by Katie Reus
“A name doesn’t matter anyway,” Tasev continued. “But your skills do. I would like a demonstration to prove you are who you say—”
Before he’d finished, Selene struck out at the nearest man—the one who said she looked like a good fuck—with her foot, kicking him in the inner thigh with that sharp stiletto. He cried out in a mix of surprise and pain. Before he’d fallen to his knees, she kicked him in the face and slammed him down on the ground. Levi forced himself to stay immobile as the scarred man and two others withdrew their weapons. All his protective instincts roared to the surface in a rush of rage.
Tasev remained where he was and Levi knew the men wouldn’t do anything unless he gave an order. It was the only thing that kept him sane. Though he knew he looked calm on the outside, inside, his heart was erratically beating as he had to restrain himself from attacking every man pointing a weapon at Selene.
She wrenched the man’s arm behind his back as he writhed in pain. She wasted no time removing a pistol from his back waistband and sliding it away from him. Looking up at Tasev, her eyebrows rose. “Good enough or would you like more?”
“Put your weapons down,” Tasev ordered in that soft tone.
His men immediately followed orders, sheathing their pistols with practiced efficiency. Only then did Levi’s heart rate begin to return to normal. Sort of.
Tasev didn’t bother looking at his men, just flicked out his hand in a sharp gesture. “Grisha, you stay. You two, leave and dispose of that weak piece of garbage,” he said, clearly referring to the man on the ground.
Selene rose in a fluid, graceful movement, letting the other men take the injured one away as he made protests and apologies. Levi tuned him out, not caring that he’d likely be killed in the next couple of minutes. Anyone working for Tasev deserved to die.
As the door shut behind the other men, Tasev looked between Selene and Levi, his focus sharpening on Levi. “You are her guard and you let her fight her own battles?”
“I’m not her guard.” Levi had no doubt that Tasev knew he’d been at Shah’s party. Considering how thorough he’d been tonight, Levi didn’t think Tasev would leave anything to chance. He knew who Levi was—his alias—and was testing him.
“I’m his,” Selene added.
Tasev’s gaze narrowed. “We haven’t been introduced, Mr. Moore.”
Yep, the German had told Tasev about him. Levi nodded once. “You may call me Isaiah. Selene and I work together. I apologize for the subterfuge in having Selene set up the meeting. I wasn’t certain if you were who you said you were or if this was a setup.” Because Tasev had been supposedly dead for five years.
“I understand the need to be careful.” He motioned for them to sit in the two seats in front of his desk.
The man named Grisha didn’t move from his post to Levi’s left. He stayed just far enough out of reach that if he drew his weapon it would be impossible for Levi to take it from him without a few long strides. Smart.
Levi and Selene sat almost in unison.
“Are you truly The Wolf?” Tasev asked.
Selene nodded as Levi said, “Yes. She did some work for me a couple of years ago before I brought her on with me full-time.”
Tasev’s gaze flicked down to their matching watches, but he just nodded as he looked back at Levi. “So Selene is not offering her special services to me?”
“She can if you and I decide to do business together.”
Tasev was silent for a long moment, watching Levi. It might have been a tactic to make Levi and Selene nervous but he didn’t think so. Tasev was thinking about something, possibly weighing his options. Levi could practically see the wheels turning in the man’s head. “Your résumé is impressive,” he finally said.
Levi simply nodded since Tasev hadn’t asked a question. He never filled silences.
“Why did you leave Shah’s party the other night without meeting with Gregor?” Levi found it interesting that Tasev called the German by his first name.
It might mean nothing but he still filed away the information. He wasn’t sure why Tasev was asking such an obvious question but maybe he wanted to get a read on Levi when he was telling the truth. It would make it easier for Tasev to gauge when Levi was lying. But Levi had been trained not to give anything away through his own body language or even micro-expressions. Those were a lot more difficult to control and in some cases impossible to completely hide. Luckily most people didn’t pick up on them. “There was no point in staying once Selene had the meeting in place.”
