Just Business (Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Book 1)

by Sidney Bristol

She wasn’t at the dining table eating.

  Haley peered at the bathroom, but it was dark.

  Ivana’s bedroom was also dark, but the door was open.

  Not today...

  Haley tip-toed to the room and looked in.

  Ivana lay on top of the comforter, hands folded over her stomach, snoring softly.

  Cooking breakfast exhausted her. She shouldn’t be managing Zasha.

  Haley decided to let Ivana rest. Today was Zasha’s out of house classes. Most of the time a teacher came to the condo, but once every other week they took Zasha to a piano lesson followed by an art class with other homeschooled kids at a big community center not far from the condo. She’d taken dance after both of those until last year when she’d begged to stop. It made for a very full morning.

  But today was a little different.

  While Haley would do the normal driving to and from the lessons, she’d arranged to have one of Konstantin’s reserve bodyguards take over watching the classes while Haley went over more security footage.

  It was clear whoever had taken the keepsake pictures knew the house routine. Which was why Konstantin had instructed her to place three in his condo. The only people who knew about them were the two of them.

  Haley still had no idea who could want Konstantin’s old pictures.

  She was holding out hope that it was Zasha pulling some prank. The alternatives worried Haley. For all she knew there were old KGB codes in those pictures.

  But how was someone getting in without them knowing? Or was it someone who came in and out regularly?

  Please let it be Zasha...

  Haley busied herself for the allotted fifteen minute breakfast by making a call to the security guard who would take her place for lessons followed by a five minute good morning chat with her dad. They’d talk later, but most mornings she liked to at least see his face and say hi. Lastly, she ensured her laptop was charging and set out at the ready for when she returned.

  Zasha eventually shuffled back through the door. Konstantin leaned through and told her to have a good day before closing the adjoining door and no doubt headed off to work. Haley was glad she’d missed his gaze. That one look was enough for her today. With luck she’d have something good she could email him with, or call him if she deemed it necessary to act immediately.

  Haley got Zasha dressed and her hair tidied up before daring to wake Ivana. The old woman didn’t mutter curses at Haley, which bode well for their day. Between Haley and Ivana they managed to gather all of Zasha’s things and get out the door five minutes late, which was actually on schedule. Haley had long since realized that she wasn’t going to change the lateness, but she could change what time she told the others they had to be places.

  The drive to the center where Zasha had both her piano lesson and art class was fairly quick with only the normal traffic. Konstantin was methodical about his choice of homes and the proximity to his various offices. Everything was done with purpose.

  Haley did her normal routine of parking and walking them in when they were joined by the other bodyguard. After a quick rundown of the schedule, she left the trio and headed back to the condo.

  The quiet ride home was rather nice. It gave her space to think. Which might not be a good thing, given that her thoughts went right to that electrifying moment when she’d looked at Konstantin that morning.

  Haley blew out a breath and sank down in the seat.

  Back at the condo, she settled at the kitchen table with a cup of tea and began playing all three of the new cameras at once.

  Konstantin had taken to updating her every morning, which meant the latest theft had taken place sometime after yesterday’s breakfast up until that morning. It wasn’t a big window of time, all things considered.

  She watched a more dressed down Konstantin settle in at his desk.

  Haley leaned forward and frowned.

  How had someone gotten into his office, with him in the condo all day, and taken pictures? Who had come into the condo yesterday?

  Haley paused the cameras and opened the digital logs.

  The chef had arrived around eleven thirty with groceries. She’d had help from a building employee bringing everything up. The cake had been delivered shortly thereafter. The laundry had been returned. Then nothing until pizza that evening.

  How? And who?

  Haley got up and went to the flour canister that held the petty cash fund. She checked the total and found another couple of dollars missing. Nothing worth noting in the big picture. Still, it was odd. The normal procedure was to make a note on the pad of paper in the canister, but there wasn’t anything.

  She returned to the computer and sipped her tea while watching Konstantin at his desk in double time.

  When she’d first signed on for this job, she’d made the assumption that Konstantin was lazy and self-important. It had taken her all of a week to realize none of that was true. Sure, he might look like sin in a suit, but the man took his responsibilities seriously.

  It had taken Haley a few months to piece together Konstantin’s story. Zain hadn’t exactly led with the whole Russian oligarch’s son bit when he pitched the job to her. She’d discovered that tidbit out on her own. What always impressed her was Konstantin’s work ethic. The man had fled his family and country, come to a country where he could barely speak the language, and managed to make something of himself. Granted, a good deal of his support came from businesses he’d taken from his father, but Haley saw that as the old man’s mistake. Why put an entire company, much less five, in his son’s name?

  Maybe it was some rich people thing she didn’t understand. But it did mean that Konstantin was able to protect and provide for his daughter.

  Then there were the regular consultations Konstantin did for the US government. Haley didn’t know the particulars, but she assumed he had some sort of arrangement.

  She clicked a button and sped up the video, watching most of the day pass by in a blur of movement.

  The only people who came and went from his side was Zasha and herself.

