Jamieson’s fingers tightened around the receiver. How dare the man presume to give him an order. Tonelli was nobody. He was…
…currently in possession of the woman and therefore the chip. It wouldn’t do to antagonize him just yet. Jamieson briefly closed his eyes. “Of course,” he said. “I’ll put a team at your disposal.” He’d have to eliminate Gonzales now that the man could no longer provide Tonelli with inside information on the SSU. He couldn’t afford to have Gonzales change his mind and decide to work with the SSU to stop Jamieson.
“Thank you, sir.”
After a few more minutes discussing logistics, Jamieson ended the call. Then he set about creating a roadblock for the SSU.
Tuesday, Night
On a Plane Heading to Moscow
Susana glanced out the airplane window. The plane lowered out of the clouds and for the first time in hours, she saw the ground. Unfortunately, the earth was getting closer, not farther away. If she could, she’d turn the plane around. Never land in Russia.
But she didn’t have a choice. If everything her father had written was true, then her life depended on following through with this crazy journey.
Susana dug her fingernails into the already deep crescents in her palms and pushed her head against the seat back. She was scared.
No. Scared was too weak a word.
Try terrified.
There was no dancing around the truth. Her survival depended on this unknown Dr. Ivanov. In a few short hours, she could be dead at his hands. Most likely would be dead. After all, she had no value to Ivanov after he removed the chip. If he was anything like her father, he wouldn’t care about her life.
The optimism that had led her through most of her life was gone. Evaporated in the jungle heat the moment Kai left her. Because once the chip was removed, she had no value to any of the men involved. She trusted Kai to keep her alive, but not these strangers. Not even Gonzales, who she suspected wasn’t the man Niko thought.
She rolled her head back and forth on the head rest. The past several days were like something out of an adventure movie. Unbelievable. Fantastical. Deadly.
Welcome to her new life. Where no one was as they seemed and everyone wanted something from her.
Once upon a time, she’d have laughed at the absurdity of it all. But she had the cuts and bruises to prove that this crazy turn of events really was her life spinning wildly out of control.
And somehow, as illogical as it was, despite everything he’d done, with Kai by her side she felt safe. Around him, a tightly wound spring deep inside her, one she’d never known existed, turned into a limp noodle. It was more than a little disconcerting to realize he’d become as vital to her peace of mind as a child’s security blanket.
Snap out of it, girl. Since Kai’s not here, you’ll have to take care of yourself.
Same old, same old. She’d been taking care of herself all her life. Her mother hadn’t wanted to be bothered with her daughter, first letting her run wild in the jungle with the other children, then when she was old enough, shipping her off to boarding school. If she needed or wanted something—food, clothing, a trip to a museum—she got it on her own.
And now she suspected why. Because of her father. He hadn’t been the savior she longed for. Just the opposite.
She bit her lip.
God, her stomach was doing tumbling routines. She desperately wanted Kai beside her. Just to be able to hold his hand and know that for once in her life, she wasn’t alone.
But fat lot of good that did her, when he was thousands of miles away in Brazil, while she was only half an hour away from landing in Moscow.
Tuesday, Night
Boa Vista, Brazil
“What’s your ETD?” Ryker demanded.
Kai waited for the plane’s engine to turn over before answering. “We were lucky. Jim carries spares of all critical engine components. He had the plane operational in two hours.” Someone, probably Gonzales, had sabotaged the plane. Jim had discovered the ruined engine parts during his pre-flight check. “We should be wheels-up in five.”
But that still meant Kai was dangerously behind Tonelli and Susana. Even a delay of one minute could mean Susana’s life.
“Good,” Ryker said. “I have men searching for Dr. Ivanov. A team should be on the ground when you arrive. They’re also on the lookout for Gonzales and Tonelli.”
“According to Niko, Boa Vista airport personnel reported seeing Gonzales and Susana board a Gulfstream 550,” Kai said. “About half an hour before that, a man entered the plane. His description matches Tonelli.” Kai watched the tarmac pass underneath as the plane finally taxied toward the runway.
