Le sigh.
So. You know how I hate writing action scenes because I feel like I can't do them? Welp buckle up your seatbelts folks. The action is back in the saddle.
I know I wanted to go boring and slow with the next couple of chapters but looking at my timeline and layout- this fits better here. Fair warning. It's dark. Back on track with the overall mood of this story. You have been warned.
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"I swear I am basically a resident here…" Niko swore under his breath as he stalked the familiar ICU hall with Georgi in tow.
"What was that?" Georgi asked as he rushed to keep up with the near mad dash Niko was doing in the Holland Hospital. Mallorie was in the ER wing with Kate and a couple of his most trusted men, and Niko had signaled him to follow. So he did just that. But the angry vibes he was picking up was getting harder to ignore.
"Nothing. Been in and out of this damn hospital more times than I can count. Just starting to be a reoccurring destination for me." Niko sighed as he neared Francis' room and glared at the security guard that was in his path.
"This room is restricted, move along please." The guard flinched at the intense stare he received from the two men, "Names? I can see if the Deputy Commissioner has you on his visitors list."
"Niko."
"Right. Sorry about that…" He immediately shifted out from being in front of the door and pushed it open, "Boss? Niko is here."
"Send him in." Francis called out sounding stronger than he did the day before.
Niko practically shoved the guard out of the way and marched into the room. Francis was standing up next to his bed and working on slipping his tie under the collar of his button down police uniform dress shirt. Avia was perched on the foot of the bed typing away on her laptop. She only glanced up to confirm it was Niko coming in before her eyes landed on Georgi and she stood rapidly.
"Oh hey Niko. Long time no see." Francis rolled his eyes and gave up trying to tie his necktie. He hated the damn thing and the reason why he was being forced out of bed and rushed out of the hospital.
"I need to introduce someone to you that I want your word on you won't send people after." Niko turned his attention off of Avia to Kate's brother and figured he might as well get this over with. So much had happened and changed since the last time they spoke. He didn't want to admit it, but Francis was about to be extremely useful to him.
"Ohh-Kay…?" Francis looked between his detective and Niko a couple of times trying to figure out what was safe to say or not. By the way Niko was standing and looking, something bad must have happened. His stomach rolled when his thoughts landed on his sister and the fact that she didn't follow Niko into the room.
"I am going to go see if my partner needs help with his physical therapy." Avia awkwardly excused herself from the room and shared a heated glare with Georgi on her way out. She did not need her cover blown with the LCPD.
"This is Georgi, and he is going to be in my inner circle of people for the foreseeable future. Without going into too much detail, he will need to stay off the LCPD radar. Can you do that?" Niko walked over to the window and checked the surrounding rooftops out of habit. He felt on edge and didn't like the cold shoulder he was getting from Kate. Even Roman on the phone sounded mad at him. Granted he would be too if he got a call that his wife was in the hospital after a panic attack while pregnant.
"I am about to be escorted to City Hall with Mitt for a public announcement from the Mayor on the recent development of Bryce Dawkins being removed from office. Apparently, the Mayor thinks it's also a good show of force to have police presence there. I think they will also drop the news of me taking over as Commissioner. It will take me a day or two to get into the system and add him to our list of people to not harass. It would look too suspicious if I do it right after I declare the new title." Francis watched as Niko looked around the room as if he was expecting an attack.
"That will work. Georgi this is Francis McReary, newly appointed Commissioner of Police." Niko waved between the two men in the room and got the introductions out of the way. His thoughts wanted to drift back to Bernie and what he must be going through. He had called him and left a voicemail on his drive to the hospital.
"Nice to meet you. You are Kate's older brother?" Georgi extended out his hand to shake Francis' outstretched one. If he was meant to play the role of friend or that he didn't already know just about everything on Francis, he could act the part.
"One of them. How do you know Niko?" Francis smiled his signature 'cop smile' as Kate called it and went back into public figure mode. He darted his eyes over to Niko for some kind of hint on what was happening or taking place. Last thing he knew was someone had killed a bunch of Kenny's men, Packie had gone missing, and Avia was basically Niko's new best friend.
"He helped me find Robert Welsh." Niko watched as the realization dawned on Francis' face that Georgi knew more than what was being said.
"Ah well. In that case I do not need to know how you two met," He released the man's hand and let out a long sigh, dragging one of his hands through his hair, "Is he…?"
"It's been taken care of. He is no longer a problem." Niko sank down on the uncomfortable couch and felt his shoulders sag, "Georgi, would you mind giving us a few minutes to talk?"
"Of course, bos- Niko. I will go check in with Mallorie and Kate." He snapped his mouth shut with the almost slip of Niko's title. He could basically feel the heated glare from him as he spun around and exited the room.
"What's going on with my sister and Roman's wife?" Francis went back to getting his tie on correctly, ignoring whatever exchange the two men in his room were having. A quick glance at the clock told him he was running short on time for meeting Mitt down in the lobby.
"Mallorie had a panic attack while out for a walk with Kate. She is being checked out in the ER right now. Kate is fine." His eyes watched Francis' hands as they worked the silk fabric into the perfect knot.
"Fine is never a good word when it comes to her. She kind of hates it. First fight?" Francis smoothed down the tie and turned toward the mirror on the wall to make sure his badge, medals, and ribbons were on correct and in the right order.
"I don't know. The past couple of days have been difficult. Packie, her, and Gordon were almost gunned down by Bulgarin's men-"
"Woah! Hold up! You're telling me my sister was nearly shot?! Where the hell were you!" Francis glared over his shoulder to the man he was wanting to trust with his sister's life, but it was getting harder and harder to feel like she was in good hands and safe. So much was closing in on them and if their secret got out, he'd be partially responsible for hurting her.
"She went out on her own to find Packie." Niko fisted his hands as his anger ticked up another level.
"She called me asking if he had contacted me at all. I didn't think she would be so bold as to go out looking herself. But that sounds like her. So this shoot out- wait. Bulgarin's men? I thought they were all killed down in Funland. By like a copycat version of you." This time he turned around to face Niko and focus on what was being said.
"That was only his division here in Liberty. He has much more power in Europe. They attacked Kate and Packie while they were visiting your mother's grave. Thankfully she told Gordon to come with her, and I followed him from Meadow's Park. Had we not been there I don't think they would be alive right now." Niko darted his eyes to the door as he fought off the coldness that wanted to come with that statement. It had been too close a call.
"Shit… I uh. Thank you." Francis felt too stunned to say much more and waited to be told the rest of what happened.
