Chapter 57

W

We rounded the bend and drove into a private road. The only lights were the lights of the vehicle and there were trees all around. Then suddenly there was a pop and the car swerved barely missing a tree. We came to a complete stop and the murderer in front got out to check.

“We got a flat, Sir.” He shouted from the front of the car. “Driver side.”

The driver got out to help him change the tyre and then there were sounds of something hitting the ground and the cry of “Am…” then nothing.

The old man immediately pulled out a gun and pointed at me. “Don’t move an inch! You hear me!”

I didn’t know what was happened but as I watched the old man hyperventilate, I knew something was seriously wrong. There were no sounds other than the wind going through the trees and owls hooting. Yet…I felt strange…a strange sort of excitement…as hope rose within me.

“What the hell does he see in you, bitch?” The old man cursed then his phone rang. His hand shook as he answered it then he went chalk white as he listened then he shakily handed the phone to me. I frowned at it then he hissed “Take it! Damn it!”

“Hello?”

“Are you harmed?” Came Vlad’s clipped Russian voice.

“No.” I answered, shocked to hear him but afraid to say more.

“Is Irena alright?”

“A bit hungry, she’s sucking her thumb.” It wasn’t a normal habit of hers but given the situation, I was glad it was keeping her quiet.

“Give him back the phone.” Vlad ordered.

I handed over the phone and the man growled “This vehicle is bulletproof, but she isn’t.”

He held the phone to his ear in a death grip for a few minutes saying nothing but grinding his teeth. His eyes flashed with murder in them when ever so often he glanced at me. Then came his shout of “FUCK!” which was followed by “FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK! As he smashed the phone against the car seats. He lifted the gun to my head as he debated “I’m an old man. I’ve my life. This Russian punk isn’t going to best me.”

But I hadn’t begun to live mine and neither had Irena. Then that voice was back. Aren’t you the same woman who charged Vlad with a poker? This is an old man, what sort of mother lets a man kill her baby without a fight? I closed my eyes as if accepting my fate then slid down and kicked him in the family jewels causing the gun to go off. Keeping a tight grip on a fussing Irena. I opened the secret compartment of the car and grabbed the first weapon I could. It was a knife.

Then came mass confusion as he righted himself and pistol whipped me with the gun across my face, but I was also waving the knife like a madwoman and he got slashed across his arm for his effort. He pulled back with a hiss and I stabbed him in the thigh and as he screamed, I opened the door and tossed Irena out. My heart collapsed into my stomach as I did but I buried it as I tried to retrieve the knife. He was trying to bring the gun around but with both my hands free I had one grip on the knife and one blocking his gun arm, my body making the rest of him useless.

A strong arm grabbed me from behind and I dug my nails in, still worried about the old man’s gun until I heard “Easy kitten.” and saw a red hole appear in the old man’s head.

My body froze as I realized Vlad had killed him…and he was here. Holding me. He dragged me out the car and set me on my feet and I finally turned to face him. He was dressed in black camo with a mask over his face which he removed as I stared. He caressed by bruised cheek then shot two more bullets into the car without taking his eyes of me.

“Irena!” I gasped breaking the spell and started to search frantically on the ground. Vlad pulled me up and faced me to the right and I saw Eon holding her.

“She’s had a bit of a shock, that’s all. We’ll have a doctor check to be sure.” He told me as he handed her over. Then turned to Vlad “I’ll go get our ride.” And stalked off into the trees and disappearing like magic.

I inspected my baby and was glad her blankets were always so plush…and for the thick grass under my feet. Vlad was still staring at me quietly and I looked up and he leaned his head against mine. He stayed like that for a while, saying nothing with his eyes closed. I was suddenly worried if he was injured.

“Are you okay?” I asked him and felt him smile.

Then he leaned away watching down at me he whispered. “Yes, Kitten. Everything is alright.” Then he pulled us into his arms and held on tight.

