Page 121 of Wicked Arrangement

This time, David answers. “Hello?” he says robotically.

My brother’s voice is like music to my ears, even if I can tell that he’s been in a bad state from its tone. It means he’s alive and well.

“David, it’s me.”

“Yaroslav?” he says disbelievingly. “You’re alive.”

“You bet your ass I am. You didn’t think they could get rid of me that easily, did you?” I reply with a smile.

“How?” David asks, his voice almost childlike with his joy and confusion.

“Artem and a team rescued me. We still have to take out Innokentiy and Sharkozi though. Where are you?” I ask.

David takes a deep breath. “I can’t tell you.”

“What do you mean you can’t tell me?” I ask, surprised.

“Brother, you always taught me to be careful, and you made me promise to keep Kim safe, no matter what. I’m glad you’re alive, but how do I know that you escaped? Uncle Innokentiy and his men could be forcing you to call me and find out where we are to get rid of the Volkov line and make Innokentiy the unchallenged leader. I can’t risk that,” he says, his voice determined.

Though it’s frustrating, I’m impressed. It’s exactly what he should do. It’s what I’ve taught him and would have done myself. Plus, as much as I want to see him and Kim, their safety takes priority. As Gillihan said, they’re safer where they are, and without anyone knowing the location.

“I’m proud of you, brother. You’re right, you’re safer there for now. But I will see you soon, I promise. Can I speak to Kim?” I ask hopefully.

“She’s gone out.”

“David, what do you mean she’s gone out?”

“I can’t talk anymore. If they have you, they could be trying to trace this. I’m sorry Yaroslav. I’ll keep them safe, I promise you. I won’t let you down,” he says before hanging up the phone.

As irritating as it is not knowing more, I’m proud of David’s dedication to keeping Kim and our baby safe. Knowing that they’re out of reach of our enemies bolsters me. I need to remain focused on the plan and take back what’s mine.

Chapter 62

Kimberly

We’re driving back to the safehouse, Gran has fallen asleep so Jackson and I can finally speak freely. Jackson convinced me that Amelia was of more use to us alive than dead, so she’s being held in another location by Jackson’s men. I’m not surprised that she caved almost immediately into the interrogation. She always was a coward.

“According to Amelia, Bogdan Sharkozi and Innokentiy want to make a spectacle of their takeover. They intend to smuggle him back to Russia via boat and execute him publicly. Innokentiy has promised that Yaroslav has valuable information on all of the crime families in Russia and beyond. They plan to use this to become the most powerful crime family alliance ever. With total control of Russia, they will then aim to seize power here and at other European ports to completely rule the drug and arms trades,” he explains.

“How long do we have until they take Yaroslav there?”

“Three days,” he replies grimly.

My joy that Yaroslav is still alive is overwhelmed by my concern for him. “We have to stop them.”

“We will,” he says confidently.

As we arrive back at the safehouse, I’m surprised to find an animated David pacing around the living room. I can tell from his expression he’s about to launch into telling ussomething, but I shoot him a look, I don’t want Gran to overhear anything that might scare or confuse her.

“David, this is my grandmother, Emma Walsh,” I say pointedly.

Remembering himself, he stops pacing and smiles at her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Walsh, I’ve heard so much about you.”

“And I you, young man. Handsome and polite, just like your brother I see,” she says approvingly.

He seems almost like the normal David, I wonder what happened to cause such a sudden change. The fact that her mention of Yaroslav doesn’t upset him piques my curiosity further.

“Come on Gran, let’s get you settled in our room,” I say, ushering the way to the twin bedroom I’ve been staying in.

---