I read the note several times, getting more worried and pissed with each passing second. Why is this fight not going to be like the last one? And what the hell does he mean about something going wrong and me being taken care of?
In a panic, I grab my phone and call him. When it goes straight to voicemail, I don’t even bother leaving a message, just hang up and let out an angry yell before dialing Jamie. As soon as she picks up, I put it on speaker and rummage around for something to wear.
“Jamie, Dima’s gone.” I throw on some jeans and read her the note. I can hear how shaky my voice is when I say, “I’m really worried about him. I need to find out where he is. I need to be there.”
“It’s going to be okay,” Jamie says, and I feel my body start to relax a bit at her take-charge voice. “Hang on just a sec. Let me try and call Aleksei.”
I pace the floor by the bed, biting my thumbnail and trying not to picture Dima with a head injury or worse.
“Shit,” she mutters. “He’s turned his phone off.” I can hear a door closing and then she’s saying, “I’m on my way. I’ll be there in just a few, and we’ll find them. Try and think about where the fight might be, okay?”
I promise I will and then hang up so I can hurry up and get ready. I throw a T-shirt on and a pair of old sneakers before rushing downstairs. Even though I know it’s useless, I call Dima again, hoping like hell he’ll answer. When it goes straight to the automated voicemail, instead of hanging up, I wait to leave a message this time.
“I can’t believe you left me here, Dima! I’m so pissed right now. Jamie’s on her way, and I’m going to find wherever the hell you are.” I stop and take a deep breath. “Also, I love you very, very much and please, please, please be careful.”
I hang up before I start crying and lock up the apartment. When I’m in the Red Wolf, I look around for any familiar faces, but there aren’t any. It’s just a bunch of random guys working out. I speed walk to the office, knowing Dima wouldn’t leave the entire place unmanned. Without knocking, I walk in and see a large man sitting at the desk. I recognize him as one of the bouncers from the Arctic Fox. I vaguely remember Dima speaking to him one night.
His eyes widen ever so slightly when he sees me, so I’m guessing he knows who I am.
“Viktor,” I say, secretly thrilled that I remembered his name. “I need to find Dima.” I stand there as if I have all the time in the world, hoping like hell he doesn’t notice how shaky my voice sounds.
“He will be back soon. You are supposed to wait here.”
His accent is just as thick as Anton’s, but he seems to have a better grasp on the English language.
“I will walk you back to apartment.”
He starts to get up, but I shoot him a friendly, innocent smile and say, “Oh, that’s okay. My friend Jamie is on her way, and we’re going to hang out upstairs.” I throw in another friendly smile and give a small laugh. “Just having some girl time. I’ll just wait for Dima. I’m sure he’ll be home soon.”
He looks like he’s going to argue with me, so I don’t give him the chance. Throwing him a quick wave, I duck out of the office and as soon as I’m out of sight, I bolt for the door. Dima’s going to be so pissed at that poor guy, but I don’t have time to worry about that right now. Once I’m outside, I race across the street and hide in the shadows of the parking garage. Squatting down, I send Jamie a quick text to meet me here instead.
Peeking around the corner, I watch Viktor push open the doors with a pissed-off look on his face. He scans the parking lot, running around the side to make sure my car is still parked there. Pulling out his cell phone, he hits the screen and brings it to his ear. He’s way too far away to hear, but I can tell by the way he’s rubbing the back of his neck as he paces in front of the doors that he is not pleased with me at all.
I breathe a sigh of relief when I see Jamie’s flashy red car come into view. Viktor looks over but doesn’t pay it much attention. I guess he wasn’t told to look out for Jamie. I’m guessing Dima won’t make that mistake ever again. As soon as she’s inside the parking garage, I do a ridiculous bent-over run to her car and slip inside, scrunching up on the floorboard.
“Wow, this is some serious cloak-and-dagger shit,” she says, while turning the car around.
“One of the bouncers is outside looking for me. I gave him the slip a few minutes ago.”
“Well done, Bond,” she says in a horrible British accent. Although, I have to admit, with her long, blonde hair and body, she does look the part of a sexy spy. I feel the car stop as she glances around. “He’s getting into a car with one of the other bouncers. Want me to follow them?” She looks down at me, her brown eyes lit up with excitement. “Please say yes. I’ve always wanted to tail somebody.”
“This is not supposed to be fun,” I remind her, but then shake my head yes. “Yeah, it’s possible they’re going to warn Dima that I’m on the loose.”
She lets out an excited whoop before shooting me a somewhat apologetic smile. “Sorry, not supposed to be fun. Got it.”
“No, it’s okay. Have your fun. Don’t mind me. I’m just super pissed at Dima for sneaking out on me. I can’t believe he didn’t take me with him.” I mope while I readjust myself so I’m at least sitting in the passenger seat now, leaning the seat way back so I’m below window level. The last thing I want is for them to see me and force me back to the club.
“He didn’t want to have to worry about you while he’s fighting.” Jamie takes a right, and I feel the car speed up. “Don’t be too mad at him. He thought he was protecting you.”
“He needs to stop making decisions like that for me.”
Jamie laughs and pats my leg. “You fell in love with a Russian alpha. Get used to it, honey.”
“Well, he’s going to have to get used to a few things, too.”
“Don’t worry. I get it. I’m super pissed at Aleksei for turning off his phone. He knew I’d tell you if I knew where the fight was, so I guess all the guys got together and unanimously decided that we were supposed to be kept way out of the loop.”
“That sounds about right.” I lift my head up just enough for me to take a quick peek out the window. “We’re headed toward the east side of town.” I lay back with an annoyed huff. “I think I know where we’re going.”