Stripped

by Tori St. Claire

  Yet, she was. She’d become a liability to everyone—Brandon, Sergei, Kate. Herself. Without the ability to block out emotion and focus on the objective, she was a risk. After the warnings last night, she should have been on guard, anticipating something more would come. But no. She’d let it slide into the back of her mind and became careless.

  Worse, if she’d had any doubt at all about Dmitri knowing her involvement with Brandon, she’d just become convinced. They’d planned doves for their wedding. He found their ability to choose a mate for life fascinating. As it should be, he’d remarked. The perfect symbol of love.

  Sniffling, she dropped her hand and stroked the top of the dove’s head.

  Dmitri knew, and Dmitri meant for one of them to die. The other was meant to suffer.

  Fear trickled down her spine. She had to talk to Sergei. To Kate. Make it clear she’d screwed up and there was only one way this could end. She had to disappear.

  Eternally.

  Thirty-three

  I

  ’m coming back to get you when I pick up Derek.” Brandon caught Natalya’s elbow as she reached for the car door, his grip gentle, but firm enough to communicate he wasn’t letting go until she agreed. “In the meantime,” he said as he inclined his head toward the Accord’s rear window, “I’ll get that cleaned up.” That would give her approximately two hours to do the things she needed to do, and him time enough to call a brief meeting with Mayer. Other than that, he didn’t intend to let Natalya out of his sight.

  Her quiet gaze reflected worry, and he released her arm to cup the side of her face. “Hey, you’re going to be fine.”

  “It’s not me I’m worried about.”

  “We’re going to be fine.” We. There—he’d said it. He’d equated the both of them together. Damned if it didn’t feel good too. After an incredible morning in Natalya’s arms, he was done fighting that as well. He cared for her, and he didn’t intend to set her aside any time soon.

  Especially not with someone threatening her.

  Her smile struggled for freedom, and he stroked her cheek with the pad of his thumb. Adding pressure to the back of her head, he urged her to lean across the center console so he could kiss those swollen lips. “I promise,” he whispered against her mouth.

  As she nodded, she closed her eyes, and her lips moved against his. Softly. Gently. He reveled in the simplicity of their embrace, the warmth that invaded his veins. Arousal tugged at the back of his mind, but it stayed there, dormant. Surprisingly satisfied by just the silken feel of her mouth beneath his and the sweet honeyed flavor of complacent woman.

  Brandon eased the kiss to a close and gave her free hand a squeeze. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”

  “Okay.”

  With one last meaningful look over her shoulder, she climbed out of the car and hurried to Kate’s front door. He frowned at Sergei’s car as he backed out of the driveway, not at all pleased Natalya had turned to him. Brandon couldn’t particularly blame her—their deep-rooted friendship was obvious. Still, it burned that he couldn’t fill that need.

  Patience.

  She’d come around. He’d make it impossible not to.

  He stepped on the gas and headed for his house once more. Thirty minutes ago, he’d snuck in a phone call to Mayer while he was dressing. Mayer ought to be there by now.

  Sure enough, the red Volkswagen sat in Brandon’s driveway, and Aaron lounged against the driver’s door, legs stretched out, ankles crossed. He straightened as Brandon pulled in beside him and turned off the Accord.

  “Sharing cars now, huh?”

  Brandon gave him a stern frown. “The Shelby’s at the club. I got hit yesterday—gotta take it in to repair the headlight.”

  “Uh-huh. Those headlights are so important during the day.”

  “Shut up, Mayer.” Brandon unlocked his front door and ushered his best friend inside.

  “So what’s the big problem you mentioned this morning?”

  “Close the door and meet me in the kitchen.”

  He headed for his bedroom and the bird he’d put in an old crate he found in the corner of his garage. Opening the door carefully, he glanced around to make sure it hadn’t flown out before entering. It sat in the crate, head cocked, watching his approach. So far, so good. It hadn’t keeled over yet. He didn’t know what kind of stress a dead companion could create, but he imagined it couldn’t be good. The bird, however, seemed resilient.

  Brandon checked the dish of water they’d set inside, then for good measure covered the crate with a towel. His neighbor had a cockatiel; he’d consult her later.

