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“Fifty million. The man must die.”
I shook my head. While fifty million was a tempting offer under normal circumstances, even if I used my most skilled soldiers for the mission, the odds were one in a million that I’d succeed. While I was a risk taker, those odds weren’t acceptable.
“I am curious as to why you want this man dead so badly.”
“Because he’s in the process of exterminating his enemies one by one.” The man’s voice held a hint of fear. I could almost smell it from thousands of miles away.
“Yourself included.”
“Yes. Yes! I won’t allow that to happen. I am a voice for eleven other men, leaders of powerful organizations throughout the world.”
“Who are these leaders you speak of?”
“I’m afraid I cannot reveal their identities at this time. Rest assured every member speaks of you highly.”
It was difficult for Diego to keep from laughing.
“That troubles me, Ovachov. That means one or more of your members has been delving into my private world. That pisses me off and you won’t like it when I become enraged.” I allowed my voice to hold an edge. What the fuck was going on?
“I assure you what we know is limited, but your reputation precedes you. You are the only man capable of handling this task.” Ovachov was becoming tense, his voice strained.
I gritted my teeth, trying to maintain a cool demeanor. “What has this man done to you?” There was always a catch, always a personal agenda. The man’s hesitation meant I was correct.
“We are concerned for our territories. You do not understand what he’s capable of.”
Diego gave me a wide-eyed look. He knew when a mission intrigued me. He also knew when one wasn’t tolerable.
I rubbed my jaw, walking closer to the speakers. “I’m curious how you learned of my… skills.”
“Oh, come now. Your reputation has circled the globe a half dozen times. As I said, you are the only man who is capable of handling this operation.”
“Is that why you had three of your… finest men attempt to assassinate me?”
He was genuinely surprised, his voice catching. “You were compromised.”
“Hardly, Ovachov. It was a shot across the bow that failed. I simply don’t like being strong armed. You used Alexei Kozlov’s name as a reference. That angers me.”
“I swear to God the command didn’t come from our organization to touch you. I know of the Kozlov family. They are also powerful. Yes, I heard you did some work for them, nothing more.” Now I sensed he was sweating. This was his or perhaps the entire consortium’s last chance at remaining alive. If what he said was true, then who the fuck had found me? There was more to this than the Russian wanted to tell me.
I rapped my fingers on the desk once again, debating how I wanted to handle the situation. Exposing myself further would mean danger, and even the possibility of death. However, it was possible someone had leaked my identity. If so, they needed to die. “By whom?”
“Please. I cannot say at this time, but I assure you that the gesture was done in order to provide assistance for the Kozlov family as well.”
Bingo. I stood straight, fisting my hand. If I read between the lines correctly, Vladimir Kozlov was one of the members of this illustrious organization. I’d deal with the man in my own time. “I’m sorry, Ovachov. The risk is not worth the reward.”
“One hundred million. Name your damn price!” Desperation, like fear, had a stench that managed to ooze through internet lines.
“Thank you for your offer, but I’m not the man you need.”
“She will be killed.” Ovachov’s tone now had a strange lilt to it. “The traitorous woman you provided safe harbor to.”
I slammed both hands on the desk, instantly jerking back and calming my rage. I’d experienced extortionists of all types before, using every attempt to get me to do their bidding. It didn’t work then, and it wouldn’t work now. And I would make that very clear to him. “If you dare think you’re going to threaten me, then I will enjoy ripping out your throat. No man attempts to extort my valuable time under any circumstances.”
“That’s not what I’m doing, Kostya. The person I am asking you to deal with had very deep sources. She is the daughter of a mole. Yes?” When I didn’t answer right away, he grumbled something I didn’t understand in Russian.
“Unfortunately, the information this individual has is wrong, but I am curious as to how you came about hearing this, Ovachov?” I could tell Diego was recording every word, already searching to find the man’s location. This was getting out of hand.
“I have my sources like you have yours. Rest assured her life is in danger. Perhaps she means nothing to you. But if she does, then help me stop Volkov before it’s too late.”
