Chapter Fifteen

Stephanie exited the church and pulled off her vest, grateful to be free of the weight and constriction. She took a couple of deep, expanding breaths, pulling in a lung full of crisp November air. The pain in her head was down to a dull throb that kept time with her pulse. She pulled her windbreaker back on, guarding against the chill, as she watched headlights cut through the night as two vehicles bounced towards them. She threw out a little prayer, hoping things weren't about to go sideways and slide from a standard fuck-up to an epic one. The night was still young.

Nikko materialized out of the darkness without a sound, scaring the bejesus out of her. She really needed to tie a bell around his neck or he was going to give her an actual heart attack one of these days.

"What's that?" He hissed, pointing to the approaching vehicles.

"That's our contingency plan." Or at least she hoped it was and not just one pissed off Russian.

"Do I want to know?" Nikko asked, suddenly wary.

Stephanie thought about it for a second. "Probably not." She confirmed.

She would have sworn she heard him sigh. He mumbled something under his breath that sounded an awful like "fuck, are you trying to kill me."

The vehicles ground to a stop. One dark panel van and a town car.

Dimitri got out and opened the door for Michail. He exited the car with one graceful, fluid movement and Stephanie couldn't help but stare. Raw power and control shimmered around him, and it caused her breath to hitch. He had yet to look at her and she couldn't quite gauge his mood. Unease tingled at the base of her spine. Two other men got out of the van. One she recognized and the other she didn't.

"The head of the Russian bratva is your contingency plan?" Nikko's normally velvet voice cracked a little.

"Yep."

"Right." Nikko seemed at a loss to say anything else.

Nikko nodded to Michail as he approached. Michail's glare was locked on Nikko, his face a hard mask of fury. Goosebumps rose on Stephanie's arms and she was really glad that look wasn't directed at her. Yet anyway.

"I'm not on Michail's good side right now. I think I should probably go check on the women." Nikko hedged and took a step backward.

"Why?" Stephanie asked, her eyes never leaving Michail as he approached, not that she could have looked away even if she wanted to. He moved with confidence and each step radiated power. She was pretty sure she already knew the answer.

"I might have threatened to kill him." Nikko gave her a wry smile, and she quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Stay." Stephanie commanded. "You two need to make it right."

Nikko didn't look like he bought that logic, but he stayed, anyway.

Michail walked up to Nikko and punched him square in the face. Nikko didn't duck or swing back; he just took the punch he knew was coming. And the one he knew he deserved.

Michail glared at him and Nikko held up his hands.

"Are we good?" Nikko asked Michail.

"Yes." Michail growled. All the hair on Stephanie's neck stood straight up at the sound.

Nikko reached up and wiped the blood trickling from his nose. "What is it with you fuckers and my nose?"

Michail gave a nonchalant shrug. "I'll see you next week?"

"Yeah. I'll see you next week." Nikko grumbled and headed back towards the church.

Stephanie had been studying Michail. He was dressed in black slacks and a silky black t-shirt that looked painted on. Without a jacket, the sheer perfection of his male form was on display. The t-shirt showcased his broad shoulders and washboard stomach. A rose tattoo wrapped in barbed wire, with a dagger through it, peeked out from under the sleeve and ran down his forearm. His long hair was loose, and it looked soft, almost begging to be touched. She was pretty sure his hair was the only thing that was soft about Michail. He was all hard planes and sharp, beautiful angles.

He was a powerful and dangerous man, she reminded herself. Not someone she wanted to get crosswise with, and she was a little afraid the stunt she had pulled to get him out here might have put her in his crosshairs. Still, Stephanie couldn't help but admire the view. A woman would have to be dead not to notice Michail.

Stephanie gave Dimitri a little finger wave. He gave a tiny smile back. She was pretty sure he was blushing when he looked down and started toeing the ground.

