“Yeah. Make it quick.”
“Quick is fine. That’s how I like it.” Maxwell grinned. “This is my first job in years.”
“It is?”
“One that doesn’t have anything to do with Em.”
“You’re rising in popularity with the brotherhood. Expect more contracts to come your way.”
Fuego walked over with Ava’s grandmother. She limped forward. I fisted my hands, wanting to kill Fuego myself. Cool wind blew at her housecoat. With each step, she checked her back and then her front, and then she gazed from side to side.
“She has no idea where she’s at.” Maxwell shook his head. “Does she even have a passport?”
“I had Fuego put something together.”
“I like how you Bratva rock. You have no limits to what you can do.”
“Well, Maxwell, I think today is exposing possible limits.”
“Good point.”
“When they get here, take Fuego up to the plane. Do what you have to do and get back.”
“Got you.” Maxwell placed his hands in his pocket. “This woman looks no nonsense. I say tell her the truth. Try not to leave anything out. And as much as possible, call her ma’am. She’s from New York, so they’re not into the sir and ma’am shit like the south, but with her age. . .and the whole kidnapping thing, she may appreciate it.”
Fuego stopped in front of us.
Ava’s grandmother trembled at his side.
I extended my hand in front of her. “Hello. My name is Misha. Can I have your name?”
Her hand shook as she raised and met mine. “I-I’m Jacqueline Jones. . .and t-this is a misunderstanding. I don’t k-know what’s going on. . .”
She released my hand and stopped talking as Maxwell gestured for Fuego to go with him.
Confused, Fuego eyed me.
“Go ahead, Fuego.” I pointed back to the plane. “My friend wants to talk to you.”
Fuego coughed into his hand. There was a bite mark on his thumb, and several scratches on his face. Saying nothing, he walked off with Maxwell.
I turned my attention back to Ava’s grandmother. “Mrs. Jones, you are correct. This was a complete misunderstanding. An accident of mega proportions.”
She let out a long breath.
“Fuego will be dealt with.”
“That man dragged me around.” Her bottom lip quivered. “He chased me all over the neighborhood.”
“I’m so sorry for that. It wasn’t my intentions.”
Mrs. Jones raised her brows. “You’re intentions? This man works for you?”
“He does. Well, he did.”
She looked around. “Where am I? I’ve been all over the East Coast. We’re too far. And it’s too cold to be the west coast.”
I cleared my throat. “You are in Russia.”
“Lord Jesus.” She inched back. “Russia? That man brought me to Russia?”
“Yes, it was supposed to be a surprise. I wanted you to see Ava’s ballet performance this evening, but Fuego was never—”
“You know my granddaughter Ava?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She blinked. “How do you know Ava?”
“I’ve been a fan of her talent since she came to Moscow, and I hope to be in her life. That, of course, is up to her.”
Mrs. Jones nervous expression shifted to neutral.
I swallowed. “This was supposed to be a. . .romantic surprise for Ava. She’s spoken to me about how she wished you could see her perform. I felt horrible, so I quickly contacted Fuego who was already in New York. I asked him to bring you here, but. . .please understand that there was to be no violence or rough tactics involved. In fact, I should’ve handled this myself.”
Still, she did not respond.
“I would like to make this up to you, Mrs. Jones.”
She looked around again. “I’m in Russia?”
“Yes, ma’am. St. Petersburg to be exact.” I gestured to the limo. My hands shook the whole time. I’d killed many. With a cousin like Kazimir, I’d been in several tight conversations with him. However, this moment was the first time in years that a tremble hit my body. “I would like you to come with me and get you dressed up. Any accommodations that you need, I will provide. I can’t make this up to you enough. If it takes my whole life, then I will.”
She glanced at that limo and then stepped back. It didn’t appear she would be getting in it at all.
“I can provide you with clothes and—”
“I just want to see Ava.”
Not yet. It’s too soon.
“You will see Ava in time. She is preparing for her performance. We will be there this evening.”
“Does Ava know that I’m here?”
“She does not. It’s a surprise.”
“So, she doesn’t know what happened to me?”
I did my best to not stir. “She does not, and. . .I would appreciate it, if she did not know.”
Mrs. Jones didn’t respond.
Whistling came off in the distance. I glanced behind Mrs. Jones and spotted Maxwell coming down the steps with his jacket slung over one shoulder.
You killed him that fast?
Mrs. Jones grabbed my attention. “I-I don’t feel comfortable going anywhere with you. I’m sorry, but I don’t know you or what’s going on.”