He nodded, then looked at Selene. “You arrived at Shah’s with Alexander Lopez.”
She nodded.
“How long have you known him?”
“Long enough.” There was a small bite to her words, making Levi hide a smile. She was playing her role perfectly. A high-priced assassin with no employer—and it was clear Levi wasn’t actually her boss, but more of a partner—would not deal with authority well or suffer stupid questioning.
Tasev’s lip pulled up slightly as he looked back at Levi. “You’ve worked with some of my associates and still managed to remain clean in the eyes of the law.”
Isaiah Moore had indeed done that. Of course, all Isaiah’s supposed associates were now dead.
“So, why do you want to do business with me?” Tasev continued.
“Money. We can be a benefit to each other. I know that Paul Hill is in prison and—”
“He’s dead.”
Levi didn’t bother hiding his reaction, wanting Tasev to see what he looked like when he was genuinely surprised. His eyebrows rose the slightest fraction. “Since when?”
“A couple of hours ago.”
Levi didn’t ask if Tasev had done it because he didn’t care and even if he did, it would seem odd for him to question the man. “With Hill out of the way there will be others looking to take over his many businesses. After some inquiries into Hill your name came up so I’m guessing you were in business with him. I don’t know if you’re taking over for him but if you are, I do a lot of international shipping.” He didn’t need to say more than that.
If Tasev was interested they would eventually go over the tedious details of shipping illegal cargo and how Levi would keep everything appearing legal.
“Tell me about your pharmaceutical company,” Tasev said, getting right to the heart of the matter.
Even though a sharp sense of relief slammed into Levi at the man’s words, he feigned surprised in the same way he’d done moments before. “It’s one of my legal operations.”
“Do you have a fully functioning lab at Moore Pharmaceuticals?”
If anyone actually looked into it they’d find an abandoned building, though Wesley was in the process of giving it a quick makeover complete with fake personnel. There would be cars in the parking lot with employees heading to and from work. It would be set up as if everything was on the up-and-up. Something like that was a piece of cake for one of Wesley’s teams. Levi already had an answering service in place for it, just as he did with all of his “legal” companies. “Yes.”
“Would you be able to mass-produce something in a limited time frame?”
This was more than Levi had hoped for. But Tasev had clearly taken the bait from Levi’s résumé. He punched down the sense of hope inside him that soon he’d be able to destroy the man who had taken everything from him. “That’s vague, but if the price is right anything is possible. What they do at the lab is out of my area of expertise, but my team is highly capable. Without speaking to my lead scientist, I’m certain they’ll need to know what needs to be mass-produced before giving a definitive time line. And, this is assuming that whatever the drug is, is already created. Which also means my scientists will want access to the creator.”
Tasev grunted, the sound neither affirmative nor negative. Leaning forward, he placed both arms on his desk, the flash of excitement in his eyes surprising. “What would you say if I told you that a deadly toxin would be released on American soil, killin
g hundreds of thousands, maybe more, and we could legally make billions mass-producing the antitoxin?”
Levi smiled, tapping into his full predatory nature and letting Tasev see what he wanted him to. “I think it’s likely we can come to an agreement.” Tasev might not realize it yet, but he’d already subconsciously made the decision to work with Isaiah and The Wolf. The way he’d said “we” was a giveaway, as was that flash of excitement in his eyes.
Tasev smiled back, though it was more of a baring of teeth. No matter what happened, Levi wanted this guy dead. He spoke of killing so many innocent people as if it was nothing. “I’ll want to see your lab soon but if everything goes as smoothly as I think it will, we’ll talk about reviving Hill’s former enterprise.”
“We can take my personal jet whenever you’d like,” Levi said. There was no jet but if he needed to make it happen he’d get his hands on one either through the NSA or from one of his assets.
