I am alive… Mostly.
aaaaaa
After Bernie had left the apartment, Kate had begged him to take her to the hospital to see her brother and Ron. And if he was being honest with himself, he needed to check in with them too. He had been too lax in his approach, and he couldn't believe he hadn't spotted all the weapons on the assailant. He should have seen the knife. Been aware of every possible attack that could have come his way… Except he wasn't. Ron had paid the price for his misjudgment and sloppiness.
And if that wasn't enough to have the guilt start to press down on his shoulders- Francis had almost been blown up.
There was no mistaking that the apartment had been a setup. He was almost one hundred percent sure that he was meant to find the unit, step on the landmine, and either die before someone saw the photos or have someone else discover the truth while trying to rescue him. It had been staged so perfectly. Dead body of the actual hacker as a diversion, a blade like Darko's shoved into the chest, the bedroom trashed to look like a hurried break-in, only for the real trap to be an explosive device under some paper directly in front of the picture of Derrick's death.
He was dealing with an expert- of that, he was sure.
His thoughts kept spiraling further and further down his list of people who knew of his assassination of Derrick. Bernie knew as he had told him one night while recovering in the hospital. The depressing thoughts of everything had caught up with him and he had spent hours telling him everything that he had done since stepping foot in Liberty City. He left no detail out and never watered down his crimes. He was guilty of so much. Even if Bernie tried to tell him it wasn't all his fault.
Francis of course knew. He was only a foot away when the bullet tore through Derrick's head. He had driven past the scene of the crime as he was fleeing the area and saw how Francis crumbled down over the corpse of his brother. He had felt so cold and detached from his own life that he hadn't bothered to stop and play the part of the concerned family friend. Granted he had the murder weapon on him and needed to dispose of it immediately. The Humboldt had been the perfect dumping place.
Derrick was correct in that it was some kind of Cain and Abel story… Cain continued to walk the Earth, marked of the murder he had committed, only to continually escape death.
By now Niko should have become accustomed to hospitals. It seemed like they were all destined to end up in one once every few months. The security had at least improved since the last time he had been in the Holland Hospital. Armed police officers patrolled the streets outside, NOOSE agents walked the halls, and FIB agents checked people as they entered patient's rooms. He wanted to believe it was overkill, but with how close of a call it had been, he understood their need to up the security.
It wasn't too difficult to swap out the image for Ron standing outside Packie's room and he shook his head to clear it of the thought. That night had been extremely eventful for so many reasons. Packie getting poisoned, Karen fighting him, the full-scale Russian attack, finding out Ray Bulgarin had been killed in a plane accident, the confrontation with Natalya, and then getting to be intimate with Kate. How he hadn't collapsed from pure exhaustion was beyond him.
He was suffering from such rapid shifts in mood that he would put them in danger if he couldn't snap out of it. There would be a time and place for him to sort through everything, and now was not the time. He was sitting in a very familiar looking ICU room listening to Kate and Francis talk softly. Their voices were smooth and light, and he tried to focus on what was around him and not get lost in the internal dialog that wouldn't leave him be. He was meant to be the protective one- alert, aware, and ready.
And he felt so far from ready.
The trigger was heavy and stiff but did nothing to slow his finger as it pressed on it. The kick back into his shoulder from the sniper. The thunderous crack. Derrick's head snapping to the side from the high velocity bullet.
He snapped his eyes open as the memory tore through him. His hands fisted into his jacket where his arms were crossed over his chest. He glanced up to the two siblings as they continued to talk about random things, completely unaware of the mental torture he was putting himself through. He let out a shaky breath, closing his eyes, and shoved his thoughts to the side- even if the numerous pictures in the apartment unit screamed that things were not alright with the world.
'This is way too close. I need to go back and make sure it was all destroyed…'
A small laugh pulled him from his inner turmoil. He cracked his eyes open to see Kate stifle her laugh behind her hand as she doted over her brother in the hospital bed. Her bright eyes turned his way before dropping to a concerned glance. He shook his head minutely to tell her things were okay. He could read clearly how confused she was by his behavior and if he didn't get it together soon, she was bound to start with the thousands of questions. They were there to check on Francis and Ron, not continue to dig down into their own issues.
"You okay over there? Maybe you should be in this damn bed instead of me!" Francis attempted a joke but failed. He plopped down into the thin pillow and rubbed at his throbbing head.
"I'm good. Just processing how close it was." Niko leaned back into the wall and window. The stiff cushions of the convertible couch provided little to no comfort, and he shifted around to try and get into a relaxed position. It didn't look like Kate was ready to leave her brother's side just yet, and he knew that meant they could be in the hospital room for another hour or so.
"It was…" Francis shook his head and stared up at the ceiling, "I know Mitt and Ron's partner will be by any minute. I'll have to give my official statement of what went down. You will probably be questioned too. Leave the rooftop explanation to me. And if they ask, I gave you permission to assist. Lord knows if you hadn't been there with us, we probably would've been planning funerals."
"I don't think I've said it enough times but thank you Niko. You've saved my brother and the other officers." Kate patted her brother's hand and smiled in her boyfriend's direction.
Niko only nodded his head and made eye contact with Francis, who grimly returned the nod. While he may have kept Francis from being ripped to shreds from a landmine, he had killed her other brother. There was so much that needed to be discussed between Francis and him. They were going to be questioned by the higher ups in the LCPD about the explosion. They were probably going to be scrutinized for the endangerment of the city. But deep down all he cared about was making sure their secret was kept silent and hidden.
"That he did…" Francis groaned before succumbing to a rough coughing spell. Kate leaned forward and helped him sit up on the bed, patting his back to help dissipate the hacking, "Yeah, yeah. This is what I get for cutting myself with a knife that had been stuck in a dead body for who knows how long!" Francis rolled his eyes and scratched his jaw. His skin was pale, and he couldn't stop sweating. The doctors told him he had a blood infection and would need to stay a day or two for observation and treatment. The wound itself wasn't bad; ten stiches and a large bandage. But the bad blood that had entered his body from the blade was more concerning. Which explained the blood transfusion machine he was hooked up to as well as the IV of medicine and fluids. The oxygen nose respirator was annoying, and he pulled it down below his chin.
"Let me check to make sure you didn't tear any of your stiches…" Kate handed him the cup of water from his side table, hoping the cool water would soothe his throat.
"I'm fine Katie. Just need to rest and recover. I'll be back out on the streets in no time." He gulped down the water and handed the cup back to her, "Can't let this bastard get away."
"I agree with Francis. Whoever this is, we need to find them quickly." 'And for more than one reason…' Niko nodded again once Francis looked his way. They both understood how important it was to capture the culprit of the bombing, as well as the attack on Ron. And for once he planned on taking the person alive in order to get information about who they worked for and why they were so interested in Derrick's murder. Although there were other photos in the room of all his crimes and murders. If someone was trying to frame him or ruin his life, they were on the right track.
