To Russia With Love (Countermeasure Series)

by Aubrey, Cecilia; Almeida, Chris

  “How do you plan to use them?” Trevor quirked his eyebrow questioningly.

  Boris’s eyes widened. “So you did manage to get the files out.” A profound relief invaded him. That information released all the tension he’d been bottling inside and he slumped in his chair. “I was not sure. I have to admit, I was surprised to see you here. Mikhailov’s men ambushed my house last night. I was certain you had been caught and squeezed for details. I did not quite expect you to have managed to retrieve the files, especially after I received the call from Cassandra telling me—” he scoffed, “—ordering me, to come here.”

  “Oh…make no mistake, if Trevor hadn’t made it out you would not be sitting so comfortably,” Cassandra snipped. “We have the data. But you’re not getting it until you answer Trevor’s question.”

  Boris measured her with a cool, appraising look as he considered how much to divulge of his activities. Trevor’s stay in the mansion had given him quite a lot of the insight already. Whatever Boris said would only fill in the gaps. “It’s the last piece of information I need to bring down both gangs. I have acquired a significant volume of sensitive information through our Signals Analysis Department during the many years I have been undercover, but we discovered that Vladimir was apparently involved in seeding some of the incriminating information regarding Zarev’s operation to the police, trying to flip him, possibly hoping we would take Zarev down for him, paving the way for his own organization to move in and take over. We cannot allow that. Vladimir is a smart man. His organization has grown in strength and reputation. If we only take out Zarev’s gang we will have a bigger problem on our hands. We want both. But we need to have all our ducks in a row, as you say, before we can sweep in and close down their operations.”

  “Okay, I get that we were an opportunity you couldn’t pass up. But now what? If Mikhailov is as smart as you say, he must have connected the dots and will be gunning for all of you,” Cassandra reasoned.

  “You better add Dmitriy into the mix,” Trevor quipped. “He can’t go back to St. Petersburg either.”

  “My superior is just waiting for me to give the green light to proceed with the arrests. I need to have the files to justify them, otherwise they will just find their way out again.”

  “Fine, as long as that guarantees our exit from the country unharmed,” Trevor demanded.

  “But of course! Once they are all behind bars, we will make sure he and his associates stay there for a long time. A great number of gang members from both organizations are already under arrest thanks to the little war that took place yesterday.”

  “Do not trust him.” All eyes swung in the woman’s direction.

  Cocking his head, Boris studied her a moment. “What about you? I do not think you are who you pretend to be. Federal Service? Undercover?”

  “Yes. St. Petersburg Central Internal Affairs Directorate,” she responded matter-of-factly with a hostile glare.

  “What is your directive?”

  She raised an eyebrow and her condescending smile was slow and deliberate. “Apparently my directive was to facilitate your directive. I was recruited to infiltrate Mikhailov’s gang to retrieve the data you could not get your hands on.” Her voice held a heavy dose of sarcasm.

  “Bastards!” Boris burst in rage. “They never trusted my methods.”

  “Nobody trusted your methods. They are filthy,” she spat at him.

  The rest of the people in the room faded to the background as Boris’s full attention focused on the officer lurking in the corner of the couch, her contempt beating at him. “Why would you say such a thing? We have never crossed paths before now.”

  The hatred in her eyes was back in full force at his words. “I have to say, you covered your tracks well. You are almost one of them. How you could turn your back on your family for a job is beyond imaginable. Family should be number one in anybody’s life. Blood ties matter.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You. Your loyalty to the service when you had no loyalty to your own wife.”

  Boris’s breath hitched as his wife’s image flashed in his mind. “Alina.” The name spilled from his lips in a reverent whisper.

  “Yes. Alina.”

  Boris was confused. That part of his life had been buried long ago. Very few people were even left that remembered he was married. “How do you know this?”

  Nikol’s eyes narrowed to slits. “I know this is true because Alina Petrovna…is my mother.”

