Dark Chase (The Gunrunner Series) (16 page)

He pulled away. “I really must go.”

She watched him leave.

Chapter 20

DMITRI

Dmitri reluctantly left his woman behind. She was naked and soft for him, pledging her devotion to him in every possible way. It was a gift he did not deserve, but in order to ensure his future—their future—he had work to do.

He patted the ring in his pocket. Again. He’d showered in the small guest room—so as not to distract himself by showering with his naked, beautiful woman—and he’d changed into some fresh clothes that Gram had picked up for him.

Gram was waiting in the office along with a few other men. They’d let more people into the house, only the very trusted ones.

Laptops were set up, satellite phones running.

“Have we heard from Ahmed?” Dmitri asked. Ahmed was Dmitri’s tech guru. He could break into any network, hack any site, and trace any wire. He was expensive, but he was discreet and effective and worth every dollar.

“Yes,” Gram said. “It has been filtered through a couple of banks in the Cayman Islands, but he thinks it is coming from Asia.”

“Asia is a fucking continent. Can he be more specific?” Dmitri said.

“He is working on it.”

“Hitoshi,” Dmitri murmured. “We need to talk to him.”

Gram ran his fingers through his hair. “I doubt he is involved in this.”

One of the men spoke up. He was quiet and intelligent; a former Israeli Defense Forces soldier Dmitri had picked up several years ago. “We cannot assume.”

“That is correct. We cannot assume. Have you told Naomi anything?” Dmitri asked, directing his question at Gram.

Gram plucked his hand out of his hair. His face reddened, with shock or anger, Dmitri wasn’t sure. “Of course not. But she has nothing to do with this. I have not even let her call him.”

Dmitri tossed a phone to one of the men. “Get him on the line.” He would deal with Gram’s anger later.

The man paced around the room and dialed the number. When the other line was answered, he spoke in Japanese. Then he handed the phone back to Dmitri.

He left the room while he spoke to Hitoshi, walking down the hallway.

He was angry, understandably, that Naomi was with Gram. But after an hour long phone conversation, Dmitri had very serious doubts that Hitoshi was involved. He had his own demons—someone was infiltrating his own organization, stealing large amounts of money from him. That worried Dmitri. Hitoshi would still be a suspect, but his instincts were to look elsewhere.

Dmitri hung up the phone and returned to the room where his men were waiting. “I do not think it was Hitoshi, but you need to keep an eye on Naomi. She does not leave this house. She is your responsibility.”

Gram nodded, glancing down at his hands. “I understand.”

“Good. Find them. Send a group to tail Hitoshi until we know for sure. Get me intelligence on the S-Triangle.”

He left the men in the room. He had other business that needed his attention.

SOPHIA

Sophia wandered around the mansion. She’d spent the last few days there, and she’d grown bored. Dmitri had been in and out, keeping late hours, working hard with grim lines on his face.

She expected it. He was a CEO of two large, legitimate corporations on top of his other activities. He was busy. He worked hard. She understood.

He always softened for her. Always relaxed when he crawled into bed with her. Always lavished her body with attention.

But after a few days, she was getting cabin fever. Giant, luxurious mansion cabin fever.

She loved the country estate, enjoyed the luxury of it, but she missed the city. She missed the babushkas selling their wares on the street, the restaurants, and the bustle of the city around her. She missed Tatiana and her endless train of cigarettes.

With that in mind, she called Tatiana, and they agreed to meet for drinks. She walked around the big house until she found Dmitri, tucked into the corner of the first floor in a makeshift office.

He was working on his laptop and talking on his phone, his big shoulders hunched over the small computer. When he saw her, he flashed a faint smile and held up his finger.

She walked into the office, plopping herself on one of the recliners. She listened to his Russian, talking about a shipment coming in from Hong Kong. Talking about cargo. Talking about all sorts of things she didn’t really understand.

He finally disconnected the call. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes assessing her. She was wearing slim black jeans and a low cut black shirt. He crossed his arms behind his head and leaned back. The position put his broad shoulders and bulging biceps on display. “You are so beautiful, Sophia. At times I wish I could watch you as a stranger would.”

