Hunted: A Dark Mafia Romance Read online

  “Yes?” I never said my name, another rule that I’d imposed on myself.

  “Have you found her?” Viktor asked in his usual husky tone. The man had spent far too many years consuming alcohol and cigars.

  I thought about my answer briefly. I had to be very careful how I answered. “I’m on her trail.”

  “What? You fucking asshole. This is one woman you were supposed to find. One! It’s been two fucking days.”

  His bellow only added gasoline. “Interesting how she managed to slip out of your fingers.”

  He cursed in Russian under his breath. “It would seem that you’re not necessarily the best man for a job of this nature any longer. If you can’t do the job, I assure you that someone else can. Then I will hunt you down like the dog you are.”

  “Is there something you need to tell me about the woman?”

  It was his turn to hesitate. “What the hell are you getting at? I told you all you need to know. She betrayed my empire and she needs to pay the price. No, she will pay the price.”

  I had an innate ability to know when people were lying. The man was a snake. Seething, I resisted saying anything else to try to exact additional information. I also needed time to process what the hell I was going to do. The situation was getting worse by the minute. “I will find her. You will have results.”

  “Twenty-four hours. Not one minute more.”

  He ended the call abruptly. All I could do was laugh. The man had no idea who he’d come up against.

  He would soon learn.

  I leaned against the building, scanning the area as I thought about the decision I would need to make. I didn’t need money. Hell, I had enough to live in the lap of luxury for the rest of my life. What I did need was some level of redemption. Maybe karma had shoved a possibility into my hands. After another thirty seconds, I made a call, the number memorized.

  Two rings and nothing.

  I was getting antsy.

  Three rings.

  On the fourth and just before voicemail came on, I heard her sleepy voice. “What the hell?”

  “Lola.”

  She sucked in her breath, a series of noises now heard in the background. “Why are you calling me?” Her question was laced with fury, said softly as if trying to avoid being overheard. I knew why.

  My sister had forbidden me to contact her a little over two years before. While I couldn’t blame her, at this point it didn’t matter. Blood was thicker than water and she needed to return certain favors I’d offered her years before.

  “I need a favor.”

  She laughed. “You always need something, Sacha.”

  My nickname, but she was the only one who used it or would even remember the childhood moniker. Everyone else in our family was dead.

  “I don’t have time to argue or to explain more than a few details, but this is vital.”

  “Let me guess. You need a place to crash while the police or the FBI hunt for you.”

  I allowed the nasty comment to rest. She was my only hope at this point of being able to provide any assistance. There were two people I could trust in this world. The second could possibly come into play later. “No. I’m fine. However, I do need a safehouse for someone.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” Her Russian accent had lessened over the years since moving to the United States. She’d insisted on using a more Americanized first name since marrying the love of her life. She also wanted no connection to the brother she’d once said she loved more than life itself.

  “He’s four years old.”

  Her breath skipped, a slight sob forming in her throat. “Um. This isn’t… No. No. I’m sorry.”

  While her pain was evident, I still didn’t have any time to console her.

  “This is a young boy who needs protection from some very bad men for a short period of time. Can you provide him a safe harbor?” When she hesitated, I realized that I was asking too much.

  “Sacha. You know how I feel about what you do for a living.”

  “And you know I made my choice for a reason. Will you do this for me?”

  “Is there a possibility it will become permanent?”

  My sister had her own reasons for asking. Sighing, I rubbed my eyes, exhaustion starting to settle in, something I couldn’t afford to have happen. “There is a small chance. He needs a good home. He’s a sweet little boy who doesn’t deserve what might happen to him.”

  Five seconds passed.

  Ten.

  “Fine. Of course I’ll take care of him. I’m not certain how my husband is going to feel about it, but I’ll try and explain. And this had better be the last favor you ask me.”