"There is one problem that is about to be a bigger one. When we investigated where the men had come from, we found their boat. They had captured Kenny Petrovic and were torturing him to death. He is alive, but barely. I…" He lifted his hand and showed off Kenny's ring. It still felt wrong to say it out loud that he took his place.
"Fuck! Niko! What happened to laying low and having a quiet life?!" Francis rounded the hospital bed to get a closer look at the ring of the most notorious man in all of Liberty. His legs felt weak with the knowledge that he was in the room with someone who could get away with murder and his own men wouldn't retaliate from fear of losing their own lives.
"It was not what I planned on doing. But Kenny asked me to stand in and protect his family. And well. His organization." Niko let Francis get an up close look of the ring. It felt heavy on his hand, and he was still getting used to wearing it.
The hospital door opened, and Kate hesitated for a second before coming in. The sight of her brother up, dressed, and sitting close to Niko threw her for a loop. But it did lift her heart to see him looking better and healthy, "I was just going to update you about Mal. They gave her something safe she can take while pregnant to calm her down. I think having the uh… guys around her isn't helping."
"I tried to tell her that it's for her safety-" Georgi rushed in looking like he had run down the hall after Kate.
"She is safe. This is a damn hospital!" Kate whirled around and gave him an expectant look.
"Kate. Um. This very hospital was shot up four months ago…" Francis stood up not understanding the conversation, but it amused him how easily she reverted back to thinking places were safe and back to normal. Mitt had every hospital, library, and public place reevaluated for mass shootings shortly after the fiasco Natalya created. He had helped plan some of the new security teams and response timing negotiating.
"That-" She turned and pointed at her brother, having somehow completely blanked on what took place in the very hall and room she now stood in, "That is a very valid point. But that isn't what's going on now. Niko can you please explain to them that they need to stay out of Mallorie's line of sight? Before she has another panic attack."
A knock on the metal doorframe caused everyone to turn and see who was interrupting them, "Hi I am looking for next of kin for a," A man in scrubs, with a stethoscope around his neck, lifted up a clipboard to his face, "Mallorie Bellic."
"Oh my God! See? I'll go." Kate sighed heavily and poked at Georgi's chest in a silent warning to get the guys to back away from Mallorie as she moved out into the hall again.
Georgi nearly grabbed her hand on instinct thinking he was about to be hit but at the last second remembered she wasn't going to hurt him, and his boss was sitting not too far away. He watched as the hospital worker leaned out of the doorway to give her space to exit the room. Their eyes met for a split second before he gave a tight lipped smile toward Kate. Something felt off to him and he squinted as he studied the outfit of the person.
"Guys? Who all did you bring to the hospital that would freak her out?" Francis turned to look down at Niko. He was completely in the dark about what was going on clearly.
"There is too much I need to fill you in on." Niko stood up when Georgi turned completely toward the door and started to feel for his pistol. The door clicked as it shut.
"Yeah, like why you took over for Kenny." Francis shook his head and went back over to his laid out police jacket, picking it up and shoving his arms through the stiff material.
"I will let you two catch up, I'm going to um." Georgi looked over his shoulder to his boss and drew down his eyebrows in concentration. There was something nagging him and nudging his brain to think or act. He saw how Niko was looking at him in concern and he forced a fake smile across his face, "I'll be back to check on you once I know the guys aren't going to cause more harm to Mallorie."
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"How is she doing? Is she having a bad reaction to the medication?" Kate matched the nurse's pace and had to tilt her head up in order to see his face. His eye twitched in annoyance and she frowned at the action. 'What has his panties in a wad?'
The clipboard was slammed into her upper arm, and she was shoved into an empty ICU room, the door immediately giving way. They tumbled into the room with Kate knocking over the nurse's cart, scattering tools and IV line equipment everywhere. Pain flared to life in her body as her head connected to the tile floor. The arm that was stuck itched like crazy and she wanted to grab at it to make it stop. The loud noise of the door slamming shut jolted her into action and she rolled over to her stomach to get on her feet.
"Now be a good little girl and don't fight back!" The man dropped down on top of her and worked the length of the stethoscope around her neck, pulling hard on it to choke her out.
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"What is it?" Niko recognized the look of puzzlement come and go from his second's face. Something he saw was bothering him.
"The man didn't have a badge or any of the typical equipment nurses wear. It doesn't make sense to me." Georgi turned back to the door feeling panic slide down his back.
"He could have just gotten on his shift. They've been short staffed and sometimes the people who come and go from my room are missing their badge and they have to go get it just to scan it in order to hand me medication. I wouldn't worry." Francis worked on the buttons to his jacket and paused once he had a dark thought float through his brain. "Did he have anything on him? Was the hospital logo on the shirt?"
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Kate's vision immediately darkened, and she started gasping for air, desperately clawing at the plastic that was closing off her airways. Water blurred her eyesight as she looked around for something to use as a weapon. The metal handle of a scalpel flickered in the distance, and she shoved her arm out to the side to grab it. Her fingers flexed and tingled as they brushed along the cool metal.
With a bolt of energy, she grasped it and flung her arm back toward her attacker and jabbed the sharp end into wherever she could reach. Instantly the plastic loosened around her neck and the person yelped. She took the opening and put as much power behind herself as she could and rolled him off of her. The burning, itching, and pain that enveloped her throat caused her to cough horrendously.
"Fucking bitch!" The man stumbled to his feet and lifted his arm where the scalpel was stabbed down into his forearm.
She scooted back from him, holding her throat, and watched in horror as he took hold of the knife and slowly removed it from his arm. Her stomach pitched at the sight of blood that rolled down his skin. Her hand felt out behind her looking for the edge of the empty hospital bed, trying to find something to keep between them.
"I was going to make this painless- not anymore." He tossed the bloodied metal to the ground and stalked toward his target.
aaaaaa
"No. He did not." Georgi tucked his shirt under his pistol so he would have no hinderance when drawing it, "Boss, I know it's pointless to ask, but stay here-"
"It is. Move aside." Niko's accent thickened as he spoke in Russian to Georgi and moved to the ICU door, "I am going to head down to the ER and make sure she is okay. Stay here and keep Francis safe."
"Yes Pakhan." Georgi didn't question a direct order and he shifted out of Niko's way.
The second Niko entered the hall Avia exited the room next door and locked eyes with him. Without hesitation she drew her weapon and nodded, "Lead the way."
"Fastest route to the ER?" He looked up at the overhead signs and tried to remember if there was access to the service elevator in the emergency room lobby.
"Nurse's staircase, it's at the end of the hall. This way." She lifted her pistol and took off down the hall toward the service elevators, "Lock the hospital down!" She called out at a fellow officer who was standing guard in the hallway.
Together the two of them sprinted down the hall.