*******************

Vladimir didn’t return with me. He held us all through the ride to the airport then informed me I was going home alone. Before I could ask why he said he had business to take care of. Then he kissed us both and saw us off. Vladimir was never …normal but even I thought he was acting odd.

I wasn’t mad I wasn’t taken back to Canada. I was in no mood to go back to that place after what happened to Nora. Killed by her own Aunt. As for Kateya, justice was what that bitch got for endangering my baby. When the helicopter touched down at the winter palace, Mila and Leia rushed out. Mila taking Irena from my arms and both of them hustled me upstairs.

Between the two of them they spent the next two weeks pampering Irena and me. There was nothing I didn’t ask for that I didn’t get. I even got an office next to Vladimir with my own phoneline, and I didn’t even ask for that. A new laptop and smartphone was bought but with me disappearing off the job and Nora and my mother dead, I had no one to call.

I was obviously given more freedom this time around, but one thing kept bothering me. Vlad. Why didn’t he return with us? What was he doing that was so important and… why did I miss him so much? Another thing that was bothering me was the worry. I was worrying over Vladimir’s absence.

Strange I wasn’t worried about his safety but more like I was worrying over what laws he was breaking. I knew my ma…whoa! What was I about to call him? I shook myself, then switched to my other worry about Vlad. I had to tell him all the stuff Kateya said and …I missed my period.

I could check but I didn’t want the staff knowing before he did and blabbing all over the country. So, I decided to wait till he returned to tell him all of it. Talk about information overload! Just what the hell was he doing that he couldn’t come home?

**********************

“Understood, Comrade.” The Persian Prince agreed. Not that he had much choice when one negotiated with a blade at your throat.

Vlad removed the blade slowly and apologized. “I didn’t want it to come to this. I only want for her to be able to walk around in peace.”

“I am not the America infidel! Like you, my veins carry the blood of kings. You tell me the female is not an issue. It is enough. No …threat required.”

“You can’t continue the trade either. It’s being disbanded.”

“On your end maybe, but we have had slaves for centuries. I need not your business. It was for …the excitement.” Vlad nodded then turned to leave but the Prince’s voice stopped him. “Just make sure the stink you made with the American, the smell doesn’t follow you here.”

“Maybe you should be concerned about your own messes.” Vlad countered.

By the time he left the Palace, it was swarming with international press and the combined UN forces. He should have been more careful when he killed Slava. The main ingredient in the poison he used could only be found in his little Kingdom or in secure labs. Vlad just hoped he had a good tale to tell.

“We’re done. He was the last.” Eon stated as they arrived at the private airstrip.

“Not quite.” Vlad said as he took aim at Eon. “Don’t even try to deny it. I knew you were fucking Nora.

“That doesn’t mean I betrayed you.” Eon pointed out hastily.

“What does it mean then?” Vlad asked. “Does it mean the two of you were planning to blackmail me?”

“No Vlad!” Eon denied, and Vlad raised a brow. “I mean…No, Your Highness.”

“You are the closest thing I had to a true brother…”

“I’m still that man, Vlad. I was just weak for her. She told me she loved me. I thought nothing of her taking Irena. Even the Czarina trusted her!”

“Never tell Azura about the tracker and I will consider it a lapse in judgement.” Vlad conceded dropping his aim.

Eon exhaled then frowned “That’s all you want?”

“Trust me its plenty.” He was actually dreading her ever finding out about the high-tech tracker he placed high up on her inner thigh. As the owner of a weapons development company, he pushed the creation of the tech. It could only be traced by the tracker he created, nothing else and he held the only prototype.

“Alright.” Eon smirked.

“I mean it Eon, or I shoot you right now.” Vlad said pointing the sig at him once more.

“I said alright!” Eon grinned.

“And wipe that grin off your face.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Eon said as his smile widened.

“Maybe I just shoot your teeth out.” Vlad grumbled.

“Maybe I tell the Czarina, you’re being mean.” Eon teased.

“Fuck off!”