I Should Have Protected The Little Angel

In the club, Nikolai feel as though he is going to lose his mind as he rushes to the security room. Why didn't I go with Merri? I never should have trusted Vera. If that woman isn't dead already I will kill her! I know she had something to do with what happened.

He sees Max as he weaves through the dance floor and stops. " Take Anya home." 

Max notices his expression doesn't look right. " What happened? "

 "I don't have time to explain, just go."

Once inside the security room he anxiously looks at the monitors. " Bring up fifteen minutes ago in the hallway by the restrooms. " 

The man looks at Larus for permission and Larus nods, " Do it."

Nikolai's heart almost stops eating when he sees the Chinese man dragging Merri down the hallway to the exit. He commands the security guard to focus on the parking lot and watches as she is thrown into a van.

Nikolai takes out his phone and calls the police station. Mikael is on night duty and he answers, "The lawyer…" 

Nikolai interrupts him, "Not why I called. I need you to access the cameras on the road to highway 302 starting at Larus' club. That is the only highway the bastards can take, the heavy rain caused a landslide blocking the other route leading away from the club.

"Why?"

"Meng Po kidnapped my woman."

Mikael leans forward in the office chair, " What the fuck! Are you serious?

 "Would I joke about something like that? Fucking do it now, send the link to Larus', you can do that right?"

"Yeah. His club is under my protection so I can send the footage directly to his security room."

"Good. Hurry."

Nikolai paces around the small room impatiently waiting. Although he wants to rush out and get in his car to look for Merri he knows it would be foolish. I need to remain calm.

His fists are clenched at his side, Merri I'm sorry I failed to protect you. I should have kept you by my side.

The supervisor of the security gulps down his saliva when he sees the footage come up on the monitor. He calls Nikolai and Larus over to look. When Nikolai sees the two men jump out of the van and it breaks through the guardrail his face loses its color. 

He doesn't say anything and runs out of the security room. Because of the angle of the camera he doesn't see Alexi pull off the road and jump over the guardrail.

Driving like a madman through the rain Nikolai reaches the scene of the accident. He parks and climbs down the muddy slope. 

 His hope is dashed when he can't see the van or Merri. He frantically searches the area hoping Merri was able to get out of the van before it went into the river. You can't be dead! No! 

After thoroughly searching the area he is covered in mud and sits on the ground. He puts his hands on his head and sobs uncontrollably, My fault…it's my fault…my little angel…

Before the sun comes up, Alexi hears the sound of a car and takes Merri's arm off of his waist. He quickly gets off the mattress and puts on his pants.

An old man opens the door and Alexi quickly covers his mouth. In a low voice he tells the frightened man "Shhh…I'm not going to hurt you. I don't want you to wake up the girl."

The fire in the fireplace still has a few flickering flames and the elderly man can see someone on the mattress covered in blankets.

 Alexi leans into his ear, "Outside."

The old man is terrified and nods then walks out the door. The rain hasn't stopped and the old man opens the umbrella in his hand. "Wh..why are you here?"

Alexi tells the man, "I will pay you, this is what I want you to do."

The old man listens and has a complicated expression. Alexi hadn't put on a shirt and he couldn't help but notice the fierce tattoos and scars on his broad chest. He is afraid that if he refuses the dangerous looking man will kill him. 

"You want me to say I found her by the water and saved her?"

"Yes. I want you to forget you saw me, do you understand Old Man?"

The old man scratches his white beard, "Understood."

"Wait out here. I am going to get her dressed and I will put her in your truck. Take her to the nearest hospital."

"En."

Alexi walks back into the cabin, this saves me a lot of trouble. I was going to the club because I needed Nikolai to go on a mission. If he knew I saved the little piano player and spent the night with her it might complicate matters. 

Looking at Merri's innocent and delicate face he is deep in thought.  Maybe I should feel some guilt for taking your body while you were unconscious but I don't. I made up my mind…you are mine. Otherwise, why would I risk my life to dive into the ice cold river to save you? I would have let you drown without a second thought if I didn't want your delicious body pressed under me.

