Page 15 of Viktor

“And he’s still your brother.”

He shook his head. “Doesn’t make what he did right, sugar. No man has the right to lay hands on a woman, and sure as hell not on a little kid who can’t defend herself. Shit, how is my girl? He didn’t do any permanent damage, did he?”

“He knocked her front tooth out, but thankfully it was her baby tooth.” She could still see her baby, screaming in pain, holding her mouth, the blood pouring. She jumped up and started to pace, needing to move.

“Son of a bitch.” Ben stood, jamming his hands in his pockets. “Can I see my girl?”

“Of course, but I can’t let her go fishing, Benny.” She hated to do this to him, but it was necessary. “I can’t guarantee Roger won’t find you, and I’m not subjecting her to that ever again.”

“No, sugar, it’s cool. I completely understand. Is it okay if I swing by here and play with her, though? I promised her we’d go camping. I can set a tent up in the back yard just as easily as I can in the woods.”

“She’d love that.” Sara let out a strangled breath, fighting tears. He was a good kid, and Delia was lucky to have him in her life.

Ben gave her a hug and went in the house to find “his girl,” as he’d called Delia since she was two. How he and Roger had turned out so differently baffled her, but she was grateful to God for it. He was going to become a man worth knowing.

Sara sank back down on the bench and laid her head in her arms, letting the tears come. No one could see her back here. From the moment he’d hit Delia, she’d been on the go, constantly worrying and so afraid, she barely slept at night. In all that time, not once had she cried.

Talking to Ben and hearing him take her side over Roger’s loosened the floodgates, and for the first time since that night, she cried until she couldn’t cry anymore.

One thing was for sure. She was done crying over Roger Riley.

He’d never hurt her or Delia again.

Of that, she’d make sure.

The drive to Virginia had been uneventful and long. He’d found a decent out-of-the-way dive bar that served delicious food. The scenery was gorgeous, but he paid it no mind. His entire focus was on getting to Virginia as soon as he could. Gabe had called to tell him about Sara’s ex’s latest stunt.

He wanted to find him and beat him until there wasn’t an ounce of life left in him, but that was impossible. Viktor wasn’t going to jail for the bastard, but if luck was with him, he’d make sure Roger landed there instead.

At least the uncle seemed okay. Gabe gave him the rundown on the kid and how upset he’d been when he found out what his brother had done. Viktor might need to enlist Ben’s help to catch his brother in the act, if the boy was willing. Rogerwashis brother, though. Being angry at what he’d done and actively working to put him jail were two entirely different things. Still, it was worth a shot.

He pulled into the outskirts of the sleepy little town of Church Falls, Virginia, population twelve thousand. He drove through Main Street, admiring all the historical architecture that had been preserved. It reminded him of one of those towns you saw in movies. There were antique shops, churches of all denominations, a grocery store, pharmacy, and restaurants. They did well with tourists in the summer, as well as all the people who came to go four-wheeling on the trails through the Appalachian Mountains.

And that was exactly what Viktor was interested in. He found Roger’s shop easily. It was just off the main street, back on Burker Street. The building looked nice, neat, and several new model four-wheelers sat outside on display. The garage was in the back so as not to off-put the retail space. Several people milled around outside, shooting the breeze or looking at the merchandise when Viktor pulled in.

He spotted Roger leaning against the wall, talking to an older man. Viktor watched him for a minute, noting his easy smile and the way he used his hands when he talked to emphasize what he was saying. Average looking, but he had charisma, and that counted for a lot, especially in business.

Getting out, he walked over the four-wheelers, pretending to inspect them. It didn’t take Roger long to break off his conversation and wander over.

“Hey, there.” His voice was jovial, friendly. Viktor’s back teeth slammed together at the sound. Fucker. “You know what you’re looking for?”

“No.” He shook his head, adopting a look of confusion. “My friend and I thought we might try the trails next weekend. I was told you rented these vehicles.”

“Well, they’re not vehicles.” Roger laughed. “More like off-roading monsters. This model here can climb a mountain like nobody’s business.”

Viktor had never gotten on one of these before. His twin brother, Conner, lived on them when they’d moved to their uncle’s. He made a mental note to check on the old man once this case was over. Viktor missed him.

“You don’t sound like you’re from around here.” Roger shifted from foot to foot.

“No, I’m from Russia, but my father is from the States. I’m up here working with a friend, and he thought this might be fun. I told him I’d stop and check on rental prices.”

“Three hundred for the weekend, per four-wheeler. We also offer some training, so don’t worry about figuring it out. We’ll have you riding like experts before you walk off the lot. I have a track out back we use for the training.”

“Good to know.” Viktor tipped his head and looked around. “I’ll be on my way.”

“We’ll see you next weekend.” Roger clapped him on the back, and it took every ounce of restraint Viktor possessed not to plow his fist in the conniving bastard’s face. He shook him off and got back into his Jeep and put Sara’s address into the GPS.

Viktor had wanted to meet Roger without Sara to get a feel for him. Roger reminded him of a car salesman or a defense attorney. They all had that slimily schmoozey feel to everything they said or did. It might have been knowing what kind of scum Roger truly was, but he rubbed Viktor the wrong way. How men like Roger fooled everyone around him never failed to boggle the mind, as his father would say. How could people not see his vicious streak?

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