  Convinced the dove wouldn’t fall over dead any time in the immediate future, he headed for his kitchen, where he found Mayer at the island table, coffee in hand. In front of him sat a stack of papers Brandon didn’t recognize.

  “What’s that?” He gestured at the paperwork as he picked up his earlier mug.

  “While you’ve been playing in the sand box, I’ve been working.”

  Brandon grunted.

  “I dug up some names in Kate’s history. I figured if nothing’s standing out about the people around her, then we ought to see where she came from. Natalya and she knew each other in college. Natalya’s file is too clean. Someone surely remembers the both of them.”

  Interest piqued. The one thing Brandon craved was information about Natalya. After this morning, nothing would convince him that she wasn’t somehow associated with the murders. She’d said she was afraid for someone. Repeated it in Kate’s driveway. To Brandon’s knowledge, Kate and Sergei were the only people in this damn town Natalya knew. She’d shown up coincidentally when all signs pointed to Kate being the next target?

  Nuh-huh. Not buying it. If Mayer found a common link in Kate’s background, someone else they could investigate, answers might come faster.

  Overnight would suit Brandon just fine. Preferably before Natalya stumbled onto another dead bird. Before things escalated, and he had to confess the danger he posed to her. When that time occurred, he wanted to be in position to get away for a little while. Escape he couldn’t indulge in with this case hanging over his head.

  “Did you find anything useful?”

  “Well, I did find Kate’s former sister-in-law. She and her husband have a house over in Newberry Springs. I gave her a call.”

  “And?”

  “And, when I told her I had reason to believe Kate and Derek might be in danger, she was more than happy to agree to meet me. I’m going there this afternoon.”

  “Sounds good.” Two and a half hours to Newberry—Brandon just might get overnight answers. He took a long swig of his coffee and rolled it around his mouth, debating how much to tell Mayer. Hell, there wasn’t much Mayer didn’t know about Brandon’s life as it was. No use keeping stuff back now.

  “Be careful would you? I’m pretty sure a few enemies of mine have decided to finish what they started fifteen years ago.”

  Aaron’s expression turned serious, his arrogant smirk fading into a speculative squint. “Good old Dad?”

  “Yep.” Brandon pushed a hand through his short hair and leaned back on his stool. “Natalya found an eviscerated bird on my porch this morning. In a cage. It’s companion very much alive.”

  “No shit.”

  “She took it pretty hard.”

  Lifting an eyebrow, Aaron shrugged a shoulder, as if to say, not surprising.

  “Jill vandalized her car. And the other day, I’d swear someone was snooping around outside the house.”

  “Shit, Bran, why didn’t you say something?”

  Brandon shrugged. He’d been too concerned with Natalya in general to really give much thought to the situation. “Just keep an eye open. If they’re following me, chances are they’re following you. Don’t open somebody else to trouble.”

  “I already called Rory. Thought he might want to get out of town for a little bit.”

  “He hasn’t left for his mom’s?”

  Shaking his head,
Aaron took another swig. “He might have. I left him a message. Told him I thought we had a lead. Gave him two hours to get his shit together and go with me.”

  A moment of silence passed before Aaron’s steely gaze locked with Brandon’s. “I think you better distance yourself from Natalya. I know I pushed you, and now you don’t want to believe it, but I’ll put money on it that I come back with things you don’t want to hear. Stuff that’s going to make her empty file point right to these murders. There’s too many coincidences, Bran.” He ticked off points on his fingers. “We know the clubs hired a new dancer right before each girl disappeared. Natalya shows up to fit that. She danced after you told her not to—maybe it’s a sign of some sort. Her file makes her an angel, and you and I both know that’s not true. And her friend Sergei’s too damn good at his job.”

  Splaying his hands on the countertop, Aaron leaned in closer. “Now you’re telling me people are dicking with you? An accident. A dead bird. Someone snooping around your house? C’mon, pull your head out of your ass. She might be a good fuck, but she’s playing you.”

  Fierce banging at Brandon’s front door brought the conversation to an abrupt halt. Cautiously he rose and retrieved his gun from behind the planter. Keeping it hidden at the small of his back, he went to the door.