"Just no more crazy stunts, please?" She lifted Francis' hand to her face and turned it to be able to rest her cheek in his palm. Seeing him in a hospital bed was bringing back memories of being in one herself and not understanding what was going on… Only to have the reality of her capture come racing back to her. The more she thought about what went on in their crazy morning, the more she wanted to steal everyone away and go find some remote island to hide out on.
A loud knock came from the door before it was shoved open completely. Mitt walked in, hat tucked under his arm, and scanned the room smiling at everyone he saw. Another person walked in behind him and shuffled over to the far wall, keeping everyone within their line of sight. The silence that descended upon the room was heavy and Francis didn't like the way it pressed down on his body.
"Hi Mr. Commissioner, long time no see." Kate smiled at Mitt and nervously tucked a couple of loose strands of hair behind her ear. She turned mostly around on the bed in order to properly address the head of the police force. Carefully she smoothed out her sweater wanting to look presentable and not embarrass her brother in front of his boss.
"Pretty sure it's becoming common place to run into one McReary and our famous hero every other month. How are you doing son?" Mitt extended his hand out for Niko to shake and took a couple steps in his direction.
"I'm doing alright. How about you?" Niko stood up quickly and shook the Police Commissioner's hand. It was probably the first time he had been introduced to him properly and he took his time observing the Police Commissioner. His uniform was in pristine condition- every crisp fold, adornment, and crease was as it should be, in perfect placement. A service weapon sat in a holster on his hip and looked to have been rarely used as the strap over the hilt had hardly any wear and tear. His graying hair and sunken eyes screamed of high stress and anxiety.
"Hope you're doing more than alright. I have you to thank for saving my second in command!" Mitt released Niko's hand and crossed his arms. This was the first time he had been able to meet the man who had singlehandedly brought down Natalya and created a peace between all the mafias in Liberty. The man who stood before him gave off a casual air, but he knew better. From all the stories he had heard from Francis, Ron, and other various members from the IAA, Niko was one highly skilled man.
"Stop with the flattery already!" Francis croaked out from his place on the hospital bed and shook his head negatively. He got along with Mitt about as well as he did with Niko. There was an understanding of how things were and worked, and then there was a weird sense of rivalry that bounced back and forth. But at the end of the day Mitt was his boss and he would do what he was told no matter what.
"Right, right. I can see you just absolutely hate having something nice said about you." Mitt rolled his eyes and laughed, "We will need to get your two statements soon. Official police protocol and all."
"Uh sure." Niko moved back to the convertible couch and sat back down. He narrowed his eyes at the Commissioner and glanced at Francis who was staring at him with a blank look. They needed to have a few minutes to discuss what they were going to say or figure out what was left of the apartment unit. For all he knew LCPD had found an incrimination photo of him and was cornering him in a hospital room to arrest him.
"And if you two wouldn't mind, I'd like to get started." A tight, clipped, and punitive feminine accented voice spoke out in the room.
Kate, Niko, and Francis shifted their attention to the far wall and noticed the other person in the room. A young woman stood rigidly straight against the surface, and she had a rather murderous glint to her eyes. Dark hair was French braided back into a tightly woven bun that rested at the nape of her neck. Clothing that would otherwise be considered out of dress code for the LCPD graced her tone and fit body. The long sleeved, lightweight, black sweater clung to her curves but stretched to allow for full range of motion. But the only thing that was labeled with the signature LCPD logo was the heavyweight jacket that hung from her small frame.
"Kate, Niko, I'd like you to meet Ron's partner. Detective Avia Rosen, Ron's partner out of the Westminster Station." Mitt motioned to the young woman standing away from them all, "And she was just going to take Francis' statement before heading to the scene of the crime. And now that you are here Niko, she can get yours as well."
"Pleasure." Avia somewhat snapped as she shoved up off the wall, "I will start with yours." She crossed her arms under her chest and kept her eyes trained on Niko.
"Detective it can wait a moment. They have come all the way down here to make sure our Deputy Commissioner is okay. Relax for a change of pace. There is plenty of time in the day." Mitt slanted his eyebrows down and gave her the look that read 'do as I say or leave.'
"Fine." She dramatically rolled her eyes and held up her hands before plopping down on the stationary armchair in the corner of the room. "But the sooner we know what they saw and what we need to look for in the destroyed apartment, the quicker we can catch the suspect."
"The computer hacker was murdered before we entered the unit. We were searching the bedroom for other explosive devices so it could be cleared for you to start your investigation. Unfortunately, we found a landmine in a not so pleasant manner." Niko turned his body to face the female that was giving him warning signals. She was brash, rough around the edges, and it set his defenses up. It was times like this that he missed having a weapon on him.
"I told you Detective earlier on the phone- Niko accidentally stepped down on it when we were shifting through the documents on the bed. I traded places with him so he could try and disarm it." Francis fisted his hands into the thin sheet over his body and glared at Ron's partner. He didn't get along with her, but he couldn't refute the accolades of her service record. She was excellent at her job and was a force to be reckoned with when it came to fights and shooting. Ron always defended her to him, and he begrudgingly looked the other way when it came to her more direct confrontations with him.
"And you are some kind of explosive expert?" She turned her glare from Francis to Niko and pulled a notepad out from her jacket pocket, twirling a pen between her fingers to take notes.
"I have experience with certain explosive devices, yes." Niko did not like where this was going. She was staring at him as if she could see right through his lies and half-truths.
"Where did your training come from? You don't exactly strike me as a mechanic or engineer." She glanced down to her pad and scribbled a couple of things down. She paused in her writing and looked up to the man that had saved her boss, "That accent. Balkans? Perhaps somewhere around the Adriatic? I hear there was a rather brutal war that tore an entire nation apart. The stories are… fascinating. If you hail from one of the numerous military branches or scrappy militias, then I can safely bet you have plenty of expertise in blowing things up."
"I beg your pardon-!" Kate started.
"Rosen. You best not plan on interrogating him in this hospital room, and I suggest you change your tone and line of questioning. We have him to thank for killing Natalya and her entire operation. She wasn't even on our radar, and he managed to find her and bring an end to her terrorism. Show some respect where it is due!" Mitt raised his voice and took a step in her direction before lowering his scolding to an even threatening tone, "Step out into the hall and reassess your thinking. Next time will result in disciplinary action." He challenged her to disobey his direct order.