Tasev nodded once, then half tilted his head in his guard’s direction but didn’t quite look at him. “Grisha, leave us.”
After the scarred man shut the door behind him, Tasev leaned back in his chair and looked at Selene. “Tell me about Alexander Lopez.”
For the first time since Levi and Tasev had started talking Selene slightly shifted in her chair, flicking a gaze at Levi—as if asking for permission. Once he nodded she looked back at Tasev. “I don’t talk about my contacts or my clients. Ever. If you don’t like it, we don’t do business together.”
It was slight but Tasev relaxed at her blunt words. He stood and nodded at the door. “That’s good. Now I have someone I want you to meet.”
They left the room with Tasev leading them, completely unguarded. Levi tamped back the energy humming through him. Tasev felt safe in this place and showing them his back was sending a silent message that he thought himself untouchable. Maybe he was.
For now.
But his days were numbered.
Chapter 14
Kidnap: taking someone away illegally by force.
Claus sat across from his daughter where she’d laid out food on the metal lab table. He’d requested red wine for dinner tonight. An expensive vintage he was pleased to see Aliyah enjoyed. Tasev had always given him anything he requested as far as supplies or food. The man might be a monster but he wanted to keep Claus happy.
Until he fulfilled his purpose.
And Claus wanted Aliyah as comfortable as she could be considering she was a captive and terrified for her life. “So tell me why you broke up with your last boyfriend.” Since he’d already discovered the coding for the antitoxin he’d been working a little less. Not enough to draw attention but he was soaking up all the time possible with his daughter and getting to know her as much as he could.
Because he feared it would be the only chance he got. He had two days left to give the antitoxin to Tasev and he hadn’t heard anything from Meghan. Not that she could actually contact him but Claus had assumed she’d have sent someone to help him and his daughter by now.
Aliyah shrugged in response to his question and Claus forced himself to keep his expression relaxed when all he could do was worry. “It’s silly but I didn’t feel that thing, I guess.”
“That thing?”
“You know, that intense attraction that separates him from anyone else. He was good-looking and intelligent and on paper perfect for me but . . . no lasting spark.” She speared a piece of salmon and shrugged again in a way he’d come to realize was a habit for her.
“I understand about sparks.” He’d had it with her mother but it had been fleeting.
As if she read his mind, Aliyah asked, “Did you and my mom . . . What was it like when you two met?” Her voice was soft and unsure. It was the first time she’d broached the subject. Until now they’d talked about her job and her life growing up. He wanted to know everything.
He put his fork down and started to answer when the main door above them opened, making a sucking sound as it slid to the side. Claus gave Aliyah his knife and nodded toward the area where she slept. “Wait there,” he murmured.
She clutched it tightly to her side, her face pinching tight with fear as she slid off the swivel chair and strode toward the bed positioned under the stairs and gangplank. Tasev could realistically do whatever he wanted, but Claus tried to stay separated from his daughter when one of Tasev’s men came to see them. It would be easier for him to threaten to take his own life and for her to defend herself with one of the weapons they’d been creating.
Claus looked up, watching as Tasev himself strode in and his heart rate ratcheted up. It was late evening, which was much too late for Tasev to be here. He normally visited in the mornings, wanting to know Claus’s progress. But perhaps he was getting antsy.
A cold thread of fear raced down Claus’s spine, but he tried to appear unaffected. His gaze instantly moved to the two individuals behind Tasev: a man and a woman.
For a moment he forgot to breathe. It was Levi Lazaro. He didn’t know much about the man at all, just that he was Meghan’s husband. Claus and Meghan had been friends and had loved discussing art and literature but he’d never spent any time with her husband. Though he had seen his picture and knew who he was. Claus wasn’t sure what Levi did for the NSA but they must have received his message after all.
