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Luka frowns. “I guess there’s always a slim chance, but—”
I lean back in my seat. “Let’s assume they’re out. They’ve escaped and now they’re coming after you. Why should we—the FBI—do a damn thing to help protect you? I could let you walk out this door right now and leave it up to chance.”
He studies my face diligently, slowly. I feel like the pages of a book, exposed and on display for him to read.
“Because you’re a good person,” he answers finally. “A woman of the law. Upholder of justice. You won’t let me come to harm because that goes against your better nature.”
“You don’t know me.”
“Actually, I think I do.” Luka sighs deeply. “But if that’s not enough to convince you, then this will: if you capture three of Russia’s most notorious Bratva heads on United States soil, you’re guaranteed all the praise, fame, and status your heart could desire. Everyone would see you as a shining example, an officer living to serve and protect—a true American hero. I bet that has a very nice ring to it.”
“I don’t do this for recognition,” I grumble.
“Then I was right,” he says with an easy smile. “You do it because you’re a good person. You and I both know you’re not going to feed me to the wolves, Dani. Regardless of my questionable past and dealings. Konstantin, Levitsky, and Salkov are the big fish. Go after them, hm?”
I sit across from him for a moment in quiet contemplation, mulling everything over. It’s a lot of information to process, and there’s a chance Luka could be lying out of his ass, but my gut tells me everything he just said is the cold, hard truth.
I have to protect this man—even if he’s a criminal.
Chapter 15
Luka
The safehouse is comfortable enough. It has all the basic amenities one could ask for. Bedroom, bathroom, a working washer/dryer unit tucked away in the hallway closet. The fridge is a little bit banged up, but it gets the job done. It’s your run-of-the-mill suburban home on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by other run-of-the-mill suburban homes.
Pyotr and his family are in a similar home in a different area, according to Dani.
She wants to hide us in plain sight.
Smart, if a little uninspired.
“No one is allowed to visit,” she tells me as she triple checks the lock on the window. “Lights need to be out by seven.”
I grimace. “You’re giving me a bedtime?”
“So no one knows you’re home,” Dani replies pointedly. “All your neighbors think this house is still for sale. If they see you moving around inside, it could jeopardize your safety.”
“How very thorough of you.”
“Food will be delivered,” she continues, wearing her authority like a shield against me. “We need to minimize comings and goings to avoid suspicion, so it’ll be once a week. One of my agents will—”
“You.”
“What?”
“I want it to be you.”
Dani gives me a pointed look. “I have more important things than to personally deliver food to you.”
“You must not want my cooperation, then.”
I can tell I’m getting on her nerves because her nose scrunches a little. It’s the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever seen, like a bunny throwing a tantrum.
“I’m doingyouthe favor here, Antonov. I didn’t have to put this place together for you.”
“But you did it, anyway.” I take a step toward her. It’s just us right now inside the safe house, her people scouring the perimeter for any obvious threats. Which is probably why I feel so emboldened. “You know, I like seeing you in action, Dani. You’re hot when you’re bossy.”
She holds her hand out in front of her, keeping me at a distance. “You’ll address me as Agent Harper from here on out.”