"Yes boss." She narrowed her eyes toward Niko and flipped the cover closed on her notepad shoving it back into the breast pocket of her jacket. She stood up gracefully and marched toward the door, not once letting her eyes off the man she had only heard stories about. She would do some more digging when she got back to the station later. 'Maybe my contacts know something more about him…'
The door clicked softly as it closed behind her, "I told you. Pain in my ass." Francis grumbled out.
"She's a good detective Francis. You know that." Mitt sighed heavily and took her spot on the chair, "But yeah. Real pain in the ass. She's not used to American culture or reading a situation."
"She strikes me as someone who asks for forgiveness and not permission." Kate patted her brother's fist before lifting off the bed. The whole confrontation left her feeling weird. She didn't know what to make of the detective's assessment of Niko. While it angered her greatly that she practically slapped Niko in the face with bringing up the war, it also reminded her that Niko probably did know a great deal about bombs and fighting. It was just one more side of Niko she didn't know, and she hated the secrets.
"Maybe you should be a detective. Fairly spot on there sis." Francis chuckled and shared a knowing look with Mitt. They had a betting pool on how soon Kate would go off on Ron's partner, and was only slightly mad that Mitt had stopped the outburst. It was only a matter of time before the fuse lit and sparks started to fly. He knew his sister ran the gauntlet on arguments and take downs. He had witnessed several directed at their other brothers… as well as one too many directed at him. He rubbed his cheek when the fantom pain flared from her slaps she landed on him.
"Ugh! Not you too. I told Mitt I was thinking about it. I highly doubt LCPD is where I belong!" Kate huffed and crossed her arms tightly, feeling the heat flush her face. 'Wait. Shit! I haven't told Niko!' She darted her eyes over to her boyfriend to see if he had picked up on the underlying meaning.
"Told Mitt what?" Francis lowered his hand from his cheek and stared at his sister. He was only joking and had no idea what she was talking about.
"It's nothing Francis." Mitt clasped his hands in front of him and schooled his features. He hadn't spoken to him yet about offering Kate a position in the Westminster office. The last office lady quit shortly before the terrorist attack on the Suffolk church, and they were in need of someone to do data entry and correctly storing old case files. Mitch was overloaded as it was, and they needed more boots on the streets than in the office.
"Mitt. What did you offer my sister?" He glared at his boss not liking the idea of secrets being kept from him from within his job. There was blind trust he had to give his boss and involving his family in anything crossed a very bold line in his book.
"Frankie, he offered me a job when he found out I quit working at the Community Center. I was the front desk attendant as well as an ambassador to the patrons that held programs there. I haven't really given it much thought and honestly! I just don't see myself wearing the uniform." 'Or putting up a wall between Gerry and Packie and me. Or Niko for that matter… I could never work with the ones that want them all behind bars…'
"It's clerical work. Business casual. But the offer stands. Once Francis takes over my role permanently, he will need to fill that vacancy." Mitt ran a hand through his gray hair and glanced between all the people in the room. He hadn't meant for the offer to be such a big deal, and now he was regretting offering it to her. He could see the tension build between everyone.
Niko was floored. She hadn't once mentioned the idea of getting a new job. She had been relieved to be done at the community center, and after everything she had been dealing with, he was perfectly content on being in the apartment with her day in and day out. He had more than enough money to sustain them for a few years. But to work for the LCPD? Like Francis? He wasn't sure how Gerry would take it. Packie would fuss but would ultimately back down. Gerry on the other hand? The story of the fight between Francis and Gerry was enough to make him think Kate hadn't given the notion any thought.
"It's your decision Kate. I would just talk to Ger-Packie first." Francis had almost slipped up. Everyone believed Gerry was dead. The entire LCPD, FIB, and civilian population believed the notorious McReary brother was dead- buried six feet under in Steinway next to Derrick.
"Speaking of you taking over as Police Commissioner- I have some good news. The internal suits that be, have all unanimously voted in your favor. I got the call from the incumbent Mayor Ochoa's office that he placed his seal of approval on the paperwork. Congratulations Francis McReary, you are now going to be the Police Commissioner. I am filing my retirement paperwork this afternoon at City Hall." Mitt stood up slowly and approached the side of the hospital bed, extending his hand out to congratulate Francis on this accomplishment.
"Frankie!" Kate sucked in a breath and watched as her brother went still on the bed. It was everything he had ever dreamed about! It was what their Ma would gush about while making a meal in front of the stove with her. Every moment she had been out at lunch with him or her few interactions with Mitt all rushed to the front of her mind. Her brother was about to be in charge of the LCPD!
"I-I don't. I don't believe it…" Francis couldn't form a single thought. He had just been given the most important news in his life. And yet he felt hollow. He shakily grasped Mitt's hand and returned the handshake. All he could see was Derrick being repeatedly killed in front of him, the shotgun that blasted twice into his chest, Kate as she feebly crawled toward him in the church basement before everything went dark, the fireball that chased out into the hall at the apartment unit.
'I don't deserve this…'
"Better start believing it. Once I hand over the papers to the mayor, the planning of your swearing in and acceptance party starts!" Mitt smiled brightly at the shocked expression that was splashed across Francis' face, "I was going to wait to tell you later. But I figured you could use a pick me up. Been one hell of a morning and it's just now lunch time!"
"Congratulations Frankie!" Kate almost squealed in her delight at hearing the good news. She launched herself onto the bed and bearhugged her brother. She just couldn't believe the good fortune that was coming his way.
Francis returned the hug best he could through the searing pain on his side and looked up over her head toward Niko. Once he locked eyes with him, he knew- there was much to discuss and talk about. They had some seriously dangerous people after them that knew some dark secrets. The pictures on the walls of the apartment may have all been destroyed in the blast, but someone out there knew. Had escaped from their grasp and was out there roaming the streets. Planning their next attack.
Niko's cell phone started to ring loudly in the room, and he removed it from his pocket to see Gerry's name flashing as the incoming caller. He looked up toward Francis had gave a slight nod, "I have to take this. I'll step out in the hall." Silently he moved out of the ICU room and out into the hall. He nodded to the FIB agent who was standing outside the room next door and started to head back down toward the service elevators, clicking the answer button and lifting the phone to his ear.
"Just caught a news segment on the radio. Is Francis dead?" Gerry talked in a low tone, and it made Niko wonder if he was trying to stay quiet.
"No. I am at the hospital visiting with him now. Kate is with me. He will be here a day or two." Niko shoved his free hand into his pocket and watched the doors carefully. He would watch what he said out loud. He didn't need to blow Gerry's cover.
"Shit. They said something about an explosion and that an officer was wounded, and the Deputy Commissioner was hurt in the blast. Can't trust a word these idiots say. So, what really happened?" Gerry always had a way of projecting what he wasn't saying, and all Niko could do was guess and put the puzzle pieces together.
