Destiny Mine (Tormentor Mine #3)(46)

Novak’s pale eyes glint. “Good job. I knew I could count on you. Now take me to Nora and the child.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Payment first.”

That fifty million might not be necessary, strictly speaking, but it would definitely be nice to have.

Novak’s mouth thins, but he picks up his phone and calls his accountant. “Make the transfer,” he orders in Serbian, and I wait until he nods at me, then check the account on my phone.

“All good,” I tell him and glance over at Ilya, whose lack of expression still somehow manages to convey disapproval.

Novak must notice it too, because he smiles again. He likes the idea of us being on the outs; he thinks it makes us vulnerable, easier to control.

“Let’s go,” I tell him, pretending to be oblivious to all the undercurrents. “I’ll take you to Nora and the baby.”

Ilya and I head briskly toward the exit, and Novak hurries to catch up to us. His guards rush to form their usual protective circle, but the three of us step outside first.

It’s just for a couple of seconds, but that’s all the time I need.

Grabbing Novak by the arm, I yell, “Duck!” and dive behind a dumpster, shoving Ilya in front of me.

We hit the pavement hard, skidding on our stomachs as Esguerra’s men open fire, riddling the warehouse and all of Novak’s guards with hundreds of machine gun rounds.





38





Peter



The rest of the takedown is lightning fast. Within moments, we’re surrounded by three dozen of Esguerra’s men, and I tell stunned Ilya to drop his weapons as I do the same. Novak hit his head on the dumpster, and he looks dazed as I tug him to his feet while our captors cuff him and systematically pat him down.

While I’m handing Novak over to them, Ilya clambers to his feet beside me. His incredulous gaze swings from me to the men dragging Novak away and back to me. “Did you just—”

“Yes. I’ll explain everything in a moment. For now, call Yan and tell him we’re coming. Make sure he and Anton stand down—we don’t want anyone hurt.”

Ilya hesitates, clearly torn, then takes out his phone. I leave him to it and follow Novak to a black SUV.

The Serbian is coming out of his daze and starting to realize what happened. His gaze lights on me with dawning comprehension; then fury contorts his pale face. “You fucking—”

The guard closest to him smacks him in the mouth. “Shut it, pendejo,” he growls in Spanish-accented English.

I peer at his helmet-covered head. “Diego?”

The helmet bobs. “Hey, Peter. How are you doing?” As he speaks, he shoves the newly dazed Novak into the car and shuts the door.

“Just peachy,” I say dryly as Ilya approaches. “All in a good day’s work.”

My teammate does not look pleased—probably because we’re both still weaponless. “They’re waiting,” he says curtly. “And they’ll stand down.”

“Good.” I slap his shoulder. “Let’s go.”





Yan and Anton are at a construction site nearby, guarding the Nora substitute and her baby sister. Their weapons are at their sides as we approach with Esguerra’s guards, but their eyes are sharp and watchful.

“You have some explaining to do,” Anton tells me as the guards walk past us to get “Nora” and the baby. “A lot of explaining, really.”

“I know.” Ilya and I watch the guards usher the girl—who still looks petrified—toward another black SUV. “I’ll explain everything.”

“What’s there to explain?” Yan says, coming up to stand next to us. His green eyes gleam with a cool, mocking light. “That’s not the real Nora, is it?”

“No,” I say, meeting his gaze head on. “Esguerra would never put his wife or child in danger like that—not that they were really in danger, mind you.”

“Right.” Yan’s smile lacks the slightest hint of humor. “So was this the plan from the beginning? Get Novak on the hook, find out what his asset is, and then reel in Esguerra?”

I incline my head. “You got it.”

Anton’s black brows pull together. “I don’t understand. Why would you do that—and why not tell us?”

“Because he doesn’t trust us fully.” Yan’s voice is deceptively soft. “Isn’t that right, Peter? As to why—”

I cut him off with a sharp wave. “I trust the three of you with my life. But this was a very delicate operation, one that unfolded over many months. I needed to earn Novak’s trust, and for that, all of our reactions and interactions had to be as genuine as possible. He’s not stupid. If he sensed anything off—just the slightest hint that we’re playing him—all of this would’ve been for nothing.”

“It’s because of her, isn’t it?” Ilya speaks for the first time. I open my mouth, about to answer, when he says, “Never mind. Of course it is. What is it that you want from Esguerra? More money, so you could disappear with her for good?”

“No,” Yan tells his brother. “That’s not it.” He looks at me. “Is it, Peter?”

“No—though the extra money is a definite perk,” I say, looking from one to the other. “Your portion is getting deposited into your accounts as we speak.” I turn to Anton. “Yours too.”