by Sienna Mynx
“Everything okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Sorry I made you wait.”
Tarek nodded. He slipped his arm around her waist and walked her to the revolving doors. Her phone rang in her purse again. Tarek glanced to her. She wanted to kill Daniel. But she had to appear at ease.
“Home, ah, mother back at home. She worries.” Kassidy removed the phone and turned it off. Tarek nodded but she could tell her answer didn’t sound convincing. She eased into the car and he joined her.
“So what’s the plan she asked?”
“We’re flying in to Prudehoe Bay. It’s about an hour and half from Anchorage. We’ll be taking a helicopter. It’s the best way to get to the camp houses in Deadhorse near the oil rig.”
“This is exciting. I’ve researched this area when I was trying to learn more about this work. I didn’t know MGS would eventually drill here.”
“There are opportunities everywhere. We shall see if there is one in Deadhorse. LuxeOil works under contract with a Russian company called Gamtron. Have you heard of it?”
“No.”
Tarek looked at her as if she were lying.
She frowned. “I’ve never heard of it. Why?”
“Gamtron it’s the world’s biggest gas exploration company out of Russia. They want Alaska but the government won’t give it up and the compromise is the relationship between them and LuxeOil. If you’ve been doing your research you should know this.”
Kassidy bit down on her bottom lip. She didn’t know what to say so she didn’t speak.
“One of the biggest investors in Gamtron is a man known as Kovalevsky. His son is here trying to negotiate an expansion plan with LuxeOil. They are working jointly on this drilling project. It’s not going well. I think I can help him.”
“Oh? Okay. What will you need from me?”
Tarek smirked. “I’ll let you know when the time is right.”
The drive to the airport was short. She dreaded leaving the car. It was seven degrees in Anchorage and below zero in Deadhorse. A kind of cold she’d only read about in books. She had no way of understanding the frigid depths of that kind temperature.
She put on her gloves and he did as well. He had a coat similar to hers except it was black and the hood wasn’t trimmed in fur. They both had half ski-masks tucked in their collars, which were ready to be pulled up over their noses and under their eyes.
Tarek nodded that the helicopter waited for them and it was time to go. She got out of the car after him. They moved quick. Once inside the helicopter he fastened her in before doing himself. This was far different than the plane. She really felt exposed to the elements. She grabbed his hand and he squeezed hers to reassure her. They lifted up off the ground, hoovered, and then off they went. After her initial fear was chased away by the thrill of a new unexplored adventure she opened her eyes. The helicopter flew over rigid slopes of mountains and icy planes that broke off into a coastal ocean. The sun was blocked by the snow clouds. So visibility was blanked in grey.
“I need to warn you Angela. The camp we’re visiting has few women. Men are stationed here for close to a year at a time. And they’re not the best behaved. You stay close to me. And do as I say. Understood?”
“I understand.”
7.
Tarek pulled the half ski mask up over his nose and mouth. He stepped out of the helicopter into the wintry mix. He reached back to help her do the same. He could see nothing but her eyes from under the cover of her hood. Still they were the eyes any man could love.
“Mr. Marshall!” A man yelled over the howling wind. “This way sir!”
Tarek gripped Kassidy by the arm and forced her to move quickly. The elements, no matter how one dressed, was not something an untrained person for this kind of climate could physically withstand for long. They went fast toward the door to the dome shaped building. Once inside the force of the snow and wind pushed at them still. They had to pass through two additional doors to breach the inner warmth.
The first person he saw was Yegor Kovalevsky. He was a man hard to miss. He wore dark snow pants with suspenders over his black turtleneck. The tattoos on his neck were covered but the stars and tats and on his hands were clearly seen. Yegor had a shaved head with a blonde beard that was at least three inches long.
“Tarek! Welcome!” Yegor opened his arms. Tarek didn’t do much in forms of public shows of affection but he understood it was a customary greeting. He embraced Yegor and then Yegor grabbed him by the face and kissed his left and his right cheek.
“We didn’t think you’d make it past the storm. It won’t set us free for another week. You’re mine now,” Yegor chuckled.
