Maybe that’s why my mind drifted to my grandmother. I laughed softly to myself when I heard her voice in my mind. She’d never been one to skimp on advice. Plus, you could always count on her absolute frankness, even if it was painful to hear. Her last soliloquy had been just before I’d been released from the hospital.
“The problem is you don’t have a woman to keep you on your toes. If you did, things like this wouldn’t happen.”
My statement in return had been words embroiled in anguish and anger. I’d said something along the lines that I couldn’t simply conjure up a woman. That was basic bullshit black magic.
After giving me a well-deserved and all-knowing evil eye, she’d patted my hand, whispered some Cajun words I hadn’t understood because I’d never been interested in what I’d called voodoo bullshit, and turned to leave. Of course me being me, I’d demanded to know what she’d said to me.
Maybe I hadn’t anticipated her response, but I’d certainly laughed it off later. However, I would never forget her words.
“Since you’re as hardheaded as your father, I’ve cast a spell. You will soon meet your angel, but if you defy the gods, you will be cursed to endure loneliness for the rest of your life.”
Nope. My grandmother didn’t mince words.
Yeah, she’d flip out over Fleur.
I was able to laugh while realizing I was thankful I’d met the amazing woman. If only I’d been able to protect her from the pain she’d endured.
Another hour passed with no sign of the assassins. Dawn would peek over the horizon within a few minutes. While I generally appreciated the cloak of darkness, I wanted Fleur to see the city she would call home.
At least for an undisclosed timeframe.
We were being chased by men with assault rifles, but I was worried about her first impression of the only city I ever wanted to live in. Maybe my grandmother had a point that I needed a woman in my life to take care of me. The question fueling the darkest synapses of my mind was whether she’d want the job.
When I split off onto another road, this time with four lanes, I had enough of an internet reception to contact Alexander.
“Where are you?” he asked as soon as he answered the phone.
“Maybe two hours away.”
“Then I’ll send soldiers in your direction.”
There was a sense of urgency in his voice that even after everything that had occurred was unusual. “The Russians are on the move.”
“Let’s just say they realized our plan. Ivan was transferred to another prison.”
Ivan Barishnikoff, the fucking bastard who’d undoubtedly orchestrated our father’s murder. “Oh, he was.”
“Yes, and if my intel is correct, Papovek had everything to do with obtaining a very private, very protected prison cell,”Alexander hissed. “Word on the street is that Ivan’s soldiers are on the move.”
“Which could explain the two motherfuckers in the parking lot of the last hotel.”
“What the fuck?”
“A mistake made. Nothing more. I think I’ve lost them, but I’ll appreciate the welcome home party.”
His snort was as brotherly as the Don of the family would get. “Then I’ll put you to work since you’ve been on an extended vacation.”
“Fuck you.” The dawn had arrived, the first rays of sunlight appearing over the canopy of trees. We’d passed a couple of vehicles on the road and there would soon be more as the morning rush hour began. If I were smart, I’d ditch the Blazer, only I’d made a promise to someone and I’d hate breaking it.
“Passenger heavy?”
I glanced over at Sleeping Beauty, longing to tangle my fingers in the strands of hair covering her cheek. “Passenger heavy.”
“Permanently?”
Exhaling, I shifted my fisted hand back and forth on the vinyl steering wheel. “Maybe so.”
“Don’t waste time talking. We have a war to end before it officially begins.”
