“You will be able to.” He