Page 82 of Miki

No, fate had put us in each other’s path. Chemistry and common goals had brought us together, and now love would bind us and bridge the gap between two worlds and two people that otherwise would have remained apart.

When the next couple of days were over, I’d resign and follow Miki to London. I wasn’t sure what I would do there, but it would be a fresh start, so I supposed I could do anything I wanted.

With TV not an option and nothing else to do, by mid-afternoon, I was bored and about ready to climb the walls, but thankfully Marko and Vlad came in to check on me.

We ordered room service, ate little cakes and sandwiches, and sipped tea together while chatting about the plan for the next day. It was odd to think these Russian men enjoyed such a British tradition.

Watching them sip from China cups balanced on little saucers was pretty funny, and I had to bite my lip to avoid laughing each time Vlad took a sip. He was a big guy, so when he held the cup, it looked like a child’s tea set in his hands.

Regardless, both men looked sophisticated, and it was hard to remember they were more than the Russian Oligarchs they appeared.

As we discussed the plan, I asked Marko lots of questions.

“Don’t arrest me,” he said, laughing as I marvelled at his skills in hacking and tracking.

“I promise not to,” I replied, laughing in turn.

I liked Marko; he was nice and had a nerdy sort of charm about him, but he was hot too. He was not your typical nerd, that was for sure, and he carried that hint of danger, just like the others, that added to his attraction.

Vlad was a quieter person. He was as tall as Miki, but even more muscular. Yet, like Miki, they appeared more down to genetics and training rather than steroids. He had a calming air and seemed to be one of those people who was rarely fazed by anything, and I could see why he was Miki’s friend and bodyguard. I liked him too.

We laughed and chatted, and I thoroughly enjoyed their company.

After about an hour, I noticed Vlad yawning. He had slept little in the last few days between tailing me, Bratva business, staying up, guarding my hospital room, and helping put our plans into motion. The poor man was shattered, and no wonder.

All those times I thought I was being watched; it had been Vlad.

“You scared me by creeping around, following me in the dark,” I told him.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly, and I believed him.

“Of course, you scared me too,” he went on.

“Me? I doubt that.” I laughed incredulously.

“That day when you challenged me to come out with that torch in your hand and that glint in your eye, I was pretty sure that if I did, you’d brain me with the thing and that would be the end of me,” he smirked.

“Oh ha, ha!” I said, laughing.

Bonding with the guys gave me the warm fuzzies and made my decision to be with Miki feel better. I had a feeling that was the intention of our little get together and it worked.

We were having fun, but after I caught Vlad covering another yawn with his hand; I insisted he go take a nap.

Marko followed a few minutes later to do more of his hacking stuff and I was left to my own devices, once again, which wasn’t a good idea.

Within ten minutes of them leaving, I was going stir crazy. I really needed to get out of the room, so decided to go for a swim in the hotel pool.

After quickly getting changed, I headed down to the Spa.

I thought about telling Marko where I was going, but quickly talked myself out of it. Marko was busy, and I didn’t want to disturb him or wake up Vlad.

One of them would have probably insisted on coming with me if I had told them, and that wasn’t fair because Vlad needed his sleep, and Marko needed to be doing whatever he was doing to make sure everything ran smoothly tomorrow. Besides, it wasn’t as if I was leaving the hotel.

A staff member directed me to the woman’s changing room, where I took off my clothes and put them in a locker. I debated keeping my promise to Miki and leaving my necklace on, but was scared to lose it in the pool, so I took it off and tucked it into the locker as well. Just as I closed the door, I felt a presence behind me.

Before I could turn to look, I was pushed up against the locker door. A hand closed over my mouth, and I felt a prick in my neck. I was suddenly very weak. My knees buckled, but I was held in an iron-tight grip so instead of falling, I simply slumped over the arm around my waist, powerless to fight the waves of tiredness that made my head lull and my eyes heavy.

Unable to move my limbs, I couldn’t stop my hands from being cuffed behind me. My mind was sluggish, and I couldn’t seem to think coherently as I was slung unceremoniously over someone’s shoulder.

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