"He called me to help put the last of Natalya's gang to rest. Someone set a trap and was waiting for us. Things went to shit quickly." Niko sighed and leaned into the wall just before the entrance to the service elevators. He briefly remembered the confrontation between Karen and Badman that took place before they entered the elevator to head down to the first floor.
"Kate called me asking about Robert. I can swear to you he had nothing to do with whatever you were doing with Francis. Look-" Gerry let out a long sigh and Niko could hear rustling on the other end of the line, "I just got done with a business meeting. The head of the table had some rather interesting news and I think you need to be told. It seems like things are about to start up again around Liberty."
"You sure you can trust him? He isn't exactly the most straight forward person in the city. And with his ledger clear and free, there are no favors to call in. Kind of going in blind with him." Niko thumped his head back into the wall and glared at the ceiling. 'Great. Petrovic is stirring up shit and here I thought things were settled…'
"Tell me about it. But I am somewhat in debt to him. Stop by the house tonight so I can fill you in. I'm hosting a dinner meeting. Guest list will be the usual suspects, nothing fancy. Bring Katie too." Gerry huffed out a despondent sound.
"Dinner tonight? Sounds like a plan. Kate will be excited to see you." Niko slowly let his shoulders drop and felt his stomach pitch uncomfortably. Kate hadn't stepped foot in her old home since he took her back to his apartment in Middle Park East. He was sure the experience wouldn't be completely pleasant… Especially after the morning she had.
"See you tonight at the house. Don't be late. No one likes a tardy guest." Gerry ended the call abruptly.
"Fucking great. This day just keeps getting worse!" Niko grumbled in Serbian and shoved his phone into his pocket.
"Sounds like trouble in paradise." The voice of Detective Rosen called from around the corner in a light manner, but Niko could hear the hostile undertones.
"You would know about that sort of thing." Niko turned his head toward the edge of the wall that separated the service elevator hall and prepared himself for a fight. He couldn't quite place her accent, but with the weapons he had seen and shouldn't have been able to see, he knew she was either military trained or took her job very serious. And right now, a good fist fight would let out some steam.
"My home isn't exactly safe. Neither was yours once upon a time." Avia leaned into the wall in the service elevator hallway and let out a long sigh. She had almost lost her partner and she was having difficulty settling her nerves. She knew Ron could handle himself, but when she had received the officer down call, she had scrambled to leave the office and get to his location.
"War is difficult. Yes?" Niko could hear her even breathing and figured she was leaning on the same wall as him. He struck his knuckles on the wall and heard the returned knock.
"That it is. Changes people." Avia turned and poked her head around the corner to lock eyes with the man that her partner could not shut up about. Every story sounded outlandish and over the top. The city faced constant conflict and here was this man jumping motorcycles up in the air to land in a helicopter and running headfirst into danger for the love of his life. This wasn't some fairytale they lived in. She resented the gallantry to the nth degree.
"Sometimes not for the best." He took in her features. The deep, rich, brown eyes, the dark hair that formed a widow's peak on her forehead, her somewhat tan skin- he guessed she was from somewhere in the middle east. Underneath the rough surface he could tell things were bothering her, but like himself, wasn't comfortable with being vulnerable around people.
"But other times for the betterment of society." She shot her eyes down the hall and let out a huff. She didn't want to know him. She actually wanted nothing to do with him and had actively avoided ever being in the same building as Niko. And now she was going to have to deal with him and figure out who had attacked her partner. She took a deep breath and forced herself to look back into Niko's guarded expression, "Look. We do not have to like each other or get along. But I have a job to do. And like it or not, I need to know what took place that got my partner injured. He is still unconscious in the room next to Deputy McReary."
Niko searched her eyes and could almost see the flicker of something more before she shut herself off. 'Definite defense tactic. She may seem rude and off-putting, but crack that shell…' He turned to face her and crossed his arms, leaning heavily into the wall. He shifted his feet so he would be able to defend himself, if necessary, but it gave off a relaxed stance, and would let him know just how trained she was, "What do you need to know. Just the facts?"
"Facts are a good place to start. The blade used was the typical choice in the military units here in this country. I took the one that was in my partner's chest, as well as the one that caused Deputy McReary's injury, to our forensics team. I made sure to label them and keep them separate." She walked around the corner to be able to see him better. One quick assessment told her he was not to be messed with.
"Might want to send any prints you get to Interpol. I have a feeling about the one that was in the dead hacker. The person who attacked Ron was very skilled. More so than anyone I've run into here in Liberty. They were heavily armed with concealed weapons. Like the knives at your waist and boots. They attempted to kill Ron before I shot them at close range with the rifle I borrowed from the surveillance van. They took off, I gave chase, and Ron joined me in my pursuit. That's when they threw a knife toward me." Niko looked away not feeling comfortable telling her that Ron had shoved him out of the way and took the hit.
"My partner is a very noble and kind human being. He would've given his own life to save you. Is that what happened?" Her voice softened considerably, and it caused Niko to look back to her.
"Yes. He shouldered into me and took the hit. Had the knife hit me, I would've died." He didn't look away from her. He focused on her eyes so she would know that he hadn't meant for Ron to get hurt. He would never want to put someone in harm's way if he could help it. He felt responsible for the mornings events and was ready to take the blame for letting Ron get injured in his place.
"He idolizes you. And he adores Kate. He is a good man. There aren't many in this city to being with." She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and glanced back down the hall needing the distraction, absentmindedly feeling for the knife at her waist he had called out. She didn't want to see what Ron saw in him and she shook her head before getting back on topic, "The dead hacker? Was it a clean ID?"
"Francis made a positive ID before I stepped on the landmine. We traded places after you left the unit so I could try to disarm it. Was rather sophisticated than ones I'm used to. I rigged it to give us enough time to get out into the hall before it went off." He changed which foot he was leaning his weight on and shoved his hands into his pockets. He had no weapon on him and it left him feeling naked. He also had to school his reactions as he was giving Francis' lie to her.
"Clearly it didn't give you enough time to get out of the blast radius. Deputy McReary was injured in the explosion. Careless, reckless, and dangerous. Is that your style Mr. Bellic?" Her eyebrow lifted in a silent challenge.
"I have no style. I only cared about getting Francis and myself out of the unit before it blew up." He recognized the same fire that she exuded in the ICU room and prepared himself to watch what he said. 'She is good at pushing people's buttons and getting what she wants. Karen would have a field day with her.'
"You must not have cared too much. Bomb squad and our remote robot was present. You could have waited for them to arrive and defuse the bomb." She lifted one of her hands and inspected her fingernails, picking at one of them with her thumb. She shifted her eyes from her hand to his and let the corner of her mouth jerk into a mischievous smirk.
