Chapter 34
“It’ll be fine,” Mia said to Cullen as she got out of the vehicle in front of the Willard Hotel.
She sounded more confident than she felt. In truth, she was terrified. Her heart hammered wildly, and the air seemed thin each time she attempted to take a breath, preventing her from getting an entire lungful. Yet she knew what she’d told him earlier was the truth.
Their hunt for the Saints depended on tracking down Yuri.
Ignoring the stares at her skimpy outfit that showed an abundance of leg and cleavage, she made her way into the lobby. Her gaze searched faces for Yuri. But no matter how hard she looked, he was nowhere to be found.
“Damn,” she mumbled.
Her next step was to convince the front desk to either take her up to Yuri or call him down. The hotel’s concern was for their guests, which meant Yuri would be asked to come down.
The lobby was too packed for her to single out a man she hoped she might sway to take her to Yuri. Just as she about to go to the front desk, something stopped her.
Instead, Mia headed to the seating area and chose a chair that allowed her to see both the entrance to the hotel and the path from the elevators.
Her instincts had pushed her to come to the hotel. If she were wrong, they would waste hours. But if she were right, they could leapfrog over the Saints.
If Yuri cooperated.
The fact that they suspected the Russian also held Orrin had a lot to do with her decision-making, but she also knew Cullen was right. Orrin was strong. He could withstand weeks of torture.
It was the Saints themselves who posed the biggest threat. Not to mention that they were after her and Cullen. After her close call with them on the mountain, she was more than ready to face the assholes and let them know what she thought of their “secret organization.”
The more she found out about the Saints, the more she knew they needed to be taken out. With every day they were allowed to exist, the entire world was put in more danger.
As she watched people come and go from the hotel, minding their own business and going about their daily lives, unaware of the threat that hung over them, she felt as if a clock hung above her, counting down at an incredible rate.
How much longer did any of them have? How did they take down an organization that spanned at least two countries? How could they begin to dismantle the Saints without knowing their true agenda?
Because in order to stop an enemy, one must understand them first.
And she knew next to nothing about the Saints.
That’s probably what frightened her the most. They could’ve existed for months or decades. Their network could be so extensive that it might take years to dismantle them.
The one thing she knew for sure was that the Loughmans wouldn’t stop fighting the Saints until the Texans had breathed their last breaths.
She would be standing beside them all the while, fighting with everything she had. Even if that meant turning to her father for help.
His influence was substantial, which meant he might be able to help them in ways others couldn’t.
She checked her watch. Nearly an hour had passed. The waiting was getting them nowhere. She needed to get into Yuri’s room one way or another.
Her gaze caught on two men who walked into the lobby from the street. One was dressed in a suit, his stomach protruding over his belt and his face red with exertion. Drops of sweat dotted his chubby face as his beady eyes looked at everyone with contempt.
The second man was tall and fit, wearing black pants and a dark gray dress shirt that barely fit over his thick arms. His dark hair was thick and combed away from his face. He walked as if he owned the world, ignoring everyone else around him.
Some people had a distinctive look about them, and these two men wore the Russian mantle with ease. It was in their bearing, their clothes, and even the way they stood.
By the way they searched the lobby, they were also looking for someone. And she’d bet her father’s company that it was Yuri.
She glanced out the revolving glass doors and spotted a shape across the street that she recognized. Cullen. A smile tugged at her lips just looking at him. He might not be beside her, but he’d made sure to be close.
It wasn’t because he didn’t think she could take care of herself. It was because it was in his nature to protect.
She made a quick decision and rose from the chair. She walked to the concierge desk near the Russians. Thankfully, there were a few people already there. She grabbed a brochure about the sights in the area and positioned herself near the men to hear them speaking Russian in quiet tones.
“He wouldn’t be foolish enough to return here,” said the chubby one.
The other snorted. “I warned you not to trust him. Markovic was too easily convinced to join us.”
Mia bit back a smile. Just as she’d thought.
