Chapter 40
CHAPTER 40
ARMAN
W e finally made it to the dining room where my chef had prepared a light meal and as I leave Ellie to an afternoon of reading, I head to my den and Luka is already waiting for me.
He glances up as I enter and says immediately, “Nikolai left on a flight for Russia one hour ago.”
I say nothing and head to my desk, and yet my mind is racing .
“Anything else?”
“He met Marsha last night at his hotel room and she left at seven am. Thirty minutes later Nikolai went for a jog in Central Park and then returned one hour later where he had breakfast and then left for JFK airport.”
“What else?” There is always more and Luka shrugs, appearing puzzled.
“He checked in business class to Moscow and spent his time reading a Jack Reacher novel in the lounge. He never glanced at his phone and didn’t communicate with any other passengers. He paid one visit to the restroom before the flight boarded, which lasted two minutes.”
It makes me smile because Luka has spies in the most unlikely of places and it never ceases to amaze me how he does it.
“So, what are you thinking?” I’m interested to hear his take on it and his eyes gleam.
“That he was intent on playing the tourist to cover up something that may throw heat his way. The only people he met were Marsha and Roden.”
“Have you discovered anything about their meeting?”
He nods. “They shared a drink together and one of the workers at the club performed a private dance for them. She told us Roden offered her services to Nikolai, who politely refused.”
“There must be something else.”
I am so frustrated because men like Barinov don’t travel to places for a sightseeing tour and I doubt it’s Marsha’s well–worn pussy that lured him here.
“There must be more to this.” I am frustrated and Luka obviously shares it because he exhales sharply. “I have eyes on Roden and Marsha, but so far there is nothing to report. I also have a woman on the plane who will monitor his flight and report anything unusual back to me.”
“A woman?” I raise my eyes and Luka grins .
“I have the power of persuasion and it wasn’t difficult to arrange a ticket for a personal friend of mine who owes me a favor. She has all the necessary visas and was up for a few days in Russia at my expense.”
“And you trust her?”
“Of course. She works for the airline and has been extremely useful to me over the years. I am assured of her loyalty because I treat her well.”
“She is in love with you.” I state the obvious judging by his smug expression and he grins, an arrogant glint in his eye.
“One of many, boss. I can’t help having a pretty face.”
He grins and I roll my eyes because Luka could charm a nun out of her panties. It’s the whole bad boy vibe he has going on and it appears that show a woman a scar and tattoos, their panties disappear as soon as they open their legs. He is the biggest whore in my business, but I can’t fault his methods because he gets shit done and I admire his skills on that.
“I’ll call my brother and he can take up the situation when Nikolai lands. Our job is to keep eyes on Marsha because I don’t fucking trust that woman.”
He nods and leaves me to call my brother and as I place the call, I wish I had something more to give him.
“Arman.”
His deep voice holds all the familiarity of home and for a second, I wish I was there. I’m weary of this shit and just want to pass it over to him and get on with what I know best. Business.
As I fill him in on what I know, he doesn’t interrupt and when I finish, he exhales sharply.
“Adele Heatherington. ” He says simply, and I say nothing.
“Ana has been investigating her company, The Rose Foundation. It was set up as a charity and she stood down as CEO when she married her husband. ”
I’m aware of her involvement and wait to hear if he knows anything, and he sighs.
“Ana informs me she has passed the day to day running of the organization to a man named James Warner. He operates from Los Angeles, where the company’s headquarters is.”
“Do you want me to check it out with pa’s contacts here?”
I sincerely hope not, because the last thing I need is another visit to one of their fucking parties where it appears the real business is done.
“No.” Titus replies quickly. “I don’t want to alert anyone to our interest in the company. Ana tells me a position has been advertised for an accountant. We are currently arranging her cover story.”
“You’re sending her undercover? For fuck’s sake, Titus, are you sure about this?”
Questioning my brother isn’t the best idea I’ve had, and he snaps, “Have you tried talking our sister out of something she’s got her heart set on?”
It’s a valid argument that makes me smile because Ana is the most ruthless one of all of us. I almost pity my brother in dealing with her because when she has her mind set on something, there is no changing it.
“Good point, but she could be placing herself in danger if they discover who she is.”
“It’s doubtful. We can give her a new identity and a past that stretches back to her delivery in the hospital. She will be disguised and there is no reason why anyone would doubt her identity.”
I run my fingers through my hair and sigh. “Fuck, Titus. I don’t like it.”
“And you think I do.” He growls, “She has two weeks to search, and then I’m pulling her out. Mikhail is arranging protection and a place to stay.”
I feel a little better knowing my bastard brother Mikhail is watching her because he is the best man for the job.
Titus says sharply, “We must work together for answers. I will not rest until we know who was responsible. Until then, none of us are safe.”
I suddenly remember Ellie’s instruction and say quickly, “We should investigate the school in Switzerland where mama studied. I believe it is called Two Points.”
Titus relies. “Simeon is working on it now.” He sighs heavily. “We must wrap this shit up. The good news is the investors appear happier. Good work, Arman.”
I don’t react because I am just doing my job. It’s what I do. Keep the investors happy, so we continue to gain in power.
Before he cuts the call, I add, “I have another party to attend tonight. It may help.”
“Burning Roses?” He says with amusement, knowing how I hate that shit.
“No. It’s a fundraising event for the presidential candidate, Charles Kenricky.”
Titus laughs softly. “Have fun, Arman, and play nicely.”
I grin because playing nicely isn’t something we do, and he says gruffly, “Take care, brother. Keep in touch.”
He cuts the call, leaving me with a huge sense of homesickness. I love traveling, but my heart remains in Russia.
Since my father died, home has been a place of pain and dark memories and I long for the day when we had no worries. Not that I can ever remember a time when some shit wasn’t going down, but we were a family and dealt with it together. Our father steered the ship, and we were assured of his intentions, but since finding out he had a mistress and lived a separate life, I am second guessing everything and living with unease.
Nothing is the same anymore and yet through it all the unthinkable happened. Someone came into my life and I wasn’t prepared for how she blew my world apart.