"Landmines have an internal clock that will eventually detonate once the pressure plate is activated. It's to ensure the target is destroyed- even if they stand perfectly still on top of it for a long time. I didn't want to risk the chance of it exploding before help arrived. Unless you would have me take that chance?" He frowned at her. He probably could have waited for help, but then their secrets would have been exposed and that was not an option.
"No. You did the right thing. Thank you for your statement. I plan on heading back to the unit once I get the all clear from the Fire Marshal. You wish to be kept in the loop, yes?" She crossed her arms and tilted her head to regard the man that had blown up several floors of a run-down apartment building.
"That would be good. I'm not sure if this person will come after Francis or me again. I do not want Kate to be in danger." Niko turned to face the hallway when a door opened further down the hall. Kate emerged and looked his way, giving him a small wave, before entering into a different door. He assumed it was Ron's room.
"I can offer protective detail for the three of you?" Avia glanced to where Kate entered into her partners room and frowned.
"Protect Francis. He needs it more than I do." Niko made to move down the hall when her hand reached out and grabbed the crook of his elbow.
"And Kate?" She forced him back around to face her. Something about the way he was avoiding protection got her curious side thinking. 'Just what are you hiding?'
"She will be with me. Where she is safe." Niko took hold of her wrist and removed her hand from his elbow, "Go easy on Francis. He's not used to life and death situations. He hasn't lived the lives we have lived." He backed her up into the wall and twisted her arm back and up behind her, effectively pinning her. Slowly, as to not alarm her, he reached up with his free hand and pulled the thin gold chain free from under her black sweater.
"You understand. More than most." He let the tiny golden Star of David rest in the palm of his hand.
Avia let him move her, wanting to see what he would do, before reacting. When he went for her necklace, her whole body froze. She could only stare into cold, unforgiving eyes, as he lifted her pendant out from under her shirt. How he had pegged her so quickly unnerved her to the ends of the world. She wasn't used to people reading her so well in America. She slanted her eyebrows as she searched his eyes for answers she knew would never come. 'This must be what drew Ron in so quickly… He just has a way with knowing what isn't broadcasted.'
"I. I understand." She sharply nodded once and grabbed her wrist when he released the hold he had on her.
"The suspect is maybe an inch or two taller than you. They had on a bullet proof vest. You will be looking for someone with extensive weapons training as well as hand to hand combat. If I find them before you, I will let you know." Niko backed a couple of feet away from her before turning on his heel and walking off toward where he had seen Kate disappear into an ICU room. He didn't want to keep broadening his circle of people he could trust, but he knew she would understand where he came from. And with their shared experiences with war and darkness, he would give her the benefit of the doubt.
"Thank you, Mr. Bellic." She called after him. He had completely destroyed her built up vision of him and she shoved whatever weird respect she was building toward him to the side.
"It's Niko." He glanced over his shoulder as he spoke. It felt weird having someone call him by his last name. He heard her cell phone go off for a second before she answered it in a language he couldn't fully understand. But he could take a guess at what she was speaking. Silently he reached the ICU room that Ron rested in and took a steadying breath. His partner had said he was still unconscious, so what was Kate doing in there? He leaned his ear toward the door and heard soft murmuring.
Niko lightly rapped on the door and heard Kate's voice calling him in. He twisted the handle and pushed the door open. Gerry's phone call had left him regretting having to tell Kate about their new dinner plans. He didn't want to have to drag her into her Ma's place, where he knew horrible memories existed, and introduce her to the head of every friendly mafia if they were in attendance. She had nearly jumped off the deep end when he had mentioned calling a table meeting, and now he was going to have to bring her to a dinner meeting. A semi-formal, sit down, meeting where new alliances were formed.
He only hoped that it was just dinner with her family and not the entire Petrovic crew…
'I cannot get dragged back into that line of work… I have too much to look forward to.'
"Hey Niko. How bad did we screw up?" Ron half whispered; half groaned.
"Not too bad. Francis nearly got blown up, but otherwise things are normal." Niko shrugged and moved further into the room. Kate stood up from her place on the bed and smiled at seeing him.
"Just another day in Liberty City. Heard you met my partner. Lovely lass." Ron shook his head slowly, getting used to the pull and pain that came from his chest.
"Yes, uh, very direct." Niko placed his hands on the end of the hospital bed and smirked.
"That's just how she is. You get used to it after a while. Glad to see you are okay. After I passed out, I wasn't sure what would happen. I was worried about my team down in the hall. Any other casualties?" Ron reached for the bed remote before Kate lifted it up from the side table and held it out for him. He smiled at her and took it from her hand, pressing the button to tilt the bed up into a more comfortable position.
"No one died today. We will catch the person responsible for the attempt on your life." Niko jerked his head to the side when Kate looked at him and silently asked her to come stand next to him. When she was within reach, he wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Don't you mean your life? I keep replaying it over and over in my mind. I feel like I've seen them somewhere before. The fighting style is familiar." Ron grew quiet for a second and looked out the window at the brightly lit sky.
"It's not too different from my own. They definitely took us by surprise." He tucked Kate into his side and sighed silently. He needed to get it together soon and get back to what he knew. The attack this morning had thrown him off his game and the sooner he was back to his normal ways, the better. He would feel better knowing he could protect Kate and keep her from finding out about Derrick. 'Maybe I should start jogging and working out again…'
"The explosion took me by surprise, and I swore I thought I heard your warning before two of my men barged open the door." Ron looked back to the couple at the foot of his bed, "Should've known something was up with all the spray painted symbols on the walls."
"They were Russian gang tags. I highly doubt anyone would know what they meant." Niko glanced down at Kate when she rubbed her hand up and down on his back.
"You did." Ron shifted around on the bed to get comfortable, "You two don't have to stick around for much longer if you don't want to. I'm sure my partner will be in wanting to grill me about where I went wrong."
"Don't let her go too hard on you, you saved Niko's life. And I'm so thankful for your quick thinking." Kate leaned heavily into Niko's side. Ron had given her his quick play by play of what had taken place and it scared her severely. Niko had been within a mere foot of meeting his end. The images she put together from the retelling had caused some of her fear to resurface.
A quick knock on the door sounded before it cracked open, "Fire Marshall said the building is structurally sound. I just wanted to check in before heading out." Detective Rosen poked her head into the room and ignored the two people standing at the end of the bed and trained her eyes to her partner.
"I'm good. We can catch up when you get back. Be careful out there. Those old buildings are one building code infraction away from being condemned." Ron winced as he turned to look toward his partner. The burning in his chest was starting to grow past his pain threshold.
"Right. I'll be back as soon as I can. Commissioner wanted to speak to you privately as well. See you around Miss McReary, Detective, and… Niko." She somewhat smiled warmly at the man she knew she would be seeing more of. Silently she closed the door and headed off to the exit to get back to the crime scene.
