Page 80 of Unloaded
“When I learned he was trying to expand his territory, I knew you would be used as a pawn,” Nicolai continues. “My spies reported he’d met with a few others in our…profession, and I knew you would be the topic of conversation. I couldn’t allow my niece to be married off into the life her father had never wanted for her.
“So I approached Vena and made him an offer for your hand, but he turned me down. His pride wouldn’t allow him to admit he needed me to be successful in his expansion. He’ddecided to use brute force to get what he wanted, and it cost your mother her life.”
All the pieces were coming together. Vena had wanted more, and he’d tried to take it. My mother had been murdered as retaliation. Nicolai had been willing to help him in exchange for me, but I’d taken the boys and gone on the run, ruining all of their plans. I don’t regret my choice, but now what happens?
“I have the equipment ready,” Dr. Michael pokes his head into the room. “And Boris said to tell you that you have an urgent call waiting.”
Nicolai again picks me up like I weigh nothing and carries me out of the bathroom, through the bedroom, and back to the elevator. I begin to plan how I’ll escape once we reach the hospital, but we only go down one floor. The doors open to another foyer like the one upstairs, but when we enter the main room, my mouth falls open in shock.
Before me is what can only be called a mini-hospital. Stretchers, medical equipment, and nurses take up the expanse of space that would be the living room if this were another penthouse apartment. Nicolai follows Dr. Michael to the right, down a hallway to a room with a large X on the door, warning of the dangers of entering when the light is on, which it isn’t at the moment.
“Where are we?” I can’t keep from asking. Keeping my mouth shut would be in my best interest, but it’s not my strong suit.
“As I’m sure you’re aware, being in the mafia is dangerous,” Nicolai answers. “Things happen that require medical treatment without the authorities being notified. This was created out of necessity and gives my good friend here a job he loves.”
Dr. Michael snorts derisively, “It has its pros and cons, but someone has to keep you in one piece. Now bring her inside and lay her on the table please. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Yes, boss,” Nicolai replies sarcastically, but does as Michael has requested. I’m laid on a hard, cold slab, then Michael and another man in scrubs begin to position me on the table like they want me.
Present…
Here I am a couple hours later, after a CT scan of my head and being connected to monitoring equipment and an IV, I’m sitting in Rosco’s lap, trying to keep my head from exploding after yelling at the two men who are fighting over me. I now know they both care for me and want to keep me safe, but they don’t need to be fighting each other. It’s Vena we need to defeat to get my brothers home safely.
“She’s fine, but stop upsetting her,” Dr. Michael scolds. “I’ve already told you she needs to rest. She can’t do that with the dick measuring contest going on in here. Take it outside.”
“Michael,” Nicolai warns in a threatening tone.
“Stop!” Michael holds up his hand, seemingly unafraid of his boss. “Mikhail was my friend, and he wouldn’t want you upsetting his daughter when she is injured. Now find a way to get along with these men. She isn’t afraid of them, so I don’t think they’re a threat to her. Perhaps you need to stop being Nicolai the mafia boss and try being Uncle Nicolai for a change.”
34
ROSCO
Uncle Nicolai?
Rachel shifts on my lap, and my eyes drop to hers. She looks at me with trepidation, which only serves to deepen my confusion. The doctor is wearing a smirk as he stares at Caprice who actually looks chastised.
“You’re right, Michael,” Caprice says. “I’m sorry, Amelia. It’s clear you trust them. Would you like a moment alone?” Rachel sits up but doesn’t push me away.
“Yes, please…Uncle.”The fuck?
“All right, I’ll just be outside if you need me,” Caprice says, within seconds the room is cleared, leaving the three of us alone.
“Uncle?” Rachel looks at me again with a wince and a shrug.
“Yeah, apparently my father was born into the Russian mafia,” Rachel says, sounding as astounded as I am. “He left it when he met my mom. Nicolai…Uncle Nicolai helped him get free, at least for several years.” Rachel has tears in her eyes. I hold her close and wait patiently for her to continue.
“My grandfather in Russia wasn’t happy about his decision. He sent a woman over here who pretended to love Nicolai so she could spy on their organization here in America. She killed my father when she learned he wasn’t actively working the familybusiness,” she finishes with a sarcastic tone, saying the last two words like a slur.
“Oh, angel, I’m so sorry,” I murmur.
“I’d always believed he’d been killed in a robbery gone wrong, but he’d died because he didn’t want me or my mother to be tainted by his family.” She huffs a humorless laugh. “So much for that.”
“Did your mother know?” Bo asks, “Is that why she married another mafia man?”
“No.” Rachel shakes her head. “He hasn’t explained it all yet, but Nicolai said he’d promised my dad he’d keep us safe. He left for Russia not long after father’s funeral to avenge his death. When he returned, Vena had already managed to marry mom.”
“But how did Caprice end up wanting to marry you?” Bo asks the very question on the tip of my tongue.
