Nodding, I relaxed into the pillow. “Ah yes. I wondered what would happen.”
“Well, just keep it short and sweet and all should be fine. Niko called in a contact,” he said, rolling his eyes.
My brows pinched. “A contact? Here?”
“No, but apparently his pull is enough to buy us some time.”
Hawk spent a few minutes going over what Mama Hen had told the agent that was here already, and that most of our little excursion had been recorded. I wasn’t surprised. Growing up in my family, I assumed everything I owned was somehow bugged. As much as it felt invasive, I truly believed it was mostly for my protection.
“I can handle it.”
He grabbed my hand, pulling it to his lips and kissing my fingers. “I know you can.”
My stomach growled and he pulled out his phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Ordering you food. Oh, your father is on the way.”
Hawk hadn’t chastised me, but Papa would. “Great.”
“Hey,” he said, cupping my cheek with his palm. “You’re mine. He won’t disrespect you.”
“Maybe he won’t yell at me, but he’ll make me feel like shit all the same.”
“I have a secret for you, Kitty Kat. All parents do that, whether they mean to or not. Hell, I’m still trying to live up to Pops’ expectations, and he’s dead.”
Chuckling and wincing, I said, “Don’t make me laugh.”
A knock came on the door, and Niko came in with another man who clearly wasn’t on the hospital staff.
As he came over, Hawk slid off the bed. My brother took my hand. “My poor sister. Father is on the way. How are you feeling?”
My eyes looked past him at the man. Niko turned then said, “My apologies. I’m not myself. Katya, this is Special Agent Hicks. He’s working with Special Agent Antonov on the case.”
The man came over. “Yes, I understand this is a difficult time, Mrs. Jones. I won’t take much of your time.”
Mrs. Jones. Nobody had called me that since the impromptu wedding. But I liked it. It also occurred to me that I hadn’t officially had my name changed. Although I was proud of my family name. Hopefully Hawk would approve of a hyphenated last name.
“For the record can you state your name?”
“Legally it’s still Katarina Petrov, but I’ll be changing that soon.”
“Can you tell me how you came into contact with Gianna De Luco?” the agent asked as he looked down at his notepad.
After explaining the woman had been to a few get togethers hosted by my husband and realizing I knew her as someone other than who she pretended to be, I gave the story Mama Hen had. It wouldn’t have made sense to pretend we didn’t know her at all. Plus, as soon as Niko announced that Antonov was involved, I knew this would all work out. I’d still need to leave many details out, but as long as I stuck to the story Mama Hen provided, we’d be labeled nothing more than victims of circumstance.
Once I was done, he tapped his pen on his pad and stood. He reached his hand out and said, “I appreciate you being cooperative at such a difficult time. Your husband has my card, but I expect Special Agent Antonov will want to touch base with you as well.”
“Of course. Anything to assist,” I said as Hawk came over and gripped my hand, standing by the bed.
He shook Niko’s hand then excused himself but before he made it to the door I asked, “Special Agent. The other group they mentioned. I assume women. Were they found?”
“They were. I can’t provide details at this time, but all is well.” He pulled the door open. “Once all appropriate parties have been notified more details will come out. We will notify you when Miss De Luco is apprehended. Get some rest.”
My breath caught, but I tried my best to keep my faceneutral. Once the agent left, I looked at Hawk. “When she’s apprehended? How did she get away?”
Hawk shrugged. “Don’t worry about her right now. You need to focus on getting better so we can get you home.”
