Page 74 of Unloaded
“Dammit!” Vinnie exclaims but manages to catch me before I collapse into my own mess.
Minutes later the doors open to a foyer with two armed guards stationed on either side of a set of double doors. Their noses wrinkle when we step out, but they don’t comment. The one on the left presses a button and murmurs into a small box on the wall, but I can’t hear what he’s saying.
A minute later, the double doors open, and one of the men I’ve feared for the last six years is approaching us. I’m taken aback at his worried appearance. I know he’s at least thirty yearsolder than I am, but you wouldn’t know by looking at him. Even at his age, he’s a handsome man.
His graying hair is cut short, and I imagine, it is normally styled to perfection. Right now, it’s mussed like he’s been running his hands through it. He has fine wrinkles on his brow and around his eyes, like he smiles and laughs often, which is at odds with what I know of him.
“Amelia.” Nicolai Caprice saying my given name sends a shiver of fear down my spine. “What has this swine done to you?” Vinnie flinches next to me. His iron grip on my upper arm tightening, causing me to whimper. Nicolai’s eyes shift from me to Vinnie’s hand to Vinnie’s face.
“Release. Her.” Two simple words that sound more deadly than anything I’ve ever heard. Vinnie instantly loosens his hold, and I stumble forward, not realizing how much I’d been using him to keep me upright.
Nicolai lunges forward, catching me. My head spins as his arms sweep me up bride style. He turns and carries me into the penthouse, which in other circumstances I’d be impressed by. However, at the moment, I’m too busy trying not to puke to be impressed by the incredible view the floor to ceiling windows provides.
Turning to the right, Nicolai carries me down a hallway and places me on the softest mattress I’ve ever laid on. The room spins when I try to take in my surroundings. I’m lying on a king-sized bed with a thick, hunter green comforter and cream throw pillows. The furniture in the room is a dark mahogany, making the room appear dark and ominous.
He pulls out his cell phone and places a call. I don’t offer to move, not knowing what’s going to happen. It’s not like I could do anything anyway. The room is a roller coaster, and my stomach is about to be a fountain once more, though I don’tknow how there can be anything left in it with as many times as I’ve vomited already.
“She’s here. Make it snappy,” Nicolai says into the phone, then places it back in his pocket. A knock on the door draws both our attention. An older woman in a plain, pale blue dress enters with a small tray in her hands.
“I brought some broth and water for her,” the woman says, bringing the tray closer and placing it on the night stand.
“We wait for Michael,” Nicolai says, glancing at me with concern. “He’ll let us know what’s safe to give her.” The woman nods then looks me over from head to toes and back again. She clicks her tongue.
“You poor dear. I’ll draw her a bath and get her something decent to wear.”
“Thank you, Andorra,” Nicolai says in a kinder tone than I’d expect from the head of the Russian mafia. “I appreciate it.” The woman heads into a door on the other side of the room.
“What are you going to do to me?” I ask when I’ve mustered up the courage. I need information if I’m going to plan my escape. Nicolai frowns down at me, and I shudder in fear. I should’ve kept my mouth shut. Before he can reply there’s another knock on the door.
“Enter,” Nicolai commands. A man about Nicolai’s age enters, looking harried. He has on a suit, but his loosely tied tie is hanging at an odd angle. He has a black medical bag in one hand, reminding me of a doctor making a house call on old T.V. shows, and a paper cup in the other.
“What do we have?” the man asks as he approaches. His eyes roaming over me with a clinical inspection. “Well, she doesn’t appear to be shot, so that’s something at least.”
Nicolai glares at him. “She was in a car accident and hit her head. She’s had headaches, vomiting, and vision disturbances since. Vinnie mentioned she seemed addled, too.”
The man places his cup on the night stand and his bag on the bed next to me, then leans down to peer at me closely. He fumbles around in his jacket breast pocket and pulls out a penlight.
“Would you get the lights?” he asks over his shoulder at Nicolai who complies, going close to the door and flipping the switch.
“Look at my nose,” the man instructs me as he shines the light into first one eye then the other before repeating the motions again. “Hmmm.” He pockets the pen light. “Squeeze my hands, dear.” He holds out both of his hands.
I glance at the doctor and back at Nicolai, unsure what to do. I don’t really have a choice, so I do as he asks. Perhaps this man, who has sworn an oath to do no harm, will help me escape. At least that’s what I’m hoping. When I’ve followed all of his commands, he turns to Nicolai.
“I think it’s only a concussion, but I really should get an MRI or at the very least a CT scan.” I wait to see the response. If he takes me to a hospital, I have a better chance of escaping. Surely the staff would help me get away, right?
“Yes, of course whatever she needs,” Nicolai replies, just as the woman returns to the room.
“I have the bath ready,” she says, looking to Nicolai and then the doctor expectantly.
“Is it safe for her to bathe first?” Nicolai asks the doctor who seems to think about it for a moment.
“Yes, but don’t take long,” he finally replies. “I’ll go get things ready.”
Nicolai scoops me up into his arms, once again, and carries me toward the door the woman had emerged from. We enter a huge master bathroom. It’s all black and white tile with a huge vanity, his and hers sinks, a shower stall large enough for several people, and in the far corner there’s a huge bathtub that’s nearoverflowing with bubbles. A soothing fragrance permeates the air.
“I hope you like lavender, my dear,” the woman murmurs from just behind Nicolai. “I thought it would help you relax after your ordeal.”
“It’s fine,” I answer. Nicolai lowers me to my feet, holding on to me until I’m steady. I swallow hard and look at the waiting bath. There’s no way I’m getting naked with him standing there. Nope! Not happening.