  A moment of relief filled my system. Tom had tolerated my existence and nothing more. “I’m certain you can talk to him. We’ll be there sometime in the late morning. I don’t need to remind you that you can’t allow anyone to know how he came to stay with you.”

  “Don’t worry, big brother. I grew up in a Bratva family. Remember? What’s his name?”

  “Grady.”

  “Okay. But Sacha, I am serious about what I said. This is the last favor you can ask from me. Do you understand?”

  “I understand. I assure you that I won’t need to ask you any additional favors.” I ended the call, a tightness in my chest building. After this, I would never place my sister’s life in jeopardy ever again. She deserved to live the fairytale she’d always wanted.

  Not to follow me into hell.

  Hope

  Death.

  It had swirled around me for almost three years. The constant fear slowly growing into terror. While I’d never felt threatened by any member of the Ivanov Crime Syndicate, I’d known that the bubble would burst one day. It had to. I was living an ugly life for fear of not being able to provide for my son. Fear that the man who shoved his sperm into my vagina would find some way of destroying me. Terror that I’d be arrested for working for a mafia organization.

  Terror.

  I’d lived and breathed it every day, but that was nothing in comparison to what I felt right now. I’d been hunted by an assassin, not one of the usual thugs that had sometimes come into the office to check on operations. I’d never seen the Russian before. I’d never heard Viktor mention him. However, there was no doubt Dominik was dangerous. I’d seen the faraway look in his eyes, as if he had no conscience.

  There was only darkness, a barbarian who’d been programmed to kill. Except when he’d caught a glimpse of my son. He’d hesitated, completely taken aback. That didn’t mean anything. He could be taking us back to allow Viktor to deal with both of us whatever way he wanted.

  And I knew exactly how enemies were handled.

  The thought made me ache inside almost as much as the worry I had about keeping Grady safe. He was my everything, my special and perfect little boy in a world full of corruption. He was the only good thing that had ever happened in my life and I would die in order to protect him.

  I stroked his little arm, enjoying the quiet murmurs he had in his sleep. He continued to cling onto the damn stuffed bear the monster had given him and that pissed me off. How dare the man attempt to be kind to my son? How dare he pretend like he gave a shit? How dare he.

  Tears formed in my eyes, clouding my vision. I couldn’t break down now. I had to figure out a way to slip away from the monster at some point. But how? I had no money, barely any gas in my car, and a long enough way to go to get to my brother’s house that I knew I’d be stranded on the side of the road.

  Besides, I doubted Jeffrey would take me in with open arms. I’d made the mistake of telling him just enough about my job to allow him to paint by number a picture of what I was doing. Then he’d shut the door to our relationship after screaming at me for hours.

  I closed my eyes, trying to force the ugly images and memories to go away. Then I almost laughed. This was it. I’d made far too many mistakes and now I was going to pay for them.

  “Hope.”

  I bristled the second I
heard the Russian’s voice. Sadly, the deep husky tone had caused a bizarre reaction in my body. I’d been aroused earlier. That was totally out of character and completely insane. I hadn’t slept in long enough that I allowed that fact to become the reason. I turned over, studying the man’s face in the shadowed light.

  He was very handsome, his chiseled features adding to his dangerous persona. I would have loved his beautiful light blue eyes if they were located on any other man than a killer. I sat up slowly, darting a quick glance over my shoulder. Grady was still sleeping. Thank God for small favors.

  Dominik shifted his weapon into his jacket. I’d been grateful he hadn’t brandished a gun in front of my child. But Superman? Now I was giddy from exhaustion.

  The Russian waved me closer. I was stiff as I walked toward him, uncertain I was prepared to learn my fate. “Yes?”

  “Get your things together. We’re leaving in a few minutes.” His words were succinct but filled with demand.

  “Where are we going?”

  He took a deep breath before answering, “To a safe place. However, you are going to do exactly as I tell you to do. Anything else and I will punish you. Do you understand me?”