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Kate was slammed into the wall as the man wrapped his hands around her neck, once more squeezing the life from her. She dug her fingernails into his arms and tried to aim for the open stab wound. He lifted her away from the wall and shoved her back into it when she managed to dig at the bleeding cut. The move gave her the ability to lift her leg and kick out at him, squarely hitting him in the crotch.
He released her and took a step or two back favoring the injury, "That's how you want to play? Robert said you might be feisty."
Kate wobbled on her feet and twisted away from the wall trying to get to the door. She knew if she could just get outside the room, someone would see her, and stop this man from hurting her. She was wheezing with how bad her throat was hurting and the lack of oxygen was making her extremely dizzy and lightheaded.
"Oh no you don't." His eyes landed on the thin IV lines on the floor and picked them up. He twisted some of it around his hand and repeated the action to his other, leaving a decent length between them, "Got an empty bed over there, I think we should try it out."
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Niko and Avia hit the main floor and followed the signage to the emergency wing of the hospital. Avia kept flashing her police badge when people wanted to question them or figure out what was going on. For the most part people parted ways and gave them space to move.
"What's the situation?" She evened out her breathing as she shoved open the double doors to the section of the hospital Niko asked her to get him to.
"Possible assassin. Person impersonating a nurse took Kate from the room." He frantically drew back curtains trying to remember which cot Mallorie had been assigned to, "I should've sent someone with her."
"Cousin?" Roman poked his head out from behind a curtain further up the row of beds. He thought he heard his cousin talking but wasn't sure why he sounded upset and… 'Is that fear I hear?'
"Is Kate with you?" He rushed up to his cousin and threw back the curtain to see Mallorie sitting on the bed resting her eyes and taking slow deep breaths. Her hands making soothing circles over her bump.
"No? She said she was going to see her brother. Been gone for about fifteen or twenty minutes now." Roman looked at the officer at Niko's side and waved at her as his way of introducing himself and that he meant no harm. The gun was starting to make him panic.
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"I don't know what was said, but you need to go find my sister. I have a gun, fellow officers right outside the room- I will be protected and fine. If it makes you feel better, I will go into the next room where my lead detective is, and he has a gun too. Please. Go." Francis pulled the gun Niko had given him out from under his pillow and tried to still the tremor that shook his body.
"Thank you." Georgi exited the room and looked both ways before deciding to head toward the nurse's station. Maybe he could ask if someone saw Kate walking by. At least he would get pointed in the right direction.
Francis opened the door and nodded to him as he moved over to Ron's room, "Find her before Niko does. Niko won't stay stable if something happens to her."
"I understand. Do not leave that room till either myself or Niko comes to get you. You're a high value target." Georgi ushered him into the room and headed off down the hall, silently praying nothing bad was happening.
He looked back and forth at the ICU rooms checking for movement or light from the small windows on the doors. The sound of a scuffle halted him in his place, and he yanked his pistol free turning to where he thought he heard the noise from.
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Kate was jerked backward when he slung the thin plastic tubing over her head and around her neck. She managed to get her hand under the IV lines and started to thrash around in his hold, kicking and waving her arm around trying to stop him from getting her on the bed.
He struggled with her renewed fight, and he had to use more force to haul her around from facing the door. He practically lifted her up using the makeshift plastic choking wire, "Come on now. Don't make this harder on you."
Kate lifted her foot and used the wall to shove him backwards and off balance. They fell backwards and broke apart- she fell against the foot rail of the hospital bed, and he crashed into the nurse's cart that she originally knocked over. Her hands were shaking so bad as she gripped the hard railing of the bed. Her vision was swimming with dark spots and the room began to spin.
He recovered quickly and shoved the cart toward the wall as he stood up. The scowl that graced his face would scare anyone. He was done playing around and failing at killing her. Too much time had elapsed, and he knew people would start looking for her soon. Anger burned through his veins as he swiped some of the blood off his arm.
He fisted his hand in her hair and yanked her to her feet, relishing in the painfilled gasp that slipped from her lips, "You stabbed me, now I'm returning the favor."
He threw her to the ground by the scalpel and he kicked her to roll over to her back. She weakly blinked up at him as he dropped down on her, straddling her stomach. She forced her arms to work and sluggishly tried to punch him. Inside she was screaming for help, but no matter how hard she tried to vocalize her plea, nothing came out.
Slowly, as if to draw out her torture, he reached over and picked up the bloodied knife, slapping her hands away from him. He roughly grabbed her face and tilted her toward him so he could look into her eyes as he inflicted the killing blow. Her eyes watched as he lifted his hand with the blade knowing at any second he was going to stab her.
The door was flung open, spilling light into the semi darken room, and she thought she heard her name being called.
Two shots rang out startling her out of the daze she had fallen into. Her hands instinctively reached up to stop the man from slumping on her when he began to fall forward. The loud clatter of the knife made her jump before something warm and wet dripped on her face. With what little energy was left in her arms she managed to direct him to her side.
The body was limp, heavy, and plopped down on the cold tile floor next to her. His eyes were still open, and she couldn't look away.
"Kate? Kate?" Georgi ran into the room and checked the other side of the bed for anyone else before coming to her other side. He felt his heartrate rising as he knelt down next to her and saw the blood on her face and neck. He placed his pistol down on the ground and reached out to turn her face toward him and away from the lifeless stare she was looking at.
The touch to her face scared her and she jerked away from the hand and lifted frightened eyes toward the person who was next to her. The worried face of Georgi forced tears to fall from her eyes. Relief, so overpoweringly strong, flooded her tired body and she nearly choked on a sob. Her hands trembled as she reached out to him, silently asking him to get her away from the dead body.
"Come here. It's okay now. I got you." He let her wrap her arms around his neck as he lowered down to her to pull her away from his kill. She shook so bad in his arms as he gently guided her into a sitting position and closer to his own body. He felt her tuck her face into his neck facing away from the door and between one breath and the next he felt the telltale sign of tears soaking into his clothing.
Emotions he had closed himself off to for so long wanted to overwhelm him. Her arms tightened around him, and he returned the hug, softly rubbing his hand over her back, "I know. I know. You are safe." He kept repeating the words over and over trying to soothe her. He hadn't been able to get a good enough look at her to know what her injuries were, and he grew concerned.
The sound of running footsteps echoed down the hall and he grabbed his pistol and aimed at the open door.
Niko rounded the corner into the room, his own pistol drawn. Avia at his back doing her own check of the room from her vantage point.