"Seems like you made a decent impression on her. She never calls anyone by a first name basis." Ron chuckled before breaking out into a coughing fit, "Shit this damn stab wound hurts."
"She and I have an understanding. Take it easy Ron. We will check in with you in a day or so." Niko took Kate's hand into his own and softly tugged on it to get her moving toward the exit. They needed to get back to the apartment to get ready for the dinner Gerry had invited them too. And he wasn't sure how she would react to being invited. For that matter why had Gerry invited his sister when he knew she wanted nothing to do with the criminal world…
"Yeah alright. Be safe. See you around Katie. Thanks for checking on me." He smiled at her as they turned to head toward the door.
"Anytime. What are friends for, right?" She returned the smile and let Niko guide her back out into the hallway. She had not liked the smile one bit that had been directed at Niko from Ron's partner. It had rubbed at her frayed nerves and left them feeling bent and out of sorts. The hallway was eerily still and quiet and did nothing to disperse her troubled thoughts.
They continued on in silence toward the elevators before Niko tugged her through a push door that led to a staircase. He wanted to get them someplace quiet and alone so he could talk to her without any interruption. He needed to make sure she was one hundred percent okay before he told her about Gerry's phone call. So many things were piling up and he didn't want to let it build up to the tipping point.
"Niko, wait." Kate yanked on his hand and planted her feet on the landing of the staircase they were in.
"What's wrong?" Niko turned to face her concerned.
"Ron's partner. What understanding? You too looked rather close down the hall from Frankie's room. It's not that I don't trust you… I don't trust her. She tried to get Francis fired once before and got the entire internal affairs department involved. The last thing I want is for her to somehow get you into trouble." She folded her arms around her body and studied his face as she spoke.
"She is from a war-torn region and knows what it's like to live each day with the constant threat of being killed hanging above your head. Just as I have grown up in a country that no longer exists, she knows that the fighting will probably never end, at least not in her lifetime. I am fortunate enough to have seen the end of my war. Though fortunate probably isn't the right word to use to describe what I survived through." Niko pulled her into his chest and hugged her. She immediately wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into the crook of his neck.
"I am thankful you survived, and it is fortunate that we met." Kate whispered against the collar of his jacket, leaning heavily into his body.
Niko ran his hands up her sides to the top of her turtleneck and lowered the collar in order to tug her necklace loose, "You don't have to keep it hidden…"
"I like the way it feels against my heart. Reminds me of how much I love you." She reached up with her hand to grasp the four leaf clover pendant he had given her before Roman and Mallorie's rehearsal dinner. She leaned away from his body just enough to be able to see the shimmer of the emeralds in the dim light of the stairwell.
"I love you, Kate." Niko tilted her face up to his and kissed her lips before resting his forehead to hers, "I got a phone call from your brother."
"Oh… How is he?" Kate wrapped her arms around him again and held on to him as she felt like what he was going to tell her wasn't going to be enjoyable.
"He invited us to dinner. There is going to be other guests present. I don't know exactly who or if it's just a family thing." He let out a long sigh and waited for her outburst to start. He had hoped that the rest of their day was going to be laidback and uneventful. He was looking forward to planning out the holiday weekend with her and getting ideas on what to get her. He had never celebrated the holiday before and was completely clueless as to what to do for Valentine's Day.
"So… Like a meeting? But not?" Kate closed her eyes and thumped her head down against his collarbone. This was the last thing she wanted to hear about. Her anger from earlier wanted to tug at her and she sucked in a deep breath, "Kind of surprised he called and invited both of us."
"I am as well. He knows, or should know, not to bring me back into the fold." Niko leaned back from her and readjusted her turtleneck collar to lay right, keeping the necklace above her clothes.
"You're not going to get involved again… correct?" Kate fiddled with her necklace and tried to ignore the gigantic knot that was wedged in her throat. She had almost lost him this morning and didn't want to go through the anxiety, pain, and stress of having him walk off into danger once more.
"The only reason I would do anything dangerous, would be to ensure your safety or the safety of your family. I gave you my word that I was done with the criminal life. I had walked away for good once Natalya was dead." Niko searched the small space around them knowing that this subject was a sensitive one between them. He had made about a clean of a break as he could after the incident on Happiness Island. IAA, FIB, LCPD, and all the criminal bosses had left him completely alone. The only connection he still had with the underground world was through Gerry and Little Jacob.
"I know, I know. It's just hard sometimes, you know? It's like every time I turn around something new comes to light that took place over the past year and I struggle to come to terms with it. I have a difficult time trying to imagine all the things you went through in order to carve out time for me. How strange it must have been to keep your work with my brothers a secret from me." She released the necklace and glanced down the steps in the dimly lit stairwell.
"I did what I thought I had to do. I did not want you to end up thinking poorly of your brothers… or me." Niko followed her line of sight to make sure no one had entered the stairwell or was eavesdropping in on their conversation. While they weren't being completely specific, it was probably best if they held these types of conversation in private in the safety of one of his safehouses.
"After growing up in the house I grew up in, it's hard to not be disappointed in my brother's life choices. But I love my family and I love you. And for better or worse we are in the current situation we are in because of the decisions we've all made. It's not one single person's fault or responsibility. I think I realize now that we will always have to face challenges and I somewhat knew that coming in. Even before…" Kate swallowed around the blockage in her throat and tucked the necklace back down inside her turtleneck, "You have enemies. My family has enemies. It's about time I learn about it all and start being proactive."
"I shouldn't have any left… I will figure out who is after me and put a stop to it. You deserve to have a normal life." Niko held his hand out to her, waiting for her to let him lead her down the stairs and back to the waiting Infernus.
"What is even normal, Niko? I don't come from a normal family. And if normal meant I couldn't be with you then I don't want anything to do with normal." Kate huffed before taking his hand and following him down the steps toward the parking garage.
"We can make our own version of normal." Niko reached the bottom of the stairs and pressed the metal door open, ignoring the freshly caulked holes that littered the gray walls. He knew a couple of them had been caused by the bullets that had graze Karen. His eyes landed on the bleached patch of concrete, and he forced his attention back to the somewhat full garage of parked vehicles.
"I'd like that. We don't fit into any kind of mold. And maybe Valentine's Day is going to be the perfect opportunity to really discuss what we want out of life. I think we got so caught up in what was happening around us that we failed to establish just exactly what we need and want from one another." She had seen him snap his eyes off of a bright splotch on the ground and she squinted her eyes at it to try and figure out what had caused it. But he continued to guide her down the row of vehicles and toward the orange sports car that sat parked alone and away from other vehicles.
