Mr. Forrester: An Alpha Billionaire Romance (9 page)

"
D
wayne
? It's Elizabeth."

Dwayne slipped his jacket on, his body relaxed and languid after the onsen and the wonderful lovemaking with Erica. They had stayed another two hours, enjoying snacks and delicacies out of the water, making love one more time before their reservation was finished. Changing into his clothes, he had never felt more at peace, until he heard the worried tone of his sister's voice.

"What's wrong, Elizabeth? Is it the show?"

"No," Elizabeth said coldly, which Dwayne knew meant his sister was scared silly. She had an inner steel, a reserved place she mentally went when emotions threatened to take over, that allowed her amazing mind to act even when everyone else around her was losing theirs. It was a trait he envied, but also feared. When Elizabeth sounded like this, you knew that things were desperate.

"I tried to contact Kelly and Peter an hour ago. When they didn't answer, I asked Tina to go back to the hotel and look for them, thinking maybe they fell asleep. Dwayne, Tina found the stroller outside on a nearby sidewalk, abandoned. Peter, Kelly and Baby Liz are missing."

"Have you called the cops?"

"Of course. However, the Tokyo police are less than helpful. They won't do anything unless you or Erica file the report, and even then they won't get involved until they have been missing for at least twenty four hours. Also, not to put too delicate a point on it, but as foreigners, they really don't care about the case. There's no Japanese nationals involved, so they aren't going to expend manpower on this."

Dwayne felt a sick, helpless rage settle over his heart, and part of him recognized this must be the feeling that Erica had felt numerous times in her life when she had encountered prejudice. He'd spent his life among wealth and power, and when he asked for something, people usually bent over backwards to accompany it. Now the shoe was on the other foot. He noted the feeling, and filed it away for reflection later.

"What are you doing now?"

"I've already contacted a private helicopter company, they will be arriving in twenty minutes to fly you and Erica back to Tokyo. I've also had Tina call some of the private security contractors I know, working connections to get some legitimate investigators going on this now. I'm holding off on contacting the American embassy, we don't need the bureaucratic or political hassle right now."

"I agree," Dwayne said, yanking his shoe on and heading out of the dressing room. Not heeding the dividing curtain, he charged into the women's dressing room, finding Erica amidst a small group of Japanese women in various states of undress, and walked up, ignoring the squeals and protests from the women.

"Get dressed. Now. There's an emergency. A helicopter is picking us up in twenty minutes."

Leaving the dressing room without saying another word, Dwayne stood in the hallway of the onsen. When the manager came up to him, an angry look on his face, Dwayne's icy cold stare halted him in his tracks, retreating towards the front desk.

"Elizabeth, as soon as you get someone who can track it, I'm going to send you a chip code. Tell me, did Tina find Liz's baby blanket?"

"I don't know. I don't think so, she said she just found the stroller itself."

"Then we may be able to track them," Dwayne said, as Erica came out of the dressing room with a concerned look on her face. "I had some of Liz's things chipped with tracking devices. If she has either her blanket or her knit cap on, we can track her position anywhere we can get a cell phone signal."

"I'll check with Tina," Elizabeth said. "Don't worry Dwayne, we'll get them back."

Dwayne hung up the phone, and gathered Erica in a hug. His voice thick with tears, he told her the story, embracing her as the terror overtook them both. Erica sobbed and screamed into his chest, her fists pounding against his back as she fought back the emotions. He held her tightly, letting her purge her emotions, his eyes screwed shut as the tears trickled down. Finally the storm passed, and Dwayne felt Erica pull away. She looked up at him with a fierceness in her eyes that he knew reflected the feelings he also had.

"We're going to find them," Dwayne said, "and when we do, God help whoever took them."

K
elly looked
around at the luxurious apartment. They were in the Roppongi section of Tokyo, which confused Kelly at first.

"Why are we here?"

"Roppongi is one of the hubs of illicit business in Tokyo," Peter explained, holding Liz as he carefully fed her a bottle. He'd hung onto the small bag that contained two bottles and some diapers, and had gotten warm water from a tap to mix up the formula. "I can only assume that I made a mistake in coming back to Japan. When I left my father, he and the Yakuza crime families were not on pleasant terms due to a disagreement over a business affair involving North Korea. I thought that as long as I didn’t gain their attention, I could be safe here. It would seem that he has formed some sort of connections here."

"You are correct, my son," Ivan Zubukov said as he walked into the room. "You always did have the ability to see my thoughts. It took years, but through forming new alliances and a little bit of luck, you were undone."

"And what was that bit of luck, Ivan?" Peter said, sitting down to nestle the baby in his arms. "In what way did God decide to piss on me to bring you back into my life?"

