play with this fucker. Any other time, I’d draw things out. Torture him for a while. But I needed to step things up. “Remember, you did this to yourself.”
I pulled a knife from my pocket and flicked it open. I kept it extra sharp just for this very reason. As he squirmed, I noticed Aleksi pulled a second gun and pointed it at the man lying under me. He stilled, staring down the barrel. Fool! It wasn’t Aleksi he needed to fear, but he hadn’t figured that out yet.
He would.
Pressing the blade against his index finger, I shoved down hard and severed it from his hand. The man screamed and bucked. Blood spurted and pooled on the ground. The spray missed me. If this asshole got blood on me, and I scared Raina when she saw me looking like I’d stepped out of a horror movie, I’d bring him back to kill him again. And yes, he would die. I just needed information first.
“Ready to talk?” I asked. He shook his head, but I saw the fear in his eyes. I cut off another finger, then a third. The man still wouldn’t speak. He’d gone pale, as his blood flowed freely. The pussy would likely pass out from the pain soon enough.
The other two men began speaking rapidly in Italian. Their eyes were wide as they watched what I did to their friend. I ripped open his shirt and slid the blade down his chest, splitting his skin open. He still refused to utter a word.
Aleksi knew their language well and peppered the other two with questions. The man beneath me sagged, clearly thinking he’d be safe now. Was he so new to this way of life he didn’t understand he’d be sent to hell tonight? The other two seemed to realize it. Resignation filled their eyes as they stared at Aleksi.
“Your friends are quite helpful,” I said. “Pity you weren’t.”
Before he understood what I meant, I sliced the blade through his throat, letting him choke on his own blood. I wiped the knife clean on his clothes before standing and brushing myself off. Someone would find the body later, but no cops would be called. Things didn’t work that way in this part of town. If the Italians even thought to retaliate, I’d be happy to show them the error of their ways.
“If you’re finished playing, I know where Paulo is,” Aleksi said.
“And those two?” I asked.
Aleksi shot them both in the head, the bodies dropping to the ground. “They’ve outlived their usefulness.”
“Where’s Raina?” I asked.
“She’s on board. Lower level. You understand this won’t be easy. There’s only two of us, and many of them. We can’t just walk past them and go searching for her,” Aleksi said.
“Then call in backup, but I’m not waiting. Every second she’s with him is too long.”
Aleksi nodded. “Very well, Feliks. Do what you must.”
With my knife in one hand and my gun in the other, I approached the ship. I walked up the ramp, being careful not to make unnecessary noise. The sound of voices overhead gave me an idea of how many men I’d have to slip past. If I stayed in the shadows, it would help. Thankfully, I’d worn solid black to the charity event.
Keeping my back to the ship, I eased up the ramp. When I reached the top, I froze and waited. Peering around the corner, I saw four men, smoking and laughing, as they stacked boxes on one of the decks. I waited until their backs were turned and snuck onto the boat. Moving quickly, I found the hatch that led below into the bowels of the ship, and knew I needed to act fast.
I knew little about ships, but I hoped I could cause enough damage to stall them. We couldn’t leave the docks. Not until I had Raina safely tucked in the car and far from here. I studied the various mechanics. Smashing the butt of my gun into some dials and a few buttons, I hoped it would be enough. Sparks shot out, and I hid my face with my arm. Creeping farther into the depths of the ship, I looked for a set of stairs.
Making my way to the cabins on board, I searched each, hoping to find Raina. At the end of the hall, I heard muffled curses and slowly turned the knob. The door opened a sliver, enough for me to look inside. I recognized Raina’s shoes on the floor, and her dress pooled closer to the bed.
My stomach knotted, and I ground my teeth together. If he’d already raped her, I’d make him die slow. I opened the door farther, but the big bastard had his back to me. He had no idea anyone had snuck up on him. I silently crept nearer to the bed and saw Raina. Her head had fallen over the side of the bed, and her chest rose and fell steadily. Inching closer, my hand tightened on my knife when I saw what he’d done. I knew when she woke, she’d be in immense pain.
“You shouldn’t have touched her,” I said, my voice little more than a growl.
Before he could turn, I buried my knife in his back, then yanked it free. Paulo whirled to face me, his soulless eyes taking me in. Fucker didn’t even seem to notice he’d been stabbed. This man needed to suffer. As badly as I wanted to put a bullet in him, I wanted him to hurt for far longer.
Shouts elsewhere on the ship told me Aleksi had arrived with backup. I hoped they’d keep the others busy. Backing to the door, I shut it and twisted the lock. Paulo grinned when he saw the move, and I knew he thought he had the upper hand.
“Raina is mine,” I said. “Perhaps Leeds forgot to mention it?”
“The whore carries your brat. Everyone knows,” Paulo said. “Her cunt can still take a cock. Until she’s showing, she can earn some extra cash. Once the kid is born, I’ll sell them to the highest bidder, and make sure they send you a video of your child being taken again and again. I have a buyer picked out who will be perfect. He likes boys and girls.”
I gripped my gun so tight I worried I’d crack it or break my fingers. He wanted me to react out of rage. I was close. So very close to giving in to that urge. But if I did, not only would Raina and our baby pay the price, but I’d most likely be tortured to death. I couldn’t let that happen.
“Fuck you, Paulo! You’ll never sell my child because Raina will leave with me.”
He stepped to the side, waving a hand at her, like a game show host displaying a prize. “Don’t you like what I’ve done?”
I refused to look. I’d already seen her. My beautiful Raina. She’d be devastated, assuming the pain didn’t drive her mad.
“You’ll pay for hurting her, both now and before. She told me of the men who harmed her. I know you were one of them.”
He smiled, flashing his teeth like a shark. “Of course, I was. And I will be again. In fact, I’ll let you watch. As you lie dying in a pool of your own blood, your last vision will be of me fucking your whore. I don’t care if she’s awake or not.”
My hands shook as I fought to control myself. I wouldn’t make the first move. I couldn’t. I needed to keep a level head, even if I wanted to slit him open and pull out his guts while he still breathed. I wanted him to feel every second of pain, and know it was payback for what he’d done to Raina.
“Did you know I was one of her first?” Paulo asked, licking his lips. “Her young, tight cunt felt so good. Her ass felt even better, and the way she choked on a cock? Mmm.”
He closed his eyes, an expression of bliss crossing his features, and I knew… I couldn’t wait. As much as I wanted to gut him alive, he needed to be put down. I aimed my gun and fired, hitting him in the stomach. He dropped to his knees, his eyes flying open. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. The knife may not have bothered him, but a bullet certainly got his attention.
As he toppled to his back, I decided I had just enough time for a little revenge. I ripped open his shirt and used my blade to slice him from clavicle to groin. He gurgled and I saw the light fading in his eyes as I reached in started pulling out any organs I could tear from his body. I left a pile beside him as he exhaled his last breath. Only then did I allow myself to focus on Raina.
I didn’t dare touch her, covered in his blood. I stripped out of my clothes, and as loathe as I was to use anything of the Italian’s, I found a pair of pants and quickly pulled them on. I washed off in the bathroom sink before carefully lifting Raina into my arms.
“I’ve got you, liubimaja. Please don’t wake until I can get you medical attention.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead and carried her from the room, leaving the carnage behind me.