Chapter 4

7:15pm

FBI Interrogation Room.

Over four hours had past. Lily still sat amidst the chill, sterile confines of the room, in her white wedding gown—what an utter and complete spectacle it had become— sleeves rumpled, the veil long discarded to a chair. The fabric was heavy, constrictive, and with every inch reminding her of the lie she was living.

A Kalashnikov’s bride.

Now, hours later herein she sat in the clutches of the FBI. Unluckily for her, the agents had bundled her out of her own wedding. But the universe decided to throw her a gem of luck, with Dimitri intercepting their vehicle along the way.

Making sure that ‘his wife’ wasn’t driven into FBI custody like a criminal. He took a strong stand, almost waging a war with the men just so that Lily could ride with him instead. Since they insisted that she must come answer some questions.

She looked down at her new pair of footwear, smiling. Dimitri had given it to her on their way here, so she could relieve her feet from those torturous heels.

But how did it come to this? she thought, casting a sideways glance at the two-way mirror on the wall. On the other side of that disguised window, someone was no doubt standing, observing her every movement, analyzing every breath.

The door opened and two men entered. One was tall with lean features and an impassive expression; the other big, linebacker-built, his eyes zeroing in on her with an unnerving intensity.

The shorter man flashed his badge—and gun— as he stepped forward. "Mrs. Kalashnikov,” he began, his voice formal, a bit too polite. "I want to believe you would always corporate with us.?”

Lily clenched her fist under the table. Still mute, like she had been for the past four hours. Since Dimitri insisted on handling everything himself.

Detective Meyer lowered his head in an intimidating position. “What happened to Damian Kalashnikov? Just the truth and you’re out of here.” He said, his voice a low sneer.

Lily stared back at him. Hard. As if daring him to pull the words out her mouth.

At this, both detectives gave each other a knowing glance-ostensibly their eyes calculating. It was obvious they weren’t getting anything out of her today.

Just as Meyer was about proceeding with his ‘interrogation’ there was a fracas out in the hall. She could hear the muffled voices rising and then, loud and clear, the deep timbre of Dimitri’s voice cutting through the silence.

"I want to see my wife. Now."

A few seconds ticked by, then the door opened. He barged in, furiously seething— his hair now fell to his shoulders, the tattoos peeking from under his rolled up Sleeves.

Lily couldn’t contain the joy in her.

Detective Meyer took long angry strides to him, unflinching, cautious. "Mr. Kalashnikov, this is unruly of you!. Your wife is currently..”

"My wife is done here," Dimitri growled, cutting him off. "She is not a criminal and shall not be treated as such.

Detective Meyer did not let go easily. "We had discussed this earlier on, all we need is some cooperation from her. Some answers surrounding… your brothers murder.” He finised in a rush. Knowing that orders from above had been sent to release Lily.

Dimitri’s face tightened as he fixed his gaze into the agent. "Whatever you need to know, you can always come to me directly.” He shoved both hands in his pocket, towering over the short man.

“And for the very last time Agent Meyer. My brother isn’t dead.” Dimitri lashed back at him.

The other taller agent stirred uneasily. Wanting to contribute. "Listen.. if she has anything in the way of evidence—"

"Evidence?" Dimitri’s voice went low in a very dangerous way, his eyes seeming to pierce as he stepped closer. "If she had anything, I would know about it. My wife drives home with me now. And you will let her go."

The silent war of wills continued until it would seem the detectives felt they were up against a brick wall. They were all aware who he was. A Kalashnikov. This was no child’s play.

Agent Meyer's lips clamped tighter yet before acquiescing in a curt nod.

"Fine," Meyer replied tightly. "But, Mr. Kalashnikov..”

Dimitri immediately cut him off, walking over to lily. “We are done here.” He turned to her, softening his gaze just a little.

“Lets go,"

With that, Lily sighed with a relieved prayer as they walked out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lily’s flat slippers were echoing down the shining corridor as Dimitri escorted her in the direction of the exit. Waiting outside was Gio, pacing to and fro with her arms folded across her chest and wearing an anxious look on her face.

She walked right up to her, when Gio spotted her whole body relieved.

"Lily! Finally! I have been out here for over an hour-what is going on?!" She now looked to Lily, then to Dimitri; her eyes slighted just a little when doing so.

