Page 126 of Wicked Arrangement

My men immediately spring into action following my words. Some men try to run, especially the few once loyal to me, but most surrender.

I still have one man I want to kill myself. “Where is Vova?” I call out.

“Dead,” someone replies, pointing to a body.

I walk over and see my former best friend and trusted man lying dead, a bullet in his head. I would have liked to have been the one to kill him. But he’s gone. All those who opposed me are.

It’s over. We’ve won.

Chapter 65

Kimberly

Jackson’s been gone too long. He’s not answering his phone and I’m feeling sick to my stomach. What if Sharkozi came home to find his dead wife with the culprits still there? He’d have murdered them for it for sure. I know Jackson and his men can handle themselves, but Bratva Pakhans are ruthless killers, I don’t know who would win in a fight between them. If Jackson’s outnumbered, it doesn’t matter how skilled he is.

It’s late, Gran and David are both sleeping. David’s buoyancy from Yaroslav’s call has worn off and he seemed deflated again. I made sure he took all of his medicine, and he didn’t fight me when I suggested he get some rest. I’m too anxious to sleep. I can’t, not until I know Jackson is okay. If he dies because of me, I’ll never forgive myself.

The television is on, some late-night reruns of an old sitcom, but I’m not paying attention. I’ve been checking the news reports, feeling as though my heart is in my throat each time I change the channel, but there have been no reports of any shootings or murders near Sharkozi’s place. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. Sharkozi no doubt is good at covering these kinds of things up. Will Jackson just become one of the thousands of people who go missing without a trace each year in the US? A statistic.

I’ve bitten my nails down to the quick. I know Gran will scold me for it in the morning. The thought makes me smile. Atleast I have her back with me safe and sound. I just hope that I didn’t sacrifice Jackson to make that happen. He’s a good man.

My mind wanders to Yaroslav, not for the first time tonight, as I again contemplate calling him back from David’s phone. But both David and Jackson vehemently forbade it stating that if the call was a trap, a way to try to find us, then calling him back could lead them right to our door. I pray that he is okay, that he truly has escaped. Because if Jackson doesn’t come back tonight, then how on earth can I rescue Yaroslav alone?

A knock at the door pulls me from my spiraling thoughts. Immediately I’m on high alert. The only people who know about this place are Jackson and a couple of his men, the rest of us are in here. Have we been found? Jackson wouldn’t knock as he has a key.

Hesitantly, I walk toward the door. The latch is secure and the door is steel so no one can gain entry, At least I hope. Taking a deep breath I look at the security camera.

“Yaroslav!” I cry when I see him standing there alone. I rush to unlock the door.

“Hey my littlekoketka, miss me?” he says with a lopsided grin, his face is painted with bruises and cuts but he’s still my Yaroslav.

I run into his arms, squeezing him tightly. He winces slightly, I go to pull away, worried I’m hurting him, but he holds me close and then showers me with kisses that I eagerly return.

Eventually, he pulls away, “We should go inside,” he says.

I giggle, realizing we’ve been making out on the doorstep like lovesick teenagers coming home from a date and not wanting their parents to see.

“Of course, come in. How… how are you here?” I ask, not quite believing that he’s actually here.

He sits me down on the couch and tells me everything. The torture, the rescue mission, Artem getting shot, and the events of tonight. I realize that finally, it’s over. Innokentiy, Bogdan, Amelia, and Vova are gone. I feel as though a weight has been lifted. But I can’t fully relax. I know there’s something he’s not yet told me.

“Where’s Jackson?” I ask.

“He was shot,” he says, before quickly adding, “But he’s okay. He was conscious and talking when I left him, it’s how I found you. He’s in surgery now but I’ve been told that the doctor said he’ll be fine,” he assures me.

“Oh my god, it’s my fault! Where is he? We have to go see him now,” I reply, jumping up.

Yaroslav grabs my hand and gently guides me back down. “We’ll go in the morning. He’ll be fine. If we go to the hospital now, it will only mean we’re waiting around for hours before we can see him. He’s not far away, his man took him to Atlanta City Hospital and told them it was a mugging. He’s a civilian so no one will question it.”

I nod, feeling a bit better. I look at him closely examining his injuries, touching his face gently to not hurt him. I know the scars I can’t see will be the ones that take the longest to heal.

“I thought I’d lost you…” I say softly.

He looks at me with love in his eyes. “I will always do whatever it takes to come back to you, you and our child,” he says, placing his hand upon my belly and gently kissing me and my stomach.

“What happens now? Was Innokentiy right? Will the Petrovs come after you?” I ask nervously.

He shakes his head. “I don’t think so, not once I show them what’s on the flash drive I gave you, it has evidence of Innokentiy’s betrayal of his marriage and collusion with Sharkozi. I assume you still have it?” he says, sounding a little concerned.

---