Authors: Jacee Macguire
Dani stepped out of the bathroom and froze, taking in the sight of him. He was dressed casually today and still looked like sex on a stick. His denim jeans were fitted to his muscular thighs and she gasped as her eyes found the bulge of his cock pressing hungrily against his jeans. His dark brown hair was messy in the sexiest way, like he had just climbed out of bed. He was a wet dream oozing sex appeal. “Umm. Hi Sergei,” she said unable to tear her gaze from his. “Thanks again for offering to take us sightseeing. What have you got planned for us?”
“Hello, Milaya moya. You look beautiful.” His eyes greedily worked over her body. She shivered wanting more than his eyes to touch her. She’d do anything to get him out of those tight-ass jeans for a few hours.
“You guys get a freaking room already,” Zoe said, shaking her head. “If you’re going to give each other bedroom eyes all day, I’ll hit the road alone.” She looked from Sergei to Dani. “So are we going to see the sights are what?” Sergei laughed a deep hearty laugh, obviously enjoying Zoe’s personality. Dani grabbed her purse and headed for the door where Sergei waited.
They stopped for breakfast at a small café, not far from the hotel. Dani saw the way people seemed to immediately notice Sergei’s presence and either offered to assist him with anything he needed help with or got out of his way like he was Moses or something. What that was all about? Maybe he or his family were important in St. Petersburg. He was so kind to everyone and always had a smile on his face, while still giving off a sense of power and authority, no matter where they were.
Sergei wasn’t like any of the guys she knew. She really liked that about him. Every time he touched her, in even the slightest way, a thrill rushed over her she couldn’t quite explain. She only knew that being with him made her feel special, as if maybe he was her special guy, the one man meant to make her happy, to fill her life with excitement and love… but most of all, safety.
“Sergei, why do people seem to treat you special?” Dani asked
“You noticed. Well, my father is a very powerful man in Russia, not someone you wish to anger. Many people know this and extend that same resepct to me and my brother, Stephan.” He didn’t want to elaborate on the subject and hoped Dani would be satisfied with his answer.
“Oh. How old is your brother?” she asked, wondering if she might be able to play matchmaker for him and Zoe.
“He’s twenty-two. Why?” Sergei arched his brow, a concerned look etched on his handsome face.
“I just thought maybe he might be someone Zoe could hang out with while we’re here.”
Sergei laughed, shaking his head. “I think he is too wild for young Zoe. He would eat her alive… or the two of them would cause too much trouble when paired together.”
Dani giggled. “You’re probably right. She can be a handful all by herself.”
Zoe had enjoyed breakfast with Sergei and Dani but being a third wheel just wasn’t her thing. She excused herself and ventured to a few of the nearby street vendors, giving the two lovebirds time alone. She was thrilled to finally see her friend spending time with a man. Dani seemed to light up like the fourth of July when Sergei was around her, which was a sight she thought she’d never see.
After breakfast, Sergei took the girls on a tour of St. Petersburg, hitting most of the major sights – the Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Winter Palace, and the Bronze Horseman, a monument to Peter the Great – which took a majority of the day to see. Zoe and Dani took tons of pictures throughout the day. Dani found the architecture and color schemes of the different buildings fascinating, but her thoughts kept returning to Sergei and their encounter at the bar. She wanted to experience that feeling again.
“Thanks for taking us out on the town, Sergei,” Zoe said. “I had a great time.”
“Sure. Maybe we can all go out again later this week.” he said.
When they returned to the hotel, Zoe slipped up to the room, providing Dani and Sergei with some time alone to say their goodbyes for the day. They found a table in the corner of the bar, where they continued to chat. Sergei had entertained the idea of coming clean with Dani about the family business but was worried she would fear him if she knew the truth, and he couldn’t stand the thought of her being scared of him. For some reason, he felt the need to be near her and, in some ways, that scared him more than death.
A waiter approached to take their drink orders. “What can I get you to drink, sir?”
“Vodka,” Sergei replied. “Bring the bottle.”
“And for the lady?”
“A whiskey sour would be great. Thank you.” Dani replied.
