Fires of Kiev Read online

  Below, the work lights from the crew preparing for tomorrow’s celebration shown bright. A stage fashioned out of sturdy scaffolding and boards was built at the foot of the Independence Monument, a tall victory column supporting a statue of Berehynia, the Slavic goddess tasked with protecting her home. The gold embellishments on the base and tower created a strong contrast to the white monument, a style common in the Ukraine, but striking nonetheless.

  “It will be a shame when that shrine comes down.” The voice spoke English and was several feet behind her.

  It can’t be…

  Meredith spun around to face the speaker.

  Scott.

  Stunned, she reached out for one of the chairs at the table for support. She focused on taking deep breaths and regaining her composure as the man she once lived with, the man who betrayed her, stood across from her as one of her captors.

  “Surprised to see me, Mer?” Scott stood smugly, as posed as a GQ model. He was dressed in the same tuxedo he wore to the fundraiser back in Washington D.C. “I don’t think I ever told you where my family is from.”

  “You told me they were in California,” she whispered. “We sent your parents’ Christmas gifts there last year. What are you doing here, Scott?”

  He shrugged, moving toward her and flashing his perfect grin. “I guess that’s the first thing to clear up. My real name isn’t Scott Jackson.”

  “What are you talking about?” She frowned.

  “My name is Stanislav Vlasenko. My older brother is Petro Vlasenko.” He stepped slowly toward her. “People call me Stas. My family and I are from the Donbas region of the Ukraine, around Donetsk.”

  Meredith’s stomach knotted, and she fought off a wave of nausea. “This is impossible. You work for my father. You’re a Senate aide in Washington D.C. We dated for a year. We lived together.”

  “Yeah, my job in Washington has been the perfect cover.” He chuckled. “All it took was some money to grease the wheels, and before I knew it, I had a new identity, resume, and a job in an influential senator’s office. You can thank Arthur Lennox for taking care of me.”

  “Lennox?” Meredith shook her head in disbelief. “Why would he help a killer, a terrorist, come into the United States?

  “Come on, Mer. I’m disappointed. Surely you can figure this one out.” Stas stepped toward her, the table still between them.

  “Real Estate. Building contracts,” she muttered to herself. She glared at Stas. “He said he supported Novorossiya because he had investment opportunities. Opportunities that you and your brother promised for his help.”

  “See, it’s not such a complicated plot.” Stas stepped closer to her. He eyed her figure up and down, his eyes stopping on her breasts. “A little quid pro quo to spread the good fortune isn’t a bad thing.”

  “But there’s no way you’ll get away with it. Other nations will stand up to terrorist expansion.” She folded her arms in front of her, a move both defiant and protective. “We’ll stop this missile, and we’ll stop Fire of Dawn.”

  “Who do you think will stop us? Opinions are easily manipulated, and government inaction has produced leaders who will bow down to Fire of Dawn when the missile launches.” He brushed her cheek with his knuckles. “You’re beautiful, Meredith. I’m so glad I chose to follow you to the United States.”

  “F-f-follow me?” His touch was moving from uncomfortable to creepy as he circled her, her skin prickling as his hand brushed along her shoulder and back. “When did you follow me?”

  “You have no idea, do you?” His breath heated the back of her neck as he spoke, causing her to shudder. “You were here in Kiev for the EuroMaidan protests working with that doctor group, called in to help with the injuries after the Maidan violence. I watched you.”

  She shook her head, unsure where Scott’s information fit. He was talking about events that happened over a year before Daddy had introduced them at his office, yet Scott was admitting he had stalked her from the Ukraine to the United States. With the realization of Scott’s actions, she cringed. How did he deceive her for so long?

  He had moved around her and now took her hands in his.

  “You are practically royalty in the States. I knew that you were the one who would return with me, to Novorossiya, to rule by my side.” Meredith stared in disbelief as Scott pulled her to the window and looked out over the square with his arm around her. “Imagine the credibility the Vlasenko government would have with the backing of Russia, and the daughter of the most powerful Senator in the United States. Novorossiya would claim her land, her people, and her wealth and Vlasenkos will lead.”

  “Don’t the citizens get a say in who they want to lead them? What about the ideals behind the Day of Dignity and Freedom the people are celebrating tomorrow?” Meredith gestured to the square in front of them.

  “The people don’t care who leads them as long as they don’t have to think about it,” Stas reasoned. “Like a woman, the people long for a real man to tell them what to do. As long as the trains run on time and there are jobs and housing, no one cares about the government.”

  “I don’t know whether to laugh or to be afraid,” Meredith said, raising a brow, questioning his extreme statements. “Your claim to power isn’t any better than a bully stealing milk money on a playground.”

  “But now I’m all grown up, and my toys are bigger.” Stas laughed. He put his arm around her waist. “Let’s sit and eat. There’s a beautiful meal prepared, and we can talk about tomorrow.”

  Meredith shrank when he touched her and wanted to run away, rather than share a meal with him, but she owed it to Kostya to find out all she could about Fire of Dawn’s plan for tomorrow. She forced herself to politely submit to his guiding hand.