 Thinking about last night's indulgence, he has a satisfied smile on his handsome face. I filled up the little fairy four times last night and covered her pussy so she didn't lose a drop of my essence. When she is pregnant with my child let's see if Nikolai still wants the girl. I never wanted children but if it will keep the timid little mouse under control and away from that bastard…

As he dresses Merri she flutters her eyelashes and her eyes open. Looking dazed she mumbles. "Who…" 

Alexi immediately presses her sleeping acupoint. "Sleep Little Mouse…now is not the time for you to awaken."

He carries the sleeping girl to the old man's truck and lays her on the backseat then covers her with a blanket. "Let me use your phone."

The old man's hand is trembling as he hands Alexi an outdated flip phone. Alexi calls Dimitri, "Pick me up, I will be at Bing's gas station."

He hands the phone back to the old man then takes a wad of damp cash from his wallet. "Here. And buy yourself a new phone. Drop me off at Bing's Gas Station."

He gets into the passenger seat and the old man gets into the driver's seat. The old man is curious about the relationship between this dangerous looking man and the young girl. The cabin reeked of sex when he entered. and he was shocked when he saw the delicate girl in Alexi's arms. The girl was young and very beautiful. Did he kidnap and rape the girl? If so why would he have me take her to a hospital and notify her relative?

Alexi notices the old man's expression and says, "I told you what to say. Don't have any thoughts you shouldn't have. It is none of your business, you got that?"

A thin layer of sweat forms on his wrinkled forehead, "I never saw you. I saved the girl. She was in and out of consciousness muttering, "Nikolai. Save me." T

Alexi knows those two words..save me.. will haunt Nikolai.

Nikolai probably got his friend Mikael to look at the camera footage along the highway. He will keep a glimmer of hope she is alive and check the hospitals. 

 Nikolai has been sitting on the bank of the river all night staring at the raging water. He is drenched from the rain and running a fever. His mind is in chaos thinking about Merri sinking in the van and dying in the icy cold water. He has been surrounded by death almost his entire life and this is the first time he feels overwhelming grief.

 He vowed, my little angel will avenge you then join you in death.

His phone is ringing and he ignores his sister's call. It continues to ring and he finally answers "What?"

"Nik, come to the hospital right away…Merri…Merri she is here.'

His heart races, "What? What did you say?"

"I came to see Vera with Sonia, she was attacked at the club last night. I was in the lobby while Sonia found out Vera's room number…"

"Shut up about that woman! What about Merri? What hospital?"

After he gets the information Nikolai stands up and his heart is beating wildly, she is alive! The little angel is alive!

When he arrives at the hospital he is a mess. His clothes are muddy, he has stubble covering his face and his ink black hair is messy. Anya is waiting in the lobby and barely recognizes her handsome brother. 

Looking at his red and swollen eyes she says, "What is going on?"

He brushes past her and walks up to the desk, "Merri Winslow, what room is she in?"

It is a small town and the nurse recognizes him, they went to grade school together. "Nikolai, she is being examined right now. Why don't you have a seat, you don't look very good."

" Tell me the room number."

The nurse has a helpless expression glancing over at Anya.

Anya hurries over, "Nikolai, Merri is unconscious right now. If she woke up and saw you like this…don't you think she would be distressed?"

He instructs the nurse in a firm tone, "After the examination, have her taken to a VIP room and give me the adjoining room."

Nikolai takes out his phone and calls Max, "Bring me clothes, I am at the hospital."

Max is getting ready to go to the hospital to see Vera. He knows not to ask questions, "Okay."

After he hangs up he says, "Which examination room is she in?"

The nurse points to a curtained area, "Number three."

He hurries over and an old man is sitting in a chair by the wall.

The old man takes a deep breath as Nikolai approaches him. This man's aura is no less oppressive than the man earlier, what the hell...I left the house early to avoid my wife nagging...I should have stayed home today! I planned on drinking beer and enjoying some much needed peace and quiet!