8. Delfino
8
DELFINO
T he Black Sea coast glittered under a setting sun as we approached the oligarch’s estate in our chauffeured Mercedes. I smoothed my emerald evening gown, my skin tingling where Hornet’s leg pressed against mine. The past couple of days—last night, in particular—had transformed our relationship from professional into something deeper, making every touch shoot heat to my core.
“Ready?” he murmured in Russian, his fingers brushing mine. Even in the suit and tie versus a tuxedo, better fitting his role as Mikhail Vasiliev, he was still the handsomest man I’d ever seen.
Leonid Kamenev’s estate sprawled across manicured grounds, its modern architecture a monument to excess against the wild coastline. Security was minimal—unusual for an oligarch’s compound, but perfect for our covers as art dealer Natalia Sokolova and her security consultant.
“Perimeter sweep complete,” Reaper’s voice came through the comms. “Amaryllis is in position with the catering staff. No sign of our target.”
The car stopped at the main entrance. Hornet’s hand at my lower back steadied me as we climbed the steps, the warmth of his touch a reminder of how we’d fallen asleep tangled together, my head on his chest while he stroked my hair.
Inside, the atrium soared three stories high, adorned with priceless art that spoke more to our host’s wealth than any cohesive display of masterpieces. I couldn’t help but wonder how many of these were either purchased on the black market or the kind of forgeries implicated in one of the coalition’s most recent missions, involving an operative with the code name Michelangelo. In fact, it was his wedding Typhon had been in the States to attend—as best man, no less.
The room buzzed with Russia’s elite—legitimate collectors mixing with figures whose wealth came from darker enterprises.
“Approaching on your left,” Hornet whispered. “Dimitri Volkov, MI6 code name Black Ice. Sent by Oleander.”
We’d been briefed that he was undercover as a handler of sorts for Kamenev’s more sensitive business dealings, including arranging private sales to select clients.
“Madame Sokolova.” Volkov bowed over my hand. “Mr. Kamenev is eager to discuss expanding his collection.”
I let enthusiasm color my voice. “His taste is impeccable. Though, I admit, I have newer pieces available, more valuable than his previous acquisitions.”
“First, you must see his private gallery.” Volkov gestured toward a curved staircase. “He keeps his most valuable pieces there.”
As we followed him upstairs, I felt Hornet’s presence behind me like a shield. We’d practiced these roles extensively during our two years working together, but now, each brush of his hand, each shared glance, carried a new meaning.
The second floor opened into a gallery space, where small groups of guests clustered around various pieces. I recognized faces from our briefing materials—a shipping magnate suspected of moving more than legal cargo, a banker whose clients included several criminal enterprises.
“Mr. Kamenev will join us shortly,” Volkov said, offering us champagne from a passing waiter. “He’s concluding some business matters.”
I sipped the champagne while discussing art trends with Volkov, letting my gaze drift naturally around the room. Everything about the setup felt wrong. Our intelligence indicated Jekyll would attend this gathering, but so far, he hadn’t materialized.
“The security design is interesting,” Hornet commented to Volkov. “Rather minimal for a collection of this value.”
“Mr. Kamenev believes too much security draws unnecessary attention,” Volkov replied, leading us toward a balcony overlooking the grounds.
“Fascinating business, diplomatic transport,” he continued, swirling his champagne. “The paperwork alone is extraordinary. One missing signature, and everything stops at the border. Unless, of course, you have the right immunities .”
The way he emphasized the word made me pause. It was a message.
“Movement in the east wing,” Amaryllis murmured through comms. “Staff aren’t cleared for that section.”
My pulse quickened. If Jekyll planned to infiltrate the party, the restricted areas would be his entry points.
Volkov’s phone buzzed. “Excuse me,” he said, checking the screen. “Mr. Kamenev sends his regrets. An urgent matter requires his attention. Perhaps we could continue this discussion another time?”
Something in his tone sent chills up my spine. I shared a glance with Hornet, seeing my own suspicion reflected there.
“Of course,” I smiled. “Another time.”
As Volkov departed, Hornet guided me onto the balcony. The night air carried the scent of salt and cypress trees.
“He was warned,” I said softly.
Hornet’s hand found mine in the darkness. “The whole setup feels like a test. To see who shows up looking for Jekyll.”
“Which means we’re being watched.” I turned to face him, playing the role of an art dealer sharing an intimate moment with her security consultant. His expression darkened as I stepped closer.
“Multiple cameras on the balcony,” he confirmed, his voice low. “Plus two surveillance positions with clear sight lines from the neighboring properties.”
“Any chance of getting into the east wing?”
“Not without compromising our covers.” His thumb traced patterns on my palm, sending shivers up my arm. By the way his eyes changed focus, I realized he was listening to something through the comms. “Amaryllis says the staff there are actual security, not caterers. Well-trained.”
I fought back frustration. Another dead end. Another night of questions without answers. Disappointment pressed against my chest, making it hard to breathe.
Hornet must have sensed my distress. He pulled me closer, making it look natural for our covers. “We’ll find him, Kima,” he whispered against my hair.
“I’m starting to wonder if we ever will.” I let myself lean into him, drawing strength from his solid presence. “What if this is an elaborate game? What if?—”
“Movement,” Reaper’s voice cut in. “Black SUV approaching from the coastal road. Not using lights.”
My pulse jumped.
“Two more vehicles behind it,” Amaryllis added. “Staff entrance is being cleared.”
“Abort,” Hornet ordered.
“Agreed,” Reaper said. “This feels wrong. You need to extract. Now.”
