Dark Chase (The Gunrunner Series) Read online

SOPHIA

  Sophia wandered around the mansion. She’d spent the last few days there, and she’d grown bored. Dmitri had been in and out, keeping late hours, working hard with grim lines on his face.

  She expected it. He was a CEO of two large, legitimate corporations on top of his other activities. He was busy. He worked hard. She understood.

  He always softened for her. Always relaxed when he crawled into bed with her. Always lavished her body with attention.

  But after a few days, she was getting cabin fever. Giant, luxurious mansion cabin fever.

  She loved the country estate, enjoyed the luxury of it, but she missed the city. She missed the babushkas selling their wares on the street, the restaurants, and the bustle of the city around her. She missed Tatiana and her endless train of cigarettes.

  With that in mind, she called Tatiana, and they agreed to meet for drinks. She walked around the big house until she found Dmitri, tucked into the corner of the first floor in a makeshift office.

  He was working on his laptop and talking on his phone, his big shoulders hunched over the small computer. When he saw her, he flashed a faint smile and held up his finger.

  She walked into the office, plopping herself on one of the recliners. She listened to his Russian, talking about a shipment coming in from Hong Kong. Talking about cargo. Talking about all sorts of things she didn’t really understand.

  He finally disconnected the call. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes assessing her. She was wearing slim black jeans and a low cut black shirt. He crossed his arms behind his head and leaned back. The position put his broad shoulders and bulging biceps on display. “You are so beautiful, Sophia. At times I wish I could watch you as a stranger would.”

  “But you are not a stranger.” She walked towards him, settling onto his lap. “You are my lover.”

  She kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her, deepening their kiss. He pulled back, cupping her chin. “We are more than lovers, yes, Sophia?” His eyes scorched into hers.

  “Much more,” she whispered. She ran her fingers through his hair. “I’m yours.”

  He growled, a deep primal sound that made her warm inside.

  He patted her bottom. “I regret that I must say that—”

  “I need to leave. You need to work. I know. I wish you’d let me help.” She stood from his lap, leaving the warmth of his body. “I’m going to the city to see Tatiana. I wanted you to know.”

  “Thank you,” he said. “You will have guards, I hope you understand. It has been very quiet, but until I find out…”

  “Of course.” She smiled. “I understand. And thank you. I’d like to learn more about...um...self-defense. When you have time.”

  A smile broke out on his face, full on dimples and everything. “You would like me to teach you?”

  “Yes. I want to learn how to fight and be stealthy like you,” she said.

  He licked his lips. “This pleases me. I promise I will tutor you when things are less busy.”

  “I will hold you to it. I’m a very good student.” She batted her eyes at him, leaning forward to give him a peek at her cleavage.

  “Do not torture me, Sophia…” he growled. “Zeek? Dan?” he called out.

  Thundering footsteps pounded down the hallway. Two tall men came in. She’d seen them around the house but had not been introduced. Dmitri didn’t even look at them; his eyes were still on Sophia. “Take her to the city. Wherever she wants to go. Do not let her out of your sight.”

  “Yes, sir,” the shorter one said.

  Sophia agreed to meet them out front in five minutes. It was still early in the evening, so she changed into high-heels, added more makeup, curled her hair so it fell in waves around her shoulders, and put on a large statement necklace. She grabbed a red wool coat and scarf.

  She ran into Naomi in the hallway. She’d barely seen her over the past few days. “You are leaving?” Naomi said.

  “Um...yeah.” Sophia shifted her feet. “I’m meeting a friend in the city. Would you like to come?” she asked, only to be polite.

  Naomi’s eyes flicked away, staring at something over Sophia’s head. “No, thank you.”

  She turned on her heel and walked with purpose in the other direction.

  Weird woman.

  Sophia pulled on her coat as she stepped out the front door. The brief Russian summer was over, and the cold was setting in.

  The men were waiting in a long, town car parked in the front. She rolled her eyes. It was shiny and black and big and made her stand out in the sea of boxy, old cars that filled St. Petersburg.

  She fiddled with her purse, excited to see Tatiana, still processing the changes in her life. She was with him now. They were together. This was her life, criminals, attacks, car bombs, glamorous mansions, and all.

