“It’s like that,” he says, giving not only his agreement but also his understanding with a nod. “What happened? Did your hunter go after her to get to you?”
If I clench the glass any harder, it’s going to break.
“Ah,” he says when I don’t answer. “I see that I’m right.”
Narrowing my eyes, I say in a calculated tone, “You seem very interested in matters that don’t concern you.”
He regards me for a moment, both thoughtful and attentive. “You have a lot of enemies.”
I raise a brow. “So do you.”
“This joint venture will guarantee you an alliance with my family. To a certain extent. Is that the real reason for your interest in Konstantin’s project?”
“It will also secure you an alliance with me. Is that why you’re signing the papers?”
He smiles at my comeback. Silence stretches for a beat before the tension gives and a more amiable atmosphere settles.
“What’s with the questions, Nikolai? I thought you were happy with my terms. Do you have doubts?”
Pulling his glass closer, he says, “Just making sure you’ll stay alive for the project to actually get off the ground.”
I give him a cold look. “I have no intention of dying.”
“Good.” He raises his glass. “To our mutual objectives.”
I clink my glass against his. “To the joint venture.”
We throw back the liquor in unison. When I put my empty glass aside, he takes a folder from the drawer and slides it over the desk.
I flip back the cover. As I read the contract, he pours more vodka. Satisfied that everything is stated as we agreed, I take a felt tip pen from my pocket and sign my name.
“This warrants another toast,” he says.
After he signs, we drink twice more. When he lifts the bottle for a fourth round, I get to my feet.
“I’d better get going.” I button up my jacket. “We have a long trip ahead.”
He follows suit. “There’s plenty of room here if you’d like to stay over.”
“Thanks, but I’d prefer to get back.”
Coming around the desk, he says, “I’ll walk you out.”
We go via the living room where Yuri and Leonid are watching television while stuffing their faces with a spread of snacks.
At the front door, I pause. “Tell me something, Nikolai.”
He waits.
“What is a man who supposedly loves the opera more than anyone doing out here in the wilderness?”
His eyes tighten. “I like fishing.”
Right. Does it have anything to do with the young American wife he took not so long ago? Either way, every man is entitled to his secrets, so I leave it at that. I’m halfway to the car when he speaks.
“It’s my turn to ask you something, Alex.”
Pausing, I face him.
“Why did you choose Konstantin’s project?” he asks. “There are a hundred other investments with a much lower risk profile.”
“Because everyone deserves affordable power.”
He utters a low laugh. Yuri and Leonid join in. So do I. Let them think what they will. They don’t need to know I mean it. As far as my reputation goes, I’m heartless.
Just as we get into the car, my phone rings.
It’s Igor.
Every muscle in my body goes rigid. I take the call even before Leonid has closed my door.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, my voice tight.
“Everything is fine here,” Igor says. “Kate is safe. Something went down in St. Petersburg.” He pauses, the silence grave. “I got word from our man who’s watching Stefanov’s house. I thought you’d want to know.”
“Hold on.” I put my phone on speaker for Leonid’s benefit. If shit is going down, it will save time if I don’t have to repeat the message. “What happened?” I bite out as we clear the gates of Molotov’s property.
“Stefanov executed Pavlov and wiped out his whole senior commanding team.”
What the fuck? “He did what?”
“That’s not all.” Another pause. “He decapitated the body and delivered a headless corpse to Pavlov’s doorstep, apparently to send a message.”
“What message?”
“He claims Pavlov betrayed him,” Igor says. “Sold him out.”
Leonid catches my gaze in the rearview mirror. “Stefanov is cleaning up after himself.”
Exactly my thought.
“What did our man see?” I ask.
“He says Pavlov arrived first and later his underbosses. He didn’t see them leave, but their cars were driven away. That’s when he suspected something was happening. Soon after, the bodies were carried out of the house in broad daylight for all to see. He reported it to your man in charge, who sent a drone. He’s got footage of the body being dumped on Pavlov’s doorstep.”
That’s a strong message to send. Everyone in Russia will think twice before double-crossing Stefanov. He may have set up the massacre to look like a justified bratva execution, but the fact that he silenced Pavlov means he’s getting nervous.
Good.
I have a feeling more action is about to go down.
I can hardly wait.
29
Kate
We arrive back in St. Petersburg with the same strict security as before and make it to Alex’s house with no incidents. Lena and Tima welcome us in the foyer. I convey my mom’s and William’s thanks to Tima for the food and excuse myself to have a shower.
When I come downstairs for dinner, Alex calls me into the library. I enter cautiously. He’s sitting on the sofa with his laptop on the coffee table in front of him.
“Is anything the matter?” I ask.
Steepling his fingers, he gives me an examining look. “Not at all. Why would you think something is wrong?”
“Because you’re being hunted by a killer? Because my mom is sick, and lots of bad things can happen while I’m not there? Because you look serious, and that always means bad news?”
His mouth tightens. “You’re exaggerating.”
I walk to the sofa. “Then what is it?”
“Joanne sent you a message to say Merry Christmas.”
I tense. The fact that Alex is filtering my messages is wrong on so many levels. My voice comes out harsher than I intend. “How kind of you to convey the message. I hope you told her Merry Christmas from me too?”
His blue eyes narrow marginally, but he smooths it over with a smile. “How about telling her yourself?”
I glance at his laptop. “Now?”
“If that’s fine with you. She’s available. They visited Joanne’s parents in Hudson for Christmas Day but returned home this morning. She’s saving her vacation time for warmer days.”
“Wow.” I utter a laugh. “You know more about my friend’s life than I do these days.”
“Katerina,” he says with a frown.
I shrug. “It’s true. So? What did you tell her?”
“I told her we flew out to see your mom, but that we had to return straight away due to my business obligations.”