"Such harsh words, Piotr. A thing I could have excused sixteen years ago when you were but a child, but as a man, you must watch your tongue, even if you are my son."

"I only speak the truth, Ivan. Why else would you keep these other two, one of them an innocent baby? You're as much a monster now as when you had my mother killed."

"She was my wife, boy!" Ivan screamed, storming across the room. Peter barely had time to set Liz down on the sofa before Ivan's kick took him in the chest, sending him tumbling backwards. Liz started screaming, terrified by the noise and ruckus. "You would do well to understand that fact!"

Peter picked himself up from the ground, his lip bloodied from his impact with the floor behind the sofa. "You asshole! You're never going to change, are you?"

"Never. It’s how men of power are supposed to be."

Peter stared at his father, before his eyes went to the screaming face of Liz and Kelly's scared look. "Fine. Then I shall return with you to Odessa. But let these two go, please. They’re of no importance to you."

"But they are important to you, Piotr," Ivan replied. "They will be disposed of."

"What?" Kelly asked, horrified.

Ivan, for the first time, turned his vision towards her. "My son always had terrible taste in women. With so many beautiful examples of Russian women, or even some of the delicate beauties of Asia available to you, you choose her."

"I love her, Ivan," Peter said. Kelly's eyes turned to Peter, wonder on her face. Peter ignored her look for a moment, his green eyes blazing on his father's. "If you do anything, and I mean anything to harm them, I will never forgive you."

Ivan laughed. "I do not desire or need your forgiveness, Piotr. Merely your obedience."

T
he helicopter blades
had barely stopped before Dwayne and Erica were out of their seats, running across the concrete towards Elizabeth. A short Japanese man stood next to her, his trim physique holding tightly contained energy. Elizabeth held a tablet computer, her face tight yet hopeful.

"Dwayne, Erica, this is Takeshi Sugihara. He's the head of a private group of contractors who I've hired to find Peter, Kelly and Liz."

"Miss Forrester has explained your situation to me," Takeshi said in heavy accented English, "My company will do everything we can to find your child."

“I’ve been able to establish a connection with the tracker you said was put in Liz's blanket," Elizabeth said, handing him the tablet. "Unfortunately, the signal was lost thirty minutes ago."

"What do you mean lost?" Erica asked fearfully.

"Do not afraid," Sugihara said, his words soothing even though not perfect, "the building they are in is shield against electronic signal."

"Apparently, they are being held in a building controlled by one of the local Yakuza gangs," Elizabeth added. "As a protective measure, they built a Faraday cage into the entire structure. No electronic signals of any kind can get in or out of the building without the use of an external antenna."

"So they’re alive?" Dwayne asked intently. Elizabeth nodded.

"Takeshi already has operatives with eyes on the building. They are in the fourth floor of the building, in an apartment. All three have been seen through windows as of five minutes ago."

"And why aren't your operatives kicking in doors and busting heads?" Erica asked hotly. "Why haven't you gotten my daughter back yet?"

"That is Yakuza building, Miss Williams," Takeshi replied. "They have armed men, and protection. Police will not assist, as it will cause
meiwaku
."

"Dissension, a scene, disharmony," Elizabeth translated. "If we go in with the men that Takeshi has, the only thing that will happen is a stalemate, and Liz would be in further danger."

"My men will watch, and when they leave the building, we will have better opportunity."

"
S
o you want my obedience
?" Peter asked, circling around the sofa to face his father. "You won't have it. You hurt them, and you will have to sleep every single night with bodyguards and one eye open. Even then, I will be coming. I will wrap my hands around your throat and the last sight your miserable fucking eyes will see is your blood upon my hands."

"At least you sound like a Russian,” Ivan replied, nodding to the two bodyguards who approached. "But you have spent too long in the world of models and fashion. I’m surprised you even still sleep with women, even inferior ones like this."

Kelly trembled on the sofa, enraged. She had picked Liz up from the couch, and it was only the child's presence in her arms that kept her from leaping out at Ivan and trying to tear out his eyes. But Liz needed her protection, and there was no way she could let the baby come to harm. Instead, she looked up at Peter. "Fuck him up, Peter."

Peter attacked, the two bodyguards stepping in between. Kelly could see that Peter had skill, his athletic ability combining with whatever training he had to give him a chance. He kicked the first bodyguard, the huge Russian falling to his knees as Peter's right foot shattered his kneecap. Peter followed up with an elbow to the man's cheek, blood flying from his mouth as he crumpled to the floor.