“I’m here to prove once and for all that we belong in business together.”
“Da! Try convincing father of that. He fucking hates you Marshalls,” Yegor chuckled. “He gave me so much shit when I said you were coming to Deadhorse.”
“We can work on that together.” Tarek reassured him.
“Da, and who is this?” Yegor’s gaze swung to Kassidy. Every man gathered in the hall did as well. Kassidy removed her hood and pulled down her ski-mask. Amongst the pale faces her austere beauty and golden brown skin was a striking contrast. To Tarek she looked more delicate and ethereal than ever.
She walked toward Yegor with confidence aware of the appreciative stares. She extended her hand. “Hello Mr. Kovalevsky, I’m Angela Brown. I work for Mr. Marshall.”
“Work?” Yegor asked. “What is this about Tarek?” The Russian glanced to Tarek for an explanation. Tarek was unable to look away from Kassidy. She should have at the very least been intimidate in the lion’s den. She looked eager to join the meeting and then angry when Yegor dismissed her.
When Tarek didn’t respond Yegor returned his attention to Kassidy. She lowered her hand after an awkward moment. However, Yegor captured it in his before it slipped to her side. He pulled her closer and gently kissed her left and right cheek.
“Zdrastvooyte,” Yegor said. “We don’t bring women here, Tarek. But she can be an exception.”
Kassidy’s hand was released from his but Yegor continued to stare directly into her eyes.
“She’s needed for our talks,” Tarek replied. “I’ll explain.”
“Da,” Yegor said, and his gaze lingered. “Explain.” He stroked his beard and smiled. “Have you eaten? We were just set to have dinner. You join us! Okay?”
Tarek nodded his acceptance. Kassidy glanced at him and he gave her a reassuring wink. That was all she needed. She was back in the game.
8.
Kassidy swallowed her nerves. She felt completely isolated and vulnerable. Tarek cut his gaze to her and then away as he walked with Yegor and they began discussing business. She followed but not too close.
Her eyes kept darting left and right to observe the behaviors of the men that walked at her side. They headed down several halls before they entered a room that could only be described as a cafeteria. There were at least thirty men eating. The only women she saw was two older ladies over by the food tables. Every eye in the room switched from Tarek and then to her.
“I take your coat now,” A thin woman with protruding teeth and long yellow hair said. Apparently she had entered the room after they did. If the rule was to not allow women in their camp these ladies were the exception. She glanced to Tarek who was already shedding his coat and did the same. Kassidy’s unveiling revealed she wore tight fitted-jeans and a cashmere blue sweater with a white turtleneck underneath. Though she was covered she felt exposed.
Tarek walked over to her. She looked into her eyes. “Yegor wants us to join him for dinner. Don’t say anything to him unless I ask you the question. Understand?” he asked.
“Okay,” she said. He put a protective hand to her back and guided her to a table that Yegor sat at. She felt less fear when with him, but not much less. Even Stevie Wonder could see this was no average business meeting.
Bowls were set before them and drinks. The table had two tr
ays of rye bread and garlic bread topped with cheese. Yegor glanced her way. She knew the look in his clear blue eyes because they pierced instead of stared. She turned her gaze over to Tarek and he was glaring at Yegor. Did he too suspect Yegor’s desires?
“You will like it,” Yegor said. “That is Borscht. It’s good. Tell her Voris.”
Kassidy stared down in the red lumpy soup in her bowl with a dollop of sour cream to the center. It looked like blood. She wasn’t sure what else was in it, but it smelled delicious.
“Beet and cabbage red soup,” The man across from her explained. “Meat and potatoes are in it. It’s a traditional dish.”
“What kind of meat?” she asked.
“Caribou,” Yegor laughed.
The other men within ear shot laughed. Tarek just continued to glare at Yegor.
“That is from my country,” Yegor said. “You American, black, what? You prefer fried chicken and french fries?” Yegor chuckled. “I know what you eat.”