"Okay. Then it's a date. We will get through dinner tonight at your Ma's place-" Niko stopped once he voiced the term of endearment used for her mother. He turned to see her pale significantly and he firmed his hold on her hand. They had gotten close to his car, but he wouldn't move from the spot till he knew she was okay.
"It's not… At the basement in Steinway? He. He wants to host…?" Her mind went suspiciously blank on her, and she stared at their interlocked hands. 'Why would Gerry want to have those… Those criminals at the house?! Why would he disrespect Ma's memory like that?!'
"He said it would be at the house. I can try to get him to move the dinner. I know you haven't been back to the home since that night." He pulled her into a hug and felt her begin to shake, "We don't have to go. I will call him back."
"No. I need to eventually face my fears and get some more of my stuff out of my old bedroom. Can't keep wearing the same few outfits all the time. This day was bound to ultimately come. And you will be there to help me." She closed her eyes and buried her face into her favorite place against his neck. His hands stoked over her back, and she let go of her dread. She could be in the house and not succumb to the flashbacks and nightmares. It was where she grew up and there was plenty of good memories to think back on in order to drown out the attack.
"Are you sure? I will not put you in a situation you don't want to be in." Though she was currently in a precarious situation with someone out stalking the streets wanting to expose his secret and either kill him or Francis. Maybe both. But he couldn't shake the feeling that it was someone who knew him from the past year. They would have needed to be aware of who he was involved with and what jobs he had taken on. 'Maybe someone in the LCPD?'
"I'd like to go through Ma's things as well. Gerry said there was a box she left in her will for me. I just haven't found the courage to go over there. Four months hasn't lessened the rawness. She was killed that night too. Her funeral wasn't exactly what we all planned it to be, but we did what we could. So long as I don't have to play nice with any crazy people at dinner, I will be okay." She slid her hands into his jacket and felt for his gun that he usually carried around with him. When she reached his lower back and didn't feel the familiar metal, she lifted her face from his neck to send him a questioning glance.
"I told you I was done with that life." He lowered his voice and shifted his hands to her shoulders. Silently he took a step or two backwards to lean into the side of his car, pulling her along with him.
"Yes but… You will be prepared tonight, right?" Her hands kept tracing over the spot and trying to figure out why he was unarmed while out in public. 'When did he stop carrying a weapon on him? Doesn't he know that it's not safe? That it is a form of protection for him? And me?'
"Yes. I will not walk into a room with a bunch of killers and not have some kind of defense ready. Though I don't always need a weapon to protect myself." Niko could almost see the hesitation and worry etch into her features and he sighed again, "I know how to fight very well. The style I was trained in taught me how quickly and aggressively end a fight. Anything can be a weapon. I can counter most strikes and attacks and go on the offensive at the same time. It has kept me alive for most of my life."
"Can you teach me some of it? Just enough to be able to protect myself?" Kate knew he could defend himself and fight. She had seen him put up one hell of a battle against Natalya with Darko at his side when he was grievously injured. It would be nice to know how to get out of someone's hold and defend herself. Flashes of Bobby grabbing her flew across her mind and she reaffirmed in her mind that she would get him to show her basic moves in order to not be captured again.
"If that's what you really want. But what I know is violent. It's meant to create the most effective harm and disable the threat completely so as to not have to continually waste energy on fighting." He didn't like the idea of her knowing these things and once more getting back on a more violent path in life. But if he were going to have to leave her alone from time to time in order to hunt down this unforeseen enemy, maybe it would be good for her to know simple defense moves. Plus, he had somewhat agreed to show her some moves when he listened to Bernie earlier.
"I don't want to know how to instantly kill someone. But when Bobby took hold of me this morning, I froze. I don't want to end up in a similar situation with someone who actually means to harm me. I may have been able to shove out of his hug, but I know that won't always be the case." She moved out of his arms and rubbed over the places that Bobby had put his hands. She didn't like the nauseous feeling that rolled in her stomach with the way he had so openly touched her. Her cheeks burned against the phantom graze of his hands, and she wiped furiously at them.
"How much did he touch you?" He watched the way she rubbed at herself and figured she was trying to remove some kind of feeling. He frowned when she started to aggressively wipe at her face. No one was allowed to touch what he considered his. And if this person had dared to do anything more than friendly gestures or made her feel uncomfortable, he was going to corner them and have a few choice words. Bernie had said he was handsy with her and the thought of someone touching her face or more intimate areas burned through him.
'I'll do more than talk…'
"Enough to make me extremely uneasy. He was always touchy feely as a kid, but now that I'm in a committed relationship and only desire your touch, it made me feel sick when he held my face. His constant contact just put me on edge. The panic attack that built up while talking to him didn't help matters either." She looked up at the ceiling of the garage and blinked her eyes rapidly. The need for a shower was growing more pressing the longer she stood still.
"I will break his hands." Niko crossed his arms over his chest and felt fire lick along his skin. This Bobby was a dead man walking and just didn't know it yet.
"He didn't know that I'm taken. He hasn't exactly been around for the past fifteen years or so. I can't blame him for being happy for seeing me after all these years. I did tell him to cut it out and that I have a boyfriend. And he probably would have if I hadn't of told him about Pa, Derrick, and Ma's deaths. He was close to my family as a kid. He looked so devastated about their passing. He asked for a hug without actually verbally asking. And maybe if I hadn't elaborated on how they all died he wouldn't have taken the initiative to hug me first. I locked up, started to remember what those men said to me in my bedroom, and when I went to break free, I felt the gun on him." She swiped at a single tear that formed and let the air rush from her between her lips, "Bernie was there. As well as a bunch of police officers."
"Bernie explained to me what happened from his point of view. You should have let him defend you." Niko tried to force his anger back down over what she had been through. But what was done was done and there was no changing what took place.
"Yes because him shooting someone on the street in front of a bunch of cops is okay." She rolled her eyes and turned back to look at him, "Had this been a couple of months ago I would agree with you. But this is just Bobby. Not Jason. Not one of Natalya's men. And not Darko." 'Shit…'
"What about Darko?" The anger was there to stay now. They hadn't spoken much on what she had seen and done while escaping the yacht with Darko. He only knew of the one attempt she made against him while she was captured. Bernie had said her time alone with Darko wasn't pleasant. And now he was growing livid with the thoughts that wanted to spiral out of control in his mind. Had Darko done something that crossed the line?
"Niko…" She closed her eyes and massaged her temples when the headache from earlier tried to surface again, "He's dead Niko. Nothing will change that. He was rather… Effective at killing. I'm sure you know better than I do. Bernie said as much. But he was so- just so? I don't know. Gentle with me. Careful. Kind. It's confusing." She couldn't bring herself to look at Niko knowing he would pick apart her reaction and feelings. He could read her so well now and she didn't want Niko to get the wrong idea. She bit her bottom lip as she thought back to the way Darko's hands had held hers, the gentle squeeze of her calf as he laughed at her spur of the moment sarcasm, the potential CPR he had given her after the crash, all the sideway glances, touches, words, just everything that was a stark contrast to his killing.
