Crave (Beneath The Secrets #3)

52. Alexei

CHAPTER 52

ALEXEI

“Hold still, Alexei,” Jax growls from behind me.

The buzz of the tattoo gun tickles against my ribs as he traces the scratch marks that Lara put there last night.

“It feels weird.” I drop my forehead onto my arm and try to do what he asked.

“Probably doesn’t hurt as much as the original, stop whining,” he laughs. “I’m almost done.”

“I just want to show her. She’ll love it.” I want to prove to her how I feel, maybe this will do it.

My phone vibrates and Lara’s moans fill the room.

Fuck. I didn’t think about anyone else hearing her when I made that my ringtone.

Jax throws up his gloved hands and curses at me as I scramble to get my cell quieted. “Hey, Lara, can I call you back?”

“This is someone much more important than your little girlfriend.” A sultry voice croons into my ear.

Shit.

“Who is this?” I wave Jax back as he points to the machine in his fist.

“Oh, Alexei. I thought we were better friends than that? You are so very special to me.” She draws out the end huskily. “I have something you want, you have something I need. ”

I let my legs drop over the side of the table and sit up.

Jax shakes his head and puts down the tattoo gun, crossing his arms over his wide chest to watch me.

“First you need to tell me what’s going on?” There’s only one woman for me, and it isn’t the one on the other end of the phone.

“I’m fulfilling the second half of your request. You wanted to find your Lara, and kill who took her. Correct?” The sexy lilt to her words fades as she slips into all business.

Tatiana.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I’ll send you to him, and make sure you cross paths. Once you’re finished with him, I’m calling in my debt. Tidy up your loose ends, you’re coming to visit my homeland.” With a click, she hangs up.

A surge of energy courses through me. I can finally put an end to the man who hurt Lara.

“Everything okay?” Jax raises his pierced eyebrow.

“Better. I’ll finally get Kirill.” Sliding off the table, I grab my shirt and helmet and race for the door.

“I’m not done yet,” he shouts after me.

Pushing out into the hot street, I jump on my bike, ignoring the burning seat from the Vegas sun.

I should tell Lara.

But I need to talk to Mikhail first.

Dodging through the traffic has me pulling into the casino parking garage in minutes. I run through the main entrance and don’t even turn toward the elevator.

It takes too long.

Two flights of stairs barely have me winded, then I’m skidding to a stop in front of Mikhail’s office door.

I guess I could have darted into hers. Too late.

Without knocking, I push into Mikhail’s space and rush to his desk.

“Alexei? What the?—”

“She called me.” I blurt out. “Tatiana. She knows where Kirill is.”

“How do you know it isn’t a trick?” Nikolai asks from the couch.

I didn’t see him there. “She’s come through every time so far.”

Mikhail takes a deep breath, fluttering the fabric of his balaclava when he exhales. “We can’t trust her. What did she tell you?”

“She said I’m going to Russia. Who’s going with me?” I twist my head back and forth between them.

“What about your, um, obligations here?” Mikhail’s eyes widen as his forehead furrows.

“It’s because of those I have to go.” I don’t want to leave.

But I need to make sure that Lara is safe. She’s the most important thing to me. Taking away the man who kidnapped her will help her to ease her fears.

She might not like me leaving, yet I can’t bear another day seeing her in pain.

I catch her crying, or running herself to exhaustion, and I know it’s because she’s worried she’s still being chased.

“If I die protecting her, it’s worth it that she can sleep again.” All those nights standing and watching her toss and turn, the cries that would wake her up, it’s too gut wrenching to continue.

That monster Kirill has already made things harder for her.

I’ve seen her obsessing over the scar on her cheek.

She doesn’t listen to me when I tell her I love it. It’s a badge to me of just how damn tough she is.

Her mark proves that she fought back. My Lara wouldn’t give in.

“I think you’re making a mistake. Let’s wait until we can catch him here, with our numbers. We can take him out.” Nikolai leans back and his lips thin.

“Who went with you to get Mila? You were willing to die to chase her down, and you left Elena here. Do you love your daughter?” I ask him angrily.

“Of fucking course I do.” His fists bunch on his thigh. “That was a different situation. She was in imminent danger.”

“You didn’t know that when you left!” My voice raises and I slam my palm down on Mikhail’s desk. “You chased her down for revenge. It isn’t much different than what I’m doing. Except I see Lara suffering every single day because that guy is still out there.” I jut my finger towards the wind for emphasis.

“She’s our sister.” Nikolai points to Mikhail. “Don’t you think we want to protect her, too? What’s gotten into you?”

Do I tell him it’s because I love her? What would he do if he knew? How can he not want to protect her? Kirill was just as fucked up to Mila, why isn’t Nikolai more worked up over that?

Mikhail stands up abruptly and moves between us. “He’s doing what’s right.” His heavy hand lands on my shoulder. “I’ll make sure you get there. Tell me what you need.” He turns me so I’m no longer facing Nikolai.

“He has a family, too,” he says quietly. “We all want what’s best for the people we love.” He gives me a slow, meaningful nod. “Go talk to Lara. Fill her in. See what she wants you to do.”

As I make it back to my bike, I kick a stone on the ground.

Maybe they are right?

Leaving Lara now, when things are so good? Doesn’t feel right.

Yet, this overwhelming need to protect her rages inside me.

I need to actually think this one through rather than acting on my impulse.

Lara is calming me.