"Kate?" Niko immediately lowered his weapon and marched up to his girlfriend that was shaking so bad it was visible from the doorway. He dropped to his knees and locked eyes with Georgi. So many things wanted to take control inside of him- fear, rage, anger, relief- and the longer he stared into the eyes of the man that Kate clung to, all he could manage was lift his hand and clasp the shoulder closest to him.
The firm grip on his shoulder spoke volumes of what wasn't said or couldn't be said aloud.
Georgi shifted Kate in his arms and encouraged her to move over to his boss. He thought he saw a flicker of something else in Niko's eyes and he forced himself to not physically acknowledge that he may or may not have seen genuine respect and devotion. Those things were not given to people like him. He was built to serve and protect. It was his job.
"Лепа (Lepa)" Niko whispered and tore his eyes away from Kenny's right hand man. His own hands held a weird tremor to them as he caught her frame as she nearly collapsed into his arms.
"Niko" Her voice was extremely low and hoarse. It burned to talk, and more tears fell from her eyes. She reached out behind herself and felt around for Georgi trying to grab his arm or hand to hold in thanks. He had come within the final moments. He had stepped into Niko's role- Darko's role- Bernie's role- he was now on her list of people she would trust with her life.
Georgi looked to Niko for permission and was given several nods of the head. He took her hand and let her grasp it with an almost painful force. His chest tightened at the sensation, and he sucked in a slow, deep breath. It was a close call. Too close for his comfort.
Avia edged into the room and did her own sweep for enemies before coming to stand over the dead body, "Under normal circumstances I'd have to arrest you and take your gun. Give it to me. I will say I shot him. Have one of the guys erase the footage from this hall from the moment you left the room to when I enter the room. But I will want my gun back once my report is done." She held her pistol out to Georgi and waited for him to make the switch.
"Thank you." Georgi handed her his gun and took her's in return. The way he viewed her was starting to change and he felt his perception of her shifting in his mind. He never understood Kenny's need to see her, but maybe he had thought wrong.
"LCPD!" Francis called out and shifted into the doorway with his gun at the ready with a couple of other cops. Carefully he reached into the room and clicked the rest of the lights on.
"Francis…" Niko looked up and over his shoulder and swore internally with how pathetic his own voice sounded in that moment.
"Go get a doctor. We are going to bring her to my room. Go!" Francis ordered his men into action and waved Niko on to bring her out of the room and out of the now active crime scene, "Avia secure the scene. I'll have Ron assist. He's actually dressed and on his feet."
"Yes boss." She tucked Georgi's pistol into her holster as she freed it from her pants, "Hold the murder weapon?" She walked over to him and held out the holstered gun.
Francis looked out into the hall and searched for any listening ears, "I'm not stupid. Keep it. Bury this mess. And fast."
"Come on Kate. I'm here now." Niko shifted his hold on her and stood up, pulling her up in his arms and to his chest. Her head lulled immediately into the crook of his neck just like it had the night he had first saved her life. His blood ran so cold it was nearly unbearable. He had gone the wrong way. Made the wrong call.
'That was it… I nearly lost her…'
He lifted his eyes again to Georgi and felt the sting of tears burn his eyes. The wide stare and somewhat scared stance that greeted him flashed him back to how his brother used to stand in the doorway of his bedroom when their father started yelling and throwing things. If his guess of how old Georgi was, was correct, he would be around the same age as his younger brother.
"There are no words- Thank you brother. I will never forget this." Niko forced the words to leave his mouth before turning on his heel and following Francis out into the hall. Ron greeted him and rushed to help him. Not that he needed the help in carrying Kate. But it took some of the edge of the harsher emotions away seeing someone else he trusted come to assist in any way they could.
"Ron, Avia has the crime scene on lock. Get your reports typed up by end of day. I want this case closed and submitted before the Mayor or Mitt has a chance to even hear of this." Francis pointed to the room and watched as Ron snapped to attention and nearly ran into the room to help his partner. The somewhat gleeful look of getting back to work was plastered all over his face and Francis wanted to snicker at it.
"I'm Doctor Ashley, bring her to the bed." A female doctor held the door open to Francis' room and tried to get a preliminary look at the injuries as Niko walked past her.
"Do either of you know what happened?" Ashley asked as she followed Niko into the room and glanced at the young man that came in behind her.
"I only saw the last few seconds of the attack. He was going to stab her." Georgi spoke softly and took up his watch from the corner of the room, standing as silent vigil and protection for his boss. He took his phone out and sent out commands to his men about securing the hospital and finding the surveillance room… And to keep eyes on Niko's family in the ER.
"Okay. Hi Miss. My name is Ashley and I'm going to take a look at you and see what I can do to get you feeling better. Is it okay if I touch you?" The overly friendly and calm voice of the doctor grated against Niko's nerves. But he understood that she probably delt with trauma victims all the time and found what worked best in order to do her job.
He refused to move away from the side of the bed as Kate was examined. The redness and imprints on her neck made him want to stalk into the other room and empty his pistol into the dead body. His demons were rattling his soul at the injustice of it all. There were blood splatters on her face and neck too, but he took a small comfort in knowing it wasn't hers- it was his.
"Go find an ID or phone on the bastard. Help Avia and Ron. Tell Ron I asked that you help out and to not question it. Francis will back you up." Niko turned just enough to make eye contact with Georgi, "Find out how he got into the hospital too. I want answers and who sent him. If we have a kill team, I want them to locate whoever is behind this attack. Every last one of them."
"Yes Pakhan. Tell Kate I am sorry for not being there sooner. I can find someone to be her personal shadow too if you want. I will do as you ask." He thumped his chest with his fist lightly and took off out of the room and back to the crime scene. He could hear the voices of Francis, Avia, and who he now knew was Ron. Determination settled in his chest. He would make sure the one responsible would pay dearly.
"Boss? He's got tattoos on his arms. I've seen these before." Ron lifted the sleeves and recognized the debt marks he had seen on the two men at the McReary home, "We might be dealing with the same people again…"
"Fucking hell... Take photos." Francis swore and leaned back into the wall as he watched his detective move the dead body around and took notes. He didn't want to believe they were about to go through their nightmare all over again, but at least this time he knew what to expect.
"That doesn't say debt. That says property." Georgi spoke up from his place in the doorway, "May I? Niko asked I help if I can."
"Please." Francis jerked his head to the side and welcomed in the person Niko said was going to be around their inner circle more… "If I'm not being too forward, second?"
Georgi nodded sharply understanding the question, knowing certain things needed to be kept quiet and away from innocent ears. He did not know this Detective Ron and Avia had never once given the LCPD anything on him. It was amusing to see the quick glances she would send the other officer and the tender smiles. It was different than how she acted around Kenny, and it once more shoved his thoughts about her into a more positive light.
