Page 48 of Final Installment
The thought of seeing Luka again was as anxiety-inducing as the unknown fear of what awaited my family.I kept thinking about my last conversation with my stepfather.He had been worried about me coming back to Albania.He feared I wouldn’t be allowed to leave after the wedding.
But Brett had something Luka didn’t.He had money.Realmoney.A giant corporation that he controlled.He had contacts in the US government and all across the world.He’d given me a phone number to memorize and use in case I ran into any trouble.
I recalled and practiced the number as I wheeled my suitcase through the crowd.The airport was small by international standards.It didn’t take me long to reach the exit.I was considering getting in line for a coffee at one of the kiosks when I heard the roughest, raspiest voice say my name.
“Elona Dushku.”
Stiffening, I turned in the direction of the voice and spotted a face that had haunted my dreams.Black, shark-like eyes.Dark hair.A gnarled scar across his throat.The menacing stare of a killer.
It had been almost seventeen years—but I could still feel his hands on my shoulders, grabbing me out of a car, marching me through the rain to the middle of a tarmac.I could still smell the metallic tang of blood and the acrid stink of gunfire that clung to him.
Zec.The Beciraj family henchman.
“You’re late.”Zec took a step toward me, and I clutched the handle of my rolling suitcase.I glanced to the left, toward the exit, hoping for a clear path.There were two other men loitering nearby, clearly waiting to catch me if I decided to run.
“Is this how you treat wedding guests?”I asked, trying to keep my chin up and my voice calm.My insides shook violently as I imagined all the horrible ways this might end.
“With a private car and personal pick-up?”Zec grasped my elbow, his touch firm but not violent.“You’re getting VIP treatment.”
“I’d rather take my chances with an Uber.”
“Not here you wouldn’t,” he grumbled and tugged me along beside him.The few people who noticed him manhandling me quickly looked the other way.I didn’t blame them.
I jerked my arm free from his grasp.“I don’t need you to drag me along like a naughty child.”
“Considering the family you come from—.”
“And what family do you come from?”I asked spitefully.“Another one of the rich, spoiled Beciraj cousins?”
He took hold of my arm again, this time his grip less kind.He practically dragged me through the doors and into the overcast Tirana weather.“I was born in a Russian prison.”
I had barely registered what he’d said before my luggage and purse were taken from me.I fought down the panic that erupted as I realized the file from Kristo was in my carry-on, right there in the front zippered pocket.Would they search my bags?Find that file?Start asking questions about me, my brother and Kristo?
The two men who had been waiting near the doors appeared like shadows, boxing me in so that I had no choice but to get inside the car idling at the curb.The windows were heavily tinted, and I held my breath as the back passenger door was opened to reveal an empty back seat.
“Get in.”
I did, far less gracefully than I would have liked.As soon as my feet were tucked inside, the door slammed shut.One of the escorts stood in front of the door, blocking any chance of my escape.The passenger door to the left of me opened and Zec slipped in beside me.Once he was in place, the escorts got into the front seats, and the doors locked, sealing me inside with my enemies.
“Why were you late?”Zec asked as the car slowly merged back into traffic.
“Why do you care?”I silently cursed myself for tucking my phone into my carry-on with my wallet and passport.I couldn’t even reach out to anyone for help.
“I’m in charge of security for the event.I don’t like surprises or deviations from the schedule.”He shifted in his seat and stared at me.“Why were you late?”
Realizing there was no reason to lie, I admitted, “I didn’t want to come.I didn’t see any reason to leave my very comfortable hotel in Shanghai to deal with the hassle of the airport and suffer through a flight to Athens.Not when I could roll over, pull the covers over my head and extend my stay another day.”
“Your sister is getting married tomorrow.”
“And?I’m not part of the wedding.I’m a guest.”
“You’re family.”He shifted again in his seat, his hawk-like gaze peering out the windows.“What were you doing in Shanghai?”
“You already know what I was doing in Shanghai.”Quickly losing my patience with his questioning, I asked, “Or haven’t you spoken to Kristo?”
Zec made an annoyed sound.“I have.”
“So, stop hassling me about my movements,” I grumbled.