Tarek glanced to her but she didn’t look his way. She did as he asked and held back her response. She picked up her spoon and ate. Yegor gave her a sly wink. He broke off bread and dunked it in the red soup and then tossed it into his wide mouth. He chewed, licked his ruby stained lips with his sapphire eyes trained on her. Either Tarek didn’t notice or he didn’t care. Kassidy forced herself to ignore the man but her eyes kept being drawn to his. He had that kind of presence.
“So LuxeOil is forcing you out?” Tarek asked.
Yegor slammed his fist on the table. The chatter in the cafeteria silenced. Yegor wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “His name is Alec Dresden. The camp is a mile North. He’s forced my men to stop working on the rigs. Thinks he can push me the fuck around. Bureaucrat, he has no idea who the Kovalevsky’s are. I don’t need a fucking contract to keep what is mine.”
“Have you reached out to your father for help?” Tarek asked.
Yegor’s glare nailed Tarek. Kassidy gaze slipped over and saw the Russian face go red with outrage. For a moment she expected a violent explosion.
“You think I need my father’s help? That I can’t handle it on my own?” Yegor asked through clenched teeth.
Kassidy knew in an instant that Tarek should apologize. The air seemed charged with Yegor’s repressed rage. Tarek, however, ate his soup and showed no signs of worry. It was as if he was purposefully trying to piss him off.
She was tempted to apologize for Tarek. But then Yegor’s rage simmered, he chuckled and shook his head. “You know I have always known you had balls for a Marshall. Big balls. Bigger than your brothers, and your fathers.”
Tarek ignored the comment.
Kassidy ate but she barely tasted the food. Her entire body was charged with nervous excitement. Tarek gaze slipped over to her and he winked. Had he insulted Yegor because of the way the man stared at her? She felt his hand on her knee under the table and sensed he had.
Tarek spoke. “I have some news. Something you will not like. It appears that Alec Dresden working through my brother, Dale. Isn’t that right Angela?” he asked and removed his hand from her thigh.
She began to choke on her soup. She picked up her napkin and dabbed at her mouth. She looked at Tarek with eyes stretched. She wasn’t sure of the question.
Yegor stopped chewing. His gaze volleyed between her and Tarek. The red soup that had dropped to his blonde beard looked like pearls of blood. It made him appear even more ferocious.
Tarek leaned forward and spoke in his low husky southern voice. “My company wants to move into Deadhorse and replace you. But they can’t get around these pesky contract disputes. So they are supplying LuxeOil, make them less dependent on you. Dale thinks if he can force the board to vote him in as CEO and me out he can then deliver Deadhorse to them.”
“You know this to be true?” Yegor asked.
“I do,” Tarek smiled. “My brother hired this beautiful young lady to spy on me. To report back on what we discuss in this meeting so you can he gain leverage.”
“Then why did you bring her here?”
“Because she works for me now. Isn’t that right Angela?”
She stared at him disbelief. She then glanced over to Yegor. “Yes. I work for Tarek now.”
“Smart and beautiful. She belongs to me.”
Yegor smirked. “I understand. He uses a woman against you? He’s done this before hasn’t he?”
Tarek’s cool demeanor faltered. It was the first time Kassidy saw a flash of anger cross his face. Yegor chuckled and kept eating. “American’s and their fucking drama. Thank God I have no brothers. Good thing you aren’t born from Marshall blood. That’s why I think you and I can do business Tarek. Why I am willing to listen. But your brother disappoints me. And if I tell my father, he won’t be so tolerant of explanations. You see he’s been itching to settle matters with your family for decades.”
“There is no explanation. Dale pushes you out of Deadhorse and MGS works with LuxeOil. The government will back it. I can convince LuxeOil to allow a buy in instead. I just need the meeting.”
“So all of this is true? After all these years your father wants to fuck over my family? He hasn’t learned anything?” Yegor asked.
“Not father. He’s in a hospital bed drooling into a cup. This is Dale. And I can stop him, before you have to trouble your father with this news. I rather you bring him a deal that will make us both rich.”