  “No! It cannot be.” Boris jumped to his feet and began to pace. His pulse raged in his ears and he couldn’t rationalize the news. When Alina had left, as far as he knew, she had not been carrying his child. He stopped abruptly in front of the young woman claiming to be Alina’s daughter and studied her. The tilt of her head as she glared back at him, almost daring him to deny her words; the dark brown hair, the curve of her defiant chin. Alina. The last telling sign—even as he recognized he still couldn’t accept—her eyes. The spitting image of his own mother’s. He shook his head.

  “It is the truth.”

  “She hid you from me. Why?”

  “What did you expect? She thought you were a gang member. She thought you a thief and a criminal. You should have told her.”

  “And what? Involve her in the chaos? Have her end up like Mikhailov’s wife? When she left, my heart was broken, but I knew she was better off. Would be safe. I never expected her to hide our child from me.”

  “Do not call me yours.” Nikol’s voice simmered low. “I am not your daughter. You are not my father. I hated you for what you did to my mother. For being nothing more than a criminal.” Boris paled. “You have been my personal target for many years. You are the reason I ended up in undercover operations with the gang squad. I was hoping for evidence to bring you down. Searching for the same files I was ironically assigned to steal for you. I wanted you to pay.” She continued with a staid calmness, “I would just as happily put a bullet in your head, but that would break my mother’s heart. For some reason I cannot understand, she still cares about you.”

  Boris’s heart shattered. All those years. Those wasted years. To hear that she still cared. “Alina. Where is she?”

  “You will have to earn that information, Papa,” Nikol sneered. Disgust dripped from her lips.

  Silence descended on the room. He glanced toward the blond man referred to as Nathan Nelson and was relieved to see he had holstered his gun. A glint of camaraderie flashed in his eyes as Nelson held his gaze. Boris saw sympathy radiating from Cassandra’s eyes and cool assessment in Trevor’s. Boris scrubbed his face with his hands and rubbed his tired eyes as he took his seat again.

  Nikol, his daughter, couldn’t stand the sight of him, and from the hatred and repugnance that sparkled in her eyes, he would have no luck convincing her to give him a chance to prove himself to her. He needed time to think, time to regroup. Time to locate his wife. Alina, after all these years, still cared. That changed everything. With a deep, weary sigh, Boris looked Trevor in the eye. “I’ve answered your question. The files?”

  Nikol kept her eyes trained on Cassandra while the woman walked to one of the duffel bags near the door and returned with an external hard drive, which she placed on the table. Back at the couch, she nodded to it. “It’s all here.”

  Boris turned the drive over in his hands almost as if he couldn’t quite believe he had it. A satisfied smile curved his lips. “Thank you, Trevor.”

  Trevor, which she now knew to be his true name, shrugged. “I wish I could say it was my pleasure.”

  “I thank you just the same.” Boris stood. “I need to get back to St. Petersburg so we can shut them down. Cassie,” he nodded to her and then turned to look directly at Nikol. Her heart stuttered in her chest. Here was the man that had haunted her dreams. Dreams of a family. Dreams of a father’s guiding hand. Dream of a mother’s smiling face. Nikol witnessed the play of emotions across his features—indecision, hope, sadness—and hardened her heart.
The unexpected turn of events had derailed all of her. She had a goal, she had a purpose before. Her dreams of vengeance deflated like a popped balloon. Once she was alone, she would pull everything out and explore her options.

  Boris must have seen the finality of the decision in her eyes because he immediately turned on his heel and, as he headed for the kitchen, called over his shoulder to Trevor, “I will contact you as soon as everything is clear.”

  The sound of the door slamming behind him brought with it a new uncomfortable silence. Nikol knew that she should leave too, but could not find the energy to move. It didn’t help that the man, Nelson, continued to stare in her direction.

  Trevor broke the silence. “Well that was fun.”

  “About as much fun as a root canal,” Cassandra grimaced.

  “Nikol?”

  “Yes?” Nikol responded to Trevor’s questioning tone.

  “I have to ask. Dmitriy and Tatiana?”

  “They are still where you left them at the farm. They are safe for the moment. But I would recommend moving them out of there as soon as possible. I was able to track them. Others might, too.”