Michail's gaze travelled over her, from her head to her toes and back up again, taking in everything about her. He made no attempt to be subtle in his assessment, but at least he didn't give her the same look of raw fury he gave Nikko. Of course, that might have been the better, safer choice. Anger, she understood. Whatever this look, it only served to confuse her. The perusal felt shockingly intimate and pulled every nerve in her body taut, setting her on edge. Stephanie's mouth went dry, and she swallowed with an audible click and forced herself not to fidget or step back. She'd made her bed, and now she got to sleep in it. A little too late, she figured out bed and Michail in the same sentence was probably a bad combination when her mind flashed to what he might look like naked. Heat crept up her neck and stained her cheeks.

She saw a flash of those perfect teeth and she was afraid he'd just read her mind. Stephanie doubled down on keeping her expression neutral and prayed the darkness hid her obvious embarrassment.

"Better." He finally said.

"Better?" Stephanie squeaked. Jesus, could she be anymore pathetic?

His lips tipped into an almost smile. "Yes Ms. Plum. As much as I enjoyed the view, and believe me, it was a nice one, this look suits you better. You're beautiful and fierce. You don't need to hide behind make-up and stupid shoes."

He reached out and toyed with a wayward curl and Stephanie stopped breathing. "I especially like the hair. Wild and untamed, it makes you look like a goddess." The silk in his voice slid over her like an intimate caress, and Stephanie was pretty sure a tiny whimper escaped her throat. She was so out of her element.

Stephanie's mouth popped open. So many things zoomed through her head like racecars in a grand prix.
"How do you know my name?" She finally asked. The other hundred things racing through her mind begging for an answer felt like a slippery slope to nowhere good.

Michail gave her a palms up gesture. "I wouldn't be very good at my job if I didn't."

Stephanie figured he had a fair point.

"Next time, do me a favor. Just call." Michail was smiling at her, his voice almost playful.

Stephanie marginally relaxed. At least Michail wasn't going to punch her. Probably. Her stunt had been impetuous and reckless, but it had worked. It had gotten Michail here.

She looked down at the ground and then back up and him. "I didn't know how to get in touch with you, so I did the only thing I could think of."

Michail chuckled. "What? Scare Maxim half to death?"

"Yeah, sorry about that."

"My brother had no idea what to think when you rolled into the restaurant ordered a cup of raf like a pro, sat down at his table, pulled a gun on him, and demanded he deliver a message to me."

Stephanie scrunched up her nose. "It might not have been one of my finer moments."

Stephanie had asked around, and no one knew where Michail was, but his little brother was a different story. He was a university student, and she hunted him down on campus and followed him to a little café. She was probably fifty shades of lucky his bodyguards hadn't shot her, or Michail didn't have her tied to a chair, pulling out her fingernails.

"It was ballsy. I was impressed, little fox. Maxim, he's different, though. He's not for this life. He's studying to be a doctor." Pride evident in his voice.

Stephanie looked over at Maxim. He was a younger carbon copy of Michail. Not quite as muscular, maybe a little taller. Holding that rifle as he scanned for threats, he looked pretty comfortable with this life to her. She decided she'd keep that to herself.

"What about you, Michail? Did you ever want to be a doctor?"

"My path was always set. It is what the family dictates. Maxim has a choice."

Stephanie felt a sadness ripple through her. She understood familial expectations, but her heart still ached for Michail. Her hand reached out of its own volition, and she tucked a piece of hair behind his ear. It was as soft and silky as it looked. His eyes fluttered closed for just a moment before her hand dropped to her side.

"Thank you." Stephanie told Michail. "I'm not sure what we would have done without you. I wasn't sure you would show."

"It was never a choice."

"Why?"

"Because you asked." Michail said simply. "I think you've put a spell on me, Ms. Plum. I seem powerless to deny you anything."

Stephanie was pretty sure he was teasing.

Michail gave a half shrug. "Besides, I hate flesh peddlers."

Michail looked into the distance, his eyes focused on some faraway memory, and then back at her. "A man should never touch a woman in anger. A man's touch should be about love and protection."

His gaze slid over her again, and a ripple of awareness snaked between them. "Or pleasure."

His eyes locked with hers and she felt heat flush up her neck as a blush bloomed on her cheeks. Like there could be any more innuendo in that statement.

"Never pain." He finished.

Stephanie had a feeling there was a lot more to that story.

Michail captivated her. He was such a study in contradictions, she had no idea what to make of him. He was simultaneously terrifying and enthralling, hard, yet soft. Ruthless but kind.

