I was in no mood for small talk, but I would have answers from Willow. Then she’d learn the rest of the story. If my trust was misplaced, I would have no other choice but to consider her an enemy once again.
In my heart, I didn’t want that to be the case. I cared for her too much, but business was business and I couldn’t be blinded by love or anything else.
When the SUV stopped in front of the house, I took a deep breath, turning toward her. “We’re going to have a frank conversation.”
“That’s when I’m going to learn what secret you’ve been hiding?” Willow asked almost casually as she unfastened her seatbelt.
“You’re going to learn as much as I can tell you.” I climbed out of the vehicle, one of my soldiers assigned to watch the house already headed in my direction. “What is it, Thomas?”
“You’re not going to like this, boss. I tried to stop her, but she refused to listen,” Thomas said in a chopped tone.
“What’s going on?” Willow asked, flanking my side.
“Tell Aleksei what it is,” Maksim instructed.
“Mrs. Chimenski came by. She was upset and-”
The door being flung open interrupted Thomas’ admission. As I turned my head, it seemed all time stopped, panic settling in. The little boy came bounding out, wrapping his arms around my legs.
“Papa!”
I paced the floor in my office, the anger affecting my breathing. Perhaps my very sanity. I’d done everything to keep Dimitri away from this bullshit, protecting him, as I’d done for years. Now this… betrayal by his own grandmother. “What the hell did she say again?”
Thomas moved from foot to foot, obviously nervous I’d blame him for this crap. While I wanted nothing more than to lash out, my soldier had likely been in a situation that he had zero idea how to handle.
“Mrs. Chimenski was beside herself, almost hysterical. She was speaking in Russian, so I didn’t understand the majority of what she said other that she refused to keep Dimitri any longer. She was very afraid.” Thomas looked from Maksim back toward me, his breath shallow.
I didn’t blame her given the reports spewing across the news media like wildfire.
“There is nothing you could have done, Thomas. That much I know. I appreciate you waiting with Dimitri until I arrived.” I heard giggling laughter coming from the living room where I’d asked Willow to keep him until my business was concluded. I was firmly convinced getting my son and Willow out of the country was the only choice I had.
“What do you need now, boss?” Maksim asked.
“Make arrangements for tomorrow for the private jet.”
“You’re leaving?” He seemed surprised.
I shook my head. “For Dimitri and Willow. I’m sending them to my house in St. Lucia. I will need at least four of our best soldiers as protection.”
“I’ll be happy to go, boss,” Maksim stated.
“No. I need you here, but Thomas, Dimitri seems to like you.” I gave the soldier a hard look, but one of respect.
“I’d be honored, boss.” Thomas offered a slight smile.
“I’ll make the arrangements,” Maksim stated before motioning for Thomas to leave us alone.
“Tell no one,” I commanded.
“Wait just outside. We need to coordinate activities,” Maksim directed Thomas.
I stood with my arms folded, knowing Maksim had additional information.
Maksim approached, glancing over his shoulder one time before speaking. “Willow’s parents were killed in a horrific car accident.”
“And?”
“While there was a police investigation, it died. Went nowhere. From what I could tell after asking around, there was evidence of tampering, but the case was closed and locked away.”
As I’d suspected, but who made that request? Peter? At that point in time, he wouldn’t have had the clout or influence. Another piece of the puzzle. “Good to know. Keep digging.”
“Will do, boss.”
After Maksim left my office, I leaned over my desk, planting my palms on top. Everything had gotten completely out of hand. I’d promised Dimitri’s mother that nothing would happen to him. Nothing. Now this. I’d also done everything to keep his existence a secret, protecting him from my enemies. Karma was challenging me.
I raked my arm across the top, pitching everything to the floor. The loud crash did nothing but fuel my rage. The bastards actually thought they would best me. They had another damn think coming. I closed my eyes, trying to formulate yet another plan. At least I could control my son’s destiny.
As long as I could keep him alive.
For the first time in years, tears slipped down my face and even though I furiously wiped them away, I knew there was more to come. This wretched game had already taken a significant toll.
After wiping my eyes, I walked over the mess and into the hallway, my entire body shaking from hearing the continued lilting giggles that only a four-year-old boy could do. He was innocent in all of this, his precious life surrounded by lies.
As well as danger.
But he didn’t know that his father was a brutal killer. He had no idea that his mother had been the sole reason for living.
Now Willow.