  Trevor stood and held out his hand to Cassandra. “We’ll do that in a few hours. We need to catch some shuteye. It’s been a long couple of weeks. I am tired and sore.” He turned his head to Nelson. “I would appreciate it if you could stay a little longer. I’d like to discuss something with you before you go.”

  When Nelson nodded his head affirmatively, Trevor led Cassandra to the hall. At the entry, Cassandra pulled up short and turned back to face Nikol. A small smile quirked the side of her mouth. “I just have to say this. Girl, you’ve got some mad moves. You knocked him out—” Cassandra stopped and chuckled when a growl sounded deep in Nelson’s chest. “Anyway. Stay and regroup before you go.”

  Nikol couldn’t hold back a little smirk at the memory of Nelson flying back through the air. “Thank you for the offer, but I cannot stay. I have to check in.”

  Cassandra nodded in understanding and joined Trevor, who wrapped his arm around her neck and led her away, laughing at something she whispered to him.

  The minute the sound of the door closing at the end of the hall reached them, Nelson’s brow pulled into an affronted frown. Nikol raised an eyebrow at the clear dislike displayed on his features.

  He then stared directly into her eyes, his green gaze burning like the fires of hell, a tormented pissed-off look she knew all too well. She stared back and, as the minutes passed, each narrowed their eyes to slits, both determined to win the staring contest they’d started. She wasn’t leaving until she was named the victor, even if that meant killing the son of a bitch in front of her.

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Mistaken

  THE SATURDAY CROWD PACKED THE Brazen Head. The mouthwatering aroma of traditional Irish food coiled in the air, drawing passersby and regular patrons alike. Stephan’s mood matched the sorrowful songs in the background. His favorite dish tasted like ash on his tongue.

  He could still hear Jessica’s parting words, “…you know where to find us. But don’t take too long, or I might be the one passing on the offer.” He had reflected on the words every waking moment since. They had forced him to take a long hard look at himself and his desires. After some soul-searching, he had found his answer. Stephan had made peace with his past and knew what he had to do to fix the future.

  Jessica’s news gave him a second chance at life. He would accept that child as his own. Marry Jessica and leave everything, including her association with Sean, behind them. If he didn’t grab hold of the opportunity Jessica had presented to him, he would lose not only her but a chance at a life he had always wanted—a woman who loved him, a child to spoil, the house with a white picket fence. He would deal with his trust issues as they formed their life together, while he lived, breathed, and enjoyed Jessica’s company and a child he planned to call his own. It didn’t matter who the child’s real father was, only that he sure as hell would be that baby’s dad. He would do everything in his power to make that happen.

  Stephan stood and dropped a few notes on the table to cover his tab. A smile formed on his lips and his step had a new spring to it as he walked out into the fresh air. The walk home would clear his head and help him focus. He would need all the courage he could muster to knock on her door.

  He shoved his hands in his pockets and, as he rounded the first corner, almost ran into a family exiting a restaurant. The man had his arms full carrying a younger child, and the woman coaxed another little girl tugging on her hand as they headed toward a parked car. The angle of the woman’s head and hand gestures as she spoke to the little tike stroked his memory. His steps faltered and his brow furrowed as he chased the elusive memory. Distracted, he stopped and cocked his head, observing their progress.

  At that moment, the woman looked up and their eyes collided. A broad smile filled the woman’s face and knocked the air from his lungs. She detoured toward him with the little girl skipping at her heels. “Oh my god! Stephan!”

  “Layla.” A strange cold sense of aloofness numbed his senses, a deep shock at seeing her after so many years. Crossing paths with her so unexpectedly gave him pause.

  She caught up with him, wrapped her arms around him, and dropped a kiss on his cheek. “It’s so good to see you. It’s been years.”

  His arms automatically wrapped around her, then dropped to his sides as she stepped back. “Ages.” His voice shook more than he would have liked as he looked down into the curious eyes of the little Asian girl attached to her hand.