"What about a woman? What if her touch brings pain?"

"Then I'd have to ask what the man did to deserve it." Michail grinned at her.

Stephanie laughed. "Fair enough."

"You took out Vivek." It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes." Stephanie confirmed.

"It looks like my debt to you is growing."

"Why?"

Michail gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "Vivek tried to kill me."

"Do a lot of people try to kill you?"

"A surprising number." Michail confirmed. "You and Nikko make a formidable team."

Stephanie held up her hand. "Oh no, Nikko and I aren't a team."

Michail laughed, and Stephanie felt her gut clench. No, she was not getting sucked into Nikko's world, or Michail's, for that matter. This had been a brief foray into insanity. A onetime thing.

Luca and Nikko had been working to load the women into the various vehicles. Maxim handed each one of them a blanket and a bottle of water.

"Seriously Michail. Thank you and call me Stephanie. Ms. Plum makes me sound like my mother. Besides, it's not like you haven't seen my ass. I think we are past the formality at this point."

"Stephanie it is." Michail inclined his head. "For the record…"

Stephanie held up her hand, stopping him mid-sentence, and he flashed her an irreverent grin.

Michail motioned with his head to where Maxim was helping the women into the various vehicles. "I'll personally make sure each one of them sees a doctor and gets home. I give you my word."

Michail reached out and tucked a phone in the pocket of her windbreaker, his knuckles lightly brushing against her, lingering just a little longer than absolutely necessary, causing her skin to tingle and her nipples to pebble. His lips tipped up into a cocky smile. He knew exactly what he was doing, and exactly the effect it had.

"You're a bad boy Michail." Stephanie meant for it to sound teasing, but it came out way more like an invitation than she intended. A fresh wave of embarrassment washed over her.

Michail's eyes locked with hers. There was enough heat in them to light the night sky on fire. "For you little fox, I promise I would be very, very good." His silky voice had taken on a husky quality that made him seem even more dangerous and forbidden.

Holy hell. Stephanie thought it was entirely possible she was about to combust under his heated gaze. Sweat misted her skin and her teeth worried her bottom lip. Forbidden, that was the operative word. Confusion pulsed through her and she shifted on her feet, trying to find her equilibrium. Michail was a mystery, and some mysteries were meant to remain unsolved.

"I'll see you around Michail." Her voice shook ever so slightly.

She was impressed she had been able to speak at all. Her throat was constricted from something that had all the hallmarks of panic.

Michail cocked his head, his brow furrowed. He studied her for a minute and stepped back, giving her space. "OK little fox. Let me know when you change your mind."

When, not if. Stephanie wanted to tell him he was deranged, but her mouth couldn't quite form the words.

Michail cupped her face and kissed her on the right cheek, then left, then back to the right.

"Call me. Anytime. Day," Michail gave her a wolf grin. "Or night."

With that, he turned and strode away. Stephanie stared after him, wondering what the hell had just happened, momentarily distracted by the thought that Michail was very fine, both coming and going.

Nikko materialized out of nowhere, suddenly standing right next to her. Stephanie gave a startled yelp and clutched her chest; she was pretty sure he'd just given her a minor heart attack.

"Jesus, make some noise will you." Stephanie snapped. Nikko gave her a sorry, not sorry, look.

"You know what that was, right?" Nikko asked as he watched Michail walk off.

Stephanie doubted Nikko was watching Michail's fine backside walk off for the same reason she was.

"A kiss on the cheek?" Stephanie hedged; her voice sounded strained to her own ears.

Nikko studied her for a minute. "No, not just a kiss on the cheek. That is reserved for friends. I don't know what went down between the two of you, but Michail just welcomed you into his inner circle."

Stephanie's stomach did a little flip. She wasn't entirely sure how she felt about that, but she was pretty sure it had bad idea written all over it in neon flashing orange.

"Hmm." She made a noncommittal noise.

"I'm going to take some of the girls and go with Michail." Nikko told her.

"I thought you would go with Ashley."

"Nah, Les seems to have that covered. I'll meet them at the airstrip."