  Derek stood on the other side, bouncing from foot to foot. His little face lit up like a Christmas tree when Brandon opened the door. “Brandon! There’s clowns at the park! And rides! Sue said I could go with them—can I? Can I?”

  He blinked, the stream of joined together words too much for his already sluggish brain. Behind his back, his finger slid off the trigger. He tucked his pistol into his waistband, then hunkered down, eye level with Derek. “Whoa, slow down there, buddy. What?”

  Feminine laughter drifted up his driveway seconds before Sue emerged. “Sorry, Brandon. There’s a carnival of some sort down at the park. Heard about it during cartoons this morning. I’m going to take the girls. If you think Kate wouldn’t mind…” She inclined her head at Derek.

  “Oh. Well.” Brandon straightened to his full height and braced a shoulder against the doorframe. “No. I don’t think that’d be a problem. I’ve got some errands to run today. I’ll pick him up from the park and spare Kate the trouble. What time?”

  Derek bounced higher, the tap of his sneakered feet accented by high-pitched squeals of glee. “We’re going to the clowns, going to the clowns.”

  Brandon watched the little boy’s enthusiastic display. Oh, to be young again and know the magic of clowns, balloons, and corn dogs. He met Sue’s dark gaze, her smile saying the same thing.

  “How about three?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  Sue lifted on tiptoe and looked around Brandon, down his front hall. “Is that Aaron’s car in the drive?”

  A laugh burst from Brandon’s gut, and he stepped out on his porch. Ever since she’d run into Aaron one afternoon when the girls were playing in the backyard, she made subtle hints that she’d like to meet Brandon’s partner. Knowing Mayer as he did, Brandon couldn’t tolerate the thought of sweet Sue joining the ranks of throw-away women that piled around Aaron’s feet. She was a mom for God’s sake. Moms deserved respect. A concept Aaron had yet to grasp.

  Setting both hands on Sue’s shoulders, he guided her around the opposite direction. “Yes. I’ll tell you again, he’s more trouble than you want.”

  Chuckling, Sue shrugged free of his hold and reached her hand out for Derek’s. “One of these days, Brandon, you’re not going to be here to babysit.”

  “Uh-huh.” He grinned down at Derek. “Be good, buddy. I’ll see you after a bit.”

  As the little boy waved, Brandon closed the door. Now, to get Mayer’s help in cleaning up Natalya’s car and bagging the evidence. He wanted DNA off that condom. Solid evidence Jill was behind the vandalism. When he had that, he’d think about the facts Aaron wanted him to see.

  W

  hat the hell are you talking about?” Sergei shot to his feet, his face a mask of hot angry color. He glared down at Natalya, fists clenched as if he fought the urge to shake her. “You can’t put yourself in that position!” Ignoring the way Kate furiously fidgeted with her glasses, Natalya straightened her back and held Sergei’s furious glower. Contrary to the way Brandon’s anger intimidated her, Sergei’s only fueled her resolve. “It’s not about can or can’t. I must. Tomorrow’s the night. We know nothing. Dmitri, however, knows everything. If you think he’s going to link me with Iskatel´ now, you’ve lost every bit of sense you’ve ever possessed.”

  His fingers relaxed. Clenched again. Unblinking, she waited for him to accept the full measure of their circumstances. A switch-up was their only alternative. Take Kate out of the picture, insert herself, and play the part accordingly.

  “What if you fail?”

  Sergei’s quiet question hung in the air, ominous and heavy. Slowly, he lowered himself into the seat beside Kate and leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “What if you fail, Natalya, and the Bratva kills you? Then where are we? Dmitri’s still free. Iskatel´’s still operating. Kate’s still in danger, and all the intelligence we’ve gathered is as worthless as the dust on that shelf.” He thrust his hand toward the shelf above Kate’s couch.

  “I won’t fail.” Natalya absorbed the assertion, gaining confidence from hearing the words. Failure wasn’t an option. “It’s the only chance we have, Sergei. If I don’t go, Kate’s lost. I’m dead anyway if we don’t crack this case in twenty-four hours. And Brandon might be too. You might get out of it. The agency can bury you. But you’ll always be looking over your shoulder.”