  As she sat, he picked up the rose from her place and brushed it against her cheek. “Don’t look so frightened, Meredith. It’s not like we haven’t done this before.”

  She flinched. “It’s different now and you know it. Did you expect I would just fall into your arms?”

  “Power does have that effect on most women.” He smirked as he reached over and poured her a glass of the Beaujolais prepared for them. “Have some wine and try to relax for once. You have always been too uptight.”

  Better uptight than too loose.

  “I never did find much grace in spreading my legs on a desk with my father next door,” Meredith quipped, remembering her discovery of him and Jen in her father’s Senate office. There were several other thoughts she would have liked to share, but she wouldn’t accomplish anything by engaging Stas in an argument now.

  “Drink.” Stas scolded her with a headshake, ignoring her comment about Jen. “You need to relax, baby.” Stas nodded at her wineglass as she lifted it to her lips. “That’s a good girl. Now, dinner will be arriving shortly, but in the meantime, I thought we could go over tomorrow’s schedule.”

  His reaction to the present situation was surreal. Meredith was a hostage—a prisoner being forced to play a role in Fire of Dawn’s plans. But if she didn’t play, she didn’t know how Scott—no Stas—would react.

  “Of course, I need to know tomorrow’s schedule. I assume we will be attending some of the events in Independence Square.” Meredith glanced out at the work in the square below.

  “Let me tell you what we’re doing,” Stas snapped. “In fact, it’s probably good for us to cover this point right away: your role is to be a figurehead, a beautiful symbol of Novorossiya. Speaking Ukrainian is forbidden.”

  “But I don’t know Russian,” Meredith protested.

  “You’ll learn. Ukrainian is a bastardization of our true language anyway. For tomorrow, you will stay silent.”

  Speaking of bastards…

  “All right,” she said innocently.

  “You’re being very agreeable tonight, my dear.”

  “No reason to cause unnecessary friction.”

  A waitress dressed in all black with a white apron brought out two plates protected with silver dome co
vers. She uncovered each plate and then stood to receive instructions. Stas studied each plate, nodded, and excused her.

  “Bon appétit,” he said, and tore into the chicken dish that had been served.

  Meredith had lost her appetite and was running out of patience, but she needed to know what was happening with Kostya, and right now, Stas was her only link to the outside world. She twirled a piece of the angel hair pasta on her fork, looking up through lowered lashes at Stas.

  “The gorgeous Dolce & Gabbana suit in my room, is that what you would like me to wear tomorrow?”

  “Novorossiya’s first lady should be surrounded by beauty and power. You will wear the suit tomorrow when you stand beside me for the worldwide announcement.” Stas took a slow drink from his wine glass.

  She tried to keep from throwing up a little. “What will you say?”

  “After announcing the organization of an independent Novorossiya, Petro and I will claim our rightful place as leaders. Then, to show our strength to the world, we will launch the missile as the world watches.” He smiled, excited as a child the night before Christmas. “And you will stand with me, bringing strength and credibility to our new government.”

  Unbelieving, Meredith leaned back, away from Stas.

  “Do you really think my father, or any American, will honor a relationship with you after you attack the United States with a nuclear missile?” She gestured toward the square. “And what about these people, your people who will have to live through any retaliation that is made because of your actions?”

  She focused on his glazed-over eyes and lowered her voice. “My father will not give in to you, and I can almost guarantee no one else in my country’s government will.”

  “Your father will do many things if he knows what’s at risk.” Stas put down his fork and focused on her across the table. “We have more missiles, you know. We can launch them if any country chooses to deny our independence or fight us for our rightful place.”

  “Think of the people you’ll kill.”

  “Think of the power we’ll have. We will have nuclear power, and the balls to use it.”

  Meredith laughed in amazement.

  “You think the Cold War happened because both sides lacked balls? Mutually assured destruction wouldn’t have been a consideration?” Meredith stood up from the table and turned away in frustration. If there had been somewhere to go, she would have tried to run. Dropping her voice, she said, “Both sides potentially would have lost millions of people.”

  “Casualties for a cause.” Stas stood and led her to the windows overlooking the square. “During EuroMaidan at least a hundred people lost their lives while protesting. Some are still missing. We call them patriots for their sacrifice, revolutionaries instead of rebels, defenders of liberty instead of criminals. Their deaths gave weight to their cause.”

  “Killing innocent civilians isn’t the same,” Meredith said.

  “And you suppose that those who died here weren’t innocent?” He shrugged. “No matter if they were or not, their deaths played an important role in bringing power to their political parties and gave volume to their voices. Killing is part of the cycle of liberty. Rulers take too much, so the people rebel, then the rulers kill rebels, and revolution changes the government. Even your great founder Jefferson said, ‘The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.’”

  “Liberty? You call forcing acceptance of new borders and a new government in Novorossiya liberty? It sounds more like tyranny.”

  Stas raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips.

  “It’s all just labels anyway. Those who died here were fools whose country is still corrupt and whose citizens are still subject to the EU, NATO, Russia, and so on and so on. The Ukraine is not free. But with the power it takes to launch these missiles, Novorossiya will be free.”

  Meredith stared out the window at the Independence Memorial. Stas stood behind her, putting his hands on her waist.

