Chapter 49

Nikolai

“What the fuck, Drago? What the fuck do you mean someone just tried to abduct Katya while she was with Hannah?” I barked into the phone in disbelief.
“Calm down, mal’chik,” Drago ordered. I hated when he called me boy, and he knew it.
“What the fuck happened?” My anxiety skyrocketed as he told me about the Italian following Katya and Hannah out of the coffee shop and grabbing Katya. I felt absolutely sick to my stomach as Drago emotionlessly recounted coming up behind the motherfucker, knocking him out and dragging him away. I didn’t give a fuck about the Italian, but the thought of Hannah seeing Katya nearly kidnapped made me fucking crazy.
“Jesus Christ.” All my thoughts focused on Hannah and how she was doing, although I knew I should be more worried about what all this implied. “Where’s the Italian?”
“I took care of it, but I need to get a hold of Roman. He needs to make his move to get the girl, because I will not let them take Katerina,” Drago said with quiet ferocity that made me curious.
“Why were you even there? At the cafe?” I asked, intrigued about his timely intervention.
Drago sighed deeply, and I could almost feel him rolling his eyes over the phone. “It’s not important. I figured Katerina would be vulnerable after what your fuck-up father pulled.” Drago’s accent sounded more exaggerated than usual. “I have someone protecting her now.”
His reaction was interesting—normally Drago took the term coldly dispassionate to new levels. I’d never seen him become attached to a woman, and I’d certainly never seen him show a shred of remorse over any of the shit my father had had him do, which was saying a lot. If he was personally guarding Katya, there were a limited number of ways to interpret this information. In fact, there were only two. Either she was a potential traitor, which was highly unlikely for a mountain of reasons. Or he had an interest in her well-being that went beyond loyalty to the family.
“You didn’t have to do it yourself, you know?” I mentioned casually, as if he didn’t already know that.
“Nikolai,” Drago uttered softly, warningly.
I knew that was my cue to drop the subject, which I was happy to do, as I had about a hundred other things to worry about than his potential romantic interest in Katya.
“Tell me when you hear from Roman, and what the timeline is going to be. Hannah is getting exposed to way too much of the Bratva. First, she had to meet my dickhead father, now this? The sooner that bastard is gone, the better.” I knew it sounded cold, talking about my father’s death that way, but it was nothing less than he deserved.
"I will let you know when Roman has the girl," Drago said, then ended the call.
I texted Hannah.
*Nikolai: Where are you? I heard about what happened with Katya. Are you okay?
Hannah: I just got home. Yes, I’m fine. I guess. It’s all kind of fucked up, you know?*
Did I know? Fuck, yes, I knew.
*Nikolai: I want to see you. Can I sneak in your room tonight? Do you share a wall with your mom?*
I needed to see her, but there was no way I was bringing her to my house. I planned on parking my car somewhere else and walking to her place. The less we were seen together, the better. Once my dad is out of the way and things have been smoothed over with the Italians, then I could lighten up.
*Hannah: Hahaha, why does it matter if I share a wall with my mom? Are you a loud... talker?*
I smiled.
*Nikolai: I’m not a very loud talker, but I bet you could be under the right circumstances.
Hannah: blushing emoticon*
I smiled again, feeling my dick harden in anticipation. I couldn’t exactly do everything I wanted tonight, not with her family one thin wall away, but I could definitely do something.
*Nikolai: I’ll be there around 10.*