Page 16 of Saving Helena
“I didn’t say we shouldn’t have done it. We definitely should have. It was a long time coming. We’re going to do it again, too. I’m going to eat that pussy every chance I get,” he wiped the corner of his mouth and licked his fingers, giving me a wink. Leaning against thedoor, he crossed his arms, and it hit me that we now had the privacy we didn’t have in the hall. Was that why he wanted to come in here?
“Let’s hear it, princess. What sort of trouble are you running from?” His face was set and serious.
Suddenly, Iwas disappointed and anxious. Fiddling with the items on thedresser,I brushed through my hair, tryingto ignore how self-conscious I felt.Thiswas why I’d come here. For help, I needed to get the information out and find out what Maddox thought.
“Okay,well, you know I got my degree as a CPA, right?” I could see him nodding, looking impassive. “Since my dad died, I’ve worked at the same company, ConcordeFinancial.”
“I’m aware.” He didn’t say anything else, which made me wonder how he could know that.
“Okay,well,last month, therewas a request for two people from the accounting team to work on a special project. It paid a little more, but it wasn’t like we had a choice. Me and another girl were chosen.”
“Okay, I’m following so far.” The muscle on his jaw flexed as he uncoiled from the wall, pushingoff and stalking towards me. He gathered me up from my spot at the dresser without preliminaries and swept me into his arms.
“What are you doing?” I squeaked, surprised.
“Holding you,” he said, settling on the bed with me in his arms. “I know I’m not going to like hearing it. I’ll feel betterholding you while I hear it.”
Stupefied, Igazed at him, but he didn’t back down. Evenwhen I wriggled a little, hejust firmed up his grip.
“No,” he said. “Stop wiggling.Thisis how it’s going to be.” My eyes went wide. Bossy was kind of hot. His eyes narrowed at me. “Just keep talking. Don’t worry about what’s going on right now.”
“Okay,” I conceded. This was a lot, but steadying myself with a hand onhischest, I drew comfort from the strength thathegave. “After a few weeks, Ibecamesuspicious of the project. It wasn’t related to Concorde Financial but was an off-shoot project for one of the department heads. He had us working with this guard dog Sergei, who reported directly to him, Makarovich …”
Under my hand, Maddox went stiff, his eyes going hard. “Makarovich? Are you serious? Anton Makarovich?” It almost felt like if Iwasn’t anchoredto him, he would have been pacing. His hands tightened around me imperceptibly.
“Yeah, he was the department head in charge of the project,” I said.Thisseemed like badnews to him, though. Maddox looked likehe wasgoing to have a heart attack or kill someone.
“He’s Bratva,” he ground out. “The place must have been a cover. Fuck.” I could tell that the urge to pace was back, but he squeezed me again, kissing the back of my head. “Thank God you got out when you did.”
“I was thinking something like that.So, that doesn’t surprise me,” I nodded, confirming.“He’sevil, Maddox.” I looked up at him. “Really.”
“Tell me how you know, princess,” he said solemnly, strokingmy back with small circles. I was so relieved that he wasn’t angry with me that I didn’t bother asking how he knew who Makarovich was.
“I was working on one of their accounts, andI kept seeing deposits for hundreds of millions.Then I overheard someone talking about auctions.” I waved my hand in the air. You know, one plus one, I’m not an idiot. I did some digging.”
“You did some digging? Holy shit, you’relucky you’re breathing. Do they know?” His eyes were glued to mine, wide and incredulous. “That you’re on to them?”
“Well, probably,” I answered. His eyes rounded with horror. Knowing that Makarovich was Bratva suddenly made so much sense, but it also meant I’d put the MC in even more danger than I’d thought. The Bratva wasn’t a small enemy to have.
“I’m sorry I came here, Maddox. I can leave today. I thought I needed some advice.” Unbidden tears rose in my eyes, threatening to fall over my lashes. “I have some cash and all my documents, but I was hoping to get new ones, a fake ID.”
Crushing me to his chest hard enough that I struggled a little, heonly said, “That’s not happening.”
“Ok,” Isaid,defeated. “I understand.” The small amount of cash I managed to bring would have to be enough.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Maddox
Holding her tight, I smoothed my hand down her back. “No, you are mistaking what I meant, Helena. You won’t be going anywhere.” Her face turned towards me, her eyes narrowing at my tone.
“They are selling people, Maddox. I am pretty sure I am a liability to the club.” Wiggling out of my grasp, she got to her feet, breathing hard.
Makarovich was an animal of the worst kind.He was well-known on the West Coast as a flesh peddler but had never been listed as connected to Concorde.I knew because I had checked when shewas hiredthere.Thiswas acolossalfuck-up on my part. Leaning forward on my knees, I watched her pace, her earrings bobbing as she walked.
“Tell me why you thought they’d come after you. You were on this project, right?” Maybe she had been wrong, and it wasn’t as bad as she thought. Her look was apologetic as she started talking, fiddling with the tips of her ponytail.
My heart sank. It was even worse the longer shetalked. Holy fuck. They would never let this go.