“What about you? What are you going to do?”
“I’ll be nearby.”
“Wait, you won’t be with me?”
“The plan won’t work if I’m in the car. While you’re distracting them in the front, I’ll be sneaking in to provide backup.”
Trepidation had her almost wheezing. “Maybe this isn’t a good idea.”
His finger lifted her chin. “If you don’t want to do this, then you can stay in the car and I’ll go in alone.”
He gave her an out. Offered her safety. She wanted to take it, but how could she ask him to bear all the risk?
Taking a deep breath, she refused. “I can help.” Even if it was just to distract them with her fear and ineptness.
“Are you sure?” he asked softly, his thumb brushing over her mouth.
“Peter is my responsibility. Not yours.”
He dropped a kiss on her lips. “My brave and beautiful Peanut. I’ll see you on the inside.”
She only wished she had his confidence. As he got out of the car, she slid behind the wheel and then had to adjust the seat. By the time she could see over the steering wheel, there was a liger outside her window. He nuzzled the glass and winked before loping off into the night. He was kind of cute in a giant-sized kind of way.
As she eased the car into Drive, her mind went in the most inane directions, wondering if he had to get shots like a regular pet every year. Did they need flea and tick protection? What did they eat? What about the bathroom? Did his home have a kitty litter box?
Would she ever find out?
First, they had to survive the upcoming exchange.
Her hands white-knuckled the steering wheel as she approached the gate. Something by her visor flashed red and was answered by the portal. The bars cranked open, and she slid the car through.
Well, that was easier than expected. She followed a long winding drive and emerged to find a house. Castle. Whatever it was, it took up a good amount of space.
She parked by a tier of steps. When she reached the massive portal, she knocked then stood in front of it and did her best not to shake.
She almost lost it when the doors opened and she was confronted by a pair of guards holding guns. The short one with the thick mustache barked at her in Russian.
Rather than reply, she raised her hands. It didn’t ease the direction of the muzzles.
There was more yelling she barely understood, and then a sudden clap of hands.
The soldiers quieted, and in the sudden silence, she heard a woman’s voice. “What a lucky day. I thought we’d lost you back at the farm. But here you are. Peter’s sister. We’ve been looking for you.”
Hearing her brother’s name caused her heart to stutter. “I don’t know why you’d want to find me. I’m hardly a person of interest.”
An older lady stepped into view, average height, maybe five six or seven, her features sharp and yet handsome. Her bobbed hair was very chic, as was the vest of white fur over a cream-colored blouse tucked into the same color slacks. Her red lipstick stood out in contrast. “Your brother has something I want.”
“Then ask him for it.”
“We’ve tried; however, he disappeared on us, and we’ve run into difficulty locating him.”
“Wait, you don’t have him?” Her eyes widened. “But the message on the wall—”
“Was bait to bring you to us. Let’s see if your brother keeps hiding with his sister’s life hanging in the balance.”
“I really don’t know where he is, though.”
“Better hope he’s keeping an eye on you then, or this will be painful for nothing.”
The threat chilled Charlotte’s blood. “If you let me go, I can tell you where to find the key.” She hoped they didn’t realize she had it in her pocket.
“Bah. What use is a key without the lock it belongs to? Or does it come with a map?”
She could have lied. Instead, she shook her head. “I don’t know anything.”
“Which is why we need your brother.” Those perfectly red lips smirked. “For the first video we record, we’ll leave your face unmarked. It will make the next one where we bruise it that much more effective.”
Her blood ran cold. Then hot as she heard a roar.
It distracted the lady. She frowned and waved at her men. “Go see what that is about.”
Their departure left Charlotte alone with the woman. Mob Lady had a few inches and pounds on her, but Charlotte had guts.
She threw herself on the lady, and they reeled hard into a wall. The surprise was short-lived.
“Why you…” A string of Russian followed as fingers dug into her neck, and Charlotte struggled to break free.
She managed a sloppy kick. It earned a screech as her foot connected with a sensitive shin. While Mob Lady hopped, Charlotte glanced around and saw a vase. Probably old and priceless, but her life was worth more than some pottery.
She cracked it down over the lady’s head. Mob Lady dropped, leaving Charlotte staring at the body.
Oh shit. Had she killed her?
“Peanut!” She heard Lawrence’s voice a moment before his naked body slammed into her and swept her into his arms.
“I hit her really hard,” was all she could say.
He read her mind and then reassured her. “She’s not dead.”
The tension eased from her. “Oh good.” She leaned into him. “And this was all for nothing. She doesn’t know where Peter is. It was all a plot to use me as bait.”
“As bait for what?” Lada emerged suddenly, her presence surprising. To Charlotte at least.
Lawrence acted as if he’d expected it. “Lada, what a surprise. Are you resorting to stalking these days?”
“You wish. I came to meet with my associate.” Her gaze dropped to the woman on the floor.
“You know her? What is she looking for? What does she want from my brother?” Charlotte couldn’t contain the questions.
“Your brother?” Lada’s mouth rounded. “He’s the one we’ve been looking for?”
“Why?” asked Lawrence.
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Lada taunted.
“You will tell me.” He took a menacing step forward, only to have Lada shake her head and pull a gun.
“You really should have chosen better, Law. This will hurt me more than you.”
“You won’t kill me.” He sounded so sure.
“I need her, not you.”
Lawrence didn’t back down. “Do you really want to start a war with my Pride?”
“They’ll never know who killed you because they’ll never find your body.”
“You don’t say,” drawled a familiar voice.
Lawrence sighed. “Really, Aunt Lena? I told you I had this.”
“Pride security concerns us all.” Lena barely spared him a glance as she marched for Lada. “Lada Medvedev, your threat to one belonging to King Arik has been duly noted.”
“I can explain,” said the now panicking Lada.
“Explain what? That you’re a two-timing sow, just like your mother?”
Lada went from apologetic to sneering. “What a surprise, the mighty liger Law needs his aunties to save him.”