“Don’t we have to wait for the police?”
Wasn’t it against the law to leave the scene of a crime?
“That will be handled.”
“Hold the hell up,” Ivo said, his voice nearly a growl. “I’ve been just floating along, taking all this in, still in a kind of daze that this is all happening to me. But I draw the line at being shot at, then you trying to yank me away without an explanation.”
“Ivo.” Vitki stopped and turned, his expression grim. “We must get you to safety. The police will be taken care of. Once they learn of what has happened today, you will not be in any trouble. This I promise you.”
“I’ll go with you.” Ivo clenched his hands. He was still scared and pissed off. “But once we get to the estate, I want you to tell me what the hell is going on. Why would people shoot at me? And don’t tell me it’s because I’m rich. That ain’t gonna wash with me.”
Irritation shone in Vitki’s eyes, but Ivo swore there was a touch of admiration, as well. “You will have your explanation, Ivo.”
Mountains of muscle surrounded Ivo as he was hustled out of the airport to a waiting car. He was a little relieved it wasn’t a limousine like the one that had taken him to the airport back in New York. The windows were still tinted, but this vehicle looked more like an SUV, complete with big monster tires.
“This car is made for climbing mountains,” Ivo said.
“That is good,” Vitki replied, “as the estate sits atop a mountain.”
“Really?” Max had shown him photos of the place he called home, but Ivo didn’t remember it being on top of a mountain. “I thought it was in a kind of valley.”
“This is true,” Vitki agreed. “But to get to that valley, we must first pass through the Krkonose Mountains to the east. We have about a three-hour ride ahead of us.”
Ivo’s eyes rounded. “Three hours? Why didn’t we land closer?”
“This is the closest major airport without having to cross over the border, and that is a whole other headache we do not need.”
Ivo was getting tired of Vitki’s vagueness. He acted as if everything they did was shrouded in secrecy. It would be nice to be let in on those secrets.
“Get in, Ivo.”
With a scowl, Ivo climbed in and slid across the black leather bench seat, glad to be out of the open air. It wasn’t the actual air so much as feeling exposed. The shooter was still out there, whoever they were. Ivo wondered if the windows were bulletproof. If not, maybe he could throw Vitki’s secretive ass in front of them if the shooter caught up.
Still, as pissed as he was, when Vitki climbed in beside him, Ivo couldn’t help but move a little closer, afraid the shooter just might be out there. Another bodyguard climbed into the driver’s seat and one into the passenger seat in front.
“Where are the others?” Ivo asked as he looked around.
“They have gone after the shooter,” Vitki said. “They will catch up when they have done so.”
That sounded rather ominous.
Ivo decided not to question it for now. He wanted out of the city too damn much. Granted, New York City could be dangerous at times, but Ivo didn’t remember ever being shot at. At least, not directly. There were always gunshots in the distance. It was the nature of the beast living in the biggest city in the country.
Ivo was not looking forward to the long ride. He glanced at Vitki and said, “I thought the estate was just outside of the city.”
Vitki chuckled. “Thatisjust outside of the city.”
Ivo came to the sudden realization that New York City and Prague were a lot alike. Both had an air of danger about them. Both were intriguing. And both were spread out farther than the eye could see.
Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.
