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“Keep our contacts in Russia warm. I might need them in a year.” If Aslanov was released earlier than expected, I’d help him get out myself. Horizontally. “What about the Bulgarians?” Every few years some newcomer tried to encroach on our territory. Then we wiped them out. It was like pest control, really. I was doing the Justice Department a favor. I should get a tax deduction for it.
Damon pulled up his lip. “They’re dumb as fuck but make up for it with their numbers. I’m thinking we need to send them a message so they don’t eventhinkabout making a play for our turf.”
I nodded. “After the gathering.”
Damon frowned, obviously unhappy with my decision.
“Waiting another twenty-four hours to unleash carnage won’t kill you.”
His frown deepened. “That’s not what worries me. I’m more worried that it won’t kill them either.”
For a moment, it was as if someone walked over my grave. I shook it off. I was a lot of things, but superstitious wasn’t one of them.
6
KATYA
Heaven was a luxury spa at a private resort. I draped my towel over the lounge chair near the pool and put on my sunglasses. I’d give it all up to be back in the Scarface Mansion, as I’d dubbed Kristoff’s place years ago. But since that wasn’t an option, I was going to make the best of it here in the sunshine.
I scanned the abandoned area. As usual, we were the only people around. Aside from the soldiers Yuri had brought with us and were part of my perpetual entourage.
“No more pouting.” Yuri plopped onto a recliner right next to me. “Just enjoy yourself. I can’t remember the last time I had a day off.”
“You mean like that weekend in Cabo two months ago that you couldn’t quit yapping about?” Unlike me, Yuri actually had a life. He complained about being treated like the baby amongst the guys, but they never sent him away for his own safety. He got to go out, have friends, and drink the night away.
He grinned. “Huh, I almost forgot about that one.”
“I didn’t.” I applied some sunscreen and got comfortable in the chair.
“It wasn’t all pleasure. It was a job.”
“Right.”
“It really was,” he said, not even trying to sound indignant.
“Are you going to stay suited up like that?” I put my phone on the nearby table and pulled a book out of my bag. It was time to go on another journey with the Witcher. Images of Henry Cavill fluttered through my mind and lifted my spirit.
“Yeah.”
I looked up when I didn’t hear the usual cheeriness in his voice. He got up and scanned the area around the pool. He’d gone into serious bodyguard mode. Yuri was a chameleon like that. One minute he was all friendly, being my confidant, the next he was one of Kristoff’s ruthless men.
“Everything okay?” I asked when his brow furrowed.
He was already on the phone, talking to another guard. After his chat, he relaxed. Right as he bent down to sit across from me, a bullet whined past his left ear.
“Move!” Yuri pulled me toward a table, then shoved me underneath it.
I yelped as my foot painfully slammed into the table. A crescendo of gunfire erupted from the back of the spa. My heart slammed against my rib cage.
Yuri took out two guns and aimed. Shots rang out. I heard a splash in the pool. He turned toward me.
“Here.” Yuri pushed one of his guns into my hand, then rolled along the ground to take shelter behind a huge potted palm and started shooting.
More gunfire ensued. A ping sounded to my left, and I jumped up. My head hit the table, and I saw double for a moment. I turned around, but all the shooting seemed aimed at Yuri and the back of the house, where the rest of my bodyguards were.
Which meant I could be the target. A target they apparently wanted alive. This was not good. So, so not good. Yuri took down two more men who rushed in our direction. Still, the siege didn’t seem to slow down at all. By my count, Yuri had taken down five of them, but still they kept coming.
How many more of them were there? We needed backup. Making a split-second decision, I tried to crawl back toward my lounge chair. I needed my phone.
