“You are more important than you even know. You are strong, I can tell that. Anyone with a brain could see you’re capable. It’s what made your men fall in love with you and also makes them so protective of you. Talk to them and make them understand that you want to be part of their business. Your father will be a help once you get to see him again when everything is safe. Be strong and be the woman your men need you to be and you will see that it will all work out. Besides, you have a friend in me now, too. We can help one another get over our men’s protective measures in ensuring our safety.” She gave Nalia a wink just as Storm came up behind Aspen and hugged her shoulders. Nalia watched as Aspen’s eyes lit up, a smile formed on her lips and Storm ran his hand along Aspen’s belly. He loved her and was very protective. That’s the kind of man women dream about. Nalia had that times five.
* * * *
“We found her,” Romeo told Vincent over the phone.
Vincent sat forward in his seat and felt his chest tighten.
“Go ahead,” he said.
/> “She’s in Texas, on a secluded piece of property. I’ve got men in the area and she’s been spotted with three of Nicolai’s main security soldiers. This will serve both of us well if you okay the move for me to take those men out. They own the clubs I’ve been trying to infiltrate,” Romeo told him.
“You haven’t been successful, from what I heard. My understanding is that Cosivan and Viktor removed your inside people and cleaned house. I believe you lost several men in your crew.”
“And they will suffer for that.”
“I don’t know if this is wise. You heard the order from the bosses. I’m on my own with this challenge against the Russian mob bosses.”
“You wanted Karlicov’s daughter from the start. All of this happened because of the revenge you sought after he killed your brother and your cousin. Your hiding place in Florida is off the radar. You’ve got plenty of money. I’ll help get her to you and you let me seek my own revenge on these fucking Russian assholes.” Romeo was pissed off. That was obvious to Vincent.
“Fine. Take the chance, and if you’re successful, then the deal is still on. I’ll give you those twelve businesses you’ve wanted for years on the East Coast. They’re yours if you can pull this off. I won’t need it anyway. I’ll be sitting back, enjoying my revenge.”
“And enjoying one young, sexy piece of ass, I might add. Play your cards right and don’t kill her, and she could serve you well for a very long time.”
Vincent thought about that.
“Impress me, Romeo. I’ll be waiting for my special package to arrive.”
Vincent disconnected the call and then turned around to give full attention to his guest. The smell of cigar smoke filled the air.
“This better work or our deal is off, Vincent,” Cornikup said to Vincent.
Vincent was so damn nervous about this guy. He had so much power and was sneaky, too. Karlicov didn’t even know how much he was about to lose.
“It will work. They’ll think it was Romeo and I who took her, and they’ll hunt for us. You be sure to do your part and don’t let them find me. Otherwise, I get to keep Nalia.”
Cornikup smirked as he released another long breath of smoke.
“Watch yourself, Vincent. Like that I can end it all for you.” He snapped his fingers and then stood up. His guards accompanied him off of the veranda and through the house.
Vincent took an unsteady breath. There was something about dealing with this guy that scared the crap out of him. Vincent hoped it was worth it. If Cornikup didn’t kill Karlicov and the men guarding his daughter, then those men would come for Vincent, and all of these sacrifices were worth nothing at all.
* * * *
“Are you sure, Viktor?” Nina asked as she held his hand and he introduced her to the men who would be watching over her.
“They’re good men, Nina. Well trained, very loyal to our family and personal friends of mine. It will be temporary, while my team and I work things out with Nalia and where we’ll be living.”
“But right now you’ll be near this place, Salvation?” Nina asked.
“Yes. Not too far from where the house is that you’ll be living in until this is over,” the one man, Corona, added.
“Nina, I know you’re scared, but you can trust these men. They’re retired soldiers, and this is what they do. They were planning a bit of a vacation from everything and offered immediately for you to come with them. They knew Zinc and Cobra well. I trust them.”
She looked at the one who Viktor said was their leader, Corona. He was big, very fit and muscular with tattoos, and looked ready for action. She didn’t let on that she recognized two of the other men from the club she worked at. She’d met them separately and they had flirted with her. She didn’t let on that she remembered them. She wouldn’t want to send them the wrong signals.
“Okay, Viktor, I trust you.”
Viktor gave her a nod and then he looked at Corona. “We’ll be heading back to the house in Salvation tomorrow. Maybe in a few days once you’re all settled in, you can bring her by the house to meet Nalia. I think it would be great for both of them,” Viktor said to him.