by Jo Leigh
“Of course. I need to go to this address now, please. We’ll only be there for a few minutes.” Potereiko leaned forward and handed the tattered piece of paper with the Cincinnati address to the driver.
The man glanced at it, nodded, handed it back and shifted into gear.
Potereiko rolled his window down, ignoring the driver’s glare in the mirror. Edward enjoyed the warm air blowing on his face.
The car worked its way across downtown toward the northeast. Potereiko marveled that the casino lights were on even though the sun showed little sign of disappearing. About fifteen minutes later the cab pulled up in front of a small one-story house.
“This’s it,” the driver said.
“Would you mind waiting for a few minutes?”
The cabbie looked dubious. “Look, man. I picked you up at the airport, I waited at Customs, I brought you here. For all I know, you ain’t got a dime.”
Potereiko pulled out a silver money clip with a red-enameled star on it. He slipped a fifty-dollar bill out and handed it to the driver. “Let me know when this is not enough,” he said.
“You got it, buddy,” the man said, quickly stuffing the bill into his pocket.
Basking in the warmth, Potereiko strolled to the front door of the small dwelling. A small box with a combination lock hung on the door latch and Potereiko pulled another slip of paper from his pocket, noted the numbers, then bent to the lock box. When it opened, he removed the key and used it to open the door.
It swung open with a bang and he stepped into the vacant living room.
It was perfect.
He wandered around, looking at the other rooms; the small bedroom, the bathroom, the miniscule kitchen. Everywhere, his footsteps echoed from the walls, and the musty smell of emptiness tickled his nostrils. He stepped once more into the front room and stood looking around, smiling.
Although barely larger than a Moscow luxury apartment, the house only had to be big enough for the crate to be carried in. Once inside, he would open it and remove the only thing of value and take it with him. Then, in a very short time, with twenty-five million American dollars in cash, the man who had entered the country as Ivan Petrov would disappear, leaving the mystery of the empty crate in the empty house to those who worried about such things.
That is, if the Customs inspection went well.
And if he could survive C. Randall Todd.
All the former colonel’s senses told him to be wary of the man, and he’d taken every precaution. Todd would not know where the bomb was until the moment Potereiko had the money. And the exchange would take place publicly. By the same token, he had refused the offer of a luxury suite at the Xanadu. A savage place, indeed, he thought, remembering Coleridge.
Perhaps he’d retire to the Bahamas, Edward thought. Certainly somewhere with kinder winters than either Russia or the Ukraine. With that amount of money, getting it out of the United States would be his only problem.
He walked out, carefully locked the door and walked down the sidewalk to the cab, pausing to look back once again.
“Thank you, driver,” he said, opening the rear door.
“To the Algiers, please.”
JENNY CHECKED the bedside clock. It was five minutes to three, time for her to go.
Todd slept soundly beside her, his arm cradling his head, his white hair vivid against the navy blue sheets even in the dark of his bedroom.
If he woke up, it shouldn’t alarm him that she’d gone. It probably would have surprised him more to find her here. The night had been a long one, dinner at a fundraising benefit for breast cancer research, with dancing afterward. Todd was his charming self, busy chatting it up with the influential of Vegas society, while she mostly stood silent by his side, showing off her ring by putting her left hand on his arm. Of course, he hadn’t been gauche enough to announce the value of the ring, but the word had mysteriously spread nonetheless. By the end of the evening, her jaw had ached from her forced happiness.
They’d come back to the room just after two and she’d fully expected another trip to hell, but nothing had happened. He’d simply told her to get into bed and he’d gone to sleep next to her. No words, no recriminations. In its own way, this scared her more than anything he could have done.
She hadn’t had room to be too distraught. She was too busy being preoccupied by the events about to take place.
When she’d gone to her room for her nap this afternoon, she’d stopped by Mrs. Norris’s room. Taking her life in her hands, she’d asked the nanny to do her a favor. To slip a note to Nick. If all had gone well, she would see him at her door in a few minutes. She planned to take him through her suite in the dark, all the way back to the closet. Her safe space. There, she intended to break her silence and tell him the truth about Patrick.
If, in fact, all hell was about to break loose, she wanted him to know. She hoped it was the right thing to do. Seeing him with Patrick this afternoon had made it clear that she couldn’t continue the pretense. Nick had a right to know he was a father. Maybe, if miracles occurred and they all lived through this, they could actually be parents to the boy. Whether they would ever be a couple, she had no idea. It seemed too much to hope for.
One thing for sure, she couldn’t be with him if he continued to work for Xanadu. Even with Todd gone, she wouldn’t be able to stand it. Once this was over, she never wanted to see Las Vegas again. She’d probably be in the Witness Security Program, anyway, so it was foolish to entertain thoughts of happily-ever-after, but she couldn’t help it. She had to have some dreams left, even if they were completely unrealistic.
She slipped out of the bed and, moving as quietly as she knew how, got her robe from inside the bathroom. After she slipped it on, she crept through the suite. It was dark and quiet, but she made it unscathed. The door was a little trickier, but she had memorized the alarm combination and a few moments later was in the hallway. She knew there were cameras here, but her presence shouldn’t make any waves. She trusted that Nick would find some safe way of getting to her room.