  They dropped her off in front of the trendy bar. It was cheery and expat friendly, decorated in light blue tones with large windows that let in plenty of light. It was filled with a mix of Russians, Americans, and Europeans. They served hundreds of varieties of vodka in all manner of drinks, specializing in martinis. One of the guards followed her out, but peeled off to the side when she walked in. She appreciated his unobtrusiveness.

  Tatiana was at the bar, smoking a cigarette, nursing a martini. Her platinum blond hair was piled high on top of her head in an uber-glamorous large bun. She was wearing a silver, clingy sweater and tight black jeans. Black booties and large silver earrings completed her look.

  She lit up with a huge smile when she saw Sophia. “Sophia!” she shouted. She stubbed out her cigarette and jumped from her seat, engulfing Sophia in a huge, tight hug. “I miss you!” She gave her a squeeze. “I was worried. Ivan told me there was trouble and I wouldn’t see you for a few days. He said you would be fine though, but I still worry.” She pulled back, meeting Sophia’s eyes. “You are okay, yes?”

  Sophia smiled, her heart softening at the warmth Tatiana was capable of displaying. “Yes, we are okay.”

  Sophia ordered her drink and then retreated to a corner table with Tatiana.

  Tatiana lit up a cigarette as soon as they sat down, carefully blowing the smoke away from Sophia. “You were attacked? Ivan told me such horrible things!”

  Sophia nodded. “Yes. They came to our hotel, but we got away.” She took a sip of her drink. “Dmitri was prepared, of course. We’re staying in a country estate for now until everything is all settled.”

  Tatiana’s eyes widened. “That is so crazy, Sophia. I’m glad you are okay.” She blew out a ring of smoke. “But your reunion with Dmitri…how has that been?”

  Sophia felt the heat rush to her face. She and Dmitri had still been busy reuniting in every way and in every position possible. Things were different now—there was an edge to it, a feeling of gravity every time they made love. They’d wholly committed themselves to each other and it showed in everything they did. “It’s been…amazing. He’s amazing.”

  She smiled. “So you are permanent? Even with all the danger?”

  Sophia nodded and then drained her drink. “Yes. I’ve made my choice. I choose him and everything that comes with him.”

  Tatiana laughed. “How glamorous it must be. The girlfriend of international gunrunner.” She placed her hand on her forehead in a mock swoon. “Very fascinating.”

  “Stop,” Sophia giggled. She put her empty glass down.

  Tatiana finished her drink and then they moved to a trendy new restaurant for dinner on Nvesky Prospekt, followed closely by her guards. They sat at a nearby table, far enough away they couldn’t hear what Sophia and Tatiana were discussing, but close enough they could see everything.

  The restaurant was dimly lit, with large booths, tuxedo clad waiters, and walls that were such a deep red, they were almost black.

  Sophia enjoyed her time with Tatiana who filled every moment with her funny comments and stories.

  After dinner, Sophia excused herself for the restroom, leaving Tatiana behind in a cloud of smoke. One of th
e guards nodded at her as she made her way towards the restroom, his subtle way of letting her know that he was watching her.

  She walked down the narrow hallway to the restroom, the walls marked with sconces that flickered with artificial candlelight.

  She loved that this restaurant was here. She loved all that St. Petersburg had to offer. She loved the almost European feel of the city. She hoped they would get to live here someday.

  She shivered that she thought in those terms now—her and Dmitri, a ‘we’. She smiled to herself as she went into one of the stalls. She was lost in her own happy place and thought nothing of it when she heard the door squeak as another patron came in.

  She glanced at the woman as she came out of the stall. Pretty, Asian with beautiful features, looking elegant in a simple black shift dress. Sophia busied herself with washing her hands.

  “You are Sophia,” the woman said, in perfect, clear English.

  Alarm bells sounded in her head. Oh, shit. The woman looked harmless enough, but looks could be deceiving. She was sure her bodyguard was standing nearby. He’d hear her shout if she needed him. He’d look for her if she took too long.

