Page 38 of Deadly Devotion
“We’ll find a way, Talia. Just hang in there,” Sandy reassured. “I told Dimitri I would stay at the hotel with my ‘babysitter’, but I’m going back to work and there’s nothing he can do about it. He thought he was going to win that argument, but you know I always win. I told him I was having a severe case of cabin fever, but the truth is I have to make money so we can get to San Francisco.”
“Please be safe sis! I’m not thrilled you’re going back to the club, but at least I have a phone now so we can keep in touch.”
“You do? How did that happen?” Sandy whispered.
“Dimitri gave it to me. He said Aleksandr doesn’t want me stressed out,” I laughed. “At least the children are taking my mind off of being held captive.”
“Seems he has a heart after all,” Sandy joked. “Tell me about the kids.”
I recounted my conversation with the children, and Sandy’s laughter floated through the line.
“They must be so excited!” Sandy remarked. “But we need to focus on getting you out. I’ll contact Luke and make arrangements for when we get to San Francisco.”
“Okay, sis. Stay safe.” I reluctantly ended the call.
As I lay back on the bed, cradling the phone, a flicker of hope ignited in my chest.I can do this.I’ll figure out a way to escape and get to Sandy.
Chapter 24
Aleksandr
As I watched Olga, Sasha, Maxim, and Talia gather around the dinner table, a bittersweet ache tugged at my heart. The normalcy of this scene—a family dinner with the children and the woman I desired above all else—was shattered by the grim realities that threatened to consume us.
I kissed Sasha and Maxim goodnight, their innocent smiles briefly easing the burden on my shoulders. Talia’s presence was a delicate temptation. I yearned to hold her close, to protect her from the dangers that circled us like hungry wolves. But duty gnawed at me, an unrelenting force.
“Olga, ensure Talia follows the doctor’s orders,” I instructed. “She needs to eat the food, not push it around the plate.”
“Yes, Mr. Avilov. I will make certain she eats everything.”
Talia’s eyes met mine briefly before I abruptly turned away. I could not risk succumbing to the pull of emotions, not now.
Outside, Dimitri waited in the black SUV, his expression a mask of grim determination. The night sky loomed overhead as we sped through the streets to the art gallery. “What did you find out?” I inquired.
“It was Adachi’s men,” Dimitri revealed, his voice low and charged with anger. The name was a curse upon my ears, a reminder of the ruthless forces that threatened our existence. “You were the target.”
“Blyat!“ Talia’s shooting had been an attack that was meant for me. “Adachi is trying to take me out to take over distribution.”
Talia’s vulnerability ignited a fierce protectiveness within me. She was carrying a child, likely my child, that I will guard like a precious gem. The thought of her in danger because of me fueled a storm of conflicting emotions.
“Have all the vors been contacted?” I ask, licking my front teeth.
“Da, they will meet us at the gallery.”
As we sped through the streets, my mind raced with images of Talia leaning against the car, bleeding in the streets. Afire raged within me, demanding vengeance on those that hurt what’s mine.
Arriving at the art gallery, Dimitri and I entered the dimly lit room where my senior vors awaited. Their eyes reflected the weight of their loyalty and expectations. Aspakhan,my duty was to steer us through treacherous waters and maintain order in a world where chaos lurked at every turn.
They were gathered around the table, each with a drink in hand. Their suits were impeccably tailored.
I cut right to the chase. “You all know why you were called here tonight. Adachi ordered his men to take me out. We must respond, but I don’t want this to become an all-out war.”
All the senior vors spoke up at once. Their voices rumbled like distant thunder. Opinions clashed, each vor advocating their own brand of retribution. I listened, my mind a whirlwind of strategy and consequence.
“We must confront Adachi,” one declared, his voice laden with a thirst for blood.
“No,” another countered, a seasoned tactician with eyes that held the wisdom of years spent in the shadows. “We seek diplomacy first. We can still use Adachi and the Yakuza to our advantage.”
“Send the heads of his men back to him in gift-wrapped boxes,” another vor shouted. “That will remind them not to fuck with the Avilov Bratva.”