"Do you speak the language?" Avia looked up to him from her spot on the floor and tried to hide her smirk knowing the answer. It was somewhat funny having to act like complete strangers in front of Ron and Francis.
'So this is how we play it…' "I do Ma'am. The one on his wrist is a tag gangs use overseas to mark their hitmen. He is more than likely part of a team as the other one above it says third. He is third in command if their leader and second are unavailable. Which if I understand it correctly, there is more of them out there." Georgi came to stand by Ron's side to get a better look. He didn't like seeing the familiar markings. He was thankful Kenny refused to essentially tag his men.
"Found a passport on him. It's Israeli." Ron pulled out a passport from the back pocket and passed it over to Avia knowing she could read it.
"Let me see just who you are." She took the book and flipped it open, "Pretty good fake if I do say so myself. No way a white male with the name Jake Fallen is from Tel Aviv. I mean maybe. But with Russian tags? He's involved with someone nasty." She studied the info and thumbed through the pages. A piece of paper dropped to the floor when the pages moved, "What the?"
"Let me see it." Georgi asked for the passport to see if he could spot the normal signs of forgeries from specific gangs he knew about.
Ron watched as Avia picked up the faded and folded piece of notebook paper, "What is it?"
"I'm not…" She carefully unfolded it and scrunched her eyes at the sloppy, scrawled handwriting.
"Footage has been taken care of. Orders?" One of Kenny's men ducked into the room and trained his eyes on his commander.
"Start looking for connections of a Jake Fallen, Bulgarin's crew, possible ties to Rascalov, and get a name for who sent him. Boss wants it now. This is priority. Dispatch Aleksei's crew. The enemies are to be captured and taken to the compound. This is an act of war, and we will go to war." Georgi didn't look up from the image of the man dead on the floor. He was memorizing everything he could read from the passport.
"As you have asked it, so it will be done." The man bowed his head and took off to do as charged.
"Um what?" Ron looked between his partner, boss, and the strange man who most definitely spoke Russian. It sounded like they were extremely angry about something, but not at each other. He was upset about Kate and longed to go check in on her, but he had a job to do, and by doing it, he was helping her.
"The less you know the better. As you are a friend to my bos- Niko, I will only give you this one warning. If someone comes at you to kill you, there is no need for an arrest. Kill them. They will only keep coming." Georgi handed the passport to Francis as he joined him at his side.
"I know Mitt had, well- friendships. I am aware of some of it. If you or anyone needs help from the LCPD, they have it from me." Francis extended his hand to the man he now knew was Kenny's original second in command. Now Niko's if he could believe it. And with the attempt on his sister's life, he didn't care who he got aligned with. He wanted revenge. A feeling he wasn't completely familiar with. Or comfortable.
"You are in the upmost danger. If this man is part of a hit squad that may or may not be connected to Robert, they will come for you. Anyone close to Niko and the McReary's is in danger. I do not need to ask for permission, but I can send a team to where you will be today. I do not doubt they will strike soon. Two of the team is dead. That's if my thoughts are correct." Georgi shook Francis' hand and darted his eyes over to Avia silently asking if she would be willing to lead a team.
"Boss? I should come with you to the broadcast and make sure the area is secured. He has a point. Robert killing some of the notorious Kenny Petrovic's men, who we know is associated with Niko, this is too close of a coincidence." Avia met her gaze with Ron and tried to convey things that would never be said between them. She didn't like leaving Ron alone again, but Georgi was putting her into the fold and giving her a place.
"Sounds like a plan. Mitt should be here any minute. Do you have your uniform in the car?" Francis pulled his phone out and saw they only had maybe five or six minutes before the convoy would show up.
"Yes boss. And this looks like a list of addresses. It is in Russian so I can't be one hundred percent sure." She slowly stood up, holding the piece of paper out to Ron, and waited to be dismissed.
"Go get it, hurry. You can change in Ron's room." He waved her on and looked back to Georgi to see if he would translate the words.
"Rosen, wait." Ron got up, shoved the piece of paper into Francis' hands, and made a beeline out into the hall after his partner. He nearly ran into her with her sudden stop, "Look. I don't like-"
"Don't talk." She grabbed the thin hospital shirt he had been given and yanked him down to her mouth, kissing him soundly on the lips. The feelings that had been lurking below the surface just couldn't be denied anymore and she started to panic when he didn't react to her gesture. So much needed to be said between them. And she figured this was the quickest way to get the message across.
"Avia…" Ron grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into his arms, trying to ignore how badly his chest was killing him, "Stay safe. For the love of everything. I can't lose the one thing in my life that is constant." He wasn't sure how to take her kiss. It had thrown him off center. He had never once thought she considered him in that light. He longed for it, but assumed she wasn't about to cross any lines or break protocol.
"I will. You don't have to worry about me. I will always return to your side. What are partners for, right?" Tears wanted to break free, and she shook her head and gave him an awkward smile. That was not how she thought he would be when she finally acted on their silent give and take between them… Kenny would never love her. And with his near death experience he would surely go running into the arms of his wife and daughter. She had made up her mind while talking with Kate that she would try and find her slice of happiness.
"Possibly more?" Ron whispered the words and looked around the hall to make sure none of their coworkers were watching before cupping her face and leaning in for another kiss. His mind was running a million miles a minute. He wanted to engrave this moment into his memory. The way she smiled into the kiss, the way her hair tickled the tips of his fingers, and the way his soul soared within him.
"I'd like to revisit this when I get back." She sucked on his bottom lip and looked up into his beautiful bright blue eyes. The tenderness she was greeted with made her weak in the knees.
"I await your return then." Ron smiled at the darkened, sultry look she gave him often when on the job or across the hall from their respective offices. It turned him on and drove him crazy. But he just accepted it was her way of passing the time, or her personality.
"Always. Always back to you." She whispered the words in Hebrew before turning on her heel and taking off for her car. She only had a few minutes to get geared up to look after her other boss. Excitement bubbled inside and she almost felt giddy. A strange thought occurred to her, and she felt like telling Kate about what just happened. 'Maybe having friends isn't such a bad thing…'
"You know. It's about damn time son." Francis laughed from his casual position of leaning on the doorframe.
aaaaaa
"She has some strangulation marks on her neck, I don't see any major damage to her throat or airways from the scans or visual inspection. It may take an hour or two for the swelling to go down with the medicine I'm giving her. Minor concussion too… But otherwise, she is in great health. I'll go run the blood work and make sure everything has its I's dotted and T's crossed. She is in good hands here." Ashely leaned away from listening to Kate's heart and regarded the man that had refused to leave her bedside.