Yegor nodded. Kassidy gathered that this father of Yegor’s was the real big-bad, and Tarek and Yegor were just playing soldiers in this meeting. But she listened and ate in silence.
“Of course I will want something in return,” Tarek said.
Yegor stopped chewing. He narrowed his eyes on Tarek.
“If the goal is to push LuxeOil out and move MGS in I have a lot of federal contracts to undo. It can be complicated,” Tarek said.
“So?” Yegor asked.
“It’s a sizeable investment and my numbers say it will take close to a decade to recover profits if MGS assume all the risk.”
“As you should!” Yegor barked. “It was your fucking brother who stuck his nose in my business here.”
“Agreed. But Deadhorse isn’t the only capital investment. The Campos Basin. Haven’t you wanted to get into South America? I’m close to sealing the deal there. And if I do, with my brother and father silenced I can bring you into the contract. A Seventy-thirty split of the controlling shares.”
“Sixty-forty,” Yegor countered.
Tarek nostrils flared. Kassidy watched him. “Seventy-thirty for the Basin in my favor. And sixty-forty here in Deadhorse. That is the only deal I can sell to my shareholders.”
“But I will be your shareholder too. And so will the Brotherhood. You understand what that means?” Yegor’s smile turned wicked. Kassidy had the urge to disrupt the meeting. Stop Tarek even though he was a complete self-serving jerk, from making a deal with the devil. But she remained silent.
Tarek nodded. “I’m ready. Like I said. Ms. Brown will help us put Dale in his place.”
“We shall see,” Yegor slopped up more of his soup. Kassidy fumed. She felt like a pawn on the table for these two men to move around the board.
“I’d like to go to my room please,” Kassidy announced.
“Something wrong with my company?” Yegor asked.
“No. The time difference has me feeling a bit light headed. I need to lay down.”
“Ah, yes, it’s gets to you at first. You’ll adjust.” Yegor’s big head turned. “Vsevolod, take them both to the room we set up for Mr. Marshall. Make sure our lovely lady is comfortable.”
“Yes, boss,” Vsevolod replied.
“I’ll join her,” Tarek announced. Kassidy would have preferred he didn’t. But she said nothing. She had to resist the urge to turn around and shove him to the ground.
“Tarek? We leave in ten minutes.” Yegor spoke. “Business.”
“I’m ready when you are,” Tarek said. He put his hand to her back
but she walked a bit faster to make it fall away. She didn’t want to feel his touch.
Kassidy ignored the stares that were glued to her backside. And endured the whispered comments as she passed several tables with men. She walked as fast and assuredly. She understood only one thing. Tarek pushed her into a war that had nothing to do with her and he planned to do it.
They were taken upstairs to where she imaged all the rooms were located. The one assigned to her was a modest size chamber with a Queen sized bunker bed. It had a television too and a bathroom. She paused to see Tarek’s luggage next to hers.
“I would like my own room,” she said.
The man looked to Tarek for instruction. Tarek shook his head no to her request. The man nodded and left. The moment the door closed she tried to strike Tarek but he caught her wrist.
“What the hell was that!” she demanded.
“I told you. You’re safe with me.”
“You? You dangled me like a piece of meat to that Russian pit-bull. Accused me spying on you?”
“Are you going to deny it?”
“Deny what? That you’re a complete jackass? Asshole! No I won’t deny it.”
“Deny that you work for my brother Dale. And that you’ve been spying for him from the very beginning.”
“Are you insane?”
“Your name is not Angela Brown.”
“It is!”
“Bullshit!” he shouted. “I don’t know who the fuck you are lady but I know when I’m being played.”
“So what you brought me here as a sacrificial lamb to that thing Yegor? Is that it? You’re not only a jackass you’re a sadistic bastard! I am Angela Brown. And all I wanted was a job. You’re the one that turned this into a game or whatever it is.” She turned to leave the argument and he grabbed her and forced her to stand still.
“I’m going to ask you to be truthful with me one last time. Your life and mine depends on how your answer. Are you working for Dale?”
“No. I am not working for Dale. Let me go!”
