Part 39 (1/2)

I kept my phone in my hand, but it didnt vibrate, so I continued my path to the dock. I didnt want to draw attention, but my slow pace was driving me insane, especially when the guys jumped over the half door of the stairs leading onto Viktors boat.

I quickened my pace then, not trusting the situation, not wanting Gage to be outnumbered by three. My heart pounded in my ears.

It exploded when I was wrenched back by my arm, and a hand covered my mouth, pulling me into his tall, slender frame.

”Sweetheart, shh.” His lips moved in my ear, his breath blew down my neck as his hold tightened around me. ”You need to stay out here. You dont want to go in there.”

When I stilled, he lifted the hand covering my mouth by an inch, but his head stayed pressed to the side of mine.

”This is why I didnt want you back yet. This was supposed to be all cleared up before you came back. Before I came for you.”

”What are you talking about? Gage is in there.” I could barely breathe. My body screamed to get to that boat, but Rusnak had already disarmed me.

”I knew where you were, but I knew you needed s.p.a.ce. I knew you were safe there. Thats why I didnt tell him, I wanted you to have time. I gave you time, but he ruined it. Aw, sweetheart, I told you I could protect you and take care of you.” He placed a kiss just under my ear. ”Now watch this.”

39: Orders.

HIS WORDS SOUNDED SINISTER AND SENT A panic cras.h.i.+ng through me. I twisted in his arms, using all my strength to throw my body around and jerk free. But the freedom was short lived before a jolt of pain shot through my shoulder and down my body. My feet were off the ground as he lifted my arm behind my back and then dropped me to my knees, my upper arm still firm in his grasp, twisted behind me.

He was speaking in a stream of foreign words I didnt understand, but he was demanding as he growled them. He tugged on my arm with each syllable, pain shooting from my shoulder, making me yell out but paralyzing my body. His other hand tangled into the top of my hair, pulling strands loose from the bun I had it in as he jerked my head back to look up at him.

”Suka.” Crouching behind me, his breathing was sharp and forceful as he dipped his face closer to mine. ”Zatknis bliad.” The painful grip on my arm lessened the closer he got, but it was still firm. ”What do you think you can do?” His Russian accent was more p.r.o.nounced than ever. His eyes softened and lids dropped as he skimmed my face. ”Such spirit, but so foolish. I said stay here.”

I couldnt catch my breath. My chest rose and fell with my gasps, and I strained to look at the boat from the angle he had me twisted in, hoping with everything in me to see Gage walking out. Not to help me, but just to know he was safe. Rusnaks words tumbled in my brain, making me crazy.

”Please dont hurt him. Please.” Id beg for him, Id do anything for him.

Rusnaks face glazed over, ice freezing his features as he released me with a shove to the gravel parking lot. ”h.e.l.l be fine, as long as he doesnt f.u.c.k up again, and he remembers who he works for.”

I lifted myself up on hands and knees, testing if hed let me stand without hurting me.

He watched me with a look of disgust as he brushed his hands off on his pants. ”You didnt want to be part of this. He had no business bringing you in.” Then he glanced towards the boat and walked away. ”Get up. Go back to your car,” he commanded, not pausing as he moved with purpose towards the docks.

I scrambled to my feet and spotted two figures coming off the boat. I was sure Gage was one of them, and I didnt care beyond that. But fear at what Rusnak was planning didnt give much room for relief.

I pulsed with adrenaline, all pain from my sc.r.a.pes and sore arm vanis.h.i.+ng. My pace was quick, but I hesitated since Rusnak said he wasnt going to hurt Gage. I didnt want to do anything to change his mind.

I closed in on them, approaching the pier. Viktor was the man with Gage, I could tell now.

Rusnak stopped at the start of the pier and raised one arm out straight, firing a soundless shot that sparked in the night.

I yelled, heart exploding in a painful silence.

Viktor dropped to the wood planks. Gage stood frozen. Or maybe it was only that time had stopped for that moment, until I realized the scene. Gage was standing.

A gun was in Gages hand now, raised up, but Rusnak lowered his and strolled down the pier to him. He was saying something, but the chilly night air carried away the words before I could make them out.

Gage put his gun back under his jacket and pa.s.sed Rusnak on a path to me, and I hurried to meet him.

His strides were long and fast, but it still took too long to reach him. He extended his arm to me, and I wrapped my arms around his waist, cras.h.i.+ng into him, squeezing him to me as he engulfed me. His warmth thawed the icy fear that gripped my muscles.

He pulled back in an instant. ”Are you okay?” His hands smoothed my hair, running over the loose strands that Rusnak had pulled free. ”You said two men, Rusnak and who else?”

I shook my head, gripping his s.h.i.+rt and pressing my hands to his strong body, not wanting to let him go. I had been so scared, twice I thought he might die, I couldnt stop touching him. But we werent free yet. ”Two other men went on the boat.”

Gage turned as Rusnak approached and pushed me behind him with one arm.

”You parked here?” Rusnak strolled up to us, pointing at our SUV with a sneer. ”Take that car home, and keep your phone on. Ill call soon so we can meet.” He walked to the side so I would be in his sight, but Gage rotated, keeping me behind him.

”Dont do that, act like youre going to protect her. From what? Me?” He was walking a wide arc around us, but I refused to meet his eyes. Instead, I watched his hands for what they may do. ”You know I wouldnt hurt her. Im the one that protects her where you fail to.”

Gages chest vibrated with a growl, but his voice came out low and cold, ”I dont know what the f.u.c.k youll do after what just happened down there.”

”What just happened is that I eliminated a problem,” Rusnak was matter-of-fact.

”More like you caused one, when the others-”

”They told me to. I havent gone rogue, these orders came from the top. And his death is convenient. It will solve several problems, just wait and see.” He gestured down the dock, where the two men were lifting Viktors body off the wood and carrying him onto the boat. Anatoli sucked his teeth. ”That was supposed to happen on the boat, but oh well, well burn the dock too.” He shrugged, and then pointed back at the car. ”Now, leave before your car is seen. And remember, keep the phone on and be prepared to meet tonight.”

Gage pulled me in front of him as we walked to the car, angled so Rusnak was never at our back.

”Wait, Regan,” Rusnaks voice was smooth but chilly.

I turned to face him, putting my hand out to keep Gage from leading me away.

”I didnt want you part of this, but you are now. I trust you know better than to talk about what you saw.” He stood still, eyes piercing me through the night and hands clasped in front of him.

”I do,” I rea.s.sured, heart pounding like the truth was written on my skin.

”Good.” His lip curled as he inclined his head. ”Then I expect to see you at the meeting tonight too.” He turned and walked to the dock.

Gage hooked his arm around me, leading me back to the car. I could feel the tension in him, his muscles vibrating like a live wire. He didnt give me a chance to do anything. He even pushed my hands away to fasten my seatbelt on me.

I would of complained, but I didnt want to fight. I wanted to hold him longer, rea.s.sure myself that he was all right, that it was going to be all right.

My buckle clicked into place, and his eyes swept to mine. He was leaned across me, eyes level with mine, arms caging me to my seat, but it was his look that pinned me where I was and sucked the air from my lungs. The moment was brief, and then he was gone, hurrying to the drivers seat.

It wasnt till we were a couple of streets away that my adrenaline receded, leaving me with shaking muscles and a chill to the bone.