Retribution

by Katie Reus

  As soon as a video stream popped up, the quiet buzz of the room turned to dead silence. Alena Brennan’s arms were pulled above her head, her wrists cuffed to some sort of pulley system. She was fully clothed in jeans and her top, but her jacket and boots were gone. Her arms had been tugged high enough that she was on her tiptoes, stretched out, and she had a nasty looking bruise on the side of her face. That could have been from the accident though. Declan made a mental note to ask Kevin. The camera was somewhere above her and she kept looking around the room, as if she were unaware she was being recorded. She looked afraid, but not as if she was panicking. At least that was good.

  “Oh my God!” At Nika’s voice, he glanced over his shoulder to find her standing next to him. Damn, he hadn’t even heard her move.

  Declan stepped in front of her, positioning himself between her and the computer screen. “This is just a scare tactic. They want us to know they’re serious. It’s not in their interest to hurt her.”

  Her eyes were wide, horrified. “Did you see her face?”

  “That’s from the accident.” At least that was what he was telling her. Declan placed calming hands on her shoulders but she shoved him away as she sidestepped him. Her green eyes filled with unshed tears and for the first time in as long as he could remember, he wanted to comfort a woman.

  “I can get maybe half of the money,” she said, turning to face Andre, completely ignoring Declan. “My sister makes really good money modeling and I can access some of her funds. I’ve also got some savings. Not as much as her, but I’ll give you everything I have. But the other half…” Her voice broke on a sob. A few errant tears rolled down her cheeks but she swatted at them angrily.

  Andre shook his head, his expression hard, but clearly not directed at Nika. “Nika, whatever they want, I’m going to pay. I don’t need your money.”

  “What?” She looked as shocked as Declan felt.

  They’d barely scratched the negotiation phase.

  Andre cleared his throat and glanced at Declan. “I need to speak to you in private.”

  “Everyone out,” Declan ordered. He lowered his voice when he spoke to Nika. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

  She didn’t respond, just swiped at more tears as she left the room. Once everyone cleared out Andre collapsed back onto the chair, his calm façade starting to crack.

  Declan leaned against the edge of the desk. “What are you going to do?”

  “What choice do I have?” His voice was harsh, raspy.

  “You’re willing to pay that much for her?” Declan kept his voice neutral.

  “You’d rather I let her die?” There was an angry bite to his question.

  “That’s not what I meant. First, do you have that kind of cash lying around?” As the negotiator and head of security, he had to know everything at this point.

  Andre nodded sharply. “I’ve got the bonds and some of the cash.”

  “Some?”

  “I’m…going to ask my father for the rest.”

  “Andre—”

  “You heard what they said. I’m not letting another woman die!” His loud voice reverberated off the walls, reminding Declan that Andre had a lot of personal demons he was probably battling right now.

  The kidnappers were obviously playing on Andre’s only weakness. His wife had been murdered because of him. Well, because of his association with his father, Yasha. “I didn’t think you even talked to your father anymore.”

  “I don’t, but he’ll give me the money,” Andre said so matter of fact Declan didn’t doubt it.

  “It’ll come with a price. You must know that. He’ll want a favor in return.”

  Andre shrugged, but the action didn’t come off as casual. “Maybe, maybe not. I have the rest of the money, I just can’t get my hands on it within twenty-four hours. I’ll pay him back within a week.”

  “What about Kiley?” Andre was private about his life but Declan was aware that Andre’s half-sister hated their father.

  “It’s not like I’m going to bring him to my house in Vegas. Kiley is never going to know about this. No one is, except you.”

  Declan scrubbed a hand over his face, hating the thought of involving Yasha Makarov in anything. “Where is your sister anyway?”

  “She’s in Vegas, but I contacted her about the threat as soon you called me about Alena. She’s going to increase her own security. If there’s a problem, she’ll come to Miami or I’ll set her up somewhere else.”

  As another thought set in, Declan frowned. “You said you have the ten million in bonds?”

  “Yes.”

  “Exactly or more?”

  “Exactly.”

  “Is that common knowledge?”

  “No. It’s sort of a failsafe for emergencies. A few of my financial advisors and my sister are aware, but I don’t broadcast it.”

  “What about your assistant? Anyone else you can think of?”

  Andre’s mouth pulled into a thin line. “I hired a man named Barry Green about six months ago. He handles a lot of the day to day operations at the Ivy when I’m not there, but I don’t think he knows about it. Or he shouldn’t.”

  Declan mulled over the information. The assistant could be innocent, but he was near the top of Declan’s suspect list since he was so new. “Okay, make a list of anyone who might have knowledge of your financials and of any possible enemies. Any business deals gone wrong in the past five years, anything you can think of.” Five years was a little far to go back, but Declan knew that people could be very patient. “I’m also going to want phone records from your main offices for the past six months.”

  “No problem. What are you looking for?”

  “If there’s a connection between the kidnapping and someone you work with, I’m going to do a search. I don’t know that we’ll be able to pinpoint a connection before they schedule the meeting but we’ll try. Either way I’m assuming you want this investigated.”

  He nodded once. “Someone is going to pay for this.” Andre’s voice was low, deadly, and almost guttural.

