Captivated by the deadly mafia boss

Lena

It’s late by the time the Uber pulls up to the single family Victorian tucked away in the western suburb. Thankfully, I’d kept my purse with me, so I’m able to give him the fare without a problem and he happily takes the double payment.

The chill of the fall night descends on me as I climb the wooden steps. I’ve always favored these old Victorian houses. I step up onto the wooden porch that wraps around the house. Rocking chairs and patio benches are lined up along the house beside the large bay windows. It has a deep feeling of home with the warm orange and brown hues of the exterior paints.

I ring the bell. At this late hour the alarm system will have been enabled and I don’t have the code with me. The last thing anyone inside needs or wants is the police showing up and bringing a lot of attention to the house.

The light just inside the door flickers on and the intercom fizzles to life.

“Can I help you?” chimes a familiar voice.

“Hi. It’s Lena. I’m sorry it’s so late, but I needed-” Before I finish explaining the door swings open and the porch door is pushed at me, letting me inside.

“Lena. Come in. Sorry, I couldn’t see clear through the camera.” Sandra, the night shift manager, greets me, shutting and locking the door behind me once I’m inside the main foyer of the house.

“The lighting isn’t great on the porch,” I comment.

Sandra smiles and folds her arms over her chest. She’s already dressed for bed in a pair of pink and gray cotton pajamas.

“Kasia’s not here tonight,” she says.

“Oh, I know.” I fiddle with my purse. “I’m sorry, this is weird, I just didn’t really know where else to go. I just…” I’m stumbling like a moron over my words.

“Sandra, we need-” Niko steps into the front hall from the staircase. His words fail when he sees me standing with Sandra.

“Lena.” His eyes harden. “What are you doing here? Is Micah with you?” He looks behind him, as though Micah would be able to hide behind my frame.

“No. I just, I was-what are you doing here?” I go on the offense.

“He brought a woman in this evening. Dr. Sanja is with her now.” Sandra turns to Niko. “What do you need?”

“The doc is done, she needs fresh clothes. I didn’t see any in the room you’re putting her in,” Niko tells her while keeping his stare on me.

“I was just getting them when the bell rang. I’ll get them for her.” Sandra takes a step but then turns back to me. “Do you need me?”

“No. No. I’m fine. Go on.”

She gives a nod then jogs up the stairs to where the women have private rooms. The medical rooms are also upstairs and if Niko brought that woman here, she would be with the doctor.

“Is that the woman you bought for Micah?” I demand.

“Micah doesn’t know you’re here, does he?”

“Answer me.” I clench my fist.

He pulls out his phone.

“Don’t.” I get to him before he finishes dialing and snag his phone.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“What are you doing?” He reaches over and snatches it right back from me. “What are you doing here?”

“Is the girl you bought for Micah upstairs?” I ask, raising my chin a fraction. He doesn’t answer me; he’s too busy typing away on his phone. Tattling probably.

I shove him to the side and hurry up the stairs to the medical room.

“Lena!” Niko’s voice is sharp enough to reach up the stairs as I head toward the medical rooms at the end of the hall.

Niko’s hurried steps mingle with my own on the wood flooring as I head to the exam room. He’s right next to me when I push the door open.

A woman sits on the exam table. Her hair has been washed and brushed back from her face, and that’s where my heart rips in two. Bruises line the right side of her jaw. Her left eyebrow has been stitched, but it’s still an angry red. These aren’t the worst of her injuries. The medical gown slips down her shoulder and badly healed scars litter her shoulders down her back.

She doesn’t seem startled by my sudden intrusion. How often has this woman even had privacy? When she looks up at me, there’s a deep sadness, mistrust raging in her eyes.

“Demetria, it’s okay. This is Lena.” Niko pushes past me from behind and goes to her at the table. He picks up her hand and holds it. “She’s Micah’s wife.”

I step closer to the table, my stomach in knots imagining the horrors this woman has seen.

“Niko, what happened to her?” I ask.

“Here we go.” Sandra walks in with a pile of clothing. Soft pajamas from what I can make out. “We’ll have more for you in the morning,” she says to Demetria and places the pajamas on the bed beside her.

“Thank you,” Demetria whispers and picks up the clothes with one hand.

“I’ll let you change.” Niko puts her hand down.

“Are you leaving?” Demetria asks, panic clear in her voice.

Niko touches her cheek. “No. I’m going to be just outside the door. When you’re ready just let me know. I’ll help you to your room.”

She gives a shaky nod.

“I’m going to talk with the doctor. Come get me if you need,” Sandra says.

Niko nods. “I’ll get her in bed. I’m spending the night outside her door. It will make her feel better. Micah was going to come in the morning but-” He pauses to give me a stern look. Obviously, I’m intruding and messing up everything. “He’ll be here tonight instead.”

Heat rushes over my face. I’ve misread everything. Micah wasn’t putting this woman in the stable, he was saving her. The women in this house are here because they have nowhere else to turn, because they’ve been rescued from the likes of the Ivanov family, or they’ve escaped horrendous abuses. I’m here running away from a fight with my husband.

“I’m so sorry,” I say quietly and leave the room. Once in the hall, a dark shadow falls over me.

Micah is here.

I tilt my head back to find his angry glare settling on me as he walks the last steps toward me.

“Micah. How’d you get here so fast?” I ask, momentarily confused.

“Tracker on your phone. Remember?” he says. That’s right. I never made him take it off. Another wave of embarrassment washes over me.

“Stand right there, and don’t move.” He moves past me as Niko comes out of the room. “She’s in there?”

“Yeah, the doc just finished. Broken ribs, bruises, cuts-he really fucked her up.” Niko keeps his voice level, letting me hear the extent of her injuries.

“What did he say about Roman?” Micah asks, his jaw clenching as they talk.

“Exactly what we thought. Roman came to him, offered her. Micah, he didn’t take a penny for her. He only wanted the prick to send him periodic videos and pictures of his work.”

Micah’s hands ball together. “Did you talk to her?”

“She told me a little. She was kidnapped and put in your father’s stable. Igor removed her from it, hid her best he could from your father’s auctions. After his accident, Roman found her.”

“And he made her pay for what Igor wanted to do, what he started to do.” Micah’s voice dipped lower. “He gave her to that fucking monster because Igor no longer wanted to back expansion of the stable.”

My throat clenches as the betrayal and pain flash in his eyes.

“I’m staying here for the night-to be sure she’s all right and feels safe,” Niko explains, but there’s an undercurrent of protection that I haven’t seen in him before. It’s only been a short time, but Niko’s usually aloof. This woman is important to him.

“Thank you,” Micah says. “Igor would want you here with her in his absence.”

“What are you going to do with Roman?” Niko’s question lands with a virtual thud between them.

“First things first,” he says and glances in my direction. My insides curl. I’ve fucked up. I’ve been selfish and untrusting.

Micah wouldn’t do what I accused him of doing. Micah isn’t like his father. He’s ruthless and demanding, yes, but he’s not a monster. He would never hurt an innocent.

“I’m done,” a soft voice calls from the medical room.

“We’ll talk tomorrow.” Niko enters the room, closing the door firmly behind him, leaving only Micah and me in the hall.

When Micah turns his attentions on me directly, my breath catches.

“Let’s go,” he says, cupping my elbow and leading me toward the stairs.

I don’t argue, or fight, or even hesitate in my step. I’ve been a complete idiot tonight. Micah will help make things right between us.

I only hope I’m strong enough to take it.