  Punish. He used the word as if that would matter to me in the least. I was going to end up in a pool of blood. What the hell did I care about being punished? However, I would play the game.

  For now.

  “I won’t fight you,” I whispered.

  He nodded toward Grady. “Get him ready. I will get you both some real food on the way.”

  Real food. Was he tossing out crumbs in order to keep me in line?

  He gripped my arm, pulling me closer, enabling me to gather his scent. “You have no reason to trust me, Hope, but that’s exactly what you’re going to need to do if you want to stay alive. I’m not fucking around with this.”

  The look in his eyes was completely different than before, as if the man was furious with the Ivanovs for being forced into this position. Who was I to guess what the Russian held behind his dark gaze? “I’ll do everything you ask.”

  Dominik continued to hold me close, taking several deep breaths, his nostrils flaring. When he gazed down the length of me, slowly lifting his eyes until he met my concerned gaze, I had difficulty breathing. I could tell what the man was thinking. He wanted to devour me. Was an assassin allowed to touch his mark before killing them? I was sick to my stomach at the thought.

  I pulled away, anguish making it difficult to breathe. He didn’t stop me as I turned around, but I could feel the electricity from the night before surging between us.

  Every muscle in my body ached from the tension that had spiked during the night. I also loathed the memory of the passionate kiss. His rough touch had been so shocking I’d almost lost my focus. Why would a brutal assassin resort to that level? And why had there been a few seconds that the experience had turned me on? I shuddered at the thought as I roused Grady, his sleepy eyes and soft kisses a reminder that I needed to try to obey the man for now.

  “Come on, baby. We’re on another adventure.”

  “Where to, Mommy?” he asked with such an innocence to his tone.

  “I’m not sure but wherever it is, I bet it’s going to be fun. Get dressed.”

  “I’m hungry.”

  “Mr. Superman has promised us breakfast.” I said the words loud enough I hoped the brute would hear me. He better make good on his promise.

  I gathered what little I had, holding Grady’s shoulders as we waited for instructions. The fact my little boy still held the damn stuffed animal in his arms continued to rile me. At least he felt comfortable around the killer.

  Dominik gave us a onceover, including the two small suitcases I had in my hands. A smirk crossed his face, the bastard making fun of me for not bringing more with me. He had no idea the panic I’d felt, the race to try to get us away from the savages who I knew would burst into my little apartment within minutes. I’d fled with everything I could grab in five minutes. God, I hated the Russian. He had no right to judge me. None.

  “I need to speak with you, Hope,” Dominik said quietly.

  I gave him a nasty look before leaning over. “Honey, just wait right here. Mommy will be right back. Okay?”

  “Sure, Mommy.”

  After taking a series of shallow breaths, I moved closer. “What do you want?”

  “You’re going to take your car, staying close behind me. When I stop, you’re going to stop. Do you understand?”

  “What about Grady?”

  “He’s coming with me. You will join us after we dispose of your vehicle.”

  I bit my lower lip, trying desperately to keep from whimpering. “You’ll need the car seat.”

  Dominik’s eyes opened wide, but he nodded. “Get it now while I load your things.”

  He returned my keys and as I walked outside, the thick humidity hit me in the face, the dark clouds just a telling of what the day would bring. I headed toward my old Honda, unlocking the back door. The creaking hinges were a reminder of my sad life. While the Ivanovs had paid me well, it hadn’t been enough to afford any luxuries. My old car had gotten this far. I resisted bursting into tears as I grabbed the car seat. I’d been planning on buying a larger one with my next paycheck. Now it no longer mattered.

  Dominik took it out of my hands. “Grady. You’re coming with me. Don’t worry. Mommy is going to follow us.”

  “Do you even know how to operate one of those?” I demanded, another wave of panic rushing into my system.

  “I assure you he will be fine. Get in your car, Hope,” he instructed.

  “Mommy?” Grady questioned.

  “It’s okay, baby. Do like Superman says.”

