“Yeah, well, that couldn’tbe prevented,” he finally responded.
Bill sighed deeply, openeda drawer and pulled out Ryan’s firearms, all three of them. Then hetossed the permit papers on the desk next to them. “I’ve never seenpermits like these, because they don’t exist, and you check out,witnesses and all. They think you’re a hero protecting that younggirl.”
“The permits arelegitimate.”
“I know they are. Even ifthey weren’t I’m sure you could have them signed by the Presidentof the United States within an hour or the suit, meaning your boss,will return and claim my wife was with you last night, and sheverifies it.”
“You’re learning.” Ryanreached for his guns and permits suppressing a smile.
“Did you get a look atthem?”
He shook his head andholstered his guns, including the one on his leg.
He tossed a thumb over hisshoulder where Ivan was pacing. “That guy you’re with has a rapsheet a mile long; drugs, assault, suspected murder, rape, andrunning prostitutes.”
“Never saw him before in mylife. He was with the woman that got shot. We don’t know them.”Ryan wasn’t giving any information out that could cause any furtherdelay in getting Katya home. Ivan was playing along and acted as ifhe didn’t know either of them. They had a quick discussion beforethe cops and ambulance showed up. Ivan told the authorities thatPorsha was his girlfriend to keep Peter out of thepaperwork.
He didn’t believe him butknew questioning him would get him nowhere. His eyes went to KatyaNickolov. “Does she have something to do with your brother’sdeath?”
“No, she’s innocent in allof this.” He may have said that a little too quickly. Williamdidn’t notice.
William smiled. “CouncilmanNickolov’s daughter? I’m not stupid Mr. Casey. Did you want to letme in on what this was about? I might be able to help.”
“I will if things gettough.”
“This isn’t tough?” A womanwas dead, and one of Miami’s posh shopping districts was shot upfor the first time ever. The boutique’s employees were sotraumatized that they didn’t see anything but Ryan saving KatyaNickolov’s life.
He pressed his mouth into asmile.
“Jesus, what the hell areyou?”
“I’m taking her home now.I’ll let you know if I need you. Thanks for the offer.” Ryan stoodup and walked over to Katya. Ivan was nowhere to be seennow.
“I killed her.” She staredup at him through watery, red-rimmed eyes.
“No. you didn’t.” he leaneddown and took her hand helping her to stand.
“I yelled at her and toldher to leave you alone. It was the last thing I said toher.”
“Quit blaming yourselfKatya. It could have been you lying there.”
That statement sent a washof terror through her.
Ryan put an arm around herand led her out of the station. Jose was waiting with the car. Heopened the door for the couple and the concern for Katya wasevident in his expression. Ivan was still nowhere in sight. Hedidn’t give a shit if the man walked off a cliff. He needed to getKatya home. Ivan had given his statement before Ryan did, andsurprisingly wasn’t carrying so they let him go as awitness.
Once inside the car, hepulled her next to him. She was beating herself up, but none of itwas her fault. It was his. He should have been more on guard.However, his job wasn’t to save Porsha, but Katya, and he did that.Porsha was actually closer, but he would have wasted time gettingto Katya. She may have said some harsh things, but that didn’tmatter to the dead. Now he knew these guys were serious at comingback to finish what they started.
Ivan met them at the doorwhen they arrived back at the estate. Apparently he’d made it homesomehow. “Boss wants to see you.”
“He can wait,” Ryan said ashe walked by him toward the stairs. He had Katya’s hand and wasgoing to make sure she was settled before he spoke toPeter.
“Is that what you want meto tell him?”
“Tell him whatever the fuckyou like.” He pulled Katya upstairs ignoring Ivan’s angry glare andher look of shock.
“I don’t think that waswise,” she said once they were out of hearing distance. She didn’tmiss Ivan’s deadly stare and she had an idea that having him as anenemy could make Ryan’s stay here risky.
“Ivan is no threat to meKatya.” He opened the door to his room and pulled her inside,locking it behind them.
Somehow she didn’t believethat. Ivan already had it out for him. He’d be glowering at herbodyguard for days now. She knew that Ivan blamed Ryan for hersudden dislike of him, but it wasn’t Ryan. It was when she foundout what he did for her father. She supposed he needed someone toblame, after all, Ryan’s arrival coincided with herdespite.
Ryan released her to leaveand she suddenly realized she’d be alone. She grabbed his arm.“Don’t leave,” she pleaded. She knew it sounded weak, but she hatedthis house, and after what had happened, didn’t want to be isolatedin this room by herself.
He stared down at her for amoment. Then he nodded and walked by her into the bathroom. He saton the edge of her tub and ran the water. She followed him andstood there with a questioning expression.
He was running his handthrough the water testing the temperature. “Have a bath Katya. Whenyou’re done, you’ll feel better and I’ll be back by the time you’redone. I’ll have someone stand outside the door.”
“Not Ivan.”
He checked the water againsuppressing a smile. “No, not Ivan.” Satisfied with thetemperature, he stood and cupped her shoulders. Then he tilted herchin up to make her look at him. “I’ll be a few minutes. Yourfather will want a thorough report. I’m only downstairs. You knowwhere to find me. Remember that when you feel anxious.”
She nodded trying to bebrave. “I understand.”
He left and she stood therefor a minute staring at the water. Then she shut
