Page 86 of Dark Soul

“Relax,” he finally said. “I don’t particularly want to hurt you. Keep your head about you, help keep the boy calm when he wakes up, and this may all be over soon. It all depends on Kvyat,” he said, waving a hand vaguely in the air, as if he wasn’t the one pointing a stun gun at her.

“What do you want from Kvyat?”

“That’s none of your business, chérie, and believe me when I tell you, you’re better off not knowing.” He paused for a second, cocking his head sideways, like the velociraptor in the movies Nikolai loved to watch. “Tell me… how much does Kvyat love his son?”

Alexia pondered that for a moment. “I think… I think he loves him.”

“He’d better.” He waved his free hand at the boy. “The drug I gave him should be wearing off soon. Get him ready to leave. If you both do as I say, you stand a good chance of surviving this. If not… you should know I’ve got enough deaths on my conscience, one or two more wouldn’t register.”

And with that, he turned away and left. Alexia heard the lock slam back into place.

She made her way back to the mattress on trembling legs and slid down onto it, keeping her back against the wall.

It was only then she realized the kidnapper hadn’t asked her any questions about Dark’s friend.

He must think he was another of Kvyat’s security team.

He doesn’t realize you know him.

28

* * *

Dark

In the end, they decided to split up.

Several of them would follow Kvyat, while the others lay in wait at the airfield.

Griffin suggested Slate should sit this one out, and was quickly told to fuck off by the huge ex-SEAL. While Dark sympathized with Griffin, he didn’t have time to waste.

“Do what you want, but stay out of the way. You don’t want another concussion.”

“Sure thing,” Slate agreed easily. “I’ll wait at the airport as backup.”

Griffin and Rogue completed that group, while Dark and Ash headed to Kvyat’s place.

They parked the car a good distance away, just past the telecabine, and made their way up to the house. Dark was grateful Ash didn’t spout any platitudes at him on the way up. Finally, the iron gate to Kvyat’s place came into sight. They both crouched, hiding their large frames behind a bush.

“How do you want to play this?” Ash asked, deferring to him. It was the first words he’d said since they’d set out.

Dark looked at the two dark SUVs parked outside the garage.

“Looks like Kvyat’s getting ready to go somewhere.”

“Makes sense. It’s ten a.m., and it’ll take him at least half an hour to get to the airfield. I imagine this isn’t a meeting he can afford to be late to.”

“There are only two cars. I think it’s fair to say Rogue was right—Kvyat’s backup hasn’t made it yet, so he’s only got his regular security guards. And from what Griffin said, one of them may be injured.”

Suddenly, the gate opened and the first car inched its way out. As soon as it was out, the gate closed again.

Dark recognized the bulldog-faced driver. “Looks like Ilya’s heading out in one car. I’ll bet Kvyat will follow with Dmitri.”

Ash’s dark eyes glinted.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

Dark smiled.