I cringed. Apparently, he’d planned this well. This man was even more powerful than I thought if he could locate me, arrange this meeting, and sabotage Richard’s plans so quickly.
“I thought Nina hid you out of sight in an attempt to protect you,” Sergei said in a casual tone. “But she didn’t seem to care at all when I provided photographic evidence that I could get to you whenever I wanted.”
“The man in Seattle?” I asked in confusion.
He didn’t seem like a threat when he approached me for a selfie. I had no idea that intended to provide Sergei with threatening photos for my mother. He’d definitely wasted his time there, because I’m sure she’d be delighted if I suddenly disappeared.
What did Sergei want from me? Nina had already proven that I wasn’t a weak point for Sergei to manipulate. Was he approaching me because he couldn’t reach her?
“You want me to arrange a meeting for you with my mother?” I asked nervously. “In secret?”
Sergei watched me with a calculated look in his eyes. “I’m wondering if we need to. You are more than just a child now, yes? Perhaps you can be the one to help me acquire what it is I need.”
“I’m not sure,” I said nervously. “What are you looking for?”
This situation was getting stranger by the moment. What was Sergei’s relationship with my mother like? What could he possibly want from me? I had nothing of value, not even my life, apparently.
Sergei watched me closely. “Your grandmother had a map that was given to her by her husband. It was promised to me, but never delivered.”
I paled but tried to keep a poker face. “My grandfather died when I was a young child, but I don’t remember seeing a map.”
Sergei patted my knee. “But I’m certain you’ll be able to locate it for me? My sister never had an interest in such things, but Nina does.”
“I can ask her about it,” I offered.
Sergei thought for a moment and then shook his head. “No, I think you and I should keep this just between ourselves. Nina can’t be trusted any longer.”
“Um, I have no idea where Nina might keep something like that,” I said honestly.
“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to resort to this because you seem like a nice Russian girl who knows the value of family,” Sergei said with a sigh. “But now I feel obligated to mention that your former dance partner and his family live in my territory. You’re still fond of them, even though you live far from here, yes?”
“Yes,” I said cautiously. I knew precisely what this man was insinuating. “Obviously, I want to do this for my dvojurodnyj ded, but I’m just worried Nina might not have it”
Sergei patted my knee. “No need to worry, malen'kaya balerina, I’m sure you won’t fail me. And since we are bonding so nicely, why don’t you tell me where Svetlana’s possessions are stored? I’d like to make sure she didn’t have a copy.”
“A storage space,” I told him nervously. “After Babulya died, it was just too much. I wasn’t ready to go through her things so soon.”
“Of course,” Sergei murmured sympathetically. “Where can I find this place?”
“Uh,” I reached for my phone only to remember that Maverik had insisted that we leave them behind, not that it had done us any good. “I don’t have my phone on me,” I said weakly. “Can I text you?”
Sergei shook his head with a soft chuckle. “This generation – so reliant on your technology. I’ll have a friend contact you when you get back to Washington.”
I nodded, not relieved at all. I didn’t like the idea of any members of the Bratva having easy access to me.
“Why don’t you go back to your mother before she worries?” Sergei suggested as he stood.
I swallowed nervously and backed toward the door, but no one made a move for me. The goon that had kidnapped me opened the door with a bland smile and dead eyes, making it clear I was allowed to leave.
“Oh, malen'kaya balerina,” Sergei called softly to me. “I know you might be tempted to ask for help, but I’m afraid this task is for you alone. I’d hate for anything to happen to your new brothers.”
His voice may have been soft, but it was layered with steel. Sergei wouldn’t tolerate me running to Richard for help, and he’d go after Kingston and Maverik. I swallowed at the thought of their broken bodies lying on the floor. They could be annoying, but they weren’t all bad. Not bad enough to deserve being murdered.
I wanted to run out the door, but I kept my gait smooth and steady. I didn’t want these men to know just how terrified I was. I walked down the hall on trembling legs, the serious nature of my situation sinking in. Sergei wanted something from me, and he wasn’t the type of man to accept failure.
I stepped back into the lobby, and Maverik looked over at me in irritation. “There you are. The others are waiting for us.”
He waved me forward but narrowed his eyes when he got a good look at my face. “What happened?” he asked flatly.
“I got sick,” I lied.
Maverik didn’t take his eyes off me, and I fought the desire to squirm. Instead, I placed a hand on my stomach and tried to look as pathetic as possible. Those grey eyes looked deep into mine, and I sucked in a breath at the intensity. It felt like he could see right through my lies and into my soul.
Maybe he could,
