AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you for your loverly reviews… I enjoyed them. Sorry for the long update, but my dog died, then his son got hit by a car, and I had to go out of town, so I have been busy. Let me know is you like this introduction or not. This will go in Chapter 1… Please review. My promise STILL stands. I hope you enjoy this chapter… you learn some secrets, new characters, and character's plans.

ENJOY AND REVIEW!

Introduction

William Addams, the Russian Chief of Investigations, is alive after thought dead, and a tale of love, deceit, adventure, and hate is brought to life as William's past catches up with him. Jack Finnedly, a terrorist who left William's face an abhorrent mess when William was two weeks old, is no longer a threat to Addams. Thus, a new threat arrives to destroy his life. See how William overcomes all odds for his family, as well as, his own demons on a quest of danger and valor to save not only himself, but also the woman that he loves.

Chapter 14- Love and Loss

The weather was cold and crisp, but it had not snowed. The sky was blue and only a few white clouds dotted the sky. When we had landed, Michael escorted me to his awaiting limo. Moscow's St. Basil's Cathedral jutted forward into the sky and I could not help but gawk at the structure while Michael directed the driver.

The plane ride was long; Michael did not reveal much about himself to me other than that he had been married once and had a son and daughter. However, he lost his son to his enemy who murdered him. In turn, I revealed things from my past: how William and I met, my children's death, my loss. I had cried when I told him of the brutal murders of my own flesh and blood. He sympathized with me and before we knew it, we had landed.

Upon arrival, there was a group waiting at the entrance for Michael. His daughter, Angel, around the age of four ran to him. My heart ached as I saw him embrace her. The other two women I did not recognize until Michael introduced me to them.

"Stacy, this is Carol," he pointed to the blonde.

She said "hello" in Russian; I responded.

He then pointed to the dark-haired woman and said, "This is Rachel." She smiled and talked to me. I immediately picked up on her American accent but refrained from saying a word.

Now we were all sitting in the back of the limo. Apparently there were ill-feelings between the two moody women. They kept staring death stares at each other while Michael's dark brown eyes brooded with thought. I broke the awkward silence.

"What am I supposed to do now?"

Michael handed me a letter saying, "William wanted me to give you this before you get to see him."

I took a deep breath before reading it:

My love,

I know I have put you through a lot the past few months, but I do love you. I miss you so much, and I promise that I will make it up to you. Daroga, Hugo, and Kushoff sent me to an insane asylum against my will. I know you probably want nothing to do with me, but I had rather hear it from you. I will never stop loving you nor will I stop apologizing for my atrocious behavior. The only thing keeping me sane in this hell-hole is thoughts of you. Always remember our wedding day. It is my fault that our kids died, and I took my pain and anger out on you. There is no excuse for that. I order you to stay with Michael Stranzo, at least until I can prepare a place for us that is safe. Always be on your guard. Michael is indebted to me, but I do not trust him. He is the leader of the Russian Mafia. Yes, I know, but I know he will keep you safe. Be on your guar, for I do not trust him. Keep your eyes open at all times. I love you, my Linka, and I will see you within a week's time. Stranzo has a good heart, but he hates disloyalty. Don't worry. You are loyal to me and he will see that. I WILL come back for you, but be on your guard. I cannot stress that enough. I love you always.

Yours truly,

William

With shaking hands, I put the letter in my coat pocket and found Michael staring at me intently.

He paused before speaking to me, "Stacy, William has told me much about you, but I believe he has not told you of me. As you know, my name is Michael Stranzo. Carol is my ex-wife and we have two kids together, Michael II and Angel. Michael was murdered at the age of ten, and Angel is three. I was married before Carol and she was murdered tragically. Your husband solved her murder ten years ago. My son was recently kidnapped and murdered, and your husband is gathering information from the investigation, so that I may know who killed him."

His eyes became cold and distant as he reflected his past. I whispered, recounting my own senseless losses, "I am so sorry. I know all too well of losing a child. My four children were murdered because of my husband's job."

At that moment, I bit my tongue, knowing I had said too much. He wasn't supposed to know I had knowledge he was the Mafia boss, but my fear subsided when Carol held my hand. It was fulfilling to have a mother comfort another mother. I smiled gratefully, but I did notice that Rachel seemed uncomfortable. She looked so familiar, but I could not place her anywhere. My mind was reeling, and then it hit me.

"You're Rachel Varnett, the FBI profiler. I read many of your articles on serial killers and murderers. I was very impressed. I suppose the theories of your murder were wrong. Anyhow, your secret is safe with me."

"Thank-you, but why would you not tell? You don't know me."

"Sometimes we all have our own secrets, and besides, it is not my place to talk. If you want to be dead and stay gone, then that is your choice."

Michael appeared stunned by what I said. Carol glared at Rachel before sitting back, sulking. Looking at Michael, I inquired as to where he lived.

"I live in a mansion in a secluded spot outside of St. Petersburg."

"Oh, it must be nice."

"It's lovely."

I looked at my folded hands pondering my situation. It keeps becoming more strange and complicated as time goes by. When I peeked at my wristwatch, I realized that time had flown by four hours.

The weather was unusually warm for the time of the year, and the air was thick with moisture. The clouds were a dull grey and a heavy fog surfaced over the dull landscape.

As we pulled into the driveway, all I saw was the thick fog, but then a lush mansion emerges from the fog. It was three stories tall with green moss covering the left side of the façade. There were four adjacent rectangular windows. The building appeared to be made of some masonry stone. Atop the roof edges sat four immense dreary-looking gargoyles.

Facing Michael, I stated, "My husband would love the architecture of your home."

"Just wait until you see the inside," was his reply.

His house, if one can call it that, had eight bedrooms; five fully accessorized bathrooms; a large living, dining, and library room filled with ornately foreign furniture. The indoor garden was exceptionally beautiful, and I also saw the horse stables past the pond.

"Mr. Stranzo, your property is absolutely breath-taking!"

"I am glad you like it, for you shall be here at least a week for what your husband told me."

Nodding slightly, I stared out the window, gripping my arms, silently wishing it was William's arms around me. Closing my eyes, I envisioned William and me in a lover's night of passion. A hand on my shoulder brought me back to reality.

"I will show you your room."

When I was settled in, I stayed in my room and just cried. It seems that all I do now is cry. I missed my kids more than anything and now I felt hollow where my heart used to be. I wanted the father of my children back to comfort me, to hold me, and to tell me what I am feeling is normal. I wanted him to protect me, but most importantly, to love me. Before I knew it, my conflicting thoughts ceased as I drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

I never knew that Nicholas arrived in Russia towards midnight and had brought Richard, who was irate, to contact the daroga to find out where I had 'been stashed.' If only they knew what they were getting themselves into, I doubt they would have stepped any further. I also did not know that Richard and Nicholas were plotting to either throw William in jail or kill him, but they agreed that the latter was more realistic.

Hearing shouts and scores of yells, I slowly descended the stairs, still in dreamy haze from just waking up. I saw Carol clutching a gun aimed at Rachel while Michael tried to intervene.

"You don't want to do this, Carol. Angel is upstairs asleep."

As soon as I saw her wild eyes, I immediately knew she had lost touch with reality.

"I am getting rid of Rachel, Michael. She is out to get me!" With her finger on the trigger, Michael and I ran to the gun as it shot out.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the end… I love cliff-hangers! Don't you? You will not find out who has been shot until Chapter 16… I am evil! MUHAHAHAAAAAHA… ha…. And anyways… next chapter… there will be an escape.

Chapter 15- Insanely Escaping the Insane coming soon….