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14
Mikhail
If my crazy, turbulent life had taught me anything thus far, it was how to function in a crisis.
It was just a different mode my brain and body entered into. It was unique from the panic I’d felt at being told I was a father. And if Sadie was reaching out to me now — especially given our last rocky conversation — I knew it was an emergency.
I would do whatever I needed to do to help.
I sped to the house, my resolve only strengthening as I saw the police cars outside it.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, striding to the scene after I parked the Tesla.
“This is Misha, the family friend I was telling you about,” Sadie told the officer standing next to her. “My mom’s been taken, Misha.”
“Mamachka?” My stomach dropped out from underneath me. “By who? When?”
“The kids said he talked like you,” Sadie said. She had her arms wrapped around her, and she was shaking. Couldn’t the cop see she was cold? I yanked off my coat and folded it around her. “But they didn’t know him. We think he was possibly Russian. He mentioned you by name. And talked about money.”
I clenched my jaw. “This is about me. Someone’s coming after you because of me.” In that black moment, I hated myself. Hated that I’d come back and put the people I loved in danger.
“Think, Misha.” Sadie took one of my hands in hers. “Do you have any idea who it could be — especially from the suspect list Jon has been putting together? I know you said it wasn’t Sergei…”
Goddammit it. It could only be one person. Sergei. The suspect who had made it right to the top of Jonathan’s list twice. The one I never would’ve seen coming because it didn’t make sense to me. He’d taken me under his wing. He’d mentored me, and, in his rough way, nurtured me as much as anyone could nurture an angry twenty-something who’d just lost his parents and been thrust into a cutthroat business world.
Sergei was coming here. He probably already was here. And he had Mamachka.
“It’s Sergei,” I said finally. “It’s me he wants — my money. Your mother’s just leverage. I’m so sorry, Sadie, that you all got into the middle of this ugliness.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” she said, and I knew she was telling the truth. “You’re the only person who can solve this.”
“Do you have a contact number for him?” the officer asked.
“I’ll call him now,” I said, my voice strangled.
Sadie squeezed my hand as I dialed.
“Sergei,” I said, fighting to keep my voice even. “You didn’t let me know when you landed. I’m assuming you’re in the Seattle area already.”
“Why, yes,” he said, his voice pleasantly surprised. “I landed earlier today. Had some things I needed to do. Was actually just about to call you. Great minds think alike, don’t they?”
“Don’t hurt her,” I said. “I’ll do whatever you want. The money’s no object. You know that.”
“Good boy,” Sergei said, not hesitating for even a second. We were on the same page. “I’ll need you to come alone. I’ll text you the address. There will be some papers to sign. Some precious items to exchange.”
“Fine,” I said. “Everything’s fine.”
“I’ll see you soon then.”
“I’m going,” I said, ending the call. “I have to do this alone.”
“We consider this suspect to be dangerous,” the officer said. “We’ll be sending you with backup.”
I shook my head. “He’s not dangerous.” That was the first lie I’d told. Sergei more than knew his way around a gun. He’d taught me. And he’d personally overseen all of my self-defense training.
I was going to have to do this on my own.
“All he wants is money,” I said. “I have money to give him. It will be fine.”
