Chapter 12
Kirill
“Where the fuck are we going?” I barked after Cormac had been driving for longer than I thought necessary. Then again, patience wasn’t considered a personal virtue.
“Scarsdale,” Vivian said absently, answering for my soldier. She’d said almost nothing after our time together, barely acknowledging my questions or commands. I wasn’t certain the reason for the one-eighty change other than she wasn’t used to allowing a certain side of her to be seen by anyone.
Including some asshole who’d kidnapped her.
Dante twisted his head so he could glance into my eyes. Given my companion, both men had remained quiet during the drive, but there were items to discuss.
“You know the area,” I said while cutting my eyes in her direction.
With every mile traveled, she was becoming even more pensive. I’d found it unnecessary to bind her hands again as she hadn’t bothered to fight, another surprise after her performance in her apartment.
“You could say that. Scarsdale is considered the wealthiest community in the country. The people consider themselves villagers, the town government unique. There are eighteen thousand of the most pretentious people in the world living in a little over six and a half miles.”
The sneer on her face was a dead giveaway just how much she did indeed know of the area. Her attitude slighting all the wealthy people brought a smile to my face. “Now, what do you have against pretentious people?”
She dropped her hand from where her fingers had been acting as an implement to keep her head up as she’d glared out the passenger window during the entire drive. Taking her carnally once again hadn’t been on my mind when I’d forced her into her own apartment.
I’d been frustrated with the night, furious with myself for the way the situation had crashed and burned. The mishandling wasn’t like me. Even now, I was enraged that the entire scene had been a setup.
While Dimitri’s soldiers through Dante’s quick thinking had been inside the hospital and the stairwell holding the dead man within five minutes of my call, the fucker’s body had disappeared.
There was no evidence whatsoever that anyone had been dragged through his own blood and brains into some hidden location. The same men had scoured the hotel, keeping as low a visibility as possible while searching for any sign of the other two.
Nothing.
No screaming nurses. No suspicious men in surgery.
And no police involvement. The two men had earned their keep while I’d been fucking Vivian like some crazed animal.
The ruse continued. The only difference was my instinct told me whoever was running the puppet show knew I had a less than willing partner with me.
I laughed seeing the caustic expression on her face. “You’re a very unusual woman, Vivian.”
“Unusual. Provided by an assassin, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should. How much further?” My question was asked of Cormac while keeping my eyes on her.
“Making the turn onto the street now,” he answered.
“I’m curious. Did you purchase a home in this neighborhood or more in tune to your personality, did you steal it?” Her question was laced with acute venom.
Dante was forced to clear his throat to keep from laughing.
“I’ll let you in on a secret. I can purchase any house I want in any country. No matter the price.”
She threw up her hands. “Oohh… Is that supposed to impress me?”
“Just a fact and I can tell you’re the type of woman who prefers dealing in facts.”
Cormac slowed the vehicle and as soon as he did, she dragged her hate-filled look to staring out the windshield. The sound of her laugh disturbed the hell out of me.
The tone was haunted.
There were already soldiers present, six men a shift who’d keep watch on the property both to keep a lookout for intruders and to keep a watchful eye on my guest when I’d need to exit the property.
“Have you been here before?” I asked since her face held a hint of recognition.
“Not on my salary.” Toxic venom laced her tongue.
Cormac pressed a code from a piece of paper he’d pulled from his pocket, and an eight-foot iron gate began to slide to the right. Huge stone columns flanked both sides, several others breaking up the heavy fencing on both sides of the driveway.
As soon as the gate was all the way open, he rolled through and I was struck by the landscaping.
It was pristine with trees on both sides hiding other properties.
The turf was lush, green, and thick, patterned by a perfect cut made by a lawnmower.
And the house itself was gothic in architecture, a conical roof in slate perfectly highlighting the single turret in the front.
Somewhat rustic in appearance, it reminded me of ancient homes I’d seen built in part of Europe.
The setting was private and hopefully perfect to accommodate my guest.
She took a deep breath and with the way her eyes were darting back and forth, I could tell she was debating whether to answer me. “I’ve been by this house before.”