  “Layla?” Stephan’s eyes flew to the man approaching them with the toddler cuddled in his arms.

  Layla flashed the man a sunny smile. “John, this is an old friend of mine, Stephan. Stephan, this is my husband.”

  “Nice to meet you.” John’s warm tone spoke of his friendly nature.

  Stephan accepted John’s extended hand. “Likewise.”

  Layla must have seen the questioning look on his face as he gazed on the children because she responded immediately, “We were celebrating. John and I have just arrived from China. These are our new little daughters. We fell in love with them on our first visit to the orphanage there. We are blessed to have found the two sisters. The international adoption process was a grueling road, but now that they are here, we can finally be a family.”

  Stephan brushed the bangs from the little girl’s forehead. “They’re beautiful. Congratulations to you both.”

  “Layla, we’ll wait for you at the car. It was nice meeting you, Stephan.” John nodded his head and took the other little girl by the hand.

  Layla smiled happily after them. A sad chuckle escaped Stephan and she turned back to him with a questioning gaze. “What a pair we are.” He shook his head. “I seem to be attracted to women who want children, and you are attracted to men who can’t give them to you.”

  Layla’s expression turned to puzzlement. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, you had to adopt after all, even though all you have ever wanted was to grow big with your own. I bet you must have been disappointed to find out you had the same problem with John. Is there an epidemic in Ireland?” He chuckled again sarcastically. “Sorry, I guess I had a few too many pints.”

  Horror flooded Layla’s eyes. A flush flashed across her cheeks as she shook her head and reached for his hand. “Oh my god, Stephan. You thought it was your fault? Oh, Stephan.” The sympathy in her eyes and sadness coloring her voice sent his heart careening in his chest. “Stephan, I think you might have gotten things confused. It’s always been me. I’m the one who can’t conceive.”

  Stephan’s world turned upside down at that moment. His ears rang and his legs turned to jelly. He stumbled and would have fallen on his face if Layla hadn’t reached for his other arm, steadying him. “What do you mean?”

  “I told you. Over the phone. I left you the note.”

  “No, the note said I couldn’t give you what you wanted. I thought you
meant…that I…that it was my fault you couldn’t get—”

  “No! Dear lord. No! I said you couldn’t give me what I wanted because I believed you were only interested in a child of your own blood.”

  He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head in denial. “No. You were what mattered most to me. I would have done anything to make you happy. Including taking the step you just now took with John.”

  “Stephan. Look at me.” Stephan opened his eyes and she held his gaze. “I’m sorry my message wasn’t clear. I never meant to hurt you. I just couldn’t face the fact that you would see me differently. Expect things from me I couldn’t give you. Want me to be someone I couldn’t be. A mother to your biological children.”

  “I couldn’t have cared less about blood ties. I wanted you to marry me, grow old with me. You were the one pushing for a child. I just wanted the commitment. With you. Then.” His voice sounded stifled and unnatural even to his own ears.

  She shook her head. “I. Am. So. Sorry. I was so hurt, so out of my head by the news I gave little thought to the rest. I buried myself in a hole of self-pity for a long time. Then, I met John. He made me feel alive again. He’s the one who prompted me to consider adoption.”

  Stephan rubbed his eyes and sighed. “I am happy you finally got what you wanted, Layla. I truly am.”

  “How about you? Did you find your happily ever after you always talked about?”

  A soft smile twitched the corner of his mouth. “You remember that, do you?” His smile faded as Jessica’s image filled his mind. “Come to think of it, I actually have. But I might have just blown it with her. How do you ask someone for forgiveness after being an utter jackass?”

  Layla laughed and smiled up at him. “By using those exact words.”

  A car’s horn sounded in the distance and Layla briefly glanced over her shoulder. “The girls are probably antsy. I have to go.” She pulled him into her arms and squeezed him tight. “It was really good seeing you again. Please keep in touch.” She pulled a card from her purse and handed it to him. “Give me a call after you have managed to gain that forgiveness. I am sure that whoever she is, she’s a special woman. I’d like to meet her someday.”