It was tense. One wrong twitch and they’d shoot us all. I didn’t care. I had no time. Natasha was slipping away. “I’m taking her to the hospital.” I started forward.
“Nyet!” His hand flew up with the phone, his glare locking with mine. “You will be dead man.”
Dad’s forearms bulged as he fisted the steak knife icepick style at the Russian’s throat. “Call Vassili Resnov. Tell himLachlanis taking his daughter to the hospital. He can meet them there.”
Chevelle’s voice cut sharp through the silent chaos. “Why did that man try to take the girl? Why did he jump over the side of the building?”
Silence.
The Russian dialed. Mam and Little Brody shoved into the elevator with me.
“We can’t take her to the hospital, Lach,” Mam hissed when the doors closed.
“What?” My throat was raw.
Even my eldest brother raised a brow.
She muttered, “Tell you more once we get out. Alive.”
That was the key. The elevator pinged open. More Russians. Blocking us.
“Move,” Little Brody growled.
“Aye,yebest move!” Mam snapped, pulling a blade from the pocket of her muumuu. Her voice wavered with steel. “I love this girl with all of me, and I’ll not leave her with the likes of you.”
Surrounded, I held Natasha closer, pushing through, my clan circling me. Somehow, the four of us made it to valet. The boy’s hand shook as he passed the keys to my McLaren.
“She needs protection and medical care.” I spoke low, hoping my logic would be the reason he also survived the night for allowing us to leave.
In the back seat, I cradled Natasha, tears dripping onto her soft cheeks. Baby cheeks. Too innocent for her father’s world. My thumb brushed her skin, begging her to wake. Little Brodyfloored the gas. Mam clutched the handle, barking for him to head to Long Beach.
“Do you think she has time?” I asked, fingers threading through Natasha’s hair.
“We don’t know these people, son. We are taking her to a family friend. I’m texting our cousins now. They’ll meet us there.”
Backup. I got it. In case they followed us.
I looked back.
Two black SUVs were on our tail, headlights blinding, engines snarling.
This wasn’t over.
Not by a long shot.
“Do you have Vassili’s number?” she asked.
“Yeah.” My thumb continued to coax Natasha’s cheek.
“Okay. Natasha is probably drugged, son. Borya—perhaps the whole lot of them—are on the take by Resnov enemies. A shame, really.”
My hand swiped over my brow, pouring sweat. Nervous.Vassili hates me. He’s not gonna listen to reason.
“Please focus on that call,” Mam encouraged. “Tell the lad all you know. Every detail.”
Lifting up, I slid the phone from my back pocket. This man was gonna murder my entire family over a mistake—over his disloyal enforcer— if I didn’t convince him thathebred this snake.
Jesus, help me.The call rang and rang. “Grrrr.” I tapped the top of the phone against my temple a few times and dialed again.