He knew he was lucky to have transport. When Niko had called to update Ryker, it was decided to have Jim fly Kai to Moscow. Niko, Jenna and Rafe would board a diverted military plane set to arrive in four hours. The plane was ferrying troops back from a special operations training mission, giving Niko additional muscle should Rafe wake up.
Kai rubbed the back of his neck. An invisible metronome in his head ticked faster with each breath he took. The rhythm urged him to run. To catch up with Susana now.
If Tonelli or Gonzales hurt Susana, Kai was going to kill them.
“There’s another thing,” Ryker said. Something in the slow, heavy way he pronounced each word had Kai sitting forward in his seat.
“My men say Tonelli attended a fundraiser a month ago and danced with Susana. If he’s after the chip, that would have been a prime opportunity to snatch her.”
“Unless the extraction fell through.” Sweat prickled along Kai’s forehead, his heart racing along with the metronome. Jesus, if Tonelli had tried a month ago to remove the chip from Susana, the booby-trap around the vial would have been triggered, killing her.
Dammit, he’d almost lost her before he’d found her. The one woman he needed more than he’d ever imagined needing a woman. And even though he still didn’t have his violent side under control, during that good-bye kiss he’d decided he wasn’t giving Susana up. Not without a fight.
And if she’s dead?
Jagged shards of denial tore at Kai’s heart. His hands clenched so tightly around the armrests, pain shot from his wrists all the way to his shoulders.
No. He wouldn’t accept that.
But Christ, just the thought that Gonzales and Tonelli were with her now drove him nuts.
Kai closed his eyes and willed his muscles to relax. God, he was really losing it. Never before had a woman raised such primitive possessiveness. He’d never understood men who went into jealous rages.
Now he did. If Susana was hurt, he’d exact vengeance in the most violent way possible.
He needed to keep her safe. Needed to put his life up as a shield for hers. And more than anything else, Kai needed the peace he felt in Susana’s arms. She kept his rage and savagery at bay.
It took several minutes for him to calm down, and when he did, he realized he’d totally lost any sense of the conversation.
“Sorry,” he said to Ryker. “Could you repeat that?”
“You know both Tonelli and Susana. Is it possible they’re working together?”
“No.” Kai’s denial was swift and firm.
“Think about it,” Ryker insisted. “They meet at the fundraiser. She takes him home. We know she’s had numerous one-night affairs. Why not a sex-based alliance with Tonelli?”
“Fuck. That.” His rage blasted the internal metronome into pieces, boiling his blood. Susana’s face as she orgasmed flashed in Technicolor across the movie screen of his mind. No other man would see that expression from here on. She was his, dammit.
And Ryker could show a little respect. “Susana likes sex, so she must have slept with Tonelli? Not only screwed him, but let him guide her in some criminal plot? That’s bullshit. She wouldn’t work with Tonelli. She wouldn’t sleep with him.” There was no way. Susana wouldn’t be fooled by Tonelli’s urbane veneer. And she couldn’t possibly go from his bed to mine so smooth
ly that she makes me believe in things I’d never thought possible.
Like love.
Kai’s heart jerked in his chest, then a feeling of peace settled over him. Yeah, he loved her. But this wasn’t the time to lose focus. So he forced his thoughts back to Ryker’s question.
“According to Susana, she left the fundraiser early and headed out of Belém soon after. Tonelli had no time to contact her.”
“Unless they’d met before the event and were only solidifying their plans,” Ryker said.
“Not buying it. She’s honest.”
“Okay.” Ryker’s voice held a tinge of amusement. “I expected you’d react that way, but I had to make sure. If we bring her out alive, I want to know whose side she’s on.”
Kai wanted to protest Ryker’s statement. It shouldn’t be if they got Susana out alive, but when. Yet…even if Susana was surrounded by every available SSU agent while in Moscow, the vial might break during removal, no matter how carefully Dr. Ivanov handled it. Or Susana’s father could have been lying about the timetable and she’d die of poisoning before she even reached Moscow.
Ah, fuck. This totally wasn’t helping. If he wasn’t careful, he’d be a furious wreck by the time they landed in Moscow.
Unacceptable. Susana needed him at his best.