"Thank you doctor." Niko mumbled the words and retook her hand when Kate rolled to face him in the bed.
"I'll be back in an hour or so with the results and if you need any more pain meds or need anything at all, press the call button." She smiled at the two people in the room before taking her leave.
"Niko…" Kate whispered and started crying all over again. All she kept seeing was the blank, lifeless stare. It wouldn't leave her be.
"Shh. It's okay." He climbed onto the bed with her and let her cuddle up next to him. He held her closer and tighter. He had been seconds away from having her taken away from him. He couldn't get rid of the pulse pounding anguish that coursed through his system. He kissed the top of her head and tried to bury his uneasiness. He needed to get back to center so he could protect her.
"I'm…" She tried to talk but everything hurt so much. The feel of his hands- the feel of the cords. She rubbed along her neck as the burning ticked up again.
"Don't talk. I'm here and not leaving. It's okay." Niko smoothed his hand over her back and tried to offer whatever comfort he could. Failure wanted to creep its way into his thoughts.
The door creaked open a touch and Georgi poked his head in asking for permission to come inside. At the nod from his boss, he quietly entered into the room and closed the door behind him, "Boss I need to show you something..."
"You can speak English. Kate will want to know who attacked her and why it happened. She deserves to know." He felt her snuggle into his neck as her way of thanking him. He didn't want her to feel isolated or alone right now. He knew she hated it when he spoke to other people in languages she couldn't comprehend.
"Then I think I should invite the other detective, Ron?" He gestured to the door and asked for the okay to bring someone else into the fold. The piece of paper felt like it was burning a hole in his pocket.
"Wait for a minute. Call in your second and third. And any heads of other various divisions that need to be updated. Is Avia available?" Niko placed his cheek to Kate's hair as she curled into his body trying to soak up the comfort his body gave her. 'At least she has stopped shaking.'
"Avia is going to be protecting Francis. Give me a few minutes to place some calls. You wish to conduct the meeting in this room?" Georgi removed his phone from his pocket and waited for the orders.
"Yes. And quickly." Niko nearly jumped when Kate suddenly shot up on the bed.
Kate was trying to think through everything when the phone call with the man in the IAA screeched across her mind. She looked around for something to write on before giving up and pulling her phone out. As fast as her fingers would let her, she typed out a message and held the screen up for Niko to read.
'Call IAA!'
"If Francis is still here send him in and Ron. Get your men here that are in charge." Niko didn't like that Kate was telling him to call Bernard. This wasn't something to do with law enforcement. This was personal. This was an intentional attack on him. The more and more he thought about it, the more he wanted to believe that the Albanians were striking first.
Kate turned her phone back to her and began typing again. Not being able to speak was stressing her out because Niko needed to know what she had been told. The man had said something about Robert that was now seeming more and more important.
"On it." Georgi left the room to get moving on his boss' orders.
'I called him. He asked that you call him.'
"What are you doing calling him?!" Niko read her message and then focused his attention on her. She was starting to look scared, worried, frantic almost. And not from nearly being killed.
"He knows about… Robert. Kill. Squad." She struggled to get the words out. It was excruciating to use her voice, but he needed to call IAA immediately. She clutched Niko's jacket over his chest and slightly shook it. 'Niko please! Please understand me!'
"I can't stay long Niko. Mitt is parked outside the hospital and is waiting on me and Avia." Francis entered the room and hurriedly walked over to the small table in the corner to pick up his uniform hat. Avia trailed behind him in her own crisp, pressed LCPD dress uniform. Ron leaned on the door frame and couldn't remove the sappy smile from his face as his eyes followed his partner around the room. She did her best to not make it obvious, but she smiled every time their eyes met.
"Francis can the mayor postpone this announcement?" Niko froze once the words clicked in his brain. Kill squad. It repeated over and over again until all he could hear were those to words.
"No, he can't. People need to know that their city is still operating and functioning. Even if it's leaders make mistakes and have to be checked into rehab facilities." Francis rolled his eyes to the ceiling and wanted to groan about how ridiculous this whole situation was. Who cared who he was with. "Honestly. It's not like his affair affected his ability to do his job."
"Frankie!" Kate barely got his name out at a whisper level, but it was starting to get easier to work through the pain.
"Kate. I'm so sorry I can't stay here and be with you. I am thankful you are okay and alive." He moved to the bed and leaned down to kiss her cheek, "No more scary stunts while I'm gone. I'll be back as soon as I get done with the broadcast. It should be on the local channels." He kissed her cheek and brushed her hair away from her face, "I love you sis. Be safe."
He sadly smiled at her and tried to not stare at her neck where the angry, vibrant red marks were. It was too reminiscent of what she looked like four months ago. The shudder forced its way to the surface, and he attempted to play it off by tucking his hat under his arm. Carefully he brushed his thumb along her cheekbone before deciding he had kept his boss waiting for too long. He nodded at Niko before turning away and walking out of the room.
"Avia. A word." Niko left no room for questioning him with his tone of voice.
She halted mid-step as she went to follow after Francis. Her eyes met with Ron's, and with years of silent communication between them, she told him to leave the room and not be around for what was about to be said. He opened his mouth to tell her no, but the firming of her face let him know to not push it. With a huff he shoved up off the doorframe and pulled the door closed.
"We are looking at a kill squad. Watch the crowd and do not leave Francis' side. Take the team from the apartment with you. Do I make myself clear?" Niko locked eyes with her and waited her out. Would she listen to him? Would she get the gravity of the situation?
"Georgi is giving me a team to take. His orders were to guard the high priority target. I will not fail boss." She closed her hand into a fist and lifted it to her heart, "Kate I will protect your brother with my life."
"Ron?" Kate softly smiled at the female and tilted her head toward the door. The slight blush that dusted Avia's face was answer enough to her question.
"Report in once the announcement is done and he is out from being in the open." Niko was going out on a limb and trusting her to keep Francis out of danger. She was highly skilled. Knew what to look for. He just needed to trust in that fact.
"Yes boss." She sharply nodded her head and swiftly left the room to catch up with Francis. Georgi entered a split second later with Ron looking confused.
"Georgi can you see if you can locate Bernie? And put the guys on high alert with Mallorie and Roman. I do not think this is over yet." Niko could almost guarantee that the hit was not just a one off. 'Kill squad… A fucking kill squad. Kate held her own against a trained assassin…' He held her just a little bit tighter before she kissed his cheek and signaled to let her go.
Kate scooted to the edge of the hospital bed and held her arms out in Georgi's direction. Just seeing him again made her wish she could talk clearly so she could thank him over and over again. Silently she beckoned him closer wanting to give him a proper hug if she was unable to voice her gratitude.