“But you are not a stranger.” She walked towards him, settling onto his lap. “You are my lover.”

She kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her, deepening their kiss. He pulled back, cupping her chin. “We are more than lovers, yes, Sophia?” His eyes scorched into hers.

“Much more,” she whispered. She ran her fingers through his hair. “I’m yours.”

He growled, a deep primal sound that made her warm inside.

He patted her bottom. “I regret that I must say that—”

“I need to leave. You need to work. I know. I wish you’d let me help.” She stood from his lap, leaving the warmth of his body. “I’m going to the city to see Tatiana. I wanted you to know.”

“Thank you,” he said. “You will have guards, I hope you understand. It has been very quiet, but until I find out…”

“Of course.” She smiled. “I understand. And thank you. I’d like to learn more about...um...self-defense. When you have time.”

A smile broke out on his face, full on dimples and everything. “You would like me to teach you?”

“Yes. I want to learn how to fight and be stealthy like you,” she said.

He licked his lips. “This pleases me. I promise I will tutor you when things are less busy.”

“I will hold you to it. I’m a very good student.” She batted her eyes at him, leaning forward to give him a peek at her cleavage.

“Do not torture me, Sophia…” he growled. “Zeek? Dan?” he called out.

Thundering footsteps pounded down the hallway. Two tall men came in. She’d seen them around the house but had not been introduced. Dmitri didn’t even look at them; his eyes were still on Sophia. “Take her to the city. Wherever she wants to go. Do not let her out of your sight.”

“Yes, sir,” the shorter one said.

Sophia agreed to meet them out front in five minutes. It was still early in the evening, so she changed into high-heels, added more makeup, curled her hair so it fell in waves around her shoulders, and put on a large statement necklace. She grabbed a red wool coat and scarf.

She ran into Naomi in the hallway. She’d barely seen her over the past few days. “You are leaving?” Naomi said.

“Um...yeah.” Sophia shifted her feet. “I’m meeting a friend in the city. Would you like to come?” she asked, only to be polite.

Naomi’s eyes flicked away, staring at something over Sophia’s head. “No, thank you.”

She turned on her heel and walked with purpose in the other direction.

Weird woman.

Sophia pulled on her coat as she stepped out the front door. The brief Russian summer was over, and the cold was setting in.

The men were waiting in a long, town car parked in the front. She rolled her eyes. It was shiny and black and big and made her stand out in the sea of boxy, old cars that filled St. Petersburg.

She fiddled with her purse, excited to see Tatiana, still processing the changes in her life. She was with him now. They were together. This was her life, criminals, attacks, car bombs, glamorous mansions, and all.

They dropped her off in front of the trendy bar. It was cheery and expat friendly, decorated in light blue tones with large windows that let in plenty of light. It was filled with a mix of Russians, Americans, and Europeans. They served hundreds of varieties of vodka in all manner of drinks, specializing in martinis. One of the guards followed her out, but peeled off to the side when she walked in. She appreciated his unobtrusiveness.

Tatiana was at the bar, smoking a cigarette, nursing a martini. Her platinum blond hair was piled high on top of her head in an uber-glamorous large bun. She was wearing a silver, clingy sweater and tight black jeans. Black booties and large silver earrings completed her look.

She lit up with a huge smile when she saw Sophia. “Sophia!” she shouted. She stubbed out her cigarette and jumped from her seat, engulfing Sophia in a huge, tight hug. “I miss you!” She gave her a squeeze. “I was worried. Ivan told me there was trouble and I wouldn’t see you for a few days. He said you would be fine though, but I still worry.” She pulled back, meeting Sophia’s eyes. “You are okay, yes?”

Sophia smiled, her heart softening at the warmth Tatiana was capable of displaying. “Yes, we are okay.”

Sophia ordered her drink and then retreated to a corner table with Tatiana.

Tatiana lit up a cigarette as soon as they sat down, carefully blowing the smoke away from Sophia. “You were attacked? Ivan told me such horrible things!”

Sophia nodded. “Yes. They came to our hotel, but we got away.” She took a sip of her drink. “Dmitri was prepared, of course. We’re staying in a country estate for now until everything is all settled.”