  Declan pushed up from the desk. “I’m going to send Odell back in here and run the diagnostics on the video. See if he can pick up any outside noise we might be able to use. Maybe they left personal metadata. I doubt it, but we’ll run every program possible on it. After I check on Nika, I’m going to make some calls around town to see if anyone has heard anything about a kidnapping.”

  Andre nodded and pulled out his own phone, no doubt to start making calls to his financial people and unfortunately, his father.

  He opened the door to find Odell and three of his other guys waiting, but no Nika. As soon as he rattled off instructions, he went in search of the woman who was now haunting his waking thoughts. It was likely stupid, but the need to comfort Nika after seeing the pain on her face was eating away at him from the inside out. It would just take a couple extra seconds, he told himself.

  Chapter 8

  Declan’s heart raced he descended the stairs for the second time. Andre’s house was big, but it wasn’t that big. He couldn’t figure out where the hell Nika had slipped off to. Security hadn’t seen her leaving through the main gates and none of his guys had seen her head out of any of the exits so she had to be here. Besides all her stuff was still in her room.

  “Any luck boss?” Clay asked as he reached the bottom stair.

  “No, have you heard from Kevin?” Clay was fielding calls for Declan as he tightened things down at Andre’s.

  “Yeah, doctor said Ethan is out of surgery and should be able to talk in a few hours. As soon as the meds wear off. Kevin’s with him for now.”

  Declan hated that he wasn’t there. “Keep me updated. And tell Kevin to head out soon. He needs to get a few hours of sleep. I’ll send more guys to the hospital.” And he planned to go himself as soon as he could. Ethan Ford, the driver of Andre’s vehicle had suffered a serious head wound. Declan was concerned but he also wanted to know why Ethan had taken an out of the way r
oute when they were ambushed. It certainly hadn’t been part of his orders. Kevin hadn’t known why either but Ethan had been team leader so he hadn’t questioned him.

  When Declan pushed the swinging door to the kitchen open, he paused at a scuffling sound. Glancing around the Mediterranean style room, he frowned as he took a step farther inside. An exotic, almost tropical scent that didn’t mix with the braids of garlic hanging from the iron pot rack tickled his nose. He’d recognize it anywhere. “Nika?”

  “Yeah?” Her tired, sexy voice rolled over him.

  “Where are you?” He glanced toward the closed pantry door.

  “By the window.”

  He found her sitting in the corner of the small breakfast nook. Her back was against the wall and she had one hand wrapped around the wine glass sitting on the circular mosaic table. She looked at him with red-rimmed, glassy eyes. He could see the feeling of helplessness in her gaze and it clawed at him.

  Declan pulled one of the bar top stools from the wall and sat across from her. “Have you been in here the whole time?”

  “Yeah. I hope Andre doesn’t mind that I opened this.” She nodded to the long-stemmed wine glass and open bottle of red wine.

  “He won’t care. Have you eaten anything today?”

  She shook her head. Her green eyes filled with tears but they didn’t spill over this time. She looked so small and lost as she stared at him. That stupid need to protect her swept through him with an uncomfortable, unfamiliar intensity.

  “Come sit at the island, I’ll fix you something.” He shouldn’t be taking the extra time, but fuck it. His guys were all doing what they were supposed to be doing and the place was locked down tight. Without waiting for her response, he picked up the bottle and glass and headed across the expansive room.

  He heard her pull out a chair as he opened the refrigerator.

  “Why are you being so nice to me?”

  Declan glanced over his shoulder. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t be?”

  “Earlier you asked if I was involved in all this,” she muttered.

  Biting back a sigh, he pulled out one of the plastic containers. “I was just doing my job. How does turkey and Swiss on wheat sound?”

  “It’s fine, thank you.”

  She was silent as he fixed her sandwich. Normally silence didn’t bother him but it somehow unnerved him with her. Maybe it was because it felt as if there was something unspoken simmering between them. He was tempted to ask her about the dreams, but held off. Now was definitely not the time. When he was finished, he slid the plate in front of her. “Eat.”

  She eyed the sandwich as if he’d just given her one covered in mold, but picked it up anyway.

  “We’re going to get your sister back.”

  “You can’t know that,” she said in between bites.

  “I’m good at what I do.”

  “What do you do?” she asked.

  “I own a security firm that specializes in…clientele with high security risks.” There was more to it than that, but that was all she needed to know.

  She looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, her green eyes narrowing. “Andre said you used to work for the CIA. Is that true?”

  He paused, but nodded once. “For over a decade.”

  She swallowed hard. “Have you ever dealt with a kidnapping before?”

  “Since I started my company, twice.”

  “What about before then?”

  He shrugged, hoping she’d understand what he meant.

  “Okay, what were the outcomes of the two you can talk about?” Oh yeah, she understood.

  Declan cleared his throat. He could lie to her, but something told him she’d know. And for a reason he didn’t quite understand, he didn’t want to lie. “One survived.”

  Nika dropped her barely eaten sandwich onto the plate and shoved it away. “So Alena’s got a fifty-fifty chance then.”