  “Many still believe in the ideals of democracy. They want limited government and protected individual rights,” she said.

  “Mer, you’re a smart girl. You know that’s not how it works. Politicians are self-interested and take payoffs from large corporations. The governments regulate everything from how many fluid ounces we can take on an airplane to what our children should be taught in school.”

  “I still believe in good government.” She raised her chin.

  “And I believed in Santa Claus. But then I grew up.” He took her arms and forced her to face him. “Enough talk of politics. Let’s talk about us. You look amazing tonight, by the way.”

  Says the man who picked the outfit.

  “Uh…thank you.” She tried to turn out of his arms and face the window again, but he held her firmly.

  “Would it be so bad to rule alongside me? Petro would lead the new government, and we would lead the state.” Stas leaned in and stepped in closer to her, his hand on her shoulder, stroking her hair. “You would be the first hostess of Novorossiya, the new country the whole world would want to know.”

  She knew it was coming, but had to stop herself from backing away from the kiss. Stas held her and pressed his lips against hers, open-mouthed, demanding entrance with his tongue. Despite her gag reflex engaging, he pushed forward with his sloppy embrace. She had kissed Scott a million times. They had dated for a year and lived together. She had slept with him, for goodness sake. Now the thought of doing that just turned her stomach, not only because of what Scott was, but because she’d be betraying Kostya. His lips still surrounded hers and his tongue was probing when she put her hands on the lapels of his jacket and pushed him back.

  “Wow, I mean, what else can I say.” Meredith tried to keep her composure and think. What does he want to hear? Keep him happy.

  “That was amazing. It was so different now that you’re such a powerful leader,” she continued.

  He’s going to want to sleep with me. What am I going to say?

  Stas grabbed her around the waist. “I’m just getting started, baby. If the kiss was good, just think what everything else will be like. You’ll see first-hand why women like men with power.”

  “Mmm…yeah. We should renew our commitment in a meaningful way.” Meredith brushed a lock of his hair behind his ear. “I think our relationship should begin as new just as Novorossiya is born. Just think, you and I making love while the Vlasenko dynasty begins.”

  She tried not to choke over the words, but she managed to get them out. Now the question, would he buy it?

  “You want to wait?” He looked at her suspiciously.

  “Yes, but just until your triumph tomorrow.” Time to go for broke. “I mean, it would be so meaningful to share the beginning of our lives together with the birth of Novorossiya. And, I would imagine you would want to conceive an heir as soon as possible. How beautiful it would be if the heir were conceived during the dawning of your power.” Meredith tried to look demure as she spoke, hoping he was believing her.

  She could see that she had hit on part of the image he was trying to achieve.

  “My heir?” His grasp on her waist slackened. “You’re right. We should make every part of our lives meaningful on the day—tomorrow.”

  “I agree with you. It will be a new start for us and for Novorossiya.” Meredith breathed quietly in relief.

  He leaned in and brushed a kiss across her lips. “As soon as the missile is launched, we will go to my suite. I will have everything for a special night ready for us.”

  Meredith took his hand to lead him toward the door.

  “I am anticipating it already.” With horror. Hiding her distaste, she ran her finger down his tie. Biting her lip, she glanced at him through hooded eyes. “Speaking of the missile, was Kostya able to get it ready to launch?”

  “Do we have to talk about that kohkohl? Yes, he was successful.” Stas seemed annoyed.

  She pushed forward with one more question, brushing up agai
nst his leg with her hip. “Hmm. Did he ask about my release? You know, since I was the reason he was fixing it.”

  Stas stopped and pulled her to face him. “I promise you that dirty little Russian will never see you again.”

  Meredith was quiet as he kissed her one more time and put her into the elevator with her guards. Shaking, she touched her neck to find the chain and the small key she wore. Rubbing it gently with her fingers, she silently made her own promise.

  Chapter 37

  Kostya fiddled with the components, pretending to take readings of a system he knew was working. He had shut down the packet message he had broadcast now that Fire of Dawn was monitoring UHF channels, and now it was time to wait.

  He looked at the man assigned to watch him. He knew the other was stationed at ground level, and who knew how many others were watching the area outside the silo, an area that few knew held a missile that was going to be launched within the next twenty-four hours.

  Kostya studied his guard for a moment, reading the same newspaper he had already read three times. He was dying of boredom. Now was the time to act.

  “Hey, comrade,” he called to the guard in thick Russian. “Look what I found.” He pulled out a half-full bottle of vodka, hidden behind the components. Kostya had actually found it earlier, but had been waiting for this opportunity.

  “Why don’t we share a drink before you shoot me dead, eh?” Kostya grinned.

  “Where’d you find that?” The guard raised his eyes and thirst bloomed in them.

  “It was hiding back here, along with some playing cards. I bet the security detail kept them here for the long shifts.” Kostya pulled two mugs from the counter. “Join me?”

  The man looked around suspiciously. “No one is here, and I doubt anyone will be visiting before the launch,” Kostya pressured. “It’s just a drink.”

  He finally nodded and put his hand out for one of the mugs. Kostya poured a tall shot and sat at the table with the man.