“I’ll be back with your drinks shortly.” The waiter left for the bar and returned a few minutes later, placing their drinks, along with a bottle of vodka, on the table before rushing away.
“I had a wonderful time today.” Dani said, smiling at Sergei.
“It was my pleasure,” he replied, sliding his hand across the table and lacing his fingers through hers. “I enjoy spending time with you.”
“What are your plans tomorrow?” she asked
“I have family business to attend to in the morning. But I’d like to spend the afternoon with you... just you... if you’re free.”
“I am. At least I think I am. I’ll have to check with Zoe.” She hoped Zoe wouldn’t mind spending the day by herself. She could tell something was on Sergei’s mind but refused to question him about it.
He kissed her on the hand and stood from the table. “I must head home, Milaya moya.” He leaned over and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “Sleep well.” And then he was gone. Dani remained in the bar, sipping her whiskey sour, wondering how she could be so lucky to find such a hot man on her first day of vacation.
“The old law about an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind.”
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Chapter Eight
Dani and Zoe were dressed and ready to spend the morning checking out museums; one thing they hadn’t gotten around to during Sergei’s tour. Everything about their trip was turning out better than Dani could have expected or imagined. A knock sounded at the door as they were grabbing their purses.
“Who could that be?” Zoe asked.
Dani shrugged. “I have no idea. Sergei is busy until after lunch.”
Zoe flipped the latch on the door and opened it. A uniformed delivery man stood there with a dozen of the most beautiful white roses either girl had ever seen and a small box. “Delivery for a Dani McCade.”
“That’s me,” Dani said, wondering who the roses and package were from. Surely, Sergei hadn’t sent her something but nobody else knew she was here.
“Sign here, please.” The delivery man held a clipboard and pen towards her.
Dani quickly signed the paperwork. “Thank you.”
The delivery man smiled and nodded. “Have a nice day.”
Zoe and Dani eyed the package with curious looks each taking a moment to smell the gorgeous roses. Neither said a word for several minutes as they looked at the labels adhered to the box.
“Well,” Zoe said, “maybe it’s a special gift from Sergei. He really seems to like you a lot. Open it! I’m dying to know what’s in the box.”
“Maybe,” Dani said. “Grab my nail file from the bathroom counter. Let’s see what’s inside.”
Zoe dashed into the bathroom, returning within seconds, anxious to see what Dani had received. “Here you go. Tear into it already. I’m dying here,” she said, bouncing up and down like a child.
Dani laughed. “Give me a minute, will you?” She sliced the tape slowly, just to agitate her friend. She slowly removed the beautiful red ribbon – loving the way the material felt as it whisped through her fingers – and flipped the lid of the small box open. She pulled out layers of tissue paper, and then gasped.
“No!” she yelled, shoving the tiny box across the table away from her, stumbling away from the box, knowing no matter how far away from it she got, it would never be far enough. Tears streamed down her face as the reality of the situation consumed her. He was back, and his twisted game had begun again.
Zoe looked from her best friend to the little box on the table and then back to Dani, a confused look upon her face. “What is it? You’re freaking me out?”
Dani could scarcely draw breath, her lungs tight, her throat burning as she sobbed and dry-heaved, collapsing in a panicked heap on the floor. She watched through tears as Zoe approached the box. “Don’t!” she shouted at her.
“Oh my god! What the hell...” Zoe screeched, as she too backed away from the suddenly horrifying gift box.
Dani sat on the floor, knees pulled up to her chest, breathing heavily as she wrapped her arms tight around her legs, rocking back and forth, the fear of the note settling around her like a storm cloud. She knew exactly what was coming; well, not exactly, but she had an idea and it wouldn’t be good.
She looked at Zoe, saw her pale skin and wide eyes. She had seen the… gift, if you could call it that. Inside the innocent-looking box, nestled in tissue paper, sat a human eyeball. She knew from experience that it wasn’t fake. He didn’t do fake. It was real… and it had been removed from… someone. She also knew he wouldn’t keep that part secret. That was part of his game, and she had to know. She slowly rose on shaky legs and quickly stepped forward, plucking a small card from the box, before retreating back to her spot on the floor.