Unfortunately for Peter, his considerable skill was not enough to overcome two men at the same time. The other bodyguard, a smaller man almost the same size as Peter, attacked from behind, smashing him with a fist behind his right ear. Peter stumbled, falling to his knee before turning, raising his arms to protect himself. "You picked the wrong bodyguard to attack first," the man taunted. "Mischa is just a large block of steroid and muscle, although he is loyal. I, on the other hand, am a much more dangerous man."

Peter struggled to his feet, bringing his hands up. He tried to punch the man, who flowed out of the way with liquid grace before grabbing Peter's arm and twisting it, the motion sending him flying to the floor. The bodyguard followed up with a viscous elbow to his solar plexus, and Peter coughed, his breath driven out of him.

"Karl is a recent member of the family," Ivan said conversationally as he watched his son struggle on the ground. "In addition to his training in the
Spetsnatz
, Karl has gathered additional skills."

Peter retched on the ground, rolling to his knees and vomiting. Ivan walked over and looked down at his son, regret on his face. "It’s such a shame, Piotr. Very well. I have always been a father who coddled you and let you have your will. You wish to remain by the side of this American and her baby? Fine."

Ivan kicked Peter in the jaw, the punt driving him up and onto his back, knocked out. Then Ivan came over and kicked him once in the ribs just for good measure.

“So be it. Then you shall die together."

K
elly grimaced
as the ropes were tied around her arms. "Please, let me hold Liz," she begged, as Ivan watched his henchmen bind her and Peter. "At least let me hold her."

"Very well," Ivan replied. “I’m a hard man, but not heartless. You may hold your child until your death. Let her arms be free enough that she can hold the baby. She knows what will happen if she tries to get away."

Peter was already bound, lying limply on the floor with both his legs and arms tied tightly. The henchmen left Liz in Kelly's embrace, and she held as tightly as she could, wiggling so she could to hold the baby correctly despite the bindings they left on. She looked down into Liz's brown eyes, and felt tears coming to her eyes. It just wasn't right.

Ivan brought in two more men, who picked up Peter and carried him out the door. The other two flanked Kelly, and gestured for her to get to her feet. She stayed sitting down, hate in her eyes.

"Come, come," Ivan said, "or else I shall rip your child from your arms and you'll never see her again."

Kelly got to her feet, making sure Liz was close to her chest, and followed Ivan to the elevator. The ride down was eerie, as Ivan said nothing, and when the doors opened, he led her to a nondescript van. "Get in," he said, opening the door as if he were her chauffeur rather than her killer. "It will be a short trip."

Kelly wondered why he didn't just kill them all there in the parking garage, but decided it wasn't worth the risk to ask. She intended to fight for every moment of her life, and for the baby's. Liz was not her daughter, but still, the innocent child deserved to live. Settling into the van, she watched as Peter was set in the seat next to her, and buckled in to keep his body upright. He stirred, his head lolling as the van started to move.

"Wha...."

"It's all right Peter, I'm here," Kelly said, as Peter's eyes opened slowly and he blinked.

“I’m taking you to the ocean like you used to love as a boy, Piotr," Ivan said from the front seat. "Once you’re in the boat and sufficiently out to sea, you will join your lover and her baby into the depths."

"And if I said you would be killing your own granddaughter by doing so?"

Ivan turned to look at his son with derision. "Piotr, don’t take me for a fool. I know you met this woman only days ago, I have had eyes on you ever since you entered this country. That you have made such deep a connection is unfortunate, but even as an old man I know that you cannot meet and have a two month old baby so quickly. Now silence, if you want the rest of your life to be conscious."

The van turned onto the city streets, navigating carefully down the myriad one way roads that criss-crossed the Roppongi hills. Finding the main roads, they turned towards the ocean, heading towards the bay. Kelly kept her eyes fixed on Peter, recalling how hard he had fought, and the words he had said to his father. He loved her.

Winding their way along the Oceanside road towards the docks, Kelly wondered what could have been. Peter's words had stirred deep inside her, and she knew she felt the same way about him. She had been honest when she invited that he join her in Miami. She wanted to see where the relationship could go, despite whatever things he had hidden from her.

Peter met her eyes, and he smiled painfully through his split lip at her. “I’m Sorry," he whispered.

Kelly shook her head. "Did you mean what you said to your father?"

"What?"

"That you love me."

Peter swallowed painfully, and nodded. "I did. I guess it's a pretty bad way to say it the first time, isn't it?"

"I've heard of worse," Kelly replied.

"Shut up back there," Ivan said from the front, "or I will knock both of you out."

The van drove through the industrial streets surrounding the port of Tokyo, pulling to a stop near a long line of cargo ships. Ivan got out, and opened the door on Kelly's side, pulling a pistol as he did.