When she was just a few feet from her door, the lights in the hallway went out. After her heart stopped pounding and she remembered how to breathe again, she realized that was Nick’s solution.
She walked the few remaining steps and when she pulled her key card out of her robe pocket, saw his shadow approach.
It was so dark, she couldn’t make out any of his features. In fact, she wouldn’t have known who it was, if she hadn’t memorized his scent. It was Nick, all right, and it was his hand on the small of her back as she opened the door.
In complete silence, not even a footfall to be heard, they walked through her suite until they reached her bedroom. The darkness here was almost complete, so he found her hand, put it on his shoulder and led the way, inching past the armoire, the chaise and the bed until he found the closet.
Once inside, she exhaled, although her heart still raced. It was terrifying, and she hated it. She felt as though she’d spent half her life hiding, running, being scared. To be carefree, feel the kind of safety most of the world took for granted, that was her dream. To not worry about her son being corrupted, or being kidnapped…was that so much to ask?
“Close your eyes,” Nick said. “I’m going to turn on a light.”
She obeyed, and even though she could tell it wasn’t the overhead light, the brightness still made her wince, the contrast from the dark was so intense. A few moments later her eyes adjusted and she opened them. Nick was right in front of her, studying her face, not touching her, but oh, so close.
They each leaned forward until their lips met. She melted against him and his arms came around her back, and there was nothing but safety in that hold. Only comfort.
“Jenny,” he whispered. “Oh, my God. You shouldn’t have risked it. Don’t you understand? It’s so close, and there’s so much to lose.”
“I had to. It’s you who doesn’t understand. I have something to tell you.”
He kissed her a
gain, deeply, sharing breath, sharing hope. He pulled her tightly against him, the thin robe letting her feel his strength. For the moment there was no Todd, no engagement, nothing but the two of them coming together. It was impossible to be still and they moved their lips, tongues, hands, as each of them did their best to lose themselves in the other. When he pulled back, she gasped in much-needed air, but there was no way she was finished.
He moaned as he touched her breast, cupping her, then gently squeezing. His gaze locked on hers once more, pleaded with his eyes.
She understood. For all they knew, this was the last time, the only time, they’d be this close. She wanted nothing more than to take off her robe, to lie down on the soft cushions and open herself to him. She wanted him inside her, she wanted…
Instead she pushed him back. There were more important things to worry about now. She’d denied herself for so long, she knew she wouldn’t die, even though it felt beyond her endurance.
Nick’s hand left her and curled into a fist. “Okay. We’ll talk. I have something to tell you, too. I’ve made arrangements for someone to get you and Patrick. I don’t know exactly how, or who, but you’ve got to be ready. You won’t have time to take anything except the clothes on your back, but don’t worry about it. You’ll be safe and taken care of. If I were you, I’d be sure I was wearing that ring and any other jewelry you can get away with. It’ll help later on.”
“What do you mean, you’ve made arrangements?”
“Just listen, damn it. Do what they tell you. Don’t argue. They’ll take you to safety.”
“Who? What are you talking about?”
He closed his eyes, then slowly opened them again.
“I’m with the FBI.”
She nodded as pieces of the puzzle fell neatly into place. “Thank God. I hoped. But hoping hasn’t gotten me very far lately.”
“You can stop hoping and start counting your blessings. Two more days. That’s it. You’ll be out of here.”
Tears came to her eyes and her body, for some weird reason, started to shake. He was an FBI agent. A good guy. Trying to take down Todd. The whole time… “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I couldn’t compromise the mission. But more important, I couldn’t compromise you. If you slipped…”
“I’m not in the habit of slipping.”
“I know. But he couldn’t force you to say something you didn’t know.”
“Fair enough. But tell me something. Why were you so ugly when I came back? So mean?”
He looked away, suddenly finding a great interest in her Fendi bag. “I thought if you hated me, you’d make Todd replace me as your bodyguard.”
“Not that he would have listened, but why would you want that?”
He turned on her. “You don’t know?”
“What?”
“Good God, woman. Can’t you see what you do to me? When I’m around you, I lose all sense of proportion. I don’t give a damn about saving the world, just you.” He laughed. “I couldn’t do anything right. That first time I had you in here, when we could finally talk, all I’d intended to do was to scare the hell out of you. Make certain you never wanted to speak to me again. You know how that ended.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.” He moved closer to her again, ran the back of his hand down her cheek. “You mess me up. Always have. I didn’t worry about Sweet or any of Todd’s other goons. You were the one who was going to get me killed.”
“I don’t want you killed.”
He grinned. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“I’m not joking, Nick. When this is over, I’d really like to…you know, figure this out.”
“Go on.”
She met his gaze and the words became unimportant. Because she saw he knew just exactly what she meant.
“Well, for one thing, I’d like to talk to you in a normal tone of voice.”
“Hmm.”
“And I’d like to hold hands in public.”
“You wild woman.”
“There’s more.”
“Oh?”
She nodded slowly. “I’d like to make love in a bed. And be as noisy as I want.”