They were looking for Yuri. Then she frowned.
Why? Where was Yuri, then? And why was he running?
When they began talking again, she moved closer so she could hear better, all the while hoping the little Russian she knew would help her translate it correctly.
“He was needed,” replied Chubs.
“You thought his connection to Loughman would help. I had my doubts.”
“When we find Markovic, you can kill him.”
Slim smiled. “By then we’ll have Ragnarok, and our plan will be in action.”
Her stomach plummeted to her feet. Hearing them talk about using the bioweapon as if it were bug spray left her shaken. The fact that the Saints were maniacal enough to want to use such a weapon pretty much said it all.
It was a good thing she and Cullen had begun hunting the Saints. They could begin with these two.
The men moved away. When she began to follow, Slim’s gaze met hers. She flashed him a flirty smile, hoping he’d think she was another tourist.
His annoyed frown as he turned forward again allowed her to release a relieved breath. The wig and clothes managed to hide her in plain sight. She replaced the flier and calmly walked from the hotel.
As she made her way across the street to Cullen, she spotted a woman staring at him as if she’d seen a ghost. The woman stood about twenty feet from Cullen, unmoving.
“What?” Cullen asked when Mia reached him.
She jerked her chin in the direction of the woman. “She looks as if she recognizes you.”
“I’ve never seen her,” Cullen replied when he turned toward the woman.
Mia suspected the woman was in her late forties. She was thin, and by her name-brand clothes, she had money. Her shoulder-length red hair complimented her pale complexion.
Finally, with slow steps, the woman closed the distance between them. She never took her eyes off Cullen. He faced her, waiting.
Mia moved closer to him, curious as well. No one said anything. It was Mia who broke the silence. “Hi. Can we help you?”
The woman gave a little startled jerk. She swung gray eyes to Mia and smiled briefly before looking back at Cullen. “This may seem incredibly forward, but is your last name Loughman?”
Cullen’s entire demeanor changed. He glanced about before he took the woman’s arm and walked her away from the throng of people. Mia hurried to catch up.
When they stood in an alley, just out of the light of a streetlamp, he took a menacing step toward the woman. “How do know who I am?”
“Because you look like your father.”
Mia closed her eyes for a moment. “He’s alive.”
“Tell me everything,” Cullen demanded.
The woman licked her lips. “My name is Kate Donnelly. I’m a doctor at a nearby hospital. I was taken from my home and forced to help an injured man.”
“Orrin,” Mia said.
Kate nodded, glancing at her. “He was badly beaten. Broken ribs, dislocated shoulder, broken wrist, black eye, and multiple contusions and lacerations.”
Cullen ran a hand down his face as he turned away and took a few pacing steps.
While he digested that information, Mia got Kate’s attention. “Did you speak to Orrin?”
“I did. He told me to get help for him. I wanted to, but they had my son.”
“You did the right thing,” Mia assured her. She glanced at Cullen, who had his back to them.
Kate said, “I helped him. I gave him a combination of vitamins that accelerated the healing process. The Russian that took him, Yuri, only wanted me to bring him back from the brink of death.”
At that, Cullen whirled around. “My father nearly died?”
“Yes,” Kate replied. “Yuri acted fast, though. I was able to get Orrin on the mend quickly.”
“They obviously let you go. Why?” Mia asked.
Kate fidgeted. “Something changed. There were men patrolling everywhere, but once, while Yuri was gone, a camera was installed in Orrin’s room where I tended to him.”
“Who was in charge?” Cullen took a step closer to her, his gaze focused.
She gave a shrug. “Yuri. But not all of the men there were his.”
“Were they all Russian?”
“As far as I know.”
Mia touched Kate’s arm. “How did you escape?”
“I didn’t,” Kate said. “Yuri let me go. It was only yesterday when Orrin claimed he was well. Yuri agreed and ordered Orrin to return to where he’d been held before.