Georgi paused on his way to go sit on the couch and get to work on what he was tasked to do. Her eager eyes and pleading nature were hard to ignore, and he looked to his boss to make sure it was okay and proper. This was all unknown territory for him. He did a double take at the smirk that graced Niko's face and the lifted eyebrow.
"She will sit there all day in that position till you comply." He shook his head and pulled the phone Bernard had left for him out of his inside jacket pocket. He knew how his girlfriend was with people she cared for. Bernie had probably been hugged by her a million times since Roman's wedding. Mallorie and her cuddled when they walked. Roman was kissed on the cheek with every greeting. It didn't bother him one bit that she showed her affection to his friends and family.
'We never had it growing up… It feels good to be shown love.'
"Please?" Kate strained her vocal cords as she continued to wait for him to cross the room to her.
"There is no need to hurt yourself… Miss." Georgi smiled as he was given permission to be in her personal space. The flicker of annoyance that flashed through her eyes had him hurrying over to her and leaning down to let her do whatever it was she wanted.
"My. Name. Is. Kate." She poked his chest and felt like laughing with his attempt to lighten the mood.
"I'm sorry ma'am, but those are just my manners." He outright laughed when she weakly punched his arm.
Kate rolled her eyes before nearly launching up off the bed and wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug. Her eyes closed instantly when he returned the gesture and all she could do was thank the Lord above that he had shown up when he did. The strength Georgi had in his arms was deceiving. He was a solid, unmovable statue, and reminded her of Niko's build.
He didn't dare look to his boss as he held Kate to him. The relief it was giving him was difficult to comprehend. How had he in only a short couple of days grown so- so… attached? Was that the word? 'I should not want this, welcome this, or let this happen…'
Kate had to stand on her toes in order to hug him as fiercely as she needed to. She gripped his thick shirt on his back and fought the tears that wanted to break free. She had fought so hard to protect herself and would have lost had it not been for Georgi coming to her rescue. Her neck throbbed at the contact, but she paid it no mind. She needed this.
"Спасибо (spasibo)" Kate whispered the word she could remember the IAA officer told her over the phone. She couldn't remember any of the other words or phrases he had given her, but thank you stood out to her. Maybe that's why the men just shrugged their shoulders and went along with her plan to get into the park.
"No thanks is needed. I would do that again and again every day till I am no longer breathing." The words in Russian touched his heart and he lowered her back down to the ground and gently put space between them. Slowly, as to not alarm her, he cupped her chin and tilted her head up in order to see the damage done.
"I. I only know. Those. Words." Kate let him see her injuries and glanced in Ron's direction. He was next on her list of people to hug. He had saved Niko's life and she wanted to thank him for giving what would have been the ultimate sacrifice.
"I can teach you. But only if the boss is okay with it. I think he'd prefer you learn Serbian." He smiled when she snorted at him, "You fought hard Kate. I do not know how long you were in that room, but it looked like you put up one hell of a struggle. I am proud of you." He had seen the knocked over cart, how the bed was shoved off center, the scuff marks on the walls.
"Too. Long. I was not- I was not going to let him get me on the bed." She had started to talk at a normal volume before it felt like she was swallowing sand and went back to whispering.
"I should have killed him in a different way." Georgi met the dark, furious eyes of Niko and knew he was thinking the same thing.
"He said Robert's name. I think they knew each other." Kate whispered and turned in Georgi's grasp to see her boyfriend, "Robert told him I was feisty. That's what he said to me right before he started to choke me with the IV lines. He suggested we try the bed out and I just knew I needed to get out of his hold." Whispering wasn't as difficult as it had first been. The soreness was there, but it was endurable.
"Who is Robert?" Ron decided it was time to jump into the conversation. Avia and Francis both had been tight lipped when it came to the case on who had stabbed him and blown up the apartment. He felt left out for too long. And while moving his right arm nearly sent him to ground in agony, he could stand and help out.
"He was the one who blew up the apartment and threw the knife at you. He is no longer alive." Niko answered him and had to force himself to breath slowly and evenly. The hot, scorching rage boiled his blood with what Kate said. He tried to dial Bernard again, but he wasn't getting through. It just beeped a couple of times before ending the call.
" one who attacked Kate is the third. I do not know if Robert was tagged as well. I will need to see if the butcher still has his body. Most assassins from this gang I know of will drop in their target locations, make their mark, complete the job, and get out. Usually within three to four days. It's to ensure they are not spotted or detected." He let Kate go when she deftly dragged her fingers over the back of his hand. He had not realized he was still holding her chin.
Kate felt shaky on her feet but was determined to thank Ron then climb back on the bed and rest. There was a dull ache at the base of her skull that was just not leaving her be. When she was within arms reach of Ron, she waggled her fingers at him to get him to lean down some, to which he did without missing a beat. With the lightest of touches, she placed her palm over the bandages she spotted under his shirt and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you. For more than just this." Kate whispered the words in his ear and hoped he got the meaning of her words. Ron had been defending her family for as long as she could remember. Probably since the day he joined the force and fell under Francis' leadership. He was there when Derrick was killed. He was there when Gerry was arrested. And he was there the night Ma was killed and she was attacked. He was a rarity in a city full of self-centered, rude people.
Ron returned the kiss to her cheek and gave her his smile he saved just for her. He adored her more than he cared to admit and understood what she was saying without needing to elaborate. "Can't have you missing Frankie's lunch dates." He kissed her forehead and jutted his chin out trying to tell her to go lay down. She looked exhausted.
"You just want to hear what gossip I bring to the station." She stuck her tongue out and sluggishly walked back to the bed on the side Niko had claimed. Niko helped her lay down and let her snuggle into his side. Sleep was trying to drag her down and she yawned, feeling her jaw pop with the action. The body heat coming off of Niko was soothing and she buried her face in his neck and closed her eyes. 'Maybe a short nap will help…'
Niko waited for her to get comfortable on him before addressing the men in the room, "If he is the third, then that confirms my fears. There is a kill squad in Liberty City."
"That explains this…" Georgi pulled the piece of paper out of his pocket and held it out to Niko, "I recognize your apartment address. I do not know the others."
Niko waved Ron over and took the paper from Georgi. His ability to read Russian was not as good as his Serbian but he recognized Roman's house number, Savannah Avenue, and Bernie's address, "Call Gerry. The house is on this list. I need to find Bernie. Ron, can you use Francis' computer? I need to see what these other addresses are."
"Yes boss." Georgi immediately took his phone out and looked up the number he had for Gordon in order to alert Gerry. He would then instruct his men to be on high alert down in the ER room. He had told them not to let Mallorie out of their sight before Kate freaked out on them. He just hoped that they would follow them to their house if Mallorie was discharged.