Tuesday, Night
Remote Airfield
Georgia, United States
A thunderous cry of outrage echoed against the walls of the metal hangar. Ten feet away, three burly men in U.S. army fatigues struggled to lock Rafe in a straightjacket. He fought them with all the brutality of an animal, the sounds coming out of his mouth more suited to ape than human.
Niko stood behind Jenna, his arms draped over her shoulders, gripping her hands tight enough to cut off her blood supply. He barely noticed. Just as he ignored the pain from ribs cracked by Rafe’s feet and elbows.
His brother had finally woken up while the soldiers were carrying him off the plane.
Rafe had erupted in rage. He’d twisted hard enough to unbalance the soldier holding his feet. The man tripped on a crack in the asphalt and went down, losing his grip so that Rafe’s feet hit the tarmac.
Niko and the soldier at Rafe’s head had tightened their holds, but Rafe fought back, breaking the soldier’s kneecap and cracking Niko’s ribs. The other soldiers had pulled Rafe away before serious damage was done, but now they struggled to contain Rafe.
Niko watched the fight, his teeth clenched and his body stiff. Each twist of Rafe’s body, every inhuman cry, sent poisoned barbs into Niko’s soul, eclipsing his physical pain. If not for the reassuring, restraining presence of Jenna, Niko wouldn’t be able to stop himself from rushing over and pulling the soldiers away from Rafe.
The big brother in Niko couldn’t bear the anguish in Rafe’s voice.
“Easy,” Jenna whispered again. “This is necessary. We have to contain him so he doesn’t hurt anyone else.” She pushed back against him, bringing her body closer to Niko’s in comfort. And as a reminder that to get to Rafe, he’d have to go through her.
Niko rested his chin on the top of her head. “I know.” He wrapped his arms tighter across Jenna’s middle. “But, Jesus Christ, it’s hard to just stand here.” He refused to acknowledge the possibility that even once the chip was recovered and the data evaluated, no cure might be found.
He would not accept that Rafe would stay in this animal state until he died.
Rafe tried to bite one of the soldiers.
“Rafe, no!” Niko called out.
At the sound of his brother’s voice, Rafe swiveled his head. Wild, furious eyes met Niko’s. Fury changed to resentment. Then puzzlement. Finally, like a gentle wave moving up the shore after a storm, recognition filled Rafe’s eyes.
For a moment, Niko looked deep into the cage of Rafe’s mind, seeing his brother as he’d once known him. A man whose eyes now pleaded with Niko for help. For mercy.
Niko took an involuntary step forward, but Jenna used her body to stop him.
“I’m going to save you, Rafe,” Niko called. “I promise.” He didn’t know if his brother heard or understood. The fleeting moment of recognition vanished and Rafe snarled at Niko.
But the momentary lull in Rafe’s resistance had given the soldiers enough time to force his arms into a straight jacket. He bellowed in outrage and tried once again to use his teeth, but the soldiers stayed out of biting range.
While they fought to shove a gag in Rafe’s mouth, another soldier hurried out from the office, holding a syringe. “I’ve got it!”
No one had expected Rafe to wake up this soon, not after receiving multiple doses of the tranquilizer from Niko’s darts. So there hadn’t been more sedative on hand.
“It’s a stronger formula,” the soldier told Niko. “But Ryker says this should safely knock him out.”
Niko nodded. He watched, teeth clenched, as the man knelt beside Rafe. The other soldiers managed to pin Rafe’s head down, exposing his neck. When the needle jabbed into Rafe’s vein, Niko flinched.
Rafe’s eyes flew to Niko’s. You betrayed me, they accused.
“Forgive me,” Niko said.
But only rage remained in his brother’s eyes. Niko kept his gaze locked with Rafe’s until the tranquilizer took effect and Rafe’s lids slammed down.
The soldiers finished securing Rafe, then hoisted him up and moved toward the truck that would take him to the temporary SSU research facility.
Niko released Jenna and turned away. He was shaking.
“Niko?”