Tatiana’s eyes widened. “That is so crazy, Sophia. I’m glad you are okay.” She blew out a ring of smoke. “But your reunion with Dmitri…how has that been?”

Sophia felt the heat rush to her face. She and Dmitri had still been busy reuniting in every way and in every position possible. Things were different now—there was an edge to it, a feeling of gravity every time they made love. They’d wholly committed themselves to each other and it showed in everything they did. “It’s been…amazing. He’s amazing.”

She smiled. “So you are permanent? Even with all the danger?”

Sophia nodded and then drained her drink. “Yes. I’ve made my choice. I choose him and everything that comes with him.”

Tatiana laughed. “How glamorous it must be. The girlfriend of international gunrunner.” She placed her hand on her forehead in a mock swoon. “Very fascinating.”

“Stop,” Sophia giggled. She put her empty glass down.

Tatiana finished her drink and then they moved to a trendy new restaurant for dinner on Nvesky Prospekt, followed closely by her guards. They sat at a nearby table, far enough away they couldn’t hear what Sophia and Tatiana were discussing, but close enough they could see everything.

The restaurant was dimly lit, with large booths, tuxedo clad waiters, and walls that were such a deep red, they were almost black.

Sophia enjoyed her time with Tatiana who filled every moment with her funny comments and stories.

After dinner, Sophia excused herself for the restroom, leaving Tatiana behind in a cloud of smoke. One of the guards nodded at her as she made her way towards the restroom, his subtle way of letting her know that he was watching her.

She walked down the narrow hallway to the restroom, the walls marked with sconces that flickered with artificial candlelight.

She loved that this restaurant was here. She loved all that St. Petersburg had to offer. She loved the almost European feel of the city. She hoped they would get to live here someday.

She shivered that she thought in those terms now—her and Dmitri, a ‘we’. She smiled to herself as she went into one of the stalls. She was lost in her own happy place and thought nothing of it when she heard the door squeak as another patron came in.

She glanced at the woman as she came out of the stall. Pretty, Asian with beautiful features, looking elegant in a simple black shift dress. Sophia busied herself with washing her hands.

“You are Sophia,” the woman said, in perfect, clear English.

Alarm bells sounded in her head.
Oh, shit.
The woman looked harmless enough, but looks could be deceiving.
She was sure her bodyguard was standing nearby. He’d hear her shout if she needed him. He’d look for her if she took too long.

Sophia whirled to face the woman. She curled her hands into fists, her eyes darting around for an escape and things that could be used as a weapon. In the small windowless bathroom, there wasn’t much. “What do you want?” she snapped.

The woman smiled. “Relax. I am not here to hurt you.”

“I’m not worried about that,” Sophia said. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Who are you?”

She studied the woman. Her age was hard to place, but with the sophistication of her clothes, the soft lines around her eyes, and the style of her hair, Sophia had her pegged for late thirties, maybe early forties.

The woman took a deep breath, pressing her hands together. “I am Kana. Dmitri’s wife,” she said.

Sophia’s heart thumped triple time, so loud the pounding filled her ears. Jealously raised its ugly head, but she didn’t let it show on her face. Though it had been a long time ago, Dmitri had loved this woman. Had touched her. Had made love to her. Had married her. The thought of him being intimate with anyone else made her sick, even though it was against all logic. She found her voice. “You mean, his ex-wife? From twenty years ago?”

Kana laughed, a short, small chortle. “I have heard you are very smart.” She looked Sophia over, head to toe. “And very pretty. I see that you are.”

“What do you want?” Sophia said. Kana stood between her and the door. She wished one person would walk through. Any random fucking patron. The door would swing open, the bodyguard would see this woman, and get her the fuck out of here.

“I wanted to see the woman who has captured Dmitri. He is not a man to be captured or tamed, yet you have done it.”

“I don’t have time for this,” Sophia said. She tried to push past the woman.

Kana grabbed her arm and dropped her playful exterior. “Please, wait. I need to speak with you. I have tried to get to Dmitri, but he will not return my calls. It is important.”

Sophia jerked her hand away. “What do you want me from me, Kana?”

Kana recoiled, putting her hands in the air. “I’m trying to save his life.”