"If he is still logged in, I can use his access to see names of people located at residential addresses, or if it is a registered business to someone." Ron looked around the room for his boss' laptop and spotted in on the small couch. He picked it up and sat down on the firm surface and lifted the screen to see if they were going to catch a break.
"Niko…? I don't feel so good." Kate mumbled from her tucked in spot against him.
"In what way?" Niko shifted his hold of her and pressed the back of his hand to her forehead, "You're burning up."
"Gordon, you need to get to Gerry now. He is on an assassination list- Yes. Just like that. I will be sending Aleksei to you. Yes. Standard check in protocol. Bye." Georgi finished his call to Gordon and immediately started sending text after text in their coded language to Kenny's men. Where to go, who to guard, and to flush out anyone suspicious.
"Niko… My arm…" Kate tried to roll more into him as she was feeling cold. Her eyes felt extremely heavy, and it was taking more effort to stay awake.
Georgi paused in his message and looked up at the distressed sound of her voice, "What were her injuries?"
"The doctor said a minor concussion and the marks on her neck, why?" Niko scooted out from under her and adjusted her on the bed. Her face, arms, and hands felt warm to the touch, and she was starting to shake. "Which arm Kate?"
She turned her head to the side where she could hear Niko's voice, "Left…"
"Did he hit you with anything besides his hands?" Georgi tucked his phone away and moved closer to the edge of the bed.
"I don't…" Kate felt like her lungs were being squeezed shut and she gasped for air.
"Kate?!" Niko cupped her face and tried to force her to look at him.
"You! Get the nurse or doctor. Boss you are going to have to trust me." Georgi pointed to Ron and climbed up on the bed pulling his knife free from it's belt holster. As quickly as he could he rolled Kate to her right side and felt for the swelling he knew would be there on her left arm.
Ron dropped the laptop next to him on the couch and sprinted out of the room to get help.
"What is happening?" Niko grabbed Georgi's wrist as it looked like he was about to stab Kate.
"Bastard poisoned her. Let go!" Georgi jerked his hand free and grabbed her long sleeved hoodie and slashed through the clothing to see the skin. Bright, red splotches littered her upper arm close to her shoulder, "Shit it's spreading." He used his knife and ripped more of the sleeve off of her arm trying to figure out how far it had gone.
"Do you know by what?" Niko reached out and held her hand when she started hyperventilating.
"Nasty combination of things. I might just-" He dropped the knife to the bed next to him and opened up his jacket and pulled out a small, capped syringe, "This is going to hurt like hell Kate, I'm sorry." He yanked the cap off and laid her on her back. He twisted the infected arm over to find a vein to inject the antidote. With how red her arm was turning it was making it difficult for him to see the blueish tint of a healthy vein.
"Hold her down Niko. This is going to make her feel like her arm is being set on fire." Georgi spotted a vein and placed his thumb and index finger on either side of it as a guide. Niko joined him on the bed and placed his hands on her shoulder and wrist.
"Please let this work…" Georgi whispered in Russian before poking the needle into her arm and slowly pushing the liquid into her arm.
The scream startled both of them and they nearly lost their grip when she tried with all her might to get away from whatever was hurting her.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Almost done!" Georgi knew he couldn't force the antidote in quickly. Their chemist instructed them that it would collapse their vein and make it useless. Kenny was never one to leave them defenseless and had hired someone to make poisons and their antidotes. Sometimes a quiet kill was necessary over a blood bath. Not to mention bullets could be traceable.
"What in the world?!" Ashley ran over to the bed and attempted to pull Georgi off of her patient.
With one last push, he administered the antidote and let the woman tug him to the side, "She is going to need liquids, potassium, epinephrine on standby, and the strongest pain medicine that's legal."
"And who do you think you are? Did you go to medical school?!" She forced him off the bed and started her own evaluation on Kate.
"No but she was injected with a highly effective, extremely dangerous poison that comes from this shithole in Eastern Europe. It is a painful way to die. And had I not had my own cocktail of coagulants and inhibitors she would be dead in the next three hours. Now do your job and get an IV in her other arm, order what I told you to get, and do not skimp on the pain management. She is about to feel like she has a blowtorch to her skin." He reached under the doctor's arm and picked up his knife from the bed, twirled it around in his hand, and holstered it without breaking eye contact.
"Right. Well. Susie come over here and help me get an IV started." She paled rapidly as she shrank away from the intimidating looking man and called out for her head nurse.
"The Mayor is about to go live." Ron ignored the way Niko's friend used intimidation tactics to get what he wanted and picked up the TV remote to tune into the broadcast. He was worried about his boss and partner being outside and away from him now that there was a kill squad out there roaming the streets. The TV was already tuned to the local news affiliate and City Hall in all its splendor was front and center. A podium rested on the top step and Mayor Ochoa emerged from the large oak doors flanked by Francis, Mitt, and "Is that the mouthpiece of the FIB, Gary Lane?"
Niko lifted Kate's hand and kissed her knuckles. Not only was she physically assaulted but had been ruthlessly injected. Someone out there was going to pay for what they did to her. That was a promise he would keep for himself. And if anyone else fell victim in his inner circle he would make sure the person responsible would be killed in the upmost brutal way.
Georgi joined him at his side and answered a couple of text messages. Teams were in place and Anton was getting closer to City Hall to aid Avia. Things were in motion, and he sighed with relief when his guys confirmed that Roman and Mallorie were still in the hospital and that they would stay on their protection detail.
"Boss? Do you know of any places that Bernie would go to often? My men need a starting point." Georgi quietly asked Niko when he received a text that Bernie was not at his apartment.
"Bryce has a boat at the docks in Middle Park West. It is possible he went there." Niko studied the rash on Kate's arm and knew it was bothering her. She was whimpering in her sleep and slightly rocking her head side to side.
The murmuring and boring cadence of the Mayor's speech was interrupted on the television, as shouting and screaming took over.
"Sniper!" A familiar voice screamed out.
Everyone in the room turned to look at the TV with the word.
Avia ran up the steps and across the platform Francis, Mitt, Gary, and the Mayor were standing on, frantically waving at people to run and get out of the line of fire. She dove toward Francis as the sound of a large caliber gun went off. They both fell to the ground and did not get up. The camera shot up toward the sky before it wildly went everywhere as the person operating it ran for cover.
The feed was cut, and the screen went to the standard news logo with the high pitched ringing beep.
aaaaaa
Yes, I am evil.
But since I'm churning and burning away on the writing you won't have to wait long!
One Love!