Never Look Back (21 page)

"Where is Vladimir?"

Constantine grinned. "Why should I tell you?"

***

Later that evening, washed out FBI agents and U.S. Marshalls stayed inside the conference room.

"I want to thank you both for all the effort you've put in this case. We couldn't have done it without you," U.S. Marshall Collins said with conviction.

"We still haven't caught Vladimir," Felicia said.

"That's correct, but we rescued more than a hundred teenagers and I've made calls to an organization that can help this women rebuild their lives," Kerry said.

"Guys, we've done enough for the day. Let's discuss more tomorrow," U.S. Marshall Adams added.

U.S. Marshall Collins turned the TV to the news. Constantine and the Marcovic family were handcuffed and dragged inside a van by the FBI. A female reporter relayed the story. "Today is a day of celebration and misery. The Marcovic clan, a Russian mob involved in human trafficking has been caught." The tall glass building in Manhattan was displayed. "Who would think this building was a prisoner for these Russian girls who were forced to be prostitutes? These innocent woman were drugged, raped, and abused. We celebrate their freedom today."

The camera turned to teenage Russian girls weeping and embracing each other.

"But the saga continues while the FBI is in hunt for the leader of this group, Vladimir Marcovic who seems to have disappeared. We also have been tipped from our anchorwoman, Jenny Wang that supermodel Dana Simmons is very much alive. Jenny, take the lead."

U.S. Marshall Adams turned the volume up.

"Thank you, Tricia, lots of news going on today," Jenny said. "I received a video a few minutes ago from Dana Simmons, and she has a message to Vladimir Marcovic."

The screen showed Dana dressed in a white shirt and jeans She gazed at the camera and didn't bat her eyelashes. "Vladimir Marcovic, I know you've been looking for me. I'm tired of running away and hiding so I ask that you come see me tomorrow afternoon at three at my Manhattan apartment. You know where I live, and I hope you show up."

Turning off the TV, U.S. Marshall Collins addresses to his partner and FBI agents, "Let's go."

Dana Simmons stood outside her childhood home in Anchorage, Alaska. While the rest of the world thought she's be back in Manhattan, she had taken a step further wanting to be a step ahead. If Vladimir knew how to play the game, so did she. A cold shiver ran through her spine as memories of her father flooded her. His last wish was for Dana to find her mother, and Dana would after she killed Vladimir Marcovic.

A grin played on her face as she inserted her hand inside her pocket for the Colt .45 she purchased earlier today with her Lucy Mitchell ID along with a silencer. Although she bought a stack of bullets, she only needed one bullet to kill the
motherfucker.
And if she died today… She averted her gaze to the clouds and shook her head.
There's no option. I'm going to live.

A chilly mist blew against her as she zipped up her hood and stepped in the driveway.

***

U.S. Marshall Collins and Adams, together with FBI agents Wayne and Raymond, surrounded the perimeter of Dana Simmons's Manhattan apartment. A group of reporters blocked the driveway as passersby inched their way to get a closer look.

"I don't know why she had to announce her plans on national TV," Kerry remarked.

Felicia chewed on her nail. "Something's not right."

"Don't tell me you have another hunch?" Kerry asked

"Like you said, why would she want to announce her plans on national TV?"

U.S. Marshall Collins eyed his watch. "It's time. We need to go upstairs."

***

Marcy and Rob waited outside Dana's apartment after knocking.

"Are you sure I'm going to see my daughter again?" Marcy wiped tears from her eyes. She couldn't believe the series of events that happened, but all she ever wished for was to see her daughter again.

Three men and a lady approached.

Marcy froze.

"Marcy Simmons," U.S. Marshall Collins said. "You're alive. And you must be Rob Hanson."

Rob shook hands with the U.S. Marshalls and turned to FBI agents Wayne and Raymond as he relayed what happened and the letter from Vladimir.

Marcy shared with them about how she was locked up in a room with no windows and the time she spent with Stacy. "I never thought I would come out of this alive, but Rob saved me."

Agent Wayne opened Dana's apartment using the key the manager had gave him earlier. The group followed him.

"Nothing's changed since she left," Rob said, studying the living room.

"How are we going to handle this?" Marcy asked. "Do you think Vladimir will show up as well? What if he kills us all?"

***

Skinny as she was, Dana managed to slip through the back window inside the house. What would she tell Michael Downey when she saw him? Could he protect her from Vladimir? This was the only place she could find refuge while the whole world thought she was back at her Manhattan apartment. She froze as she noticed the white space and black and white paintings on the wall. The popcorn ceilings and wallpaper were gone, and everything about the house was a complete replica of her Manhattan apartment.

Inching her way to the kitchen, Dana opened the refrigerator, but it was empty. The kitchen was spotless, and the furniture looked like they were used to stage the house. Nothing about it spelled home, erasing the memories she once had.

She was about to go upstairs when she heard humming from the basement. Footsteps drew closer. Running to the corner, she ducked.

***

Felicia stared outside the window of Dana's apartment. The crowd had increased, and still there were no signs of Dana. "She's not coming."

Agent Wayne pulled out a stool. "Relax. It's only been three minutes."

"She's right," Rob chimed in. "Dana would never do such a thing unless she had a different agenda. Although she graced the limelight, when it comes to her personal life, Dana was very private."

"We can't just sit here and speculate," U.S. Marshall Collins interjected.

"I know where she is," Marcy spoke in a hushed tone.

All eyes turned to her.