  Sophia whirled to face the woman. She curled her hands into fists, her eyes darting around for an escape and things that could be used as a weapon. In the small windowless bathroom, there wasn’t much. “What do you want?” she snapped.

  The woman smiled. “Relax. I am not here to hurt you.”

  “I’m not worried about that,” Sophia said. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Who are you?”

  She studied the woman. Her age was hard to place, but with the sophistication of her clothes, the soft lines around her eyes, and the style of her hair, Sophia had her pegged for late thirties, maybe early forties.

  The woman took a deep breath, pressing her hands together. “I am Kana. Dmitri’s wife,” she said.

  Sophia’s heart thumped triple time, so loud the pounding filled her ears. Jealously raised its ugly head, but she didn’t let it show on her face. Though it had been a long time ago, Dmitri had loved this woman. Had touched her. Had made love to her. Had married her. The thought of him being intimate with anyone else made her sick, even though it was against all logic. She found her voice. “You mean, his ex-wife? From twenty years ago?”

  Kana laughed, a short, small chortle. “I have heard you are very smart.” She looked Sophia over, head to toe. “And very pretty. I see that you are.”

  “What do you want?” Sophia said. Kana stood between her and the door. She wished one person would walk through. Any random fucking patron. The door would swing open, the bodyguard would see this woman, and get her the fuck out of here.

  “I wanted to see the woman who has captured Dmitri. He is not a man to be captured or tamed, yet you have done it.”

  “I don’t have time for this,” Sophia said. She tried to push past the woman.

  Kana grabbed her arm and dropped her playful exterior. “Please, wait. I need to speak with you. I have tried to get to Dmitri, but he will not return my calls. It is important.”

  Sophia jerked her hand away. “What do you want me from me, Kana?”

  Kana recoiled, putting her hands in the air. “I’m trying to save his life.”

  Sophia pushed her hair over her shoulder. Heart thumping. The woman was baiting her.

  Kana stepped away, sinking down into a small bench across the line of sinks. “I loved him once, too.” She bit her lip, staring down at her feet. “I thought he loved me, but he didn’t. He never really did.”

  Sophia wanted to run. She wanted to call for the bodyguards. She wanted to leave this place. But she didn’t. Her feet were glued to the floor, her eyes resting on the beautiful enigma of a woman in front of her. A ghost from Dmitri’s past she had no interest in revisiting.

  “Save his life?” Sophia prompted, accepting the bait.

  “Yes.” Kana straightened. “I am telling you this because I still care for him. I tried to tell my stupid half-brother but he won’t even give me an audience either.”

  Sophia glanced at the still-closed bathroom door. “Tell him what? What are you talking about?”

  “You have a traitor in your midst. One who is trying to take over Hitoshi’s enterprise. One who is planning to overthrow him. One who is planning to do the same to Dmitri. One who seeks to kill him.”

  Sophia’s heart lurched in her chest. Ice filled her veins. As dramatic and silly as this woman was, her instincts were that she was telling the truth. Years of interviewing thousands of people for jobs at Red Bluff had taught her something. She could read people. She could tell when they were being honest. And Kana was being honest.

  “Who?” Sophia hissed. She plopped on the bench beside Kana. “What are you talking about?”

  “Naomi,” Kana said. She grabbed Sophia’s hand. “She is deadly. She is seductive. She is highly intelligent. She is manipulative beyond all measure. She has paired with the S-Triangle and God knows who else. Do you know who they are?”

  Sophia nodded in horror. The S-Triangle was the Asian cartel that Dmitri was supposed to be protecting Naomi from.

  “Yes. She is planning to overtake her father’s regime.” She brought her hands to her face. “He is sick. Dying. And she is plotting all of this.” She thrust her hands back down. “She came here to kill Dmitri. She is using his brother. This is all a set up.”

  “What the—” Sophia shouted.

  Tatiana burst into the bathroom. “What the fuck is going on in here?”

  “Guards!” Sophia shouted. “I need the guards.”

  “What is it?” Tatiana rushed to Sophia’s side. “Who is this bitch?” She raked her eyes over Kana. “Do I need to kick her ass?”

