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Since I’m seconds away from leaving the country, I send him a quick text back informing him of his daughter’s safety and whereabouts before turning my phone off. Pressing my fingers against my eyes, I sit back and groan at the overwhelming fatigue hitting me.
Iisus Khristos, I need to sleep.
The private plane I chartered is anything but extravagant, but I don’t need nor deserve luxury. Especially while the woman I once vowed to protect and twice abandoned is still being hunted like an endangered animal.
I don’t want comfort. I want answers. Which is going to prove difficult when I show up at the Karpov compound minus one mouthy companion. Oksana will most likely demand my head on a stake, but I’ve talked my way out of worse.
It’s only when I’m in the air that I release the stagnant breath I’ve been holding.
It’s done. Zasha Gaheris is out of my life, and I’m out of hers.
This is how my world is supposed to be—colorless and solitary.
“Forget something?”
Just hearing the seductive cadence of her voice straightens my spine. Slowly, I turn my chin over my shoulder to find Zasha glaring at me. I want to throttle her. Instead, I watch the sway of her hips as she closes the distance between us, stopping mere inches in front of my seat.
“Mind telling me what you think you are doing?” I ask.
Leaning over me, she places a hand on each armrest. “Protecting both of us.”
“How the hell did you get here?”
Smiling, she taps her index finger to her lips. “Now that’s a funny story…”
“I am not laughing, Zasha,” I say icily. “Where is Daniel Harris?”
“It seems you neglected to tell him who I was. You know, Ava Chernova’s daughter. Gotta tell you, Mik… He wasn’t too happy with you.”
I don’t know why I’m surprised. The resourcefulness of a ruthless assassin and the intelligence of a cunning queen run through her veins. She’s deadlier than a loaded gun.
“You threatened a congressman?” I roar.
“No, I wore him down,” she states calmly. “It’s called a negotiation tactic. You should try it sometime.”
Her petulance flares something dark inside me. “Observation is a tactic, too, lisichka. If you knew that, you would have realized there is no way in hell I am taking you to Moscow.” My smirk flares to life as hers fades to a scowl. “Go home to your papa.”
Zasha’s fingers tighten around the armrests. “Let’s get something straight, Mik. I don’t answer to my father, and I’m sure as hell not going to answer to you.” I raise a sharp eyebrow, and she dials back the attitude. “Take me with you, and I’ll help you track down the son of a bitch.”
“No way in?—”
“Because if you don’t, I’ll just follow you, anyway.” Her eyes flicker with intent. “On my own and unprotected.” Her challenge hangs in the air like a dagger.
Fuck.
I’m screwed either way.
“How do I know you will behave yourself?”
“You don’t.” Pushing off my chair, she settles on her own, humming to herself as she buckles her seatbelt. As if we didn’t just pull the pin on an international grenade. “So, do we have an agreement?” All my attention focuses on her confident smirk as she extends her arm.
Do I really have a choice?
I slowly shake her hand. “For now.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means nothing is permanent. You are a Gaheris, lisichka. You know how our kind operates.” Steeling my expression, I add, “So you should be on your best behavior.”
In response, she flips her middle finger and slumps in her seat.
I chuckle, content in letting her think I’ve played into her hands for now. But Zasha is blind to what’s waiting for us on the other side of the red curtain. It’s a veiled place where every face in the crowd becomes the monster hiding in the dark.
I catch Zasha’s eye and flash a cold smile, watching that brief surge of arrogance crumble all around her. Good. It should make her question every dangerous risk she’s taking. A smile from a man like me isn’t a greeting of warmth. It’s a whisper of warning.
One that should be heeded immediately…
Before it’s too late.