"Alaska."

***

The humming grew louder than the footsteps. From the hiding spot, Dana glanced at the mirror on the wall. Her body grew limp as she saw the reflection of the one person she never thought she'd see.

Catching her breath, she felt like her heart had been ripped out to pieces.
Gio is Michael Downey?
She heard him walking back and forth, dumping boxes on the floor.
Why is he packing?

And then it dawned on her. There was no Gio nor Michael. A knot formed in her stomach. She had been sleeping with the enemy all along. He had played her from the very start.

She reached inside her pocket.
This could end now with just one shot.

***

Vladimir dumped the last box in the corner and was about to leave when he took one last look of the house he bought last December. Tomorrow, it would be just a faded memory as he began a new life free from the mob. He would turn himself in to the Feds, but first he needed to find Dana and let her know he was a new man.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the locket she left on his nightstand in Austin.

"Are you looking for me?" A female voice startled him.

As he turned around, he saw Dana pointing a gun right before him.

Their eyes locked. He didn't say a word as he watched her standing like a statue, never failing to blink.

"So this is where it all ends, Vladimir."

Vladimir wanted to confess everything to Dana and tell her that he was ready to come clean with the Feds, but he seemed to have lost his tongue as she lashed out at him.

"How could you live this way knowing you've destroyed people's lives—my life! How can you sleep at night?

He didn't lose her gaze knowing Dana believed what a cold-hearted psychopath he was.

"I lost my mother because of you. Your father destroyed my life."

He wanted to tell her that their father destroyed his, but he continued to bite his tongue. This was Dana's moment, and if she wanted to kill him, he would die peacefully knowing he gave Dana her wish.

She took a step forward. Her body shook as she burst into tears. "Please say something."

His heart told him to embrace her, but he couldn't, wouldn't. He just stood still watching her—obsessed, oblivious like nobody existed.

He witnessed the rage and anger tore upon her as she yelled like an animal, her hand almost pulling the trigger. "God damn it. Why can't I shoot you?"

He straightened his shoulders. "I will never force you to do anything you don't want to. If you kill me today, it will be a choice you will need to live with for the rest of your life. Only you can decide if that's the right choice."

Her face grew pale, allowing him to see the vulnerable Dana he knew. There was so much love beyond that rage. Although he hated his past, their circumstances brought them together.

Dana put her hands down. "I'm going to count to five. If you don't get out of here, I'll shoot you."

He blinked, but she wasn't looking at him.

"One." She sighed. "Two."

Tucking in the locket, he pulled out his gun and pointed it at her. "Three."

***

Dana flinched as Vladimir aimed his gun at her. And here she thought she had the upper hand.

Cocking the Colt .45, she said, "Four."

"Five."

"Six." She approached him.

"Seven." He pointed at her heart.

It was a matter of time that they both would kill each other. Heart pounding, muscles tensing, and palms sweating, there was no way she could shoot him. She was positive he had killed women before, so what would stop him from killing her? She had to delay this.

"Since we're going to both die, do you have any last words you want to tell me?"

He bit his lip then looked her in the eye with no remorse. "From the moment my father told me about you, I promised myself I'd find you and kill you."

She stared at him, dumbfounded. The sweet Gio she had shared her dreams was a monster. She had to kill him.

"Eight." He grinned. "Do you have any last words for me?"

She had to think fast. Memories of her parents flashed through her mind on the eve of her birthday when her mother vanished. Tears flooded her vision as she felt like the helpless ten-year-old girl she was when she lost her mother. She had never allowed herself to grieve all these years.

While she choked upon tears, her legs wobbled and her vision became blurry and the next thing she knew, she collapsed on the floor and everything went black.

***

All Vladimir wanted to do was embrace Dana and tell her how much he loved her and how sorry he was for all the pain she had gone through, but it was too late. It was better this way. He would start somewhere new. All that mattered now was for Dana and her mother to be together again. He carried her to the back of the house and up to the tree house. As she slept like a baby, he leaned close and softly kissed her, tasting the sweetness of her lips.
I love you, Dana.

***

Ten hours later, Marcy and Rob dashed into the Alaskan home as the U.S. Marshalls trailed behind them.

"Dana." Marcy checked the rooms.

"No sign of her," Rob said.

"I'll check the basement," U.S. Marshall Collins said.

They followed him downstairs. As he turned on the light, they spotted passports and documents lying on the floor with a note.

Agent Collins read it aloud:

To the Feds who have been searching for me,

Everything you need is on this list. This is where it ends. I ask that you stop looking for me. From time to time, you may receive an anonymous tip, and you’ll know it’s from me.

V

U.S. Marshall Collins tucked the documents inside his messenger bag.

"I know where she is." Marcy headed to the back door while they followed her.

They strode to the tree house Marcy climbed up, and her heart melted as she saw her daughter open her eyes.

"Mom?"

"I'm home, sweetie. I'm home."

Dana smiled. "I never got to tell you what Dad said."

Marcy stroked Dana's cheek.

"He told me to find you and when I did," she paused. "He said to tell you he never stopped loving you."

Tears spilled from Marcy's eyes. "I'm never leaving you again, Dana."

One year later

Dana arranged the scarves on the counter as Rob popped in Dana Simmons' Shop.

"Surprise!" He kissed her.

"You weren't joking when you mentioned you'll be spending Christmas with us," Dana wiped her tears. Rob had been her loyal friend till the end. What would she do without him?