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At minimum the bottom floor had to be crawling with people. I bit my lip, darting a quick glance up the stairs. Then I decided to continue, risking Sevastian’s wrath. There was nowhere I could go without one of his soldiers seeing me anyway. I simply wanted fresh air, normalcy of some kind.
I moved to the landing, stretching my neck until I was able to peer around a corner. At least two men were in another room, their discussion muffled. They were both animated, one of them pacing the floor. I almost gasped when one of them looked in my direction, slapping my hand across my mouth and hugging the wall, saying a silent prayer they hadn’t heard me.
A few seconds later I peeked again, no longer able to see them. I crossed to the other wall, remaining solidly against it, taking sideways steps toward another larger opening. However, I was able to see a side entrance off to my right, but that would mean I’d be forced to walk directly in front of them. I chewed on my lip, trembling all over as a phone rang.
“Mas vale que esto sea bueno!” The voice was gruff, but the language was Spanish, not Russian. That I could understand, the three years of Spanish lessons finally coming into play.
This had better be good.
Another wave of curiosity kept me standing exactly where I was.
“Que ocurre?” the other asked. What’s wrong?
The first one growled, cursing far too quickly for me to catch everything he said, but the few words were enough.
There’s been a breach in security. Hold them.
There was no hesitation, the two men bolting in my direction. I had a split second to dive behind a table, almost knocking off a lamp.
One man stopped short, hissing under his breath. Oh, God. I was busted. I could feel it. He walked closer to the table.
“No podemos perder el tiempo. Sevastian regresara pronto,” the first one growled.
We can’t waste time. Sevastian will return soon.
The second one continued to mutter something as they walked away. I counted to ten then peeked around the edge of the table. Seeing no one, I headed away from them and toward the door, able to hear more voices, this time at least three females. The door was only a few feet away. I continued to look in the direction of the women, even as I opened the door. I caught a quick glimpse of one of them, but they weren’t paying any attention.
As soon as I was outside, I took a deep breath, trying to catch my bearings. Then I noticed a path leading away from the house.
This might be my only chance at seeing the ocean, feeling free.
The sweet release of freedom and fresh air, the dancing tingles of sunlight on my skin. It didn’t matter that it had only been one day of incarceration. It had seemed like a lifetime. This single taste of someone else’s life was worth his anger.
And the consequences I’d face.
CHAPTER12
Sevastian
Colombians.
I kept the thought front and center as I listened to what Roman had to say, finally taking over the computer and searching on the proposed new client.
There was nothing spectacular about the man who’d inquired about the arms. He’d used all the right connections, and had offered a finder’s fee, which Roman hadn’t accepted without my authorization. Manuel Diez resided in Brazil, not far enough away from Colombia, but in an excellent location for his business. His bank accounts were exactly as the financials that he’d been required to supply had stated, his wealth certified.
He wasn’t a member of law enforcement, nor did he appear to have any direct connections with the Rojas Cartel who ruled Colombia, Venezuela, and most of Mexico with the same kind of iron fist as we held a portion of New York. However, I was no fool and looks could always be deceiving, which is why I required a discussion with Kostya. It had been sometime since I’d brokered a sale, a requirement of my father for taking over this portion of the family business. After my required training, I’d tasked several capable men of handling the assignment.
Sighing, I placed the file Roman had put together on the floor, still thinking about Diez. He’d been open about his needs, protecting his warehouses from thugs who’d attacked him on several occasions. He’d filed reports, Roman able to hack into the Brazilian network in order to confirm the information. As a diamond broker, I could understand the concern and need for human security. That was often most effective. What I hadn’t found was a single connection to the Vinchetis.
None of that should have raised any red flags with a single exception. The amount of weaponry Diez was inquiring about. The numbers were high enough to equip an entire army brigade. After checking the number of warehouses, including their various locations, three to five thousand troops were overkill.
Something didn’t add up.
Even my call to Alexei had brought nothing but continued frustration. At least he’d managed to keep the DEA off my back, but the pressure would return as soon as I stepped foot in New York. While the restaurant had been completely torched in the fire, that had also eliminated the majority of evidence. Unfortunately, the New York City police department was also asking questions. At least we owned a good portion of them. With Alexei’s connections with the fire department, the paperwork was already signed off, listing the fire as accidental. That still wouldn’t keep the wolves at bay but for so long.
“What do you think?” Sanchez asked as he shifted his attention in my direction, gunning the engine.
“I think it’s bullshit, but that confirms my earlier idea. I need to meet with Diez myself. Since I’ve out of the business so to speak, my visit will be unexpected.”