  “Would you two quit talking about me like I’m not sitting here.” Exasperated, Kate stood up and began to pace. “I’m not going to let you kill yourself, sis.”

  “What are you going to do?” Natalya challenged. “Go to Dubai? Wait for us to squirrel you out of there? Do you have any idea how long that would take? Derek needs you!”

  Kate threw her hands in the air. “Don’t you have some sort of tracking device I can eat or something? You’re the CIA, damn it!”

  “No, Kate, that crap’s for the movies. This is real life. You of all people should know how easy it is for you and I to swap places.” Natalya rolled her eyes. “We haven’t done it, oh, but all through college.”

  “How am I going to become you?” Kate cried. “You can become me, easy enough. But damn it, Natalya, you’re involved with Brandon. The people who want me know you. How am I supposed to play those parts? Brandon would be the first person to notice.” She hugged her arms around her waist and huddled into her oversize sweatshirt. “If I have to get cozy with him, I’ll puke.”

  At the thought of Brandon with her sister, with anyone for that matter, the same sense of revulsion churned Natalya’s stomach. She couldn’t keep him, but she loathed the idea of Brandon’s mouth on anyone but hers.

  Forcing the distasteful reality aside, Natalya took a deep breath and focused on Sergei. “That’s why I’m going to disappear. When it’s over, you’ll tell him everything.”

  He flinched. Unobtrusively, but a flinch all the same. Good. He understood the lies stopped once Dmitri was behind bars.

  The low mellow tones of Russian washed over Natalya as Sergei asked, “What if he still wants you then?”

  A chill drifted over Natalya. It would be nice if Brandon would accept what she was, the ugly truth of the lies she lived and the people she’d killed. But it was a fantasy that would never happen. She’d always be a liability.

  Shaking her head, she answered, “He won’t.”

  She tucked her hands between her knees, relieved Sergei had stopped arguing and finally understood the severity of their situation. “So we’re agreed? Make the arrangements tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll wait for your call. Nikolai will never know the difference.”

  “Who?” Kate asked with sudden interest.

  “Nikolai,” Natalya repeated. “Why?”

  “While you were onstage
, Jill was bragging about her VIP tip. Nikolai gave her five hundred dollars. He and another guy she didn’t name.”

  In a heartbeat, Natalya’s hands turned clammy. Nikolai had been in the club. There could only be one person capable of dragging Nikolai out of his hideaway and into the public—Dmitri. The warnings weren’t just from Dmitri, he’d delivered them personally. Shit.

  “Who’s Nikolai?”

  At the demanding, rough baritone, Natalya turned to find Brandon in the doorway, his stormy eyes locked on her.

  Thirty-four

  B

  randon didn’t need an answer as much as he wanted to hear Natalya’s confession. Her ashen face, coupled with the sudden hush that descended on the room was enough to tell him Nikolai was the ghost from her past. Whoever he was, he’d caused the blank pages in her file. “One of Jill’s VIP customers.” Kate’s smile was bright and cheery.

  Nice try, Kate. She couldn’t lie to save her ass. Brandon pushed the door shut and joined the small crowd gathered in Kate’s living room. He stood at the end of the couch nearest Natalya. She glanced up, also giving him a false smile.

  He groaned inwardly. Time for another game of truth and lies. Why the hell wouldn’t she just take a leap of faith and trust him? They weren’t exactly strangers anymore. Not after some of the things they’d done on his couch, and certainly not after someone left them bloody birds for breakfast.

  “Where’s Derek?” Kate asked.

  “Sue took him over to the carnival.” Reaching down, he grabbed Natalya’s hand and pulled her to her feet. “We’re going to get him now.”

  She balked, tugging her arm. “Really. I need to shower. Need clothes.”

  “We’ll stop by your place after we drop Derek off here.”

  Her eyes went wide for a fraction of a second before she latched onto her reserved mask and furrowed her brows. Maybe not her place. She looked like she’d rather run a marathon than go by her condo. Dipping his mouth to the delicate shell of her ear, he whispered, “You can shower with me.”