  It had to be a joke. That made sense.

  Haley couldn’t recall if Zasha had gone into the office last night, so when the evening hours rolled around she slowed the video.

  Zasha didn’t go into the office once.

  Haley sat back and watched the three of them on the sofa.

  The visual was a punch to the gut.

  They looked like a family, but they weren’t.

  Haley finished watching their evening and the long stint of Konstantin sitting in the dark in his office. What was he thinking in there by himself?

  Still no thief.

  “Huh.” She checked the time then finished her tea.

  The digital clock on the video feeds ticked on.

  At around four in the morning, an hour before Konstantin began his day, something happened.

  The adjoining door opened. Haley saw it in the camera that was hidden among the books under the TV.

  “What the fuck?” she muttered and leaned closer. She tapped the keys and let the video play in real time.

  Ivana stood there, her white nightgown practically glowing in the darkness. She glanced around, but didn’t move.

  Listening for movement?

  Ivana padded across the living room and into the office.

  Haley’s gaze slid easily to the camera she’d hidden above the curtains in the office. It gave her a wide view of the room, but most importantly the collection of old photographs.

  Ivana went to the display and began peering at them. How she could tell them apart without light was beyond Haley, but the old woman never once turned on a lamp. After a moment she picked a picture, turned and hurried out with her prize.

  “What? Why?” Haley killed the video feed.

  According to Konstantin, Ivana had raised both him and his mother. Why would she need to sneak pictures? Konstantin would probably have let her make copies. Unless there was something special about the originals?
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  Haley reached for her phone, but she didn’t pick it up.

  The right thing to do would be to call Konstantin and tell him. Given his current mood thanks to her, Haley wasn’t sure how he’d react.

  He’d trusted her with handling this and using her judgement.

  Maybe Haley should talk to Ivana first?

  She was looking out for the old woman yet again.

  Haley sighed and gathered her things for the drive back to the lessons. Maybe she could pull Ivana aside during the art class for a chat?

  By the time she’d reached the center, she still had no idea how to handle this. Ivana was like family to Konstantin. There was no need to steal pictures, unless there was a layer Haley wasn’t seeing to all this.

  She parked and went inside only to stop short.

  The big, burly bodyguard she’d left to watch Haley and Ivana sat on a bench looking at his phone.

  “Jeff, what’s going on?” she asked slowly.

  Jeff glanced up and heaved a sigh. “The nanny said I was making the kid uncomfortable.”

  Warning bells went off in Haley’s head so loud she couldn’t think.

  Stealing pictures.

  Sending a bodyguard away.

  None of this made sense.

  Haley sprinted down the hall, her sneakers squeaking as she turned.

  “She said...” Jeff called out, but Haley ignored him.

  Something was wrong. She could feel it.

  Haley took the stairs two at a time. The sound of a piano playing called to her.

  She yanked the door to Zasha’s classroom open and stared at the startled teacher sitting behind the piano. Alone.

  “Where is she?” Haley demanded.

  “I thought... But...” The man gaped at her.

  “Zasha,” Haley snarled.

  The thin man held up long, artistic fingers. “Ivana called, said she wasn’t feeling well.”

  Shit.

  Haley hadn’t seen the bigger picture. She still didn’t, and now Zasha was gone.

  4.

  Thursday. Titov Enterprises, Arlington, VA.

  Konstantin paced his office. Why of all days did today have no meetings or projects that needed his full attention?

  He could do with a distraction. Some mental problem for him to untangle.

  What was he going to do about Haley?

  Last night he’d convinced himself that they would be okay without her. Today he wasn’t as certain. It took a lot for him to trust people in his space. The idea of having to go through a whole new period with multiple new staff did not sit well with him.

  It had been years since his father had tried to install one of his people within Konstantin’s household. He wouldn’t put it past the old man to try again, given the opportunity.

  Was there a way to fix things with Haley? Had he simply not come at this from the right direction yet?

  He sat down at his desk and fiddled with the mouse.

  His most recent searches auto populated the bar as he hovered over it.

  Close to a dozen different searches for plants and gardening things taunted him.

  Haley wasn’t a socialite who would be easily swayed with gifts. Even if he gave her a whole garden, it wouldn’t make her change her mind. The gift was the only thing he’d come up with that was appropriate.

  His inappropriate list was far lengthier.

  This wasn’t a problem he could throw money at. And he didn’t want to go back to that ugly moment last night when he’d thrown Zasha in Haley’s face. Either he convinced Haley to stay with them using logic, or she left. The problem was that everything Haley saw as an issue he saw as a benefit.

  What was he going to tell Zasha?

  Maybe he could convince her to be the thief?

  Haley had said she would stay on for as long as it took to find the thief. While he didn’t like the idea that someone working for him was stealing, if it kept Haley in the picture longer...

  That was a stupid plan.

  He rubbed his hand over his face.

  “You are a pathetic son of a bitch,” Konstantin muttered to himself.

  He should still buy her a plant. Maybe get Zasha in on it. She’d like that. It could be from the both of them.

