Chapter Thirteen
The hotel offered a lavish breakfast buffet. Donovan and Phoebe were ravenous and piled their plates. As they sat down and began to eat, Donovan said he would book the suite for two more nights.
“Do you think the frame will stay where it is?” she asked as they sat down and began to devour the delicious meal.
“I’m so glad they had room for us here.”
“Having room is never a problem,” Donovan remarked. “I own that suite.”
“Of course you do,” she said, staring at him.
“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m sure your family does the same. Aren’t there places you often visit.”
“Once when dad was alive, and yes, he had corporate suites in various hotels. The company still does. It’s just…you’re so…”
“Yes?”
“Much. You’re so much. I’m used to being around successful people, but you!”
“I’m going to take that as a compliment, so thank you.”
“I think it was, in a weird kind of way, but on another subject, do you think Alexi will keep that frame where it is?”
“He’s assuming those two goons will find the portrait and he’ll have it in the next couple of days. Once it’s in his hands he’ll want it back in its original condition.”
“That frame is a work of art itself, but I was surprised there was glass over the portrait. I didn’t think they had glass over historical paintings.”
“It’s used with the more valuable pieces for protection. There was no glass originally. Peter told me his father had it done.”
“Ah, well, that’s understandable. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m going to powder my nose.”
“Don’t take forever, we need to get back to the car and I have to pick up my briefcase. Dammit, I should have brought it down with me.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I just don’t like carrying it around. I’ll sign the bill and be ready to leave when you get back.”
“Donovan, one quick question. This place is gorgeous. It’s as nice as any hotel I’ve ever stayed in, but it’s quaint and small. How did you find it?”
“I almost bought it.”
“You did not!”
“There were some problems, I was approached, but it wasn’t for me. I do like it here though. That’s why I bought the suite. Now go.” But as she rose to her feet he reached out and grabbed her hand. “Hey, we may be working but I’m very happy to be here with you. When this is over I want us to come back and just enjoy ourselves.”
“I’m already enjoying myself, but I would love that.”
Watching her walk through the restaurant he wanted to go after her, take her back to bed, and slowly ravage her all over again. She was unlike any woman he’d ever met, and as he signaled a waiter, he wondered where their relationship might take them.
After signing the bill, he finished the last of his coffee, but as a couple of minutes ticked by he grew impatient and headed out. The bathrooms were at the end of a wide, thickly carpeted hallway that offered a few small shops on either side. Ambling past them, he stared inside, wondering if something had caught her eye. When he reached the last one and there was still no sign of her, he lifted his phone from his pocket and sent a text.
Phoebe, where are you?
Hello Donovan. We have some matters to discuss. If you want to see Phoebe again you’ll have to come back to my house. She’s here and we’re waiting for you.
AK
With an icy hand clutching his chest, Donovan quickly responded.
I’m on my way.
Though it was the early hours of the morning in New York, he called Sam as he hurried down the hall.
“Donovan? What the hell?” Sam grunted as he answered.
“Alexi Koslov has Phoebe.”
“What did you just say?”
“Alexi Koslov has Phoebe,” Donovan repeated quietly, stepping out of a back exit and marching towards the street. “Get a team here now! I’ll wait while you do that, then give you the details.”
“Hold on.”
As he continued striding forward he tried not to panic, but the icy hand had exploded and the chill was moving through his entire being. Turning the corner he wanted to break into a sprint, but he managed to control the urge.
“Donovan?”
“Yeah.”
“There’s a team on its way. Six men. They’ll be in a white SUV with a laundry decal along the side. Tell me exactly what happened.”
“We followed the van and it pulled up outside Koslov’s house around 2 a.m. Then watched the painting being unloaded. We were able to see Koslov’s reaction when the cloth was removed through the minicam I’d embedded in the frame. We left and walked around the corner to the Bridgerton Hotel. We were finishing breakfast, and Phoebe stepped away to visit the ladies room. When I walked out to meet her she was nowhere to be found. I texted her, and Koslov texted me back. He told me she was with him and he wanted to speak with me.”
“Don’t panic.”
“I think I’m past that point,” Donovan said brusquely. “The panic took hold a couple of minutes ago, but I’ve got it under control. He must have seen us when we left the car and walked away. This is my fault. I parked too close to his front door, but it was the only space. I still can’t believe I—fuck. That parking space was a set up.”
“I agree,” Sam said solemnly.
“That means those two assholes in the van knew they were being followed. But that’s impossible. We were never close. We just used the tracker. That’s it! The tracker! They knew it was there! Alexi told them to leave it!”
“That’s just what I was about to say,” Sam continued. “I bet he found out you’d become involved, and he made that parking spot available just for you and Phoebe. He planned to take her if anything went wrong with the delivery, and that’s exactly what he’s done. You’re about to be given an ultimatum.”
“The portrait for her life.”
“And your word he won’t be touched when he leaves the country with it. In fact, I bet you won’t know where she is until he’s on his way with the portrait in his possession.”
“Or he may have sold it, but it doesn’t matter. The point is, we are where we are. I’m nearing his house,” Donovan mumbled. “I swear to God, if he’s touched her—”
“Take a breath. He’s not that guy. In that respect we’re lucky.”
“Lucky?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I do, and yeah, I get that. But, Sam—I’m getting an idea.”
“Of course you are. That’s what you do, and you do it better than anyone I’ve ever met.”
“Hang on, I see the white SUV with the laundry logo.”
“If you’re not out in thirty-minutes I’ll send them in.”
“You don’t have to guess,” Donovan declared as he approached his car. “Call 783-99-021. You’ll be prompted for a password, it’s Spy3 . That will give you access to the camera in the frame. You can watch my meeting with Koslov play out.”
“Excellent. Donovan, stay cool.”
“That won’t be a problem, my entire body feels like ice. This is my idea…how we can satisfy him. Are you ready?”