“No. The woman specifically mentioned that house.”
“Targen,” Maxim said quietly.
“Theory talked to her.”
He nodded. “I believe she did.”
“Pip talked to her.”
“I believe that, too.”
The calmness in his voice made me want to punch something.
“Then who the fuck is she?”
Nobody answered immediately. They didn't have to. The possibility was already forming in my head. A woman just happened to be walking on Russian Row while Theory and Pip were out and chatted them up, invited them out? She claimed she was being connected to an estate that shouldn't have had anybody staying there. I grabbed my phone and called Theory. The call rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Voicemail.
The strange feeling in my stomach became something colder. I called again. Nothing. Across the room, Sergei slowly rose to his feet.
“Targen.”
Ignoring him, I called Juvie. Straight to voicemail. Now the cold feeling felt like ice. My father was already moving.
“Mikhail!” His voice thundered through the house.
I stood, every instinct I had was screaming the same thing.
Theory. I had to get to her, save her. I headed toward the door, already dialing again.
Still nothing. No answer, ot from Theory or Juvie. Behind me, I heard doors opening, footsteps and movement. The entire house was coming alive. The call continued ringing in my ear, before disconnecting.
Voicemail again.
For the first time in a very long time, real fear crawled up my spine. Sergei caught up to me just outside the office.
“Targen.”
I turned. My father rarely looked worried. Even now, he mostly looked angry.
“We'll find her.”
The certainty in his voice should've helped, but it didn't. Behind him, Mikhail appeared carrying a rifle case. Two of his men weren't far behind. His right hand was already speaking into a phone, issuing orders. Vacation mode had disappeared. This was all Bratva.
My phone vibrated again. The hope I felt quickly died when I sawUnknown Number. I answered anyway and silence greeted me. A few seconds passed, then the line disconnected.
My stomach dropped.
“Targen?” Maxim's voice came through the still-open office door.
I turned, walked back toward the screen. My brother was standing now. Kael had lost the bored expression. Both men looked deadly serious.
