Trusting Nicole (The Last Hangman MC #4)(52)

“We’ve never blamed you for not being able to save us. They shot you, it’s not like you willingly stood back and decided not to help.”

“I know but I can’t help feeling guilty. Had I been able to fight, things might have happened differently.”

“Hey, enough with the self-loathing. It’s not doing anyone any good.”

“Alright. Got anymore Red Velvet croissants?” He grins.

“Gabe told me to stop feeding you cake.” I pout.

“Well, he’s not around.” He shrugs, making me laugh.

“Alright. One and that’s all. I’m not letting you eat my Red Velvety stash.” I grin and heat up two of those amazing pastries.

“You’re a star.” He limps into the kitchen and sits at the table.

“How in the hell do you manage to swagger even more with that limp. I swear you make it look cool.” I chuckle.

“I’m too cool, that’s why.” He flashes me his megawatt smile and refills his coffee with the coffee pot that’s on the table.

“Any special lady in your life?” I grin, wanting to play matchmaker.

“No and don’t get any crazy ideas. I’m not looking to settle down or anything.” He chuckles and actually looks scared.

“You suck!” I grin as I take the two croissants out of the oven and put them on a plate.

“Aww you made me two, that’s brilliant!”

“Woah buddy, one is for me!” I glare at him. “You touch it and I’ll shove a fork through your hand.”

“What a good host you make.” He scoffs looking unimpressed as he takes a bite out of his croissant and manages to burn his tongue.

“Serves you right.” I grin and take mine, cutting it in half so it cools faster.

“Bitch.” He glares at me and ends up grinning like a fool.

“Ah, you love me so it’s fine.” I shrug and take a tentative bite.

“Of course, but only like a sister so don’t get your hopes up.” he says as seriously as he can.

“You’re breaking my heart.” I say dramatically and we both burst out laughing.

“I’m glad you found someone who loves you as much as Jase does.”

“Me too.” I sigh happily. “I’m relieved Gabe and Aleck are okay with it.”

“It’s surprising but Jase is a good man, despite having worked for the cops for so long.” He shudders.

“I know what you mean. It was killing him though.”

“I bet. Would have killed me too.”

“At least now he’s free from it.” I take another bite of my croissant, thinking about how life is going to be now that he’s on the cops’ hit list. I don’t have much time to think about it though as my phone starts to ring. I pull it from my back pocket and hit answer. “Hello?”

“Nicole.”

“Yes? Who is this?”

“Sergei.” Uh oh, this can’t be good.

“What’s going on?” I ask, nervous already.

“Something bad happened,” he says and I feel numb.

“W-what happened?” I ask looking up at Bennett who looks as confused as I do.

“Put it on speaker.” Bennett tells me. I do as he says and set the phone between us.

“Who is with you?” Sergei asks.

“I’m Bennett.”

“Ah, one of the Last Hangman.”

“How do you know?” he asks not pleased.

“I know a lot of things.” His thick Russian accent makes all of this even more creepy and worrying.

“What happened?” Bennett asks, I can’t bring myself to ask again.

“The Disciples set up a trap. They asked the Last Hangman to be at their compound for a meeting, but it was so they could blow it up and take everyone out.”

“What?” Bennett yells.

“Calm down son, and let me finish.”

“Hurry up then!” Bennett says impatiently.

“No one was killed, a few hurt but nothing too terrible.”

“That’s good. What else do you know?” Bennett obviously takes the lead of the conversation.

“They did take someone.”

“Jase,” I say quietly.

“Da. I’m sorry Nicole. I had sent Nikolai there to warn them because Jason wasn’t answering his phone, but he was too late. He got there when they were taking Jason away. Nikolai tried to follow them but he lost the trail. We are trying to locate him now. I’ll keep you updated if we hear anything else. We’ll set up a plan to get him back, don’t worry.”

“I hope you’re right. I can’t lose him.” I try to keep it together, but it’s getting hard. I knew I had feelings for Jase but I didn’t know they ran this deep.

“Nicole, zolotse, everything will be okay. I promise.”

“You two know each other?” Bennett whispers loudly.

“Da. In a way we do. I must go now. I’ll call you when I know more,” he says before hanging up.

“How in the hell do you know someone from the Russian mafia?”

“It’s a long story.” I sigh as I try to call Ant.

“Sergei Varushkin is one of the most powerful and dangerous men around. How in the hell do you know him?”