Ryan could hear Peteryelling before he even got near the room. He told one of the menmilling around outside Peter’s office to go stand outside Katya’sdoor until he returned, but not to go in. He leftquickly.
The other man opened thedoor as Peter was still yelling and waving his hands at Ivan. Ivanactually looked a little flushed.
The flat screen televisionwas on and the news was showing the boutique riddled with bullets.The media obviously didn’t know why or who was the target yet, andthe police weren’t talking. It was a relief for Ryan because hedidn’t need the added media attention while he was there, but itwas only a matter of time.
“Well, it’s about damntime!” Peter spun about waving an arm in his direction. “Are youtoo good to take orders?”
“I had to get her settled.My job is to protect her first and foremost. She’s inshock.”
“And who’s fucking fault isthat?” Peter accused.
“She’s alive.”
“Oh, yes and Porsha isdead.”
“Porsha wasn’t mycharge.”
“You arrogant prick!” Peteryelled spraying spittle and slamming his fist on hisdesk.
Ryan remained unaffected.Peter was in a rage because he was bested again. This man had nolove in his heart so he knew it wasn’t over concern for his deadgirlfriend. He didn’t even bother asking about Katya first. Thatwas the major indication. Ryan wouldn’t give a shit about anythingelse if it was his daughter.
Peter suddenly turned hisanger back to Ivan. “He’s right though. She was yours.”
Ivan bowed hishead.
Well, obviously he wasalready ripped to shreds over this. Ryan felt somesatisfaction.
Peter turned back to Ryan.“Best damn lay I had in a month. Christ, she’ll be hard toreplace.”
Soullessbastard, Ryan thought.
“How is she?” Peter finallyasked, referring to his daughter.
Apparently the rant wasover with and now he wants to know about Katya. “A little cut up andscared.”
He shook his head andturned away picking up an envelope off the desk. “I got anotherone. No body pieces this time, just a note.” He turned and gave itto Ryan.
Ryan pulled out the noteand read it.
Peter waited, but shiftedabout impatiently. “Well?”
When he was done, he lookedup at him. “It says that Porsha was a warning. Apparently she wasthe target after all.”
Ivan actually lookedrelieved. It alleviated his guilt a little, maybe this couldn’t beprevented.
“What? Why?”
“It doesn’t say.” It didn’tmake sense either. Why would they kill someone not related to thefamily? First the fingers that weren’t Anna’s, then this. Somethingisn’t adding up.
“You are sleeping withher.”
Both Ryan and Peter snappedtheir heads in Ivan’s direction.
“That’s ridiculous.” Ryanrefused to play into Ivan’s Jealousy.
“She’s taken with you. I’veseen the way she looks at you.”
“You and I are going tohave a serious disagreement,” Ryan said steadily. There was adefinite challenge in his grey eyes.
“Are you threatening me?You son of a—”
Peter surprised Ivan bylaughing, “You’re an idiot.”
Ivan lookedconfused.
“Your jealousy is showing.You’ve been drooling over her since she turned sixteen. I’m not afool Ivan, she will never accept you so I never worried, but itkeeps you loyal.”
Ivan actually flushedbright red and cleared his throat.
A sardonic smile pulled atRyan’s mouth.
“Get out, both of you.”Peter waved an arm again and walked over to a crystal decanter topour himself a drink.
“I’m not fooled by youCasey,” Ivan said before they parted ways outside Peter’soffice.
You could be fooled by asimple addition question, Ryan thoughtbemusedly.
Ryan went back up thestairs and relieved the man standing outside. He went in and sawthat Katya’s room was dark. She looked to be sleeping. The bathhelped after all. He went back to his room removed his guns,stripped off his shirt and pants, and pulled on a pair of lightcotton pajama bottoms.
Taking a seat in a chair hepulled out his phone and messaged his superior. He didn’t need himat the police station with the detective because he did nothingwrong, but he promised Ned he’d stay in contact.
He set his phone down on aside table and rubbed his forehead with his fingers. He could havelost her today, and he was still no closer to finding his brother’skiller. Georgy wouldn’t like this. She was an innocent, and sincewhen did he risk an innocent’s life?
“Ryan?”
He looked up and saw herstanding in the doorway. She was so splendidly beautiful that hephysically felt his willpower cracking from just her standingthere. “Go back to bed. You need rest.”
“So do you.”
He shook his head. “I’mfine on a few hours.”
She approached him. She waswearing a light purple satin nightgown that came to mid-thigh witha matching robe. One edge of the robe slipped off her shouldershowing a spaghetti strap and bare skin.
Apparently this was herfavorite night attire. He couldn’t blame her. The material wouldhave been light and cool on her skin.
She walked toward him withthe fluid grace of liquid sensuality. His eyes went down her bodyand back up to meet her eyes. Her hair was unbound and framed herlovely face halting just above her breasts. It did nothing for hisself-discipline. She was beautiful.
She knelt down beside thechair and took his hand. “You look troubled too. Is it because ofPorsha?”
“No.” He wouldn’t take theblame for that. It was going to happen whether he was there or not.He pulled his hand out of her grip. To his surprise she lookedamused not offended.
“Me?”
He never saidanything.
“You saved my lifethough.”
“In all honesty, theyweren’t after you Katya.”
She looked surprised. “Howdo you know that?”
“I just do.” Regardless, astray bullet could have still killed her if he didn’t get her tosafety.
She looked away for amoment in thought. “That doesn’t make sense. Why would someone wantto kill Porsha? She meant nothing to my father. She wasn’t wealthy,or someone important.” she bit her lip. “It’s because of myfather’s dirty business, isn’t it?”
“You’ll have to ask himthat.”
“I’m not asking that man adarn thing.” She stood up and stared down at him. “I hate him witheverything I have.”
“It does no good to harborhatred like that.” Look who was calling the kettle black. He was nodifferent. He studied her for a moment. She was very close totears. One horrible event after another just kept happening to