Levi looked at Claus but his expression didn’t change. He didn’t recognize the blond woman but perhaps she worked with Levi. If he was here though, he wouldn’t be working under his real name. Looking off to the side, as he always did, Claus avoided eye contact as Tasev and the other two descended the stairs. Claus fought against the burgeoning hope inside him. Could they really be saved tonight? Could this nightmare be over so quickly?
“This is an impressive setup,” Levi said, looking around, acting as if he had no idea who Claus was.
Tasev grunted something and the blonde looked at his dry-erase board. Really looked at it, as if she was reading it. Claus thought that was odd, but maybe she was a scientist.
“Doctor,” Tasev said, nodding at him.
Claus remained near the table where his fork was. It wasn’t the best weapon but he could use it if necessary.
“Mr. Moore, this is the doctor who is going to change history. He’s transformed a type of botulism into a superior strain and is currently working on the antitoxin.”
That was technically true about the botulism but Tasev’s terminology was so simplistic. As if taking a foodborne type of botulism and turning it into something out of science fiction was so easy. Claus, however, didn’t correct him.
“In the next two days I’ll be hitting major American cities so if you don’t come up with the antitoxin, even more people will die than originally planned,” Tasev said, his gaze directly on Claus, likely trying to play on his conscience.
“He only has one assistant?” Levi asked, drawing Tasev’s attention away from Claus and to where Aliyah was crouched on her bed, watching the newcomers warily.
“She’s not his assistant. She’s my insurance that he does everything I ask. Family is a powerful motivator.”
Out of the corner of his eye Claus could see the blond woman attempting to look at the back of his double-sided dry-erase board but when Tasev turned, she smoothly moved back and suddenly appeared bored as she glanced around the lab.
“He kidnapped me!” Aliyah shouted, her angry voice slightly echoing around the room. “And whoever you are, you’re both monsters for working with him.”
“Aliyah!” Claus said, wanting to silence her. Tasev was smart enough to know he needed Claus but the man was occasionally unpredictable.
She huddled against the mattress, wrapping her arms around her knees. Thankfully Tasev just ignored her and turned back to Levi. “You have seen my lab. I will want to see yours.” There was a familiar edge to Tasev’s voice as he spoke to Levi—or Mr. Moore.
Levi nodded casually, ignoring Claus and Aliyah. “As soon as you’re ready. I don’t know if you plan on keeping him
around”—he nodded at Claus—“but my scientists will most definitely want to talk to the creator so don’t kill him just yet.”
Though Levi didn’t look at him or give any type of signal, the man had to be here for them. And he was trying to keep them alive.
Tasev laughed, the sound cutting and sharp. “I think we’re going to work well together. Come, let’s share a drink to a new partnership.”
As they left, the woman glanced over her shoulder and met Claus’s gaze. For a moment her expression softened before she turned from him, her back ramrod straight as she headed up the stairs.
“They’re going to kill us anyway,” Aliyah said as she stood, trembling. Even though she was terrified the anger in her eyes was raw and clear.
“Let’s finish eating,” he said, hoping to draw her back to the table.
She looked as if she wanted to argue but nodded and made her way back, knife in hand.
“Tasev can be unstable,” he murmured, all he would say about the man. “Don’t give him a reason to take it out on you.”
“I hate just waiting to die. Because that’s what we’re essentially doing.” She took a big swig of her wine, downing the entire glass, the fire in her eyes flaring even brighter. He loved her fighting nature. She’d been traumatized and thrown into a terrible situation but she’d been keeping it together incredibly well.
It made him proud as a father.
Even though he hated the idea of giving her false hope, he took the risk. Silently, he pushed his food around his plate, and spelled out “help is coming” with his rice pilaf before he scattered the grains and took a bite.
She blinked rapidly, as if fighting tears, then took the bottle of wine and refilled both their glasses. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten our conversation. I want to know more about you and my mother.”
It was the last thing Claus wanted to talk about, but for Aliyah he’d do anything. At least she seemed more settled because now in addition to the fire he saw hope.
He just prayed that Levi and the woman had truly come to help them.