"His body was never recovered. You and I both know this. If you have questions about him… I can answer what I can. Just know I spent a decade of my life hunting him down wanting to kill him. My revenge consumed my life to the point that I no longer cared about anything but seeing him die. I came to Liberty City with the intention of finding him. Of course, back then I didn't know for certain it was Darko. It was either him or Florian. Florian- Bernie definitely didn't do it. I traded work and favors to people in the position of power in order to bring Darko here. And once I had Darko bound on the ground at the airport, I could no longer go through with my revenge." Niko felt cold standing in the parking garage below the hospital. While he had vaguely told Kate about his past and Darko… This was the first time he had been completely honest and open about it.
"Niko…" Kate whispered his name and buried the unresolved feelings about Darko. She knew he wasn't a good person. Had tormented Niko for much of his life. She needed to remember that she only knew a fraction of the person who had protected her on the yacht. That had this been in any other circumstances, Darko would have probably tried to use her against Niko.
"I do not understand how someone who grew up with us- played outside in the forest with us, got drunk with us, banded together with us to fight in a war, watched each other's back, made an oath- could just throw it all away for a thousand dollars for drugs. It ruined me. And to find out he had been protecting you on the inside of Natalya's hideout? What am I supposed to think or feel? I hated him. I don't trust him. And yet I had to rely on him to get you off the yacht to safety." Niko shook his head and kicked at the ground. It was the one thing he couldn't comprehend.
"The best revenge… There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness Niko." She quietly moved to lean into the car next to him. While she didn't believe he could simply forgive Darko for his transgressions, maybe he could start to work toward it, "Don't give Darko power over your pain. You've spent so much energy and time seeking revenge. Against him. Against Dimitri. The short-lived revenge against Natalya. Though that one is very valid and greatly appreciated." She heard Niko snort with her words but otherwise kept silent at her side and let her keep talking, "Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love."
"I am a hitman… well was a hitman for organized crime syndicates. A one man crime wave who killed indiscriminately since stepping foot in Liberty City. And I am supposed to just ask for forgiveness? I am just supposed to forgive everyone who has sought to destroy my life? Kate, you have a very optimistic outlook here. This is not something that can just be swept under the rug. I will have to answer for all the death I have dished out. What love do I deserve? What forgiveness could ever possibly absolve my sins?" He dragged his eyes over the row of cars and wished they could have had this conversation some other time. But it seemed like today was going to be one of those days that dragged on and kept shoving emotional turmoil at him. Bernie had told him to start to forgive. But once things were settled. Not now. He needed to stay focused on the task at hand.
"I hold forgiveness in my heart for you. I love you very much Niko. Don't talk that way about yourself. You don't give yourself enough credit or self-worth. You've shown me that you are a humble, good, caring human being. That you just want to live and be free to make your own decisions, and those choices be of your own free will- not driven from anger, revenge, or pain." She leaned into his side and rested her head against his upper arm.
"Inside all I ever wanted was to be loved." 'Loved or killed… I don't know which.'
"Волим те (Volim te). I have never loved someone as I love you. You are not unworthy of these affections, and if I have to spend every day for the rest of my life convincing you of that fact, then so be it. There is nothing you could do to make me hate you. I'm fairly stubborn if you can recall." Kate smiled at her words and forced her hand under his tightly crossed arms in order to hold onto the arm she was leaning against.
"You can be very stubborn, Лепа (Lepa)." He let out a shaky breath and forced the memory of killing Derrick to the edge of his mind. There was one thing, one single act, that would change her mind forever. He knew that deep down. There was no denying his role in Derrick's death. He would either have to bury his secret and carry it to the grave or come clean with her and get the heartache over with. His heart throbbed with the idea of breaking her heart. No, he would take it to his grave. He would hold on to the love and happiness he had found with her and protect it.
"And you are stuck with me." She tried to ignore the fact that he hadn't told her he loved her too. He almost always returned the statement without hesitation. So what was keeping him from saying it back? She untangled herself from his arm and started to move around his vehicle to get into the passenger seat. They would need time to get ready for this dinner party Gerry was throwing.
Niko grabbed her hand and pulled her back around to face him, "I love you, Kate. I am not stuck if I am actively trying to get you to stay. You keep trying to show me that I am more than what I am. That I have some kind of value in this world. That I can contribute to society in some way." He urged her closer and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She held that soft, tender look in her eyes and he fell just that much further for her, "None of that matters to me. All I care about is you and what you see in me."
"I can see my future with you." Kate whispered to him.
"I don't want to know what each day will bring if you aren't by my side." He spoke the words he had given her inside the Infernus the night they had made love for the first time. He leaned forward and kissed her waiting lips.
"You don't have to. Just say the words." She kissed him again and again, fisting her hands into the edges of his open jacket. He had a way of shifting her focus and building the passion between them. It could be in the upscale apartment in Middle Park East, the small interior of his sports car, the dimly lit hallway at Jerkov's, or the hospital parking garage, and she would just give in to him. The rest of the world be damned.
"Једног дана ћу те замолити да останеш заувек. (Jednog dana ću te zamoliti da ostaneš zauvek)*." Niko held her close to him and slowed his kissing to softer, more delicate brushes of his lips to hers. He would love her for as long as he could. There would be no stopping him from finding the person responsible for trying to leak his and Francis' secret. This was what he truly desired more than anything else in the world. No revenge could come close to filling the void inside him. Not like the way Kate warmed him and made him feel whole.
She grounded him and gave him a place to call home. And he didn't ever want to leave.
He would stay by her side throughout the dinner and complications he knew would arise with being in her late mother's house. He would protect her from the memories that would surely surface if she went back into her bedroom. He would hold her long into the night to keep the nightmares at bay. He would distract her in whatever way he could. He would do all this for her because he loved her.
He would no longer seek revenge in his life. He would work toward forgiveness and change.
The best revenge is to have enough self-worth not to seek it.
aaaaaa
*One day I will ask you to stay forever
Well guys… It's not the greatest chapter in the world. But it moved the plot forward just a touch. Things are just beyond crazy right now in my life. So my usual pace of writing, editing, and posting has gotten thrown out a window and taken away by a wild bird. Lol
It will probably be a little bit before I get the next chapter posted. I'm trying to force myself to sit down and write at least every day. But the mental block is hard to get around. I do have plans for this story, and I haven't given up, so please don't lose faith in it. Lots of action and romance to follow. I will get them to Valentine's Day fluffy goodness soon.