He shook his head and made his way slowly toward the office and the tiny washroom. “I…need to be alone for a few minutes,” he called over his shoulder. He didn’t have to glance behind him to know that Jenna’s expression would be a mix of hurt and sympathy.
He couldn’t be with her right now. He’d just condemned his brother to being locked in a padded, secured room, studied by scientists as they tried to find a way to reverse what had been done. Treated like a dangerous lab rat.
He pushed open the washroom door, the groan of rusty hinges setting fire to his exposed nerves. He hammered the door with his fist and it slammed closed. Then he stood in the middle of the floor, trembling. Fighting back waves of fury and helplessness, until finally all that remained was an empty, aching core.
An old, cloudy mirror hung over the small porcelain sink. Niko braced his hands on the edges of the basin and looked at his reflection.
He saw the same face he’d always seen, only depressingly haggard. Beaten down as he’d never looked even while deep undercover and surrounded by sadistic murderers. His mind knew Rafe had to be contained, but his heart insisted he’d failed his brother. As the oldest, Niko was supposed to protect his younger siblings.
He closed his eyes and let his forehead rest against the cool surface of the mirror.
Someone knocked at the door.
“Niko?” Jenna called. “Are you all right?”
No. He wouldn’t be all right until his brother was back to normal. But at least with Jenna’s support, Niko wouldn’t follow his brother into insanity.
“Give me another minute,” he answered.
He pushed away from the washbasin. Ran the taps and splashed cold water on his face. Then opened the door and let the woman he loved hold him and offer the comfort of not being alone.
Chapter 26
Thursday, Midday
Dr. Ivanov’s Compound, Russia
Mark Tonelli excused himself and left Susana with Gonzales in Dr. Ivanov’s waiting room. Their arrival in Moscow and the short helicopter ride out to this former Czarist estate had gone smoothly, thanks to Jamieson. Even now, a team of soldiers waited in the woods to make certain Mark and the chip left the compound safely.
Mark pushed open a door that led into a long, thinly carpeted hallway and followed the directions he’d been given over the phone. Just before the door swung closed behind him he caught sight of Susana’s smile as she responded to something Gonzales said.
An unseemly surge of jealousy washed over Mark. Once the feeling passed, he reminded himself that Gonzales meant nothing to Susana. It was Mark she’d flirted with during the flight, not Gonzales. As soon as she healed from the surgery, Mark would have her in bed.
Everything was going as planned. Jealousy wasn’t just base, it was unnecessary.
As he walked down the hallway, Mark reflected that Susana wasn’t nearly as intelligent as her file suggested. She’d talked gaily of travel and her days as a model, but had shrugged off all attempts to discuss her work. “I’ve been through such an ordeal,” she’d told him. “Please let’s talk about something fun.”
Being near Susana’s beauty was intoxicating. As if she replaced all the stale, foul air in his lungs with perfume. Who cared if she lacked intelligence?
Standing next to her he felt invincible. Virile. He’d barely been able to keep himself from pushing her into the intimacy he craved. But he knew the gentlemanly thing to do was give her space, and he prided himself on his civility.
Mark turned the corner and counted doorways. Three doors down he stopped and pressed a buzzer set next to a shiny tan door.
The door opened to reveal a striking man in his early sixties. Tall, broad, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Sean Connery, but with a full head of graying black hair and a neatly trimmed goatee, he was the antithesis of every mad scientist stereotype. He belonged on the pages of Town and Country, advertising quality Scotch.
Mark hated him on sight.
“Mark Tonelli?” the man asked in Russian.
“Yes,” Mark replied in the same language.
“Welcome. I am Dr. Pieter Ivanov. The woman is in our waiting room?”
Mark nodded.
“Good. Come in.” The scientist waved Mark into a tidy office. Bookshelves filled with medical journals lined two walls. A third wall held a light board for viewing x-ray films, and several anatomical charts.
Ivanov pushed a button on the intercom on his desk. “Alexei, escort Susana Dias to the preparation room and start the pre-surgery routine. Give her Dr. Nevsky’s journals to read while she’s waiting. Notify me when all is ready.”
Betrayal (SSU Trilogy Book 2) (The Surgical Strike Unit) Page 25