Page 59 of Taming Mika

“I know,” Alfie concedes. “We can sit down like men to renegotiatethe terms—without guns present—but only if you let Mika go. If you kill her now, my men have orders to open fire and kill every last one of you.”

I hope he’s bluffing. The only thing worse than dying would be knowing that my death put all the creatures I love directly in the line of fire. Silently, I will Alfie to look at me so I can plead for their safety, but he’s not looking at me. He’s laser-focused on my captor. His hand twitches at his side, as if he would like nothing more than to reach for the gun I know he keeps tucked beneath his suit jacket.

“You tell your men to put down their weapons. My men and I will lower ours, and then you’re going to let me walk out that door,” Nikolai says.

Alfie gives a flick of his fingers, and his two guards lower their weapons, uncocking them before they slip them back into their holsters.

One presses a finger to his ear. “Stand down,” he says loudly enough for me to hear. A moment later, he gives a nod.

A shuddering breath rushes from me as Nikolai’s gun leaves my temple, and he disarms it. His men do the same.

“Tell Mishka to bring the car around,” thepakhancommands, his arm still tight around my throat.

From the corner of my eye, I catch a man putting a phone to his ear, and he says something in Russian. Slowly, Nikolai starts to move, keeping me trapped against his chest as he steers me toward the barn door.

“The girl,” Alfie growls.

“You get her back as soon as I’m in the car,” Nikolai states.

Alfie’s fists clench, his jaw tightening until the tendons jump beneath his skin, and I can tell he wants to make a move. Then his eyes flick down to the gun hanging loosely in Nikolai’s grasp. Nothing he could do would be fast enough.

Tires crunch across the drive, two cars pull up right to the door a moment later, and the Russians filter slowly past Alfie and his men. They turn, never taking their eyes off Nikolai. My stomach flutters as I come just close enough to catch Alfie’s familiar cologne, and thenthe strong arm wrapped around my throat backs me toward the Escalade.

Alfie tenses, taking a step toward me as the door opens behind me, and I gasp as Nikolai releases me, shoving me forward. I stumble, hands reaching to stop my fall, and then Alfie’s strong arms catch me, his chest meeting my palms as he pulls me firmly against his body. Chaos erupts around me as the Russians pile into the SUVs behind theirpakhan.

Alfie’s Men in Black draw their guns with shocking speed, cocking them in an instant, ready to fire if Nikolai tries anything. Instead, the car engines rev, tires spraying gravel as they peel out. Alfie turns, shielding me against the barrage as rocks ping off the barn walls. I’m dizzy from the speed of what just happened, my mind reeling, and my body weak with fear. I shudder violently, gripping Alfie’s suit a little harder as I lean into him so I won’t collapse.

“I’ve got you,” he murmurs against my ear, his arms tightening around me.

I bury my face against his strong chest as tears of relief come fast and hard.

29

MIKA

Icould stay wrapped in Alfie’s arms forever, sheltered from the ugly world outside them. After the most terrifying experience of my life, this is the only place I feel safe, and he doesn’t seem at all inclined to give me space. I cling to him for a long time, trying to pull myself back together as I sob uncontrollably, tremors quaking through me in waves.

“You’re safe, Mika,” he says gently. “It’s over.” Soft lips brush across my temple, pressing warmth into the crown of my head as his fingers press into my skin like he might never let go.

I nod as another violent shudder racks my body, and his arms tighten around me in response. The heat of his skin and the calming scent of his spiced eucalyptus cologne soothes my tattered nerves. I suck in deep lungfuls of air, and my racing heart starts to calm. Slowly, my tears subside.

As my breathing steadies, Alfie leans back just enough to look me in the eyes. “Let’s get you inside.” His hand is as soft as his voice as he cups my cheek with his palm, wiping the tears from my face with soft strokes of his thumb.

“Javier and Hector—” My heart skips a beat as I realize they’re still in the alley. “I need to know if they’re alright.”

Alfie seems reluctant to release me as I step toward the barn, but after a moment’s hesitation, he drops his arms. He’s still not willing to give me space, though, as he follows closely, keeping a stabilizing hand on the small of my back. I’m grateful for the steady touch, and—unlike before—I take comfort from his hovering presence as I rush forward when I spot the two grooms being helped to their feet. Both look thoroughly shaken, their tan complexions more pale than usual. They look at me with wide eyes, deep concern written across their features.

“Are you okay?” I ask, stopping in front of them.

“We’re fine,” Javi says, Hector nodding beside him.

Both look a little roughed up, like they fought back and earned a split lip and swollen cheek for it before they were tied up. But both are alive and relatively unharmed, and the intensity of my relief makes me sway dangerously on my feet.

Alfie’s arm snakes around my waist, one hand encircling my arm as he holds me up. He tries again to steer me toward the house, but the horses still need to be fed, and I want to make sure none of them are hurt before I leave. So while Alfie’s men come to remove the bodies of their fallen comrades, I help toss hay to each of the horses—Alfie shadowing my every step and helping despite the dust that collects on the sleeves of his fine Italian suit. Only after I’ve inspected each horse and can see them settling down with their breakfast do I finally take a breath.

“When they’re done eating, put them all out to pasture and take the rest of the day off,” Alfie instructs the two grooms when we’re done. “Tomorrow, we can discuss what to do next.”

I nod. He’s right. Even if I would like to know the horses are under careful supervision, Javier and Hector have done more than anyone could ask for, and the horses will survive until the grooms have had some time to recover.

---