Page 114 of Wicked Arrangement

I listen as they talk, only able to hear David’s side of the conversation as he explains the situation. Though I can’t hear his replies, it doesn’t sound like Jackson is saying much, simply letting David talk. Once David is done, he listens intently as Jackson talks him through what he wants us to do. When David finally hangs up, I’m on the edge of my seat to know what Jackson said.

“So, will he help us?”

David nods, “Yes,” he says sounding relieved. “But he’s in England right now. He’s booking the next flight out to the States and wants us to meet him at a safehouse in Atlanta.”

“Atlanta? Is he crazy? He wants us to walk into the vipers’ nest? And what safehouse? If Innokentiy is in charge then he’ll know all the locations of Yaroslav’s safehouses,” I ask in disbelief.

“Not one of my brother’s, but one of Jackson’s,” David says.

My brows furrow, “What does Jackson have a safehouse for?”

David shrugs, “I don’t know, but he gave me the address. He says it’s the last place they’ll expect us to go. Although, he did say to alter our appearances as much as possible, just to be sure.”

I nod, though I’m still unconvinced, “I guess that makes sense, but Jackson’s just a businessman, he has no idea what these people are capable of, who they truly are.”

All of a sudden, I’m worried about what we’re getting Jackson into, sure, he knows about Marta’s family, and their shady business dealings, but how much does he understand? How much did Marta share?

David gives me a strange look, “Jackson’s more than just a businessman, Kimmy.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.

“Jackson’s ex-special ops, he comes from a long line of men who worked for the US and UK Secret Service. They’d handle the things the government doesn’t want you to know about. He has power and connections we can’t even begin to comprehend. It’s why he was so hard on himself over Marta’s death, he felt he should have been able to stop it,” David says sadly.

He looks contemplative for a moment, lost in thought, before continuing, “I assume my father must have known, that’s probably why he arranged the marriage, but Yaroslav never knew. He refused to allow Jackson or me to be part of the rescue mission. He thought he was protecting us and sent us on a wild goose chase in the wrong direction. It was then that I learned thetruth about Jackson, in his grief upon hearing about the bomb, he let it slip. He swore me to secrecy. He knew that if Yaroslav was aware of his skills, he would want to use them for the Bratva, but Jackson just wanted a quiet life now.”

I can’t believe what David’s telling me. My heart breaks thinking of David and Jackson, miles away and feeling helpless and betrayed when they discovered the truth about where Marta was and what had happened.

“Goddammed stubborn Yaroslav always trying to do everything alone to protect the ones he loves. Sometimes being a lone wolf isn’t a good thing, and the pack he did allow in betrayed him,” David adds bitterly.

There’s nothing I can say to that, part of me feels angry with Yaroslav too for leaving us.

“But why would Jackson agree to help us now? Why get involved?” I ask.

“Because it’s what Marta would have wanted,” David says sadly.

We sit in silence for a short while, reflecting on the people we’ve lost. I should tell David that Yaroslav might still be alive, but I can’t bear the thought of giving him hope only to snatch it away if I’m wrong.

I only hope that if Yaroslav and Gran are still alive, Jackson can help us crack the information on this flash drive to take Innokentiy down before it’s too late.

Chapter 58

Yaroslav

I’ve lost track of how long it’s been since I’ve been held captive in my own home. But I know it must have been a while—my best guess is two days. When I’m not being tortured in all manner of creative ways I’m left alone with bright lights and loud music to keep me awake, to break down my resolve.

Perhaps the worst part about being forced to endure this torture is that Vova is one of the men inflicting it. Vova, my most trusted and closest man was working against me. I should have known Innokentiy wouldn’t be able to pull off a coup alone. But with Vova’s backing, many of my men turned their coats.

Today is different. Both Vova and Innokentiy turn up to my cell together.

“To what do I owe the pleasure gentlemen?” I ask, though given how my tongue is thick and I’m missing teeth, it doesn’t come out quite as scathingly as intended.

Innokentiy’s smug face smiles back at me, I’m almost glad I can’t fully see him, my one eye swollen from beatings.

“You can give up now, Nephew, there are no men loyal to you remaining. Those who didn’t have the sense to join the winning team were executed this morning, and the few cowards who ran away during the attack have come to their senses and pledged their loyalty. So, are you ready to give us the code to the safe?”

I’ve no way of knowing if what he says is true, but something in his tone makes me think it is. There’s no one left to come to my aid, I’m not making it out of this alive. I think of David and Kim and pray that they’ve made it to safety. I don’t know how much more time I can buy for them. I’m determined now not to give up the safe code, even though I know the information Innokentiy wants is with Kim, the longer Innokentiy thinks it’s in the safe, the more time they have to get away. He’s already had some of his men try and break into it without success, which is why I am still alive.

When Innokentiy realizes that I’m not about to talk, he sighs. “Very well, have it your way. Vova, I think let’s try waterboarding again today.”

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