Page 13 of Exacting Vengeance

Alex tapped into hidden pockets of adrenaline, loosing first one arm then the other. Using a simple disarming move, he twisted the gun from Asimov’s hand and threw it across the room. By sheer strength and will, he broke free and took four men down, each with a bloodied nose. The others backed off.

He plowed into Yuri with his shoulder, knocking him to the floor. Yuri struggled to rise on one knee when Alex sent what he hoped was a skull-smashing blow to the side of Yuri’s head. He crumpled to the floor like a bag of garbage.

Alex whipped around in time to see two men advance on him, then think better of it. Hot, molten fury coursed through his veins. Breathing heavily, he warned in a low, deadly voice, “I’m taking her out of here. If any one of you tries to stop me, I’ll kill you.” Wisely, no one confronted him.

He assessed Viktoria’s physical condition, his heart pounding with fear that he’d lose her. It occurred to him that she wasn’t his to lose. That didn’t suppress the undeniable, possessive feeling wrapping its tentacles around his heart.

She was still breathing, but her face was covered in blood, and she was unconscious. Gently, he slipped one arm behind her neck, cradling her head as he swung her up to his chest. He glared at every face in the room, reiterating his deadly promise before kicking open the hinged door.

Once he’d gotten her in his car, he jumped into the driver’s side. Distant pops sounded as he sped from the parking lot. Asimov must have found his gun. Good thing the guy couldn’t shoot for shit.

He sped down local roads, taking every shortcut he knew. Her head rested against his shoulder while she moaned, drifting in and out of consciousness. His arm around her was the only thing keeping her upright.

“Honey, it’s all right. It’s Alex, and I’m taking you to the hospital. Hang in there with me.” He worried when she didn’t respond. She probably had a severe concussion, if not a skull fracture. There was blood everywhere. His shirt was soaked with it. Somehow, he should have gotten her out of there sooner. “Viktoria! Stay with me. We’re almost there.” He kissed the top of her head, trying to remain calm, but his insides had turned to a panicked pile of mush. “Talk to me. Try to stay awake. It’s important you stay awake.”

“Can’t,” she moaned. “Just want to…sleep.”

“You have to try. Is there someone I can call? Your mother?”

“No. She can’t help me.” Her voice had grown weaker. “Nobody can.”

“I can. He’ll never hurt you again. I promise.” Regret ignited a new fury in him, the likes of which he’d never known. He should have done something sooner. He’d seen the signs, but the job came first and foremost. He’d kept telling himself it was for the greater good, but right now he didn’t believe a word of his own bullshit.

She lost consciousness, and her head lolled forward. He came to a screeching stop at the emergency room, motioning and yelling to a nurse on a cigarette break. The nurse took one look at his bloody shirt, threw down her cigarette, and ran for a gurney.

Cradling her head, he lifted Viktoria from the car and placed her on the gurney. The nurse ordered him to wait outside the examination room. He didn’t want to leave her, but the hospital would need basic information, and he didn’t want her admitted under her real name. He’d have to cover for her until she was stable, then get her out of there fast. For that, he needed help.

It took a while to convince the hospital staff he wasn’t the bastard who’d hurt her. He answered the nurse’s questions, then made a phone call.

“I’m out!” he snapped when his boss answered. “Petrov nearly killed his wife. I drove her to a hospital. I’m certain the Bratva won’t welcome me back with open arms. How soon can you take this down?”

“In that case, a couple of days.”

“Good. You can add aggravated assault and battery—maybe even attempted murder—to the charges against Petrov.” For now, that would have to suffice.

Charging him for the kidnapping- murders would have to wait. One day, he’d find that evidence. No matter what it took.

“It would be my pleasure,” Mike said.

“Actually, the pleasure was all mine when I decked him. I don’t think he’ll wake up until you get there.”

“We’ll be sure and bring him an aspirin.”

“Mike, there’s one more thing I need.”

“Anything, kid. You know that.”

“I need a phone number.”

After Alex made the second call, a nurse told him Viktoria had been transferred to the intensive care unit with a skull fracture, a broken arm and ribs, and they were monitoring for signs of internal bleeding.

He paced restlessly back and forth across the hallway. The only reason he hadn’t barged into the intensive care unit was because he was waiting for someone. Someone who would be very important in Viktoria’s life.

“Mr. Tarankov?” a female voice asked from behind him.

“Yes?”

“I’m Marissa Bennett. We spoke over the phone. Let’s sit down over here.” She motioned to an isolated sofa.