Page 46 of King

“Harrison…”

We embrace and then kiss and hug, as if neither of us can get enough of each other.Finally, Fogarty clears his throat.

Harrison and I end the embrace.

“Please, have a seat.”Fogarty motions to the chair beside Harrison, and so I sit, and the Special Agent who brought me here closes the door behind him.

“How are you?”I ask and look at the wound on Harrison’s cheek.

“Just a few stitches.Superficial.”

“How is Andropov?”I turn and look at Fogarty.

He smiles.“He’s in custody, along with several of his men.I hope you know I was able to stop Harrison before he succeeded in killing Andropov…”

I glance at Harrison, who nods his head, smiling as if he’s proud that he at least tried to kill his family’s archenemy.

“Harrison?”

He holds up his hands as if he were helpless.“I took the opportunity to show Mr.Andropov how upset I was that he killed my family.That’s all.He may have a few bruises around his neck, but he’s alive, thanks to the premature intervention of the FBI SWAT team.”

I take Harrison’s hand and realize how angry he must have been to be with the man whose family was responsible for the deaths of Liam, Ethan and Ronan and who kidnapped both Gramps and me.I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for him to be facing the man without trying to kill him.

I would have wanted to choke the man, too.

“I’m sorry they used Gramps to get to you,” I say and squeeze his hand.

“I’m sorry they used you and Gramps to get to my family.It’s over, for now at least, according to Special Agent Fogarty.”Harrison turns to Fogarty, who sits watching us, an impatient expression on his face.“Isn’t that right, Special Agent Fogarty?”

“Not quite over yet.I’m ordering a big operation to take down their network.It’s being undertaken as we speak.I would be out there, but I have you two here instead, to finish off our business.Then, I can go down and see what my Agents have accomplished.First things first.Natalia — I understand you and your father have reunited and are on good terms now.I want his cooperation going forward to help clean up whatever’s left of Andropov’s organization and I want him to be my man inside if he’s willing.And you,” he says to Harrison.“I need you to continue to work with us if you want to remain in our good books.”

“You want Harrison and my father to work with the FBI?”I make a face of pain.“I’m not so sure my father would be willing.And Harrison wants out completely from the underworld.He wants to take O’Connor Enterprises free…”

I turn to look at Harrison, who shrugs, like it’s beyond his control.

Fogarty shrugs, like it’s no big deal to get a Russian Mafioso to cooperate with the FBI.“If not, he can go to prison for a few decades.We have enough on all of you to put you away, you included, so this is the only way out.I hope you understand I did the best I could to get you all a deal that involves no prison time…”

Harrison squeezes my hand.“We should meet with your father together, and relay what’s happened and see how he responds.Tell him what’s at stake.”

I take in a deep breath, not really believing that my father will agree.What choice do we have?

“I’ll try,” I say.

“You can tell your father that with Andropov gone, he can take over the legitimate shipping business part of the empire, and if he continues to cooperate, I’m sure it will mean much cleaner revenue for him.”

“Like I say, I’ll try.I can’t promise anything.I barely know my father.The fact that he’s been involved in the underworld for decades doesn’t bode well for any cooperation.We’ll see.”

“Tell him it’s that or all of you go to jail, and from what I understand, so will his new grandbaby.”Fogarty wags his eyebrows and appears to enjoy being able to reveal that he knows I’m pregnant.

“What about my grandfather?How is he?Can I go see him?”

“He’s at the hospital but will be released soon.He said he’ll be fine.He and your brother will have 24/7 protection as well, until this is over.We ask that the four of you remain in your homes until we give the all-clear.”

“I want to see Gramps,” I say in protest.“I need to know he’s okay.”

“Do a FaceTime or something,” Fogarty says.“Until the operation is over, you’re all at risk, so I want you to be protected.Once it’s all clear, you can reunite.”

I nod, although I would prefer to go and see him right away and make sure that he’s okay.