Derek squatted down next to him and said, “Now you deserve a slow and painful death. You should be grateful I did it myself. Katarina would have paralyzed you first and you wouldn’t have seen the end coming. At least now you can.” Then he stood and looked at her for a second before he careened his head to the side and with a teasing smile said, “What part of don’t leave the house, I’ll take care of it, did you not understand?”
Elaine felt so relieved, she dropped to the ground. He rushed to her and lifted her to her feet, holding her to his side. “I’ve got you, love. You’re okay.”
Elaine just nodded, pressing her face into his chest and breathing in the comforting scent that was Derek.
“What do you want to do about him?”
Elaine looked at her father and he looked so tired and resigned. “Nothing.”
“What? But he—”
Elaine placed a hand over Derek’s chest and looked up at him. His eyes were fixed on Volkov, murder in his stare, “He had no idea of what had happened to me. It was all Vladimir.”
He cursed and huffed, “What the hell was wrong with him? He wasn’t hugged enough in his childhood?”
“Yes,” Volkov answered, “I was raised to believe only girls were showered with affection. Boys needed to grow up strong so a tough hand was needed.”
“Aha, well congratulations you successfully raised a psychopath who has harmed my family numerous times.”
Volkov visibly flinched and Elaine felt bad for him. But life was what you made it and he did have a handle in how Vladimir had turned out.
Volkov looked at her then, his eyes tender, “So all the stories were true. Your mother would be disappointed that I let you become death itself.”
“She’s not that anymore. She’s Elaine now.” Derek defended her.
He nodded, “Elaine? It’s not very Russian.”
Elaine didn’t understand why, but that made her laugh, “Derek thinks I should have picked Elena.”
He grunted his approval, “That is a strong Russian name.” his eyes grew sad again, “Why didn’t you come to me, tell me what happened?”
She shook her head, “I couldn’t face you. I was too angry, too scared. There was nothing you could have done that I hadn’t already.”
“What did you do?”
The sound of growling dogs and screams filled her ears. She sat there, her back against the locked door and listened as Ivan begged and screamed for help, as the dogs he’d neglected and let starve as he brutalized her fed on him, echoed by the sound of tearing flesh and spilling blood. She couldn’t watch, but she could listen and it was music to her ears. An hour ago she was the one tied down and helpless, now it was his turn. Once everything was silent, she rose to her feet, showered, dressed and walked out of her hell, a changed woman.
“It’s a long story, but the short version of it is, I fed him to his own dogs.” Again he nodded his approval.
“I could have comforted you.”
Maybe, but as she remembered she wasn’t in the frame of mind to be comforted. She wanted to punish, to make what Ivan had done to her inconsequential. A few years in BDSM had helped her with that until she’d convinced herself that it no longer had a hold on her, and if it were to happen to her again, it was because she’d permitted it. She was a killing machine then and made no apologies about it, even to the innocent bystanders.
“It’s over now, in the past. And that’s where I want it to remain.”
He nodded then looked at Derek intently as if he was trying to read him before he looked at her again, “Will you ever come back to see me? I would like us to renew our relationship.”
Elaine shook her head no sadly even as Derek voiced her answer, “No. We have a child now and we don’t want her affected by that kind of life. I do hope you understand.”
He smiled brightly, “A grandchild? Boy or girl?”
Elaine wasn’t sure she should say, but after a brief hesitation Derek answered, “Girl. Her name is Katya.”
Volkov’s eyes filled with tears, “Katya,” he whispered her name like it was angelic deserving to be revered. He truly did love her mother and remembering her must still hurt him deeply.
Elaine hurt for him.
He sighed, rubbing his hand over his forehead, “I should have done the same with you, my Katarina. You might not have had so much pain in your life. Da, it is a good decision, but I do hope you will let me visit once a year at least?”
Elaine chuckled. He wouldn’t give up, “How about we meet at a neutral place that won’t bring danger to our doorstep?”
He smiled, “That is a better idea. I brought some things that belonged to you and your mother. I would like you to have it. You could pass it on to Katya,” his voice broke, “When the time comes.”
She nodded, “I’ll be honored.”
He opened his arms and like a lost little boy asked, “Is it too much to ask for a hug?”
She shook her head, blinded with tears and a burning throat she rushed to him and hugged him tight and it felt like the weight of the world left her. Dear God, how things would have been different if not for Vladimir.
“Moya prekrasnaya doch’ . YA lyublyu tebya.”
“O papa.”
“Thanksgiving is going to be real interesting this year. Two former CIA agents, two former assassins, two FBI agents and the most wanted Russian mobster. I can’t wait!” Derek delivered with a dry tone, none too pleased about it.
Elaine just laughed and she could tell Volkov was as well. She knew he was concerned about Damien’s reaction. Volkov Zolnerowich was a wet dream for FBI’s gangs and mobs unit. Things were bound to get awkward. But she hoped he would be more understanding than Dale was about Tasha. Normal families always had that one relative the rest didn’t want around, so yes, they were as normal as normal could get.