Chapter 270 Head Count
Dakota's P.O.V.
When the police have finished collecting their evidence, and I ensure they are all off the property, I change my clothes and go to Luka and Rain's room. I expect Rain to be crying after finding out the truth about Nikolas when I knock, but I'm wrong. When Luka opens the door, Rain, wearing a pair of shorts and a ripped shirt, is pacing.
"I'm sorry, Rain. I didn't want to tell you until I was sure." She stops pacing, walks over, and hugs me.
"Don't apologize. I never fully trusted him because I thought he flipped a switch awfully fast. I'm a naturally untrusting person, so I was still being cautious around him, especially when he would ask questions about your family." She's shaking, and her words are coming out super fast. I take her hands and look into her eyes.
"Rain, take a deep breath. This isn't my family. It's our family. You're part of this family, too, and I don't want you to ever forget that. Nikolas is in the negotiation room. Do you want to go there with me?" Rain takes a deep breath and nods.
"Yes. I never thought I was a violent person, but he tried to kill Shannon, and she's one of the sweetest people I know," Rain says as she calms down a little.
"Do you know why he would shoot her? I don't recall the two of them ever talking, but I know you were around both of them more than I was over the last few days," I ask. Nikolas shooting Shannon doesn't make sense unless he was just trying to kill everyone in the house.
"I've never seen them together. Shannon stayed in her and Benny's room for the most part. She's really shy and seems insecure," Rain replies. I feel bad because I've been so busy that I haven't spent much time with Shannon. I need to rectify that. As soon as we take care of Nikolas, I will go to the hospital to see her and Arkadi.
"After we're done, do you want to go to the hospital with me to check on her?" Rain smiles and hugs me again.
"Yes. You know, I was thinking that when we're done making the rehab center, maybe Shannon would want to help us. Her degree is in child psychology. We could make it so we can help both adults and teens," Rain says.
"That's a great idea. Let's go talk with Nikolas." The three of us go downstairs, and on the way outside, I stop by Sam and Addy's room. Valentina and Enzo are still there.
"Thank you for getting them home safely," Sam says.
"They played a big part in their own rescue. Enzo untied the rope, and then they snuck out of the room while I distracted Raul. You two were very brave, and I'm so proud of both of you." Enzo and Addy come over to hug me, and it's exactly what I need right before I go to the negotiation room. I love these kids.
"Will you still teach me how to fight like you?" Addy asks.
"Of course I will. Sam, I'm going to ask my aunt, Courtney, to help me find a physical therapist to work with you here. She's a nurse and a chef, so she has lots of connections." Sam looks at me, confused, and I shake my head. "One day, I will tell you all about my parents, aunts, uncles, and siblings."
After we leave them, I pull out my phone and text Courtney to see if she can find a physical therapist who can come to the compound five days a week to work with Sam. She responds immediately, saying she will let me know who she finds.
I open the door to the negotiation room, and Xavier, Sarah, Galdino, Ari, Tyler, and Shea are waiting for us. Nikolas smirks from the metal chair in the middle of the shed as I put on my black gloves.
"Rain, I'm your father. I know you're not going to let them do anything to me." I look at Rain and nod. She picks up a hammer and smashes Nikolas' right hand with it. Everyone looks at her in surprise, and I see a fire in her eyes that I recognize because I've seen it in mine. She has finally realized she is part of this family. I pick up a golf club and put it across my shoulders.
"You are not my father. I don't care if we share the same blood. The only family I have is the Kondrati family." Rain smashes his left hand with the hammer and then returns to Luka's side. I have never seen my cousin look prouder than he does right now. I turn back to Nikolas and walk around him.
"Now, Nikky boy, what do you think we should do with you? Right now, the police are looking for you for the attempted murder of Shannon. Do you think we should turn you over to them or go ahead and get justice now?" He doesn't need to know that I didn't give the police his name. Nikolas has the nerve to smile.
"She may live, but are you sure she's the only one I shot? What kind of boss are you? You didn't even check on your entire family." I freeze and think about who I haven't seen since I've been back. Oh, no. I drop the golf club and run back to the house. Please let them be alive.