  She was still in crisis mode, possibly mild shock. Until she came to terms with the situation, nothing he said or did would make a difference. He sat next to her and pushed the plate back in front of her. “Please take another couple bites.”

  She looked as if she might try, but just shook her head. “I’m not hungry. But I appreciate the effort. My sister is gone, I’m terrified and nothing will change that until she’s safe.” The strain was already wearing on her; he could see it in every line of her body.

  Sighing, he nodded and motioned toward the door. “You look like you’re about to pass out. I’ll walk you to your room.”

  She slid off the chair and fell into step with him. Declan was partially watching over her because he was worried, but he didn’t plan to let her off his radar again. Once she was in her room, he was placing a guard outside. Nika might not be part of the kidnapping, but she was still an unknown variable. One he’d agreed to watch out for.

  Just because she got him hotter than any woman he’d ever met didn’t mean he could let his guard down around her. The last woman he’d done that with had tried to kill him. He wouldn’t make that mistake again.

  * * *

  Yasha glanced up at the knock on his office door. “Yes?” he barked out.

  “It’s me.” Dima, one of best men.

  “Come in.” He’d given strict instructions not to be disturbed so he knew this would be important. Or it better be. When Dima stepped inside, Yasha frowned. “What do you want?”

  “Your son is on the phone. He says it’s important.”

  Though surprised, he didn’t let it show on his face. Yasha closed the laptop in front of him and nodded at Dima. As soon as the door shut behind his employee, he picked up the house phone. “Andre. It’s been a long time.”

  “Hello, father.” Andre’s voice was devoid of emotion.

  “How are you?”

  “I’m… For once tell me the truth. Did you have anything to do with this?” Now there was definite anger, what Yasha was used to receiving from him. It was an emotion he could deal with at least.

  Yasha bit back a sigh. His son hadn’t talked to him in two years thanks to his meddling bitch half-sister. It seemed things hadn’t changed much. “Do with what?”

  Andre cursed but didn’t elaborate.

  “Since this clearly isn’t a social call, tell me what it is you want.”

  “Five million dollars.”

  Yasha leaned back in his chair. “Why?”

  “Does it matter?” That bite of hostility was there, crystal clear.

  “I’m assuming you need this in cash so yes, it does matter.”

  His son was silent so long Yasha wasn’t sure Andre would answer. “The woman I’m involved with has been kidnapped and I need the money by tomorrow afternoon. I don’t have enough time to get all the funds together so quickly but I’ll be able to pay you back within a week or two.”

  “I do not want you to pay me back.” Yasha smiled to himself at the surprising turn of events. This was exactly the opportunity he’d been waiting for.

  There was a moment of silence. “What’s the catch?”

  “I need a small favor but we’ll discuss it in person.”

  “My phone is secure if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  “I cannot take the chance. I’ll be at your house at seven sharp with the money so tell your security to expect me.”

  “Fine,” he ground out.

  “One more thing. Who is the woman you’re seeing?” Technically it did not matter, but he was truly curious what woman had elicited such a response from his son.

  “Will it affect your money?” Andre’s voice was a razor sharp edge.

  Yasha massaged the back of his neck. It was always the same with Andre. Even when asking for a favor, his own son couldn’t forgive him. After everything he’d done for him, Andre still chose that bitch over his own father. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  As he hung up the phone, he locked his office door. His employees knew to knock but he wasn’t taking the chance of being interrupted. He bypasse
d the safe hanging behind one of his paintings and ran his hand along the cherry wood paneling. After pressing the hidden button he pulled the panel back further when it clicked open. None of his emergency stash had been touched. Not that he’d expected it to be.

  He didn’t like taking out any of his emergency fund, but in less than a week it wouldn’t matter. He’d be richer than he ever imagined. After growing up in the slums of Moscow and clawing his way to the top, he deserved this.

  A sharp rap on the door pulled his attention back to the present. After fitting the panel back in place, he opened the door to find Dima standing there.

  “What do you want?”

  “Is everything okay?”

  He shrugged and stepped back to allow the other man entrance. Friends were a luxury Yasha couldn’t afford, but Dima was often a sounding board. “Share a drink with me.”

  “How’s your son?” Dima pulled two glasses from the small bar as Yasha sat behind his desk.

  “He needs money. A woman he’s seeing has been kidnapped but I didn’t see anything in your report on him about a new girlfriend.”

  Dima glanced up from pouring their drinks, vodka bottle suspended in mid-air. “If he’s seeing someone, then the relationship is very new.”

  Interesting. Yasha frowned as he pulled out the file he kept on his son. Since they hadn’t talked in years, he had to monitor Andre any way he could. Andre had an unexplainable chivalrous streak where women were concerned, but to shell out millions for a woman he just started dating seemed impossible. And stupid. “We’re meeting him early tomorrow so I want you to find out what you can on this mystery woman. Where she calls home, who she screws, all known associates, everything.”

  Dima nodded as he handed him a glass and took a seat across from him.

  The liquor warmed him going down. “Do you have the information on the Lazarev brothers I requested?”

  “I’ve got a guy working on it. One of the coroner’s reports was harder to obtain. I’ll email it to you when he’s finished.”