  He giggled, taking Dominik’s outstretched hand. I watched in silence as my beautiful baby boy was led off to a bright, shiny Jeep. Obviously, the man made a lot of money. As I climbed into my car, I could barely stop shaking. Where was he taking us?

  I peered out the windshield, able to tell Dominik seemed to know what he was doing, finally putting Grady into the seat. Before he climbed into the Jeep, he tipped his head in my direction. I did what he asked me to do, starting the engine and moving behind him as he drove out of the lot. Five minutes passed.

  Ten.

  I was getting antsy, barely able to control my breathing.

  Another ten minutes passed then he pulled over to the side of the road. He’d driven southeast, deeper into nothingness. I hadn’t seen a business or a house for miles. He casually walked toward my car, opening the door and gently pulling me out.

  “Get into the passenger seat. Keep Grady occupied. Do as I say.”

  His instructions were clear.

  I had difficulty walking but I did as he asked, climbing inside, my entire being filled with relief. “Are you okay, baby?”

  “Mom. I’m not a baby. At least that’s what Dominik told me.”

  His little voice was filled with consternation. “You’re growing up in front of my eyes.” I couldn’t obey Dominik completely, watching to see what he was going to do. When he allowed the car that had been with me for almost twelve years to roll off the side of the road, I was shocked, but I refused to make a single sound. The last thing Grady needed was to think Mommy was upset.

  I closed my eyes, the slight slam of the driver’s door the only way I knew the Russian had climbed inside.

  “I can’t risk having your car found,” he said before starting the engine. “Now, we’ll get something to eat. Just try and relax.”

  While he was good as his word, purchasing a fast food breakfast for all of us, I found it difficult to eat. At least Grady was happy, humming to himself as he munched down on the Egg McMuffin.

  “Eat,” Dominik instructed.

  “I can’t.”

  “You need your strength, Hope. Just eat some.”

  I took a nibble, barely able to swallow it, but as I kept trying, I realized just how hungry I was. A few minutes later, I gathered what was left of Grady’
s breakfast, shoving the trash into a bag, my mind distorted. This could be a regular trip, a fun event. I bit back a laugh and stared out the passenger window.

  I had no idea how much time had passed, but I was suddenly jolted back to reality, jerking around to make certain Grady was all right.

  “He’s fine. He’s been asleep for about ten minutes.”

  Why did the damn Russian care? “Where are we going, Dominik? I need you to tell me the truth.”

  He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, glancing into the rearview mirror before answering. “We’re taking Grady to a location where he will be safe.”

  What? What was he trying to tell me? I took gasping breaths, no longer able to breathe. Then I reacted, pummeling my fists against him, punching him hard in the jaw. While my reaction caused him to swerve, he managed to snag one of my arms, leaning over and darting a glance into my eyes. His were hard, cold pieces of steel.

  “Listen to me. You have one chance at keeping your son alive. One. There will be no second chances. And if you fuck with me on this, I will kill you.”

  Chapter 4

  Dominik

  Obedience.

  I demanded it in all aspects of my personal life as well as all others who dealt with me. Hope was a woman who’d been reliant on herself for entirely too long. She had no trust of anyone, and I certainly couldn’t blame her for it. However, her rebellion and fury would likely be the reason she was killed.

  Eventually.

  I’d made a decision to keep her alive, although I wasn’t entirely certain why. There was no reason to care about her, or to give her a second chance. Yet here we were, only ten miles away from my sister’s small cabin. I knew I was taking a huge risk, not only with what was left of my family but what remained of Hope’s as well.

  After being offered the contract, I’d had limited time to check on her background before she’d bolted, leaving New York in the dust. What I hadn’t found was any indication she’d had a child. It was obvious that she’d done everything in her power to hide Grady’s existence. However, while my discussion with Hope had been limited, she had confirmed the Russian bastard had known all along about her child. The man was pure evil.