Her Lucky Number Thirteen (The American Soldier Collection 13)

“Whatever you think is right. We’ll do our best to protect her.”

Viktor gave his buddy’s shoulder a slap. “I know you will. Keep me posted and good luck.” Corona nodded and then helped Nina with her bags before they got into the SUV and headed to the airport.

* * * *

“We’re getting closer. I fucking knew we would, Viktor. There was some chatter that Vincent was giving up some territory to Romeo on the east coast. There’s some kind of deal going down in the next several days.”

“What kind of deal, Cosivan?” Viktor asked. He took a seat in the chair in front of the desk. His heart was heavy for having to ship Nina off, but the good thing was that she wouldn’t be too far from their own house where Nalia was. A thirty minute ride or so. He rubbed his arm where the stitches were. He missed Nalia. Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.

“I’m going to pull some of our old buddies and put them on this. They have those connections in New York. Maybe they’ll pick up on something.”

“Good. I can’t wait to get back to Salvation and see Nalia.”

“And explain about those stitches,” Cosivan said and raised his eyebrows up at him.

Viktor shrugged his shoulders. “She’s going to be upset, but we’ll keep her busy,” he added and winked. Cosivan shook his head and barely smirked. That was Cosivan.

* * * *

Karlicov sat in the office talking to Nicolai.

“Don’t worry, my friend, you’ll get to see her soon. We’re getting close and will take care of Lapella and Scarlapetti.”

Karlicov nodded.

“It was all so unnecessary. I gave Nalia and Danella up to protect them. Danella is dead, and Nalia could have died, too. She is still in danger and always will be.”

“But now she has her men. You made the right decision in allowing Team 13 to claim her and love her. It was meant to be.”

“I didn’t want her to have this life.”

“Sometimes decisions are made for us and fate steps in. Cosivan and his men are well trained and one of the best teams we have. They will protect her with their lives.”

Karlicov was silent as he thought about them. They were so much older. But Nicolai was right. There was no way of fighting fate. His daughter loved those men and it was obvious when Cosivan and Viktor talked to him and told Nicolai that they loved her, too.

“When all this is over we’ll celebrate. After all, our friendship is now bound by blood as my nephew Viktor is part of Team 13,” Nicolai said and winked.

Karlicov chuckled. “And to think how much trouble you first thought Viktor was going to be. He turned out to be the best soldier, the most loyal of all.”

Nicolai smiled with pride.

“We were very lucky to be able to grab Viktor when my brother was killed. I almost lost him a few times to people, enemies that still live and breathe free.”

“We’ll always have our enemies, Nicolai. We can’t let our guard down. They’re out there, watching, waiting to strike and take what is dear from us. We must be diligent in protecting those so close to us.”

Nicolai nodded. “We are doing the best we can.”

“That we are, and you have your son, Viktor, and now I have my daughter, Nalia, to love and protect.”

Nicolai gave a nod, but he couldn’t fully smile. He had yet to find Malayna, a daughter he hadn’t even known he had until it was too late. For all he knew she was dead, but there wasn’t any proof. Her mother was murdered and Malayna taken from her home in Lozova in the Ukraine three years ago. She would be twenty-one now if she were still alive. His heart was heavy, his desire to find her still strong, yet all his leads failed to be successful.

Nicolai’s phone rang and he answered it. “Really? he said and then smirked at Karlicov. “Take care of that and let me know when things are done.” He disconnected the call.

“We got word from an unconfirmed source that Lapella and Scarlapetti are in Florida.”

Karlicov clenched his teeth.

“My men are on it. If they are there, then this situation ends sooner than we hoped.”