Breathing heavily, trying to still her trembling hand, she read the message.
I’ve been watching you from afar but now I want to play.
So cute how you thought that Waters bitch saved you.
I’ve always known where you are!
Soon I’ll rip your fucking heart out like you did mine!
I’m coming for you!!
Oh! Here’s a little something from Margo! She had such beautiful eyes.
Her stalker was back. They were far away from home. She had a different name. And he still found her. She didn’t know what to do, but she didn’t want to move or leave the safety of the hotel room. The safety she had known for the past few years had been shattered with the acceptance of one tiny little box. How did he find her? Why now, after all this time?
“Dani?” Zoe whispered, as if someone could hear her. “It’s him isn’t it?” Fear oozed from every word she uttered as she wrapped her arms around her friend, crushing their bodies together.
Dani nodded, unable to utter the words because speaking would make everything that was happening real… and she wasn’t ready for that. Not yet.
As they huddled together on the floor of their hotel room, time seemed to stand still. The noises from the street faded, leaving them bathed in silence. She had been through this before, but she was more prepared now, wasn’t she? There was so much she needed to say to Zoe, yet the words wouldn’t come when she opened her mouth so she clamped it shut again. She needed to think.
She didn’t know how much time had passed, but her bones were beginning to ache. All she could think about was making sure Zoe was safe from harm. The depraved psycho only really wanted her but he would use Zoe to hurt her, just like he did poor Margo. How could she persuade her best friend to leave her behind? Was that even possible?
Looking at Zoe, the only person she had been brave enough to share her story with, she realized her friend would never leave her behind. Even after sharing her past, Zoe had stuck by her side. Danger or not, Dani knew she wouldn’t leave, and she still didn’t know what to do? Call the police? She didn’t know who the guy was or what he looked like or where he was. All she had was a box, a letter, and an eye, and he had never left a shred of evidence to link him to the crimes he had committed. Bastard!
She glanced at the clock on the wall. Almost noon. They had been sitting on the floor for hours. Sergei would be arriving soon. Maybe, just maybe, he could help. Maybe he would know what to do. Regardless if he could or not, having a man around would possibly deter the bastard from trying anything.
“Dani, I’m scared.” Zoe whimpered, the words barely audible.
“Me too,” Dani said, her eyes cemented to the carpet. “I’m so sorry this is happening.”
“What are we going to do? Should we go home?”
“He’ll follow me no matter what we do. Here or there the problem is still the same. Maybe Sergei...” A loud knock shattered the silence, slicing through the fear permeating the room.
Zoe’s eyes went wide, both girls jerking their heads towards the door. Neither of them moved, just watched and waited.
Another loud knock.
Dani and Zoe stared at the door.
“Dani? Zoe? Are you there?” Sergei’s voice boomed, knocking again.
“Thank god,” Dani said, her eyes meeting Zoe’s. “Just a minute. Coming.” She lifted herself from the floor and made her way to the door, making a point to not look at the table or what was on it.
Sergei stepped into the room, immediately noticing the looks of dread on each of their faces. “What’s wrong?” he asked, looking around the room for signs of trouble.
Zoe pointed to the box on the table. Sergei followed her finger, his eyes drifting to the package. He made his way to the table in a few powerful strides, his body tense, reacting to the mood of the room. He grasped the box in his hand, his eyes going wide as he looked directly into a human eye. His eyes flicked to the lid of the box, saw who the gristly package was addressed to. “Dani?” He turned to look at the girls. “What’s going on? Someone talk to me. Now!” He demanded, his voice laced with concern.
Dani met his dark, brooding eyes, a tear slipping down her cheek. Her legs turned to jello and her body crumbled to the floor in a heap. She sobbed, gasping for air. Sergei was by her side instantly, kneeling down and scooping her tense little body into his strong arms. He lifted her up and carried her to the couch. “Tell me, Milaya moya. What is going on? I am worried. Someone is after you?” He put his arm around her and pulled her close. “Let me help you.” he urged her softly. Her body was tense against his, fear rolling off her in waves. Sergei glanced away, his eyes darkening as anger swept through his body. Whoever was responsible for this would pay.