Page 17 of Nurse for the Russian Mafia

“I handled myself well in prison,” Alexander says. “The Bratva took note. They recruited me. Back then, I didn’t know it was going to be the best thing that ever happened to me. Your father has always felt guilty about it, I know. But I don’t see it that way. He led me toward the life that has allowed me to fund countless charities and good causes. He led me to the life that made me hard.”

“A criminal life,” Dad whispers.

“I think we’ve just demonstrated, old friend, that there is no ultimate good and no ultimate evil.”

Suddenly, I stand up. My hands shaking. No, my everything is shaking. It’s like somebody has just snapped their fingers and turned up to down and down to up. Disorientation strikes me like a smack across the cheek.

“I have to go,” I blurt. “I can’t…I just can’t…”

Words won’t form. Everything I’ve always believed about my father has been shattered. Everything I’ve always believed about the world, these moral codes that society teaches us, is ruined.

But then, is ruined the right word? I’m finally seeing things for what they really are.

Complicated.

I run outside the house as quickly as I can, before either of them can do or say anything to stop me. I pace the path outside and try to slow my breathing, and frantically beating heart.

How can this ever work?

Chapter Thirteen

Alexander

I follow Samantha to the door, but she turns on me at the end of the path. “Just give me some time to think, please.”

“Think about what?” I growl. “You’re mine, Samantha. Forever. Nothing’s ever going to change that.”

“I know,” she says. “But I just need some time. Please?”

I nod, and take a step back. I quickly call for some of my men to trail her, just so I know where she is and, more importantly, so that none of my rivals decide to use the woman of my dreams and my future as leverage.

When I come back into the living room, I see that Virgil has poured me a glass of whiskey.

“Well, this is pretty complicated, eh?”

I shake my head. “I was never trying to disrespect you,” I tell him. “I can’t help how I feel.”

“When did you realize how you felt about her?”

“When I saw her at the hospital. She’s so strong, Virgil. She’s so intelligent. She’s so empathetic and wise beyond her years. She’s not like the women in my life, you know the sort I’m talking about…”

“Yes,” Virgil mutters. “But you must be able to see how this is difficult for me.”

“Of course,” I growl. “But, with all due respect, you need to get used to it. I only want the best for my Samantha. The best life I can give her, the finest things, the freedom to pursue her aspirations. That’s much better than the alternative for girls her age, being used by assholes and jocks, being tossed around like some sort of plaything.”

Virgil sighs, sipping his whiskey. “You’re right,” he says.

“I know I’m fucking right,” I snarl.

“What will you do if she decides she doesn’t want it, though?”

“She won’t,” I tell him. “I know my queen. She wants to spend the rest of her life with me, just the same way I do with her.”

Virgil chuckles. “Samantha can be pretty headstrong when she wants to, Alex.”

“I know she can,” I snap. “That’s one of the many things I love about her.”

Virgil gasps. “You love her?”

“Yes,” I say firmly. “I didn’t plan on telling her until the time was right. And, shit, I didn’t plan on telling you just now. It just came out. But I love her. I loved her the second I laid eyes on her in the hospital.”

“Wow,” Virgil mutters. “That changes things. Before, I’ve got to be honest here, man, I thought maybe this was just a bit of fun for you. But you really love her?”

“How many times do I have to say it?” I growl.

Virgil knocks his whiskey back and then stands up. “Then you should go after her,” he says.

I laugh grimly. “You’re on board now, are you? Talk about goddamn mood swings.”

“I’m not saying that,” he mutters. “But Samantha is a grown woman. She can make her own decisions. And if you haven’t told her that yet, well…” He shrugs. “I just think she has a right to know.”

I stand up and offer Virgil my hand. “Your daughter is a sensational woman. I know this is difficult for you, but you need to accept that my feelings about her aren’t going to change. I’m gonna go and find her now and, I hope, when we return you’ll have a different perspective about things.”

He takes my hand and we shake. “I can’t promise that, Alex. But I promise I’ll try.”

I walk outside and call a car to come and pick me up. In the meantime, I call my men to find out where Samantha is. They tell me she’s heading toward the city.

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