Stephanie looked over. Ashley was glued to Les' side. He had his big body wrapped around her, giving her support. Yep, that's how it started. Les was a goner. He just didn't know it yet.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you know an operator by the name of Gabriel Westwood?"

Nikko eyed her for a minute. "No, I don't know an operator that goes by that name. Why?"

Stephanie shrugged. "No reason."

"Don't miss me too much." Nikko winked at her. "I'll see you next time."

"There will not be a next time." Stephanie said firmly.

"Sure, there will, love." Nikko laughed as he jogged off.

"Don't get caught, and don't get shot." Stephanie called after him. Nikko gave her a little wave.

Stephanie sensed Ranger's approach, and his warm hand settled on the nape of her neck a second later. She'd recognize that touch anywhere. His hand infused her with calm. He was a safe harbor in this sea of craziness, and with each passing minute, she craved him more and more. She was starting to rely on him, and that made her nervous. She resisted the urge to lean into him, but just barely.

"You never disappoint, babe." They watched Nikko, Michail, and Maxim drive off into the night.

Ranger had taken her to see Maxim even when they both knew it was an incredibly stupid move. He'd supported her, stayed in the background, and backed her play. A man like that was rare.

"Looks like things went OK, with Michail."

Stephanie tilted up her shoulder. "Yeah."

Sure, if making friends with the head of the Russian bratva could be deemed good, then things with Michail had gone swimmingly.

"How's the headache?"

"If I don't move, it's fine."

Ranger gave her a small smile. "You ready to go be a decoy?"

"Yeah, let me just check in with Jack and Luca."

Les approached Stephanie. He looked a little sheepish. "Hey Steph, I need a favor."

Stephanie listened and nodded, handing him a backpack.

"Thanks Steph."

"Of course." She didn't know why she hadn't thought of it earlier.

"You good with going with Jack and Luca to transport Ms. Ryan?" Stephanie asked Les. "They are going to drive her to the marina and then take a boat into Germany where we have a plane on standby."

Les looked over at Ashley, indecision warring across his face. He ran his hand through his hair. "Yeah, I'm good."

Stephanie watched Les go and wondered if he realized how utterly screwed, he was.

Stephanie turned to Jack and Luca. "I want the two of you to go with Santos and Ms. Ryan. I'm going to go with Ranger and make a show of being seen. With Vivek dead and Alexi under Nikko's thumb, it probably isn't necessary, but I don't want to take any chances. We're this close to the end-zone, we don't want to fumble."

Luca eyed her coolly. Skepticism evident on his face as his gaze travelled between her and Ranger.

"Luca, I know this is a change, but Ms. Ryan has been traumatized. I think you are the better choice to go with Jack and Les. You can talk to her, make her more comfortable. She's getting on a boat with three men she doesn't know and after what happened to her, you need to understand she's got every right to be anxious."

Luca held Stephanie's gaze. "You're absolutely right. We'll do our best to respect her boundaries and ease her concerns. I'll see you at the airstrip."

The last part of that statement was really a loaded question. Luca was asking if she was going to the Keys with him or if she'd changed her mind. Stephanie hesitated a second, a thousand conflicting emotions marching through her head, and that is exactly why she needed to go to the Keys with Luca. She needed time to think. She needed distance. When Ranger was near, he dominated her thoughts, her senses.

"Yes, I'll see you at the airstrip." Stephanie confirmed.

Some of the tension eased out of Luca's shoulders and his expression relaxed. The tension coiling through her kicked up a notch until it felt like an overwound spring in her belly.

She told herself she was making the right choice, getting some down time, some perspective. For the last week, they'd all been on this crazy train. She'd rolled from one unhinged moment to the next, each one a little more ludicrous than the last. A step back was the right choice for everyone. So why was it that deep in her gut, it didn't feel like the right choice?

.

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A/N: Raf (A Russian coffee drink) - According to legend, this drink originated when a man named Rafael walked into a Russian cafe in search of something new. The barista whipped up a combination of espresso, vanilla sugar, and cream, named it after the customer, and the rest is history!

1 shot espresso

1.5 teaspoons vanilla sugar

4 ounces cream

Steam all ingredients together.