I nodded, the worry lingering but eased by his promise, the strength in his voice. "I want revenge," I admitted, my voice small. "For what he did to me... to those other women. But it's impossible. He's powerful, tied to your father. I can't..."
Keith's jaw tightened. "Nothing's impossible. But... could you do me a favor?
Chapter 21
Keith
It was late, past midnight. The clock on the nightstand glowing 12:47 a.m. Aurelia sat on the edge of the bed, her knees drawn up, her hair loose and tumbling over her shoulders. She looked small in the oversized nightgown, her eyes wide with a mix of trust and trepidation, her lips pressed together in a way which looks like she was steeling herself for something difficult. God, she was beautiful, even in vulnerability. Her skin glowing under the soft lamp light, the curve of her neck exposed. But tonight, that beauty twisted the knife of guilt deeper into my chest.
I paced the room. The favor I'd asked of her this evening, it weighed on me like lead, a burden I'd placed on her shoulders knowing full well it could drag her back into her past. Trigger her trauma, reopen wounds she had barely scarred over. But it was for her own good, I told myself. A necessary step to end this nightmare once and for all.
Boris, the monster who'd stalked her, betrayed her, sold her into hell had to be confronted, neutralized. And the only way to draw him out was through her. She was the bait, the key to luring him into a trap where I could end him myself. But seeing the hesitationin her eyes as she clutched the phone, her fingers trembling... it made me feel like the villain, not her protector.
"Keith?" Her voice pulled me from my thoughts, soft but steady, her eyes searching mine as I stopped pacing. "Are you sure about this?"
I crossed to her in two strides, kneeling before the bed, taking her hands in mine. "Aurelia," I said, my voice low, rough with the emotion I rarely let surface. "I hate this. Asking you to face him, even over the phone... it kills me. I feel guilty as hell, knowing it might drag you back to that warehouse, to those hands in the dark. But it's for your good, forourgood. He's a threat, not just to you, but to everything we're building. One call, one meeting on my terms, and it's over. I promise you"
She searched my face, her eyes glistening slightly, but she nodded, her grip tightening on mine. "I trust you. For us. Let's do it."
That trust, it was a gift I didn't deserve, a light in my shadowed world. I pulled out my phone, dialing the number Victor had provided. Boris's private line, untraceable to the family network. It rang twice before connecting, the line crackling slightly, Boris's voice coming through smooth and confident, laced with that faint Russian edge. "Hello?"
Aurelia's breath hitched, her free hand clutching the sheet, but she straightened, following my nod. I mouthed the words,cut to the chase, and she did, her voice steady despite the tremor I knew was there. "Derek. This is Aurelia. I'll cut to the chase. I want to meet. We have to sort out some things. Name the time and place."
There was a pause on the line, then a low chuckle that made my blood boil, my free hand fisting at my side. "Aurelia. Been a long time. Didn't expect to hear from you. Still smells like vanilla andnerves on your end of the line, doesn’t it? I can almost feel your thighs clench just hearing me. Be a shame to waste all that tension… but fine, I’ll play. Meet me in three days, 8 p.m. sharp. The old dock at Pier 17. And leave Keith out of it. This is between us. Involve him, and it threatens his life. You wouldn't want that on your conscience, would you?"
Her eyes widened, fear flashing as she looked at me, her grip on my hand turning white-knuckled. The bastard-predictable, always twisting the knife. I'd anticipated this, coached her on responses, but hearing him threaten me through her made rage simmer low in my gut. I squeezed her hand reassuringly, mouthingIt's okay, stay strong, and she nodded faintly, her voice steadying. "Fine. I'll be there."
The line went dead, and she exhaled shakily, the phone slipping from her fingers. "He... he threatened you."
I pulled her into my arms, kissing her forehead, her temple, her lips in quick, reassuring pecks. "It was a bluff. Empty words from a coward. You did amazing, Aurelia. So brave. This nightmare ends soon. I promise."
Her phone pinged almost immediately, a text from Boris:Pier 17, Dock C. 8 p.m. Come alone. , B.
I pulled up the location on my phone, the map confirming what I'd suspected, one of Father's lesser-used docks for "shipments," isolated, perfect for an ambush on my terms. "Classic," I muttered, pocketing my phone. "He thinks he's controlling the board.”
She nodded, but the fear lingered in her eyes. "What if...?"
"No 'what ifs,'" I said firmly, cupping her face. "I've got it. Security, contingencies, everything. You're safe. We're safe." Ikissed her then, slow and deep, pouring reassurance into it, my hands framing her face, thumbs brushing her cheeks. But I pulled back, forehead to hers. "Rest now. We've got three days."
She smiled faintly. "Okay. But stay with me?"
"Always," I promised, leading her to bed, holding her close as sleep claimed her, my mind already plotting.
I called Victor the moment her breathing evened. "It's set. Pier 17, Dock C, three days, 8 p.m. Full setup, drones for surveillance, armed team in the shadows, extraction if needed. Make it airtight. No surprises."
"Understood, sir," Victor replied, his efficiency a balm. "I'll have eyes on him from now on."
"Good. Keep me posted." I hung up, staring at the ceiling, Aurelia's head on my chest. Three days. I'd end this for her, for us. Boris would pay for every tear, every nightmare. And Father... he'd learn soon enough that his empire was crumbling.
~
The three days passed in a blur of stolen moments. She was strong, my Aurelia, her bubbly spirit flickering back despite the shadow. On D-day, I left on time kissing Aurelia goodbye with a promise to return by evening. The drive there was tense, the city fading into industrial sprawl, the Hudson River a dark ribbon under the overcast sky. Father's "shipments" come through here sometimes, the kind that didn't see daylight. Women, cargo in human form, the rot of his empire. But tonight, it was my stage.
I arrived half an hour late, as planned, the car’s engine cutting off with a low growl. Boris was there, leaning against a stack of crates, puffing on a cigarette, the cherry glowing red in the twilight. He looked casual in a dark jacket and slacks, but his eyes were sharp, scanning the shadows. Spotting me, his lips curled into a smile. Sinister, knowing, like he held all the cards.
"Keith," he said, exhaling smoke, flicking the butt into a puddle. "Knew that bitch wouldn't keep her word. Always was weak."
The word, "bitch" hit like a spark to dry tinder, rage flaring hot in my chest. Aurelia, my Aurelia, reduced to that filth from his mouth. My hands fisted at my sides, but I kept my calm, stepping forward with measured strides, the gravel crunching under my boots. "Careful, Boris," I said evenly, my voice low, laced with steel. "That's my woman you're talking about. And she's stronger than you'll ever know."
