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“I know there’s more, but I just can’t think straight right now,” I told him.
“You don’t need to. We have plenty of time. One question. Do you know where the warehouse was located?”
“Somewhere outside of Kingville. I don’t know how far I walked, but it was several miles.”
“Alright. That’s all I need.”
“What are you going to do?”
There was a quiet resolve about him even though the prickles on my arms indicated the electricity in the air wasn’t solely about being reunited. “Find it.”
“There might be some innocent people working in the facility.”
His thoughtful sip of a drink was a heavily weighted moment. He was being purposely cautious about what he wanted to share about his plans. “I’m aware, although if as you said there are illegal activities going on in the background, no one inside that building is truly innocent.”
He held no remorse about what he had planned, much like I felt about what I’d been forced to do so we could escape.
“I killed a man, Maxsim. I did so without thinking and without remorse. Although I hadn’t intended on doing so. But if I had it to do over again, I would have done the same thing. What in God’s name does that make me?”
When I was finally finished, I was even more exhausted than I thought possible. My hand was shaking as I lifted the glass, holding the rim against my lips for a few seconds before taking a gulp. I was nervous around him, almost as if I was fearful he wouldn’t believe me.
Maxsim took and held a deep breath before responding. “What that makes you, Isabel, is the strongest and bravest woman I’ve ever met. That’s twice you’ve saved my daughter’s life.”
I searched his eyes, uncertain if he was questioning whether I was being deceitful. “You don’t think I’m to blame for what happened.”
“Shush, moy angel-khranitel'. Of course not.”
He hadn’t called me his guardian angel in a long time and the words of endearment thrilled me more than I thought possible. Yet even though they were heartfelt, I sensed a hardness that had taken so long for him to push aside before. What I feared more than anything was losing the man I’d fallen in love with.
Maybe he’d be there in body, but not in his heart or soul. I didn’t think I could live with that.
“Then what’s wrong?” My question was imploring.
“What’s wrong is that since you escaped, you changed the rules of the game. Whoever is responsible will feel more desperate and will act with more deadly intent. Neither one of you are safe.”
“I will be with you. They won’t dare go against you now.”
“There are things I’ve done, Isabel, that have led to the fringe of war. This matter will come to a conclusion, but it will now be handled my way. My rules. My game. They will face my wrath.”
A cold shiver trickled ever so slowly down my spine.
“You can’t kill everyone you think is involved.”
He took a sip of his drink before answering. “Yes, I can and I will.”
When he pulled his arm away, I refused to let him, grasping his large hand and pulling his arm closer. “Promise me you won’t do that. I’m here. I’m safe. So is your daughter and she needs her papa as much as you need her. There has to be another way. We can get the police involved. The FBI. They’ll spend the rest of their miserable lives in prison.” I squeezed his fingers and for the first time I was frightened of the look he gave me in return.
But I refused to let go even when he tried to pull away from me.
“I won’t make a promise I cannot keep, Isabel. You don’t understand the way of my world, but you are a part of it. Things don’t work the way you expect them to. The police refused to become involved with syndicate squabbles.”
“That’s because you pay them not to be involved. You threaten them. You use blackmail.”
“Don’t be naïve, angel. They are paid very well for their services, which they are glad to perform. If you honestly believe there is any integrity, then I hate to say it but you’re wrong.”
“So you’re suggesting everyone is on the take?”
“I’m suggesting that things aren’t what you see on television. A war has been started with numerous casualties already rotting away in the depths of hell.”