“You? Noisy?”
“You have no idea.”
“My, my.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Nick Mason.”
His smile got a little crooked as his eyes softened. “There’s so much I do know. You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever met. You’re incredibly resourceful. Braver than I could hope to be on my best day. Through all the hell, you’ve kept your humanity. Your gentleness. There isn’t anyone else I’d want at my side.”
That did it. She just fell apart. Tears flowed, her nose ran; he had to hold her up. It didn’t stop all that quickly, either. The more he petted her hair, the more he whispered, “Shh,” the more she blubbered. Finally, finally, the tears slowed to a trickle and she was able to stand.
“Here.”
She looked down to see that he’d grabbed a scarf. It was a Hermès, worth about five hundred dollars. She took it and blew her nose as hard as she could. When she was through, she tossed it into the back of the closet and turned to him. “I’m better now.”
“Good, because we’ve got to go.”
“No.”
“It would be a real damn shame if we screwed up now.”
“There’s not even time for kissing?”
He shook his head. Right up until he grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her.
Chapter Fourteen
Sweet woke to the sound of his cell phone ringing. He shoved at the woman half-draped over him and grabbed it from the nightstand. The clock, its green glow the only light in the room, read 4:50. “Sweet.”
“Henry, I need you to do something for me.”
“Yes, sir.”
“It’s going to require a bit of acting, but not much. And, don’t fret, I think you’ll enjoy the task.”
Sweet sat up. Rubbed his eyes. He wished he could spit out the taste of stale booze and cigars, but that could wait. “What is it?”
“I need to get a sample of Nick Mason’s blood.”
Sweet grinned. “Hell, I’ll give you six quarts, if you like.”
Todd laughed. “That won’t be necessary. Yet. I don’t want him to suspect a thing. I don’t need much blood, just enough to get his type. And I’d like it by midmorning. Do you think you can handle that?”
“With pleasure.”
“I thought so. If my hunch is correct, which it most likely is, you’re going to enjoy the next phase even more.”
“I’m sure I will.”
“Remember, I don’t want him suspicious. And I don’t require much blood. Do this well, Henry. You know what’s at stake.”
“I do, sir.”
Todd hung up and Sweet disconnected. He took a swig of the now-warm beer sitting behind his clock. He wouldn’t be going back to sleep. Not for a while, at least.
“Sweetie?”
He turned to the woman curled up in his bed. She was a dancer from Cheetah’s, the nudie bar off Western. A beauty, too. Tall, blond, slender. Real classy. On their way to the elevator, one of the doormen had mistaken her for Jenny. Right. That cold bitch wouldn’t be in his bed. He liked his women friendly.
“Don’t go back to sleep,” he said, throwing his covers aside. He got up, naked, and walked to his bathroom. He was hard again and it wasn’t just because of what’s-her-name.
Todd had finally come to his senses about Mason. Of all the jobs he could do for the boss, the one he’d most like would be to take that bastard down. He wanted to hurt him, bad. Make him beg. Make him want to die.
But he’d be smart. Get the blood real unobtrusive-like. Smart. And when the time was right, he’d give the boss a show he’d never forget.
NICK CURLED HIS BODY around Jenny’s as he caught his breath. He was an idiot to have pressed his luck like this, but he wasn’t strong enough to walk away from the invitation in her eyes. Jenny s
crunched in closer, rubbing her backside against him and, amazingly, he stirred again. He’d figured he was down for the count, but he hadn’t reckoned with Jenny’s effect on him. He thought about her little wish list. Talking normally, about anything they wished. Holding hands. Her crying out as she came to a shuddering climax.
They were good wishes, and he intended to make them come true. If he found her. Which wasn’t going to be easy.
Owen had some of the top tactical minds in the FBI working around the clock to set up a massive sting on Todd and his empire. Nick had finally convinced the powers that be, damn powerful powers, that the best way to handle the situation was to leave Todd alone until the Fourth, then to strike on every level.
Owen was going to take over Xanadu and close down Todd’s operations. The FBI were also going to take over all Todd’s other properties. There would be special agents posted at every block for five miles around the El Rio, with complete teams and safe cars at strategic areas ready to swoop in on Todd the moment he made his move to get the weapon, but not before. Because if they moved too soon, whoever the hell was selling would simply walk away and sell to someone else. That couldn’t happen.
Nick himself was going to stick to Todd like glue and make sure the man went down if he tried anything funny. Meanwhile, Jenny and Patrick would be swept away, taken to a safe house where they’d wait till it was all over and Todd was behind bars, and then they’d be given asylum in witness security. Unless, of course, Nick got his wish and Todd didn’t live to see the fireworks at midnight.
Jenny would still be sequestered, but it wouldn’t be quite so permanent. Just until the debriefings were over. Then she’d be free to go wherever she chose. She’d be free, for the first time since she’d met C. Randall.
Nick’s future was a little less certain. All he knew for sure was that he wouldn’t work undercover and he wouldn’t work in Las Vegas. The rest was up for grabs.
“Nick?”
“Yeah, babe.”
“Remember I said before that I had something to tell you?”
