“Thank you,” Edwina said drily.
“It’s a compliment,” Gregory said.“We have a chance of rescuing Mikhail because of you.”
Edwina pulled a face.She drank more whisky.Oops!Her glass was almost empty.She needed to slow down and keep her wits about her.“What do you mean?”
“You’re mates, destined to be together.You marked Mikhail.”Ivan beamed at her.“Mikhail will get around to returning the favor.He’s worried he’s too old for you and your differences are too great.You were doing an outstanding job of persuading him otherwise.You challenge and force him to see you as more than a woman to use for his ends.”
“Stop right there,” Edwina snapped.
Gregory chuckled.“See.That’s what we mean.You don’t take crap.You’re willing to fight for whatever you want and tell us to take a hike if we upset you.We’re not used to that.”
“We need a plan,” Edwina reminded them.“The only plausible first step is to check out Smirnoff’s estate in feline form during the early morning hours.Smirnoff has decent security since he’s head of the local Bratva.”
Gregory leaned back in his chair, his whisky cupped in his big hands.“From what I hear, he has excellent protection.”
“Right,” Edwina said, determination filling her.“We must gather information before we proceed.The security team you suggested, are they human or shifters?”
“Shifters,” Ivan said.“One or two of them shift into birds of prey.”
“Perfect.”A minute later, she spoke to a gruff man and gave him the basics.She made an appointment to connect, not daring to accept anything at face value.She’d meet this shifter and use her gut to determine his trustworthiness.Ivan and Gregory assured her he was reputable, but they were discussing Mikhail’s life.If something went pear-shaped and he died in the crossfire, she’d never forgive herself.
“Tomorrow morning at eight,” the man confirmed.He didn’t act surprised or angry or even amused at her request to meet in person.He behaved with courtesy, something she appreciated.
The following day, after little sleep, Edwina sat in the rear of an SUV.It wasn’t their everyday vehicle because now, more than ever, it was better to fit in rather than stand out.
“Mr.Roscoe,” she said, extending her right hand in greeting.He wasn’t feline but something else, and he measured her in return.His eyes were a pale gold and sharp.The way he cocked his head reminded her of a bird, but he was a large man and towered over her.She tried to guess his shifter type.Maybe eagle?But he was so big.She wondered if Ivan and Gregory knew and kicked herself for not asking.
“Mrs.Lermontov.”His handshake was firm and professional.
“I’d like my friends to listen to our meeting,” she said.“That way, I won’t need to repeat everything.”
“Of course.”He gestured them into a windowless meeting room.
She stepped inside, and the sole decoration was a simple wooden table and several chairs, their legs scraping against the tiled floor as they moved to take a seat.
“Can I get you coffee?”Roscoe asked.
“Please,” she said.
Once they settled, coffee at hand, Edwina plunged straight into the problem.After meeting Mr.Roscoe, her qualms faded.His powerful, masculine presence and towering size gave her unwavering confidence.
“Konstantine Smirnoff is dying.He wants Mikhail to take over his business rather than his son, Pavel.Mikhail has refused many times, but Smirnoff wasn’t willing to take no for an answer.He arranged a meeting, and we presume he drugged Mikhail before spiriting him away.We suspect Mikhail is at Smirnoff’s country estate, although we haven’t been able to verify this.”
“You’d like us to confirm his presence and extract him if he is there?”
It was best to make her intentions clear.“I’d like to participate.I don’t have experience in situations like this, but I’m smart and can take orders.My skills run to a little hand-to-hand combat training.I won’t get in your way, nor will I create problems.I need to see for myself what is happening so we can stop the Smirnoff family from creating future obstacles.Konstantine Smirnoff might be dying, but he’s mentally strong and determined.I refuse to let him succeed; otherwise, Mikhail and his father’s efforts will have been for nothing.”
Mr.Roscoe contemplated her with shrewd eyes that missed nothing.“You seem a resourceful woman.Your accent is stronger in person.Antipodean?”
“I’m from New Zealand, and this is my first trip to this side of the world.Before this, I led a rather sheltered life.”
The man flashed her a quick grin of approval.“I’ve done business with Mikhail over the years.This marriage took us by surprise.He seemed happier…” He trailed off, suddenly uncomfortable.
“Playing the field.That is his past—if he knows what is good for him,” she added, her tone much darker and edgier.
Mr.Roscoe leaned back in his chair, the wooden frame creaking under his bulk.“I have several operatives available to monitor the estate tonight.Did you need to be part of this initial reconnoitering?”
“No,” Edwina said.“I thought I’d get my hands on a set of estate plans and determine a way to enter.A more productive use of my time.”
