Chapter 6 - The Rival's Ultimatum
I dropped the phone, the screen shattering against the hardwood floor of the penthouse.
Julian had framed me for his own financial crimes before Nikolai had locked him in the basement.
I ran into the living room, ready to pack a bag and flee before the federal agents arrived.
Nikolai was already sitting on the leather sofa, calmly polishing a silver handgun.
"You aren't going anywhere, Evelyn," he said, not even looking up from his weapon.
"Penny just called, the FBI has my name on forged money-laundering documents!" I panicked, pacing the room.
Nikolai finally looked at me, a dark, reassuring amusement dancing in his eyes.
"I handled the FBI raid three hours ago," he stated smoothly.
He explained that his hackers had erased my name from the digital servers and replaced it with my father's name.
My father was currently taking the fall for Julian's crimes, sitting in a federal holding cell.
I realized then that my fiancé was always ten brutal steps ahead of his enemies.
I sat down next to him, feeling a strange, intoxicating rush of absolute safety in his presence.
Before I could thank him, his private secure line rang, filling the room with a shrill, urgent tone.
Nikolai answered it, and I watched his stoic, controlled expression shatter into pure, unadulterated rage.
He crushed the phone in his grip, the plastic cracking under his massive strength.
"Get your coat, Evelyn, we are going to the docks," he commanded, standing up abruptly.
"What happened?" I asked, rushing to keep up with his massive strides.
"Julian managed to escape the basement with the help of a guard he bribed," Nikolai explained furiously.
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We got into the armored car, tires screeching as his driver sped into the rainy night.
"Julian kidnapped Serena and is demanding you as a ransom exchange to the Romanov cartel," Nikolai revealed grimly.