“They’re blocking the main entrance,” Amaryllis reported. “Service exits too. Whatever this is, it’s coordinated.”
Hornet’s arm tightened around me. “Balcony?”
I glanced at the ornate trellis covered in vines that ran to the ground. In my evening gown, it would be challenging but not impossible.
“Fastest route to the extraction point,” I confirmed.
“Cameras?” he asked.
“I’ve got them looped,” Reaper answered. “But you’ve got three minutes max before their security protocols catch it.”
Hornet moved to the railing, making it look as though we were admiring the view while checking the descent path. “I’ll go first, spot you.”
“No time,” I countered. “Together.”
The look he gave me held equal parts exasperation and admiration. “Typhon will kill me if you break your neck.”
“Then, don’t let me fall.” I kicked off my heels, stashing them in Hornet’s jacket pockets.
We made it halfway down when voices above confirmed our exit hadn’t gone unnoticed. Hornet pulled me closer to the wall as flashlight beams cut through the darkness.
“Almost there,” he breathed against my ear. “Ready?”
“Ready.” We dropped the final distance together, rolling to absorb the impact. He caught my hand, and we ran, keeping to the shadows of the elaborate landscaping.
“SUVs are at the gate,” Reaper updated. “Armed teams deploying.”
“They weren’t here for Jekyll,” I gasped as we ran. “They were here for us. We got played.”
“Less talking, more running,” Hornet said, pulling me behind a hedge as boots crunched on gravel nearby.
We made it to the extraction point with seconds to spare, diving into the waiting car as engines roared to life behind us. Reaper burned rubber, getting us off the property.
“They’re not following,” Amaryllis reported through the comms ten minutes later. “I’m en route to the safe house now. Whatever that was about, they wanted us identified, not captured.”
I leaned back against the seat, adrenaline still coursing through my system. “Someone knew we’d be there looking for Jekyll and used it to observe us.”
“Question is, who?” Hornet’s arm came around my shoulders, and I let myself sink into his warmth. “Jekyll? Kamenev? Someone else entirely?”
“We’ll figure it out,” Reaper said from the front seat. “But right now, we need to get off the grid and reassess.”
The safe house was dark when we arrived, the kind of deep black that comes only in remote areas, far from city lights. Reaper did a perimeter check while Amaryllis, who’d arrived in the second vehicle, swept for surveillance devices. Hornet’s hand was at my lower back once again as we entered.
“Clear,” Amaryllis announced, lowering her scanner. “But we should assume the location’s compromised. We’ll need to move by morning.”
I sank onto the couch, my mind racing. “Volkov was feeding us information. The way he emphasized diplomatic immunity, the comments about border crossings…”
“He definitely wanted us to pick up on it,” Hornet agreed, loosening his tie as he sat beside me.
“Diplomatic immunity would be the perfect cover for moving people or materials across borders,” Hornet pointed out.
I agreed. “Volkov’s hints about diplomatic procedures feel significant. Especially given Jekyll’s last op on behalf of Unit 23 involved extracting people with diplomatic status.”
“As was Dr. Henning’s,” Amaryllis added with an odd look on her face. It was as though her feelings about Jekyll were more conflicted than mine were. I wouldn’t ask her about it now. I’d wait until we were alone.
“We need to move tonight. We can’t wait until tomorrow,” Reaper said, checking his phone. “I’ve got a backup location secured in Montenegro. Remote villa, private beach access.”
“I’ll start packing the equipment,” Amaryllis offered, disappearing into the back room. Given she was the one who’d suggested we delay until morning, her immediate acquiescence surprised me.
When Hornet and I were alone, he turned to face me fully. “You okay?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “What if this is all a game? A distraction?”
He caught my hand, bringing it to his lips. “Then, we’ll figure it out.” The tenderness in his voice made my chest tight.
I leaned forward until our foreheads touched, letting myself draw comfort from his presence. Two years of denying our feelings, of maintaining a professional distance, and now, here we were—finding our way to each other in the middle of this maze of secrets and lies.
“We should get our gear,” I whispered, though I made no move to pull away.
“We should,” he agreed, his thumb tracing patterns on my palm.
“Hornet…” His name came out somewhere between a warning and a plea.
His features softened in a way few people ever got to see. “As soon as we reach the villa, my te?or …”
I smiled. “What will happen?”
He brushed my lips with his. “Perhaps we’ll sleep…”
I shook my head. “And perhaps we won’t, my lover.”
He smiled when I said it in Russian. “Is that what I am? Your lover?”
“That and so much more.”
“I want to be your everything, Kima,” he whispered.
“You are. You have been since the day we met.” Before we could kiss, I received an alert on my mobile. My brow furrowed. “It’s Oleander.”
He motioned for me to answer.
“Hey…”
“You will not fucking believe this.”
This time, my eyes opened wide. “What?”
“I received a screenshot of an anonymous message Volkov received. I’m forwarding it now.”
I held the phone away from my face when it pinged.
My locket looked so beautiful with Kima’s green dress. So touching that she wore it.
My mouth gaped, and my first instinct was to hurl the device against the wall. Instead, I handed it to Hornet.
“The motherfucker was there,” he muttered.
I covered my face when tears threatened. “Maybe we should return to London. He wins. Actually, he won a long time ago, didn’t he?”
Hornet wrapped his fingers around my wrists. “Look at me, Kima.”
He released me, and I put my arms around his neck.
“If that’s what you really want to do, we will. But I don’t think you’re ready to give up so easily.”
I bit my lip. “I’ll give him one more chance. If he leads us on another goose hunt, I’ll be on the next flight to Gatwick.”
“And I’ll be with you.”