The man had an intimidating aura to him, he acknowledged Gio’s presence and pulled out his cigarette before walking of to their SUV.

Forcing a small smile, Lily felt a wave of relief mixed with exhaustion. "Gio, thanks for coming. It's just been err.. such a really long day. Can we..”

Gio cut her off. “The hospital called! Your mum is awake. She was asking for you honey..”

“What!” Lily gasped.

Finally her mum was stable enough?

This was a good news. But it didn’t feel like it. Lily was struggling internally with a lot of events happening at the same time.

“Sleep?..” The word’s ached in Lily’s chest.

“Ohhh .. no I didn’t mean it like that. No she hasn’t gone into coma again. She’s .. errr just sleeping right now. I waited to see you before heading back home.” Gio finished with a low chuckle.

Lily pulled her into a tight hug, laughing and sobbing at the same time. Mixed feelings squeezing all over her.

“Thanks Gio. Thank you.” She muttered, sniffling back her tears.

“You really need to stop crying every god damn second. Don’t worry you can explain all..” Gio smiles loosely, gesturing with her hands “you can explain all this to me later. Okay?”

Lilly could only offer a nod, before she saw Dimitri walking back to them. His face twisted.

This wasn’t good.

“We need to leave now.” He said, great urgency laced under his tone.

Lilly stared back at him. Worry etched all over her face. She didn’t even realize Gio was giving her a supportive back rub.

"They found him, Lily. Your father." Dimitri informed her.

Everything else faded as the words seemed to hang there in the air. Lily's heart pounded against her chest as implications closed in over her.

"Huh?" she managed to get her voice above a whisper. "My father? You... you found him? That was fast. How?”

Dimitri merely nodded, his face grim. "There’s no time!”

Gio looked between them, concern in her eyes. "Lily, want me to come along?”

“No..no uhh.. it’s late already Gigi, please I’d appreciate if you can go back to the hospital and be with mum? Tell her I’ll see her first thing in the morning. Please?” Lily said in a rush, giving Gio a side hug before hurrying after Dimitri that was now holding the door for her to get in.

8:40pm

The Drive:

The car whirred through the city, the lights blurring together as Lily leaned back, her eyes closing as exhaustion sapped what little strength she had. She wanted to rip off the long wedding gown from her body and just find somewhere peaceful to cry.

Lily hadn't had a second to process any of this, and every bone in her body ached from the weight of the day. Dimitri sat beside her in silence, his jaw taut, eyes fixed on the road.

She spoke finally, breaking the silence-the words barely above a whisper. "Where is he, Why.. uhh is he sick? Why didn’t you bring him to me?.. is there a problem?”

"He’s at a warehouse," he said after a glance in her direction. "It's a bit of a drive, but... it's not what you're expecting, Lily."

Her heart twisted on his words. She looked out of the window, biting on her lip to hold herself from asking more. The silence stretched between them, lengthening until it turned thick with tension and unasked questions. Dimitri’s fingers drummed against the wheel, the only betrayal that he was uneasy.

10:00pm

The warehouse:

They eventually pulled up to the warehouse, e turned to her, his face set in resolve and hesitation. "Ready?"

Lily's heart was racing, but she nodded, pushing open the door and stepping out into the night.

She was beyond thrilled. She thought she would never see her dad again.

Dimitri walked slow paced behind her, watching as she excitedly dragged her gown with her tired legs.

Now before them, the warehouse loomed dark and forbidding through the night. The creaky door opened, which Lily's shaking hands managed to push open, and her breath caught in her throat as she went inside.

Was this a prank? Why would her dad be here?

"Dimitri? where is he?" she whispered, shaking.

Dimitri didn't move; he just stood right next to the door, his face in shadow.

"Go on," he whispered.

Closer now, Lily walked carefully towards her dad, her breathing shallow gasps, her heart racing ahead.

Then closer still, and as the figure snapped into sharp focus, her stomach dropped.

“Daddyyyy?!” Her voice cracked.

Her knees buckled as she stood before her father’s dead body, tied around a pillar.

His arms were pulled back and his face hung forward.

This couldn’t be happening. Lily walked closer to him, bursting into hot tears. Her body trembling.

It looked like the nails had been hammered into him just to keep his body stuck there. Upon his spotless shirt was his blood. This was his favorite shirt.

A cold, sickly chill ran down her spine.

“DADDY!!!”