"Piotr, you know that if you try anything, I will shoot her in the head," he said, as his two men opened Peter's door. Peter nodded, and let the two men grab him by his bound ankles and arms to carry him out. Setting him on the ground, the guards closed the doors.

As soon as the door slammed, two soft puffs of sound caught Kelly's attention. Looking around, she saw both bodyguards hit the ground, darts in their necks. Suddenly, ten men appeared out of nowhere, pouring out of shadows and buildings. Ivan looked around and took off running, heading down the pier towards a waiting boat. Kelly watched, staring daggers into his back as she was surrounded by three men. She struggled, trying to get free, when she heard Erica call out.

"Kelly, stop! They're here to help!" she said, running up and putting her hands on her friend's shoulders.

"Erica? What's happening?" she asked, handing Liz over to Erica. Reunited with her mother, the baby girl gurgled happily as she felt the familiar arms and smell wash over her.

"What's happening is that I hired the best hostage rescue team in Japan and they rescued you," Dwayne said, joining them. He looked down at his daughter's face in Erica's arms, and looked up at Kelly. "You protected my daughter."

"I did nothing," Kelly replied. "I just held her."

Dwayne took out a small knife and started cutting at the rope binding her arms. In seconds the rope was cut, and Kelly rolled her shoulders to restore some feeling. "So the man who was running away was who?”

"My father," Peter said from the other side of the van. The security team had already cut the bindings on his ankles, and he was unwrapping his wrists. "If you are willing to listen, I will tell you everything."

"
E
verything" turned
out to be about three hours long, as Peter told Kelly, Erica and Dwayne his entire story from beginning to end. Off of Takeshi's advice, they had left the scene quickly, his security team taking care of the clean up. "The police will not ask too many questions if we dump these men in the proper areas with a bit of alcohol on their breath. They'll be arrested and deported efficiently."

"You don't need us?"

"Your presence would only complicate things," Takeshi said. He escorted them all back to another large van, where Elizabeth was waiting. Inside the van, Peter started his tale, completing it inside Dwayne and Erica's suite in Odaiba. The unburdening of his secrets was strangely therapeutic for Peter, who finished barely able to control his emotions.

"I guess that's about it," he finally said, sitting back and taking a long drink of tap water. "I totally understand if the next words you say are get the fuck out and never come back."

Dwayne looked at Erica, who looked at her fiancée, then both of them looked at Kelly. "Kelly, it's up to you," Erica said.

"You know my feelings," Kelly began, "and despite it all, I do know I love Peter. Elizabeth, is there anything you can do to help him?"

"As an attorney, no. To be honest, Peter, I need to ask you for a dollar."

"I don't have any. Would you take Japanese yen?"

"Sure." Peter handed over a thousand yen bill, or about ten dollars.

"Thanks. Count that as your retainer. Now I can actually talk without violating some major immigration laws. Peter, you've been in the US on a false passport, false papers, everything. I mean, what country do you even have your passport through?"

"Technically it's a Canadian passport," Peter said. "When I got my false papers, I got them in the UK. I then bounced the false papers into Canada using the Commonwealth status to expedite the Canadian citizenship. While it's still illegal, the Canadians would have to go back through the UK to find it. Before meeting Kelly, I was in fact thinking of bouncing again for New Zealand or Australia using the same idea."

"You must have had good papers or a good hacker to work with," Elizabeth noted.

"Russian mob money pays for a lot. It wasn't perfect, but I was able to get through well enough."

"Speaking of mob money," Dwayne interrupted, "Just how much of your father's money do you still have?"

Peter laughed. "Coming from anyone else Dwayne, I'd be worried you're trying to cadge off of me. But since I know who you are, I can be honest. There's still quite a bit. I lived cheaply all these years, it helped to stay below the radar. Now that my cover is blown though, I'm going to need to disappear again, or else my father will try to hunt me down again. With the price of a new identity and other issues, there won't be much left. I can live quietly though for quite a few years, and this time I'll make sure to get an identity with some sort of education."

"I've been thinking about that," Erica said. "Peter, whatever the cause of the danger, you were a loyal protector of both Kelly and my daughter. I know this sounds weird, but how would you like to keep working for me in Miami?"

"Uh, Erica, that sounds great, but look at me. I'm a bit torn up to do any modeling right now, and this was supposed to be my last show. I can't go out on the runway again. I can't even be in the photos, it's too dangerous."

"What about behind the photos?" Erica asked. "I've been thinking of getting an in-house photographer for a while now, the business is getting that busy. Between what I'm doing and what Dwayne's doing, I can definitely use you."

Peter looked at the four people sitting around him, and then at Liz. He knew his decision. "You're all nuts, but I like it. I’m in. Thank you."