Given the location, I doubted she’d accidentally found herself in Scarsdale, which begged the question of why she’d been here. That would come soon enough after we were settled.
She barely waited for Cormac to slide the gear into park before letting herself out of the SUV.
“Mr. Aristov?” Dante asked. In his youthful exuberance, he was completely amused by the light bantering.
“Don’t worry, Dante. I’ll handle her. Is everything I need already inside?”
Cormac shifted so he could look me in the eye. “As much as possible, although the bulk of the food won’t arrive until in the morning. I did what I could, but I couldn’t manage to bump the delivery.”
He was nervous I’d be angry. “We’ll make do. What about the computer and security system?”
“You have a communications room on the second floor that has a complete security system already installed with the house. There are twelve cameras including two on the pool and tiki bar with automatic security lighting should anyone breach the perimeter at night. Either day or night, if the system is armed, I’ve programmed your phone number, so you’ll automatically receive a text if anyone is within twenty-five yards of the property.
In addition, there are interior cameras over every door.
It would seem the former owner had been concerned about guests leaving without giving their thanks. ”
“Excellent.” Chuckling, I watched as Vivian moved down the line of the house, shielding her eyes as she stared at the upper floor. What was she doing, checking for a way out? “I assume the alarms will also go off if anyone tries to escape.”
Both men grinned. “Of course,” Cormac answered.
“The computers are state of the art allowing you access to all of the boss’s data systems throughout the world, which should be similar to what you’re used to.
Of course you also have access to the justice department’s database as well should you find the need to check on various criminals.
Don’t worry, the firewall is very secure.
Nex to the communications room is a library where you’ll find access to a hidden room housing weapons and other combat supplies. ”
“With the Pakhan’s advice, Dimitri made certain your favorite weapons were stocked inside, although the timing was short, but I think you’ll find what you’re used to,” Dante added.
“Nice.” I had to admit that I was impressed with what had been accomplished in a short timeframe. While the style of house wasn’t necessarily what I’d purchase myself, so far, the accommodations could ease the pain of not being home for a lengthy duration. “And transportation?”
“You’ll find two vehicles of choice plus a motorcycle inside the detached four-car garage. Keys are in the kitchen.”
“Everything I need.” With one exception.
The identity of the Ghost. “That’ll be all for the day but make arrangements for the top soldiers to attend a meeting at the hotel tomorrow morning at nine.
If anything occurs in my absence, I need to know immediately.
Are there any updates on when Dimitri is returning to New York? ”
I sensed my guest was growing impatient by the way she’d tossed more than one look toward the SUV, now heading toward the side of the house.
What was the woman hiding? I’d seen not only contempt in her eyes, but the kind of hesitation indicating she’d had an unpleasant experience in the small village.
Discovering all her dirty little secrets would be highly pleasurable.
“Late tomorrow,” Dante said. “He found a piece of property he’s considering purchasing.”
“Interesting. What about the owners of this house? When are they due back from Europe?”
“It doesn’t matter. The house was purchased by the corporation,” Cormac answered.
“Dimitri?”
He shook his head, acting surprised I didn’t know. “No, the Pakhan.”
With a heavy sigh, all I could do was nod.
The near assassination had rattled the hell out of Kazimir.
I couldn’t blame him, but soon I’d need to tell him America was no Disneyland.
“Keep me informed. Do some informal and cautious snooping at the hospital where she works. I need to know if anyone noticed anything out of the ordinary, including the police who were there last night. Also ask around about our lovely doctor. I need to know who she is from a professional point of view.”
I’d discover the facts about her life as far back as possible, but that would only provide a portion of the story. I needed to learn everything about her. Every nuance. Every desire. Every friend she’d ever made and boyfriend tossed aside.
“Yes, sir.” Cormac grinned. From what I knew about the man, this was right up his alley.
“I’ll get the bags. Your things were already dropped off since you took a little longer than originally planned.” Dante’s comment brought a cold, hard look from me.
Yes, I’d taken much longer than I’d intended. “May I suggest you remember who you’re talking to.”
“I meant no disrespect, sir. I just meant…”