The next thing I knew, I was released. One of Yuri’s men returned me home and told me not to speak of it to anyone or they’d kill my son. ”
Mia met Cullen’s gaze. “It makes sense now.”
“Does it?” He raised a brow. “Please elaborate because I’m confused.”
“Inside the hotel, two Russians were looking for Yuri. I overheard them talking. They said he joined the Saints too easily.”
“We’re close, then,” Cullen said with a wry twist of his lips.
Mia scratched at the wig, wanting it off. “Yes, and they want Yuri. If he let Kate go, and he’s running—”
“Then he might’ve helped Dad,” Cullen finished.
Mia turned back to the doctor. “Do you think you could find where you were held?”
“They blindfolded me, but I know it was on the docks. I caught a glimpse of a faded fish logo, though.”
“That helps immensely,” Mia said.
For the first time, Cullen was smiling. They knew where Orrin was. Once they had him, they would have another asset in the hunt for the Saints.
Mia’s joy dimmed as she turned to the hotel. She pointed out the Russians for Cullen, who glared at them as if just by staring he could kill them. “We should go now before those two go to the docks, as well.”
“I’m coming,” Kate said.
That got Cullen’s attention. He turned back to her. “You’re lucky to have gotten out with your life. Leave while you can.”
“You’re going to need me.” She pointed to his shoulder then.
Mia leaned over and saw the blood seeping through his shirt from the bullet wound.
“What if Orrin needs medical attention?” Kate asked. “Will there be time to get him to a hospital?”
Cullen gave a shake of his head and glanced upward. “The last place you should be is in the middle of this.”
“I know.”
“Do you even know what all of this is about?” Mia asked.
Kate shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I want to help Orrin.”
Mia looked at the doctor differently. Did she have feelings for Orrin? It would make sense. A handsome American held against his will and tortured . . . .
“You like him,” Mia blurted out.
Cullen frowned while Kate looked away nervously.
Mia smiled at Kate. “Anyone willing to risk their life for Orrin is perfect in my eyes.”
“Thank you,” Kate said.
Cullen blew out a breath. “You’re going to regret this, Doc.”
“I risked my life, and my son’s, to help Orrin while I was being held. I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” she stated with a lift of her chin.
Mia had never thought it was right that Orrin was alone. He needed a special woman, and she was beginning to think that Kate was just what Orrin needed.
“Let’s get moving,” Cullen said and turned on his heel.
She waved Kate to follow. “Where’s your son?”
“On a trip with his father. I thought it best he leave the city for a while.”
Mia looked down and saw no wedding ring on Kate’s finger.
The doctor leaned over and said, “I’m divorced. Six years now.”
When they reached the SUV, Cullen got behind the wheel while Kate slid into the back seat. Mia hurriedly removed the wig and shook out her hair.
Then she kicked off the platform heels as Cullen pointed the vehicle in the direction of the docks and began driving. Mia took off her jacket and the skimpy shirt.
She wadded them up, returning them to the bag as she dug out her old clothes. She caught Cullen’s grin when she sat up. With a smile she couldn’t hide, she put on her white shirt. Cullen’s eyebrows rose as he looked pointedly at her skirt.
Mia laughed and pushed his face forward. “Watch the road, Casanova.”
The tension lessened for a bit. Once Mia was changed, she glanced in the backseat to find Kate wearing a knowing smile. The two exchanged grins. Mia gave her a what do you do look.
Then all laughter ceased as they reached the docks. Cullen slowed the SUV as they drove past warehouse after warehouse. Large ships were anchored, and containers were stacked at the port and on the ships.
Men milled about while bright lights shone everywhere, illuminating everything as if it were daylight.
“There,” Kate said, her arm pointing through the seats.
They looked to where her finger was aimed and saw a warehouse with a faded logo of a swordfish twisting. Cullen parked and turned off the engine as he looked at the building.
“Let’s go kill some Saints and get Orrin,” Mia said.
He palmed a knife and gave her a nod.