Page 41 of Beguiled

Or my master.

The bathroom was tiny, but provided me with space to think about what I should do. I hadn’t been prepared for what I’d discover when providing the favor. And what had he been insinuating with asking me about if the person was one and the same? What kind of hidden meaning was he referring to? The real question was did I want to know?

After using the bathroom and washing my hands, I pulled out my phone, contemplating contacting Tawny. On her date. No. I wouldn’t do that, but I would ask her several questions that she would answer. I gripped the sink, staring at my reflection. What was I supposed to do?

What could I do?

My boss had killed three men right in front of me. If I truly believed he would allow me to resume my normal life, I was a fool. No, I’d need to appease him until I could figure something out.

As I left the bathroom and started to return to the table, I lingered in the hallway and leaned against the wall. That’s when I noticed the entrance to the kitchen. Hmm… I still had all that cash and I certainly needed a little time to figure out how to handle the situation.

After darting my head into the bar and slinking back, I knew the only logical choice was to run.

So I headed for the kitchen, pressing my hand on the swinging door.

CHAPTER 9

Stash

Fortunately, I had a couple of men already stationed at a warehouse close to where she lived. It didn’t take them long to head over and slip inside without being seen.

Seeing Pavel’s number on the screen, I immediately answered. “Yes.”

“It’s clear, boss. There’s no one around her place and no attempt to get inside.”

“Alright. Keep watch for an additional ten minutes. If you don’t see anything, go ahead and go. But do a swing in the usual spots.”

“What are we looking for?”

“Any information that might lead to me to believe my brother has resurfaced.”

“Shit. Yes, sir.”

I’d made the call while waiting for her to appear out the back door. I’d known instinctively she intended on trying to escape. I’d also known the minute she’d recognized me while in the ring.

She’d tried to hide it but had failed. I’d seen the gaze turn from shock to worry then to desire in a few seconds.

That should have been the dead giveaway.

Even now, the attraction we shared was substantial.

I pocketed my phone, thinking about how to address the assassination attempt with everyone else. In my mind, it appeared as if the target had been Sean, but if so, why start with the card girl? Even the heavy flirting I’d seen the one guy do didn’t warrant trying to eliminate her life. There was more to the story. Much more. With what Sean had shared, removing the Irish mob leader seemed ideal.

Except the election had yet to be held.

The night certainly hadn’t gone according to any plans. Not in the furthest reaches of my mind. But I should have known something was up when Dimitri had come bounding into my office.

He seemed to bring bad luck with him.

I sat back in my chair, taking mental bets on how my guest would handle the situation. The girl was tough, more so than I’d gathered at the office. However, the evening’s festivities had yet to fully sink in, which should be happening right about now.

With the glass in my hand, I waited to see Boris’ reaction.

I’d mentioned that Saige would likely try to run and the only way to do that was through the kitchen. Since the first weekafter moving to New York, I’d found the bar a perfect location to decompress. At first, I hadn’t known that he was an implant from Russia. Finding out he’d been in the city for over thirty years while missing his old home was a draw. We’d quickly become friends.

While few people knew my background, the Chertov name not holding any favors in the city, he had fond memories of my father. At least someone did.

He lifted his head toward me, giving a sign that surprised me. She’d thought about running, making it as far as stepping into the kitchen. His second nod was toward the darkened hallway.