Sergei twisted just enough to address Roman over one shoulder, his voice just loud enough to carry through the wide space. “Let him review the machine.”
One beat.
Then two.
Slow but short heel strikes sounded against the concrete and a firm feminine voice sounded. “I believe I’d like to review the machine as well.”
Gretta Sosa walked casually into view, a petite and strikingly attractive woman with wavy dark hair to her shoulders. Her attire seemed more befitting a high-class lawyer—a fitted tan tweed skirt to her knees with a smart matching jacket and classic sand-colored heels. Behind her were four new men dressed in fine, yet understated suits. The gun-toting guards who’d followed Rossi into the meeting fell in behind them.
Rossi’s head snapped back at the sight of his boss and he staggered back a step before he caught himself and firmed his stance. “Ms. Sosa.”
Dipping her head to Sergei first, Gretta turned her attention on Rossi, stopping just out of reaching distance. “Odd that I’m finding you in Louisiana, Erick. I don’t recall you sharing any business dealings in this state.”
Swallowing hard, Rossi bobbed his head and swiped at the opportunity her opening had created. “I didn’t mention it because it’s a new association. An introduction.”
“Is that so?” Gretta said. She glanced at Sergei, then surveyed Bonnie and her family before facing him once more. “Funny because Mr. Petrovyh and I just had an interesting conversation this morning. One that included very compelling evidence against you, Erick. Compelling enough that I’ve made a very long journey to investigate in person. Here. Tonight.”
Rossi shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, ma’am. There has to be a misunderstanding.”
“Really?” She turned to Roman holding the computer and Kevin who seemed to barely be keeping himself and his father upright. “From what I’ve heard and seen tonight, you appear to have gone to great lengths to regain data lost to this young man. Data you asked him to change in an effort to steal from me.”
“No. You have it all wrong.” Rossi pointed to Kevin. “He was the one stealing from us.”
Bonnie’s voice cut through the warehouse. “Like hell he was.”
Roman glared her direction and willed her to keep her place.
For a split second, she met his gaze, but went back to glaring daggers at Rossi. If she hadn’t been so preoccupied with keeping her father upright, she’d have likely stormed the distance and gotten in Rossi’s face. “You hired him to do your dirty work. You told me so yourself this morning.”
“There we have it,” Gretta said to Erick. “Your involvement confirmed by an innocent.”
“She’s not an innocent,” Erick said. “She’s his sister. She’s probably got half the money.”
Gretta clasped her hands in front of her and cocked her head slightly, the same knowing smile on her face a mother would aim at her child when she knew with absolute certainty they were lying. “Now, Erick. Do you think I would be so foolish as to disrupt my schedule and deal with you personally had I not traced the money in question?”
“There’s a mistake,” Rossi said. “He made it look as if I’d taken the money.”
“Not just a little money,” Gretta said. “Over fifteen million dollars. Even the most skilled hacker would find it difficult to hide that kind of money. This boy is entry level at best.”
Kevin opened his mouth to protest, but only got a grunt out when his father elbowed him in the ribs.
Gretta cleared her throat and faced Sergei. “Mr. Petrovyh, my most sincere apologies for the damage caused by my man’s greed. I assure you, he will be dealt with expeditiously. I assume that, in exchange for the return of those under your protection, we can agree to find a happy truce and resume our individual business?”
“No,” Roman cut in before Sergei could respond. “Rossi is mine.”
Sergei eyed Roman over his shoulder and cocked one eyebrow as though considering his demand.
There was no consideration to it, though. Roman knew it. Sergei knew it. Even Gretta had to accept it was more than his due.
But politics had their place. Even among thieves and killers.
Finally, Sergei nodded and faced Gretta. “I must agree with my avtoritet. Actions were taken against his bride. Formalities and consideration ignored.”
Sighing, Gretta raked Rossi with a contemptuous scowl. “Well, I will be regaining significant lost income.” She shrugged and held her hands out to one side. “Who am I to argue with a reasonable request?” She glanced at the guard closest to her and motioned to Rossi. “Take him.”
“No.” Rossi backed away and drew his gun before the guards could reach him, his aim swinging between Gretta, Sergei and Bonnie. Not that he had a prayer of hitting Sergei or Gretta. Kir and Roman had closed in on instinct, shielding their vor with their own firearms aimed at Rossi. Gretta’s guards had done the same for her.
But Bonnie was unprotected. Left wide open. And no matter how fast Roman moved, he’d never out maneuver a bullet.
Rossi took another step back, the front of his barrel swinging from one target to another while he scrambled to think of a way out. “You think to hand me over so easily?” he all but spat to Gretta. “To him?” His gaze slid to Roman and a grated, yet maniacal chuckle rolled up his throat. “You will not have me. And you will not have her either.”
One heartbeat.
Punctuated by the overpowering rapport of gunshot ricocheting off the metal walls and concrete floors.
Roman lunged into the gun’s trajectory with all he had. Aimed his own shot and prayed to God and any other being in the universe who might have a thought to help him that Rossi wouldn’t hit his target. He hit the concrete hard, the thud of his body against the unforgiving surface mixing with another thump that made his heart go cold.
He rolled and shot to his feet, trusting his brothers to cover his back.
Bonnie.
Kneeling on the floor, but upright. Breathing. Sobbing. Her hands covered in blood.
But not her own.
Her father lay slumped in her arms, a growing red stain blossoming from his belly.
He’d saved her. Done what Roman hadn’t had the advantage to do and protected his daughter at his own cost.
Behind Roman, shouts and scuffles sounded, Rossi’s futile arguments meeting nothing but muscle and iron will to subdue him. Kevin stood to one side of Bonnie and surveyed the carnage at his feet and the chaos opposite him as though dumbfounded.
Roman ignored them all and fell to his knees beside Bonnie and her father. “Let me carry him. We will get him help.”