“I have your grandfather,” Smirnoff added in a silky voice.“If you don’t do as I ask, he won’t leave his current whereabouts under his own steam.”
“You’re friends.”
“Your grandfather thinks so,” Smirnoff said.
Everything in Mikhail went icy cold.He cleared his throat, and even his feline paused, waiting.Mikhail firmed his control and ordered his cat to stand down.They needed a strategy.“How long have you been planning this?”
“Since I watched you take your father’s floundering business when you were scarcely more than a boy.I love my son, but he takes after his mother.He’s stupid and venerates himself.He never considers angles and strategic decisions.You’ve impressed me.You have integrity, which is rare in my world.”
A derisive snort escaped Mikhail.The man was talking about principle and honor?As if he admired it when the old bastard had several rather significant character flaws.He’d threatened Edwina, his family, and even his grandfather.Mikhail wasn’t sure what to make of that because his grandfather wasn’t weak-minded, despite his age.Surely, he wasn’t stupid enough to trust Smirnoff?He knew what the man was capable of, what he’d done over the years to obtain his goals.
Mikhail stood abruptly.“I’ll give you my decision in two days.”
“One,” Smirnoff countered.“Clock is ticking.”
Mikhail stalked off, his mind whirring.Unfortunately, Smirnoff had trapped him like a tiger in a cage, but somehow, he’d turn this situation around.
The son would be an enormous problem.
He’d discuss strategy with Ivan and Gregory.Edwina, too.The spot between his shoulder blades itched, but he kept striding through the café.
A whoosh of sound, then the sharp prick on his neck, had him halting in shock.He yanked at the dart and pulled it from his neck to gape in disbelief.“You shot me.”
“Time is a liability for me,” Smirnoff rumbled from behind him.
Mikhail’s limbs wobbled.“So you thought to take me by force?How will that inspire loyalty?”His tongue thickened, his words slurring.His legs went from under him, and he struck the floor, none of his muscles obeying the frantic orders from his brain.
Darkness blurred his vision, the light reducing to tiny pinpricks.His last thought before he surrendered was that Smirnoff might’ve outplayed him today, but he’d be damned if the man forced him to act against his will.
15
Edwinawaitedatthecorner of the building.Ivan had seen her exit the café and stride away with only a glance and a head jerk as she’d gestured she’d wait out of sight.He’d wait for Mikhail, then they’d drive past to collect her on the way home.The minutes ticked by, and she risked a phone call to Ivan.
“Mikhail hasn’t finished his meeting,” he said, noticeable tension coloring the words.
“What aren’t you telling me?”She clenched her hands into fists, every part of her sensing this wasn’t sterling news.
“Not long after you walked out, two other tourists fled at a run.I didn’t see what happened, but they left and wasted no time disappearing.”
“I’m going back inside.”
“Mikhail would cut off my balls if something happened to you,” Ivan said.“Let me or Gregory go inside.”
“Smirnoff will know you.While he might’ve noticed me, he won’t automatically suspect my motives.I’ll tell the woman at the counter I’ve lost my pendant.I’ll make a fuss.They won’t suspect me of anything except being a dim-witted tourist.Get ready to leave in a hurry.”She was on the move and darting around the corner of the red brick building before Ivan offered an objection.But she wasn’t stupid either.
She swept into the cafe and walked straight to the counter.“I’ve lost my pendant.It has sentimental value and… You haven’t picked it up, have you?”She made her voice sound breathless as if she’d been running and was in a flap.“Oh, you haven’t cleared my table.I’ll search now.”
She allowed herself to scan the cafe interior, and everything in her cried out in shock.The hulking men who’d loitered had gone.She raced to the booth where Mikhail and Smirnoff had sat, which was also empty.
She spun back to face the woman behind the counter.“What happened to the men who were here?Never mind,” she snapped when the woman gave a helpless shrug and pantomimed, not understanding.
Edwina ran outside and straight to the waiting car.“They’ve gone.All of them.”
“There must be a rear door,” Gregory said.
Edwina nodded.“Which of you has the best sense of smell in human form?“
“Me,” Ivan said.