  “No! Don’t touch her,” Sophia shouted. “There’s no time to explain.”

  Tatiana stared at her for a second longer and then ran out the door, hopefully to get the bodyguards.

  “Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Sophia shouted. “Why didn’t you tell one of the men that answered the phone? Or Gram? Or send a fucking letter?”

  “I didn’t know who to trust… I didn’t…” Kana stared at her hands.

  “Is this a game to you? To meet me? To taunt me?” Sophia raged at her. She wanted to hit her. To punch her. But she’d warned Sophia. Conflict tore her apart.

  She didn’t have time to worry about Kana right now, or why she did the things she did. All that mattered was him.

  She clawed through her purse, desperately searching for her phone. Dmitri was at the house. With Naomi. The killer. Fuck. She pulled it out with shaky fingers and punched in the numbers to his most recent burner phone.

  It rang and rang. No answer. No click. Nothing.

  No.

  Zeek and Dan rushed in. She ran to them. “Dmitri and Gram are in danger. Naomi’s behind it all. It’s Naomi.”

  They looked at each other in confusion then back at her. She pounded on Zeek’s chest. He grabbed her wrists, shocked out of whatever catatonic state he was in. “Did you fucking hear me? Naomi is going to kill Dmitri and Gram. Do you understand? Do something!”

  His eyes slid back to Kana, and then he pulled out his phone. “We’re leaving.” He pulled her roughly out of the restaurant, with his other hand dialing numbers on his phone. “I will deal with you later,” he barked at Kana.

  Tatiana followed them closely. “Where the fuck are you taking her?” Tatiana screamed, chasing them out of the restaurant.

  Several patrons stood, tossing each other confused looks as they ran through the restaurant.

  He said nothing, just pulled her into the shiny black car parked down the street. “Fuck!” he yelled. “Gram’s not answering. Neither is Dmitri.” He opened the passenger door for her and then slid into the driver’s seat. “Something is wrong.”

  “Oh, my God!” Sophia screamed. Tatiana beat the passenger window. Sophia rolled it down, tears falling down. “I have to get to Dmitri. He’s in trouble.”

  “Let me
come!” Tatiana pleaded. Her eyes flicked to the second bodyguard as he got in the car. “Please. You can’t do this alone.”

  “It’s not safe. I’ll call you!” She slammed her hand down on the dashboard. “Go!” she said to Zeek.

  “Damn it, Sophia!” Tatiana screamed as they drove away.

  Chapter 21

  Sophia pulled out her phone as they sped through the dark city, calling Dmitri again. It rang and rang. Tears filled her eyes and a coldness filled her chest. What if she’d gotten to him? He was strong. He was capable of protecting himself. She had to remember that.

  Dan was dialing his phone in the backseat, too. He slammed it down. “I can’t get anyone over there.”

  “Not anyone else. Not any of the men there?”

  He shook his head. “There were only two other men with them,” he said.

  “Fuck, fuck, fuck!” Sophia leaned against the glass watching the city fly by.

  “I’ll call for back up.” Dan barked commands into his cell phone as they sped through the city.

  Sophia’s stomach dipped and churned. She stared at her phone, willing for it to ring. Please, Dmitri. That cunning bitch. She’d known Sophia was leaving. She’d known she was taking men with her as guards. Oh, the fucking irony.

  Sophia didn’t need the guards. Dmitri did. Gram did.

  She’d masterfully portrayed a shell-shocked damsel in distress. They’d all bought it, damn it. She’d probably been collecting intel and passing it along. She’d been behind it all. That’s why the assassins knew when to attack them at the hotel.

  She called again, the phone ringing over and over. Still no answer.

  Desperation carved a hole in her stomach. She couldn’t think about anything but Dmitri. Please let him be okay.

  They approached the front of the dark estate with lights and engine off, coasting to a stop. It was now after midnight. The dark was oppressive. It was too still. Too quiet.

  She jumped out of the car and bolted towards the front doors. A faint whiz buzzed by her ear.

  “Get down!” Zeek shouted.

  She did, army crawling across the loose gravel. More rocks exploded around her. Someone was shooting at her.