  Where had he gone wrong?

  His cell phone rang, breaking into his spiraling thoughts.

  Konstantin glanced at it and paused when he saw Haley’s name. She rarely had reason to call him. Except...

  The thief.

  Had she found out who it was?

  He considered not answering, but that wasn’t like him. He didn’t shrink from what had to be done.

  “Haley, hello.”

  “Kon?”

  So much was conveyed in those three letters.

  Haley was breathless, as if she’d been running. Tension laced every syllable, especially at the end when her voice broke.

  “What’s wrong?” He yanked the bottom drawer of his desk open, where he kept a loaded sidearm and holster in a case. He pressed his thumb to the display until it turned green. “Are you okay? Zasha?”

  “Shit. Zasha’s not in her piano class. Ivana told Jeff he had to wait at the entry. I have no idea where they are. Konstantin, I saw the security tape. It’s Ivana. She’s taken the pictures. I’m on my way to the main office.”

  Zasha was missing. With Ivana. But still missing.

  “I’m on my way. Stay on the phone with me.” He strode out of his office, phone to his ear.

  Ivana?

  His mind wanted to reject that idea immediately.

  When he’d run away from home with little more than a backpack and a screaming infant, he hadn’t known where he was going beyond America. Armed with knowledge about his father, his goal had been to broker a protection deal for himself and Zasha.

  He’d been in over his head.

  And then Ivana had shown up. With her came all the things he wished he could have brought. Zasha’s toys. Keepsakes. Clothes. Money. And documents that proved his father had, indeed, put all five of his US-based companies in Konstantin’s name to avoid federal meddling.

  In those early years Ivana had even come to Konstantin and told him that his father had approached her about working for him, informing on Konstantin and Zasha. Ivana had protected them. So why would she do this now?

  Konstantin barked orders to his security and in moments they were on the road in one of the white SUVs. He listened to Haley’s frantic conversation with someone at the center’s office, all while not a one of them knew where Zasha was now.

  The minutes dragged on. Eventually he ended the call after a hasty update from Haley that told him nothing.

  He’d chosen his office and home because of their close proximity, but today it felt as though they were all worlds apart.

  Where was his daughter? Who was she with? What was Ivana doing?

  Not ten minutes later, the SUV skidded to a stop in front of the center. He pushed his way out and hung up the phone as Haley and the back-up security detail exited the building.

  “You.” Konstantin glared daggers at the man. “You’re fired.”

  Haley held up her hands. “Konstantin—”

  “He didn’t do his job,” he snapped.

  She pitched her voice over his. “The security tapes don’t have them leaving the grounds. They’re still here somewhere.”

  Konstantin turned, looking around the old buildings that comprised the center.

  There were probably a couple hundred rooms to search. And Zasha could be anywhere.

  “We need to split up,” Haley said addressing the other men. “There are four buildings, two playgrounds and a soccer field. I need each of you to take a building. I’ll cover outside.”

  Konstantin glanced around, hating this helpless feeling.

  Where was his daughter? Why had Ivana taken her? Was his past coming back to haunt him now? Why? After so long, why?

  “Konstantin?” Haley gripped his arm. She was composed now. “It’s go
ing to be okay. Stick with them. If any of us find anything, we’ll call you directly, okay?”

  “Okay. Yes.” He pressed his arm against his side, feeling the holster concealed there now.

  If Ivana didn’t have a damn good reason for doing this, Konstantin just might pull a page from his father’s book.

  Zasha was off limits. And Ivana had just gone there.

  THURSDAY. LEARNING Center, Arlington, VA.

  Haley’s legs and lungs burned as she ran clear across the campus.

  Zasha loved the playground under the trees.

  How many times had Haley brought her there while Ivana went to the car to rest and sleep?

  Haley squinted and counted the small figures scaling the equipment ahead under the shade.

  Six.

  None of them were Zasha. None of them had on the right clothes or the hair was wrong. Still Haley went a few yards farther, peering into the cool shade.

  No Zasha.

  “Shit,” Haley muttered and turned in a circle.

  She had to find Zasha and Ivana first. The look on Konstantin’s face? The death stare? Haley feared for Ivana’s life if Konstantin found them first.

  There had to be a logical reason for all of this.

  Where else could Zasha and Ivana be?

  Campus security had mobilized to cover all entrances and a few to the main parking lot, but until police arrived—if they came at all—there was still too much ground to cover.

  Calling Konstantin was the right thing to do. It’s what she was supposed to do in an emergency like this. But she’d never seen him so angry.

  Haley jogged back toward the main building.

  Where else could Ivana have gone?

  Security cameras could have missed them walking off campus.

  They could be anywhere by now.

  Haley passed by the other playground, but there were no children there.

  She pulled out her phone.

  No calls or texts or anything. Not from Konstantin or Zasha or Ivana. Haley had tried to locate both devices, but they were turned off.

  Haley kept going, following the path around the building. She spied one of Konstantin’s security in a window at one point. She waved at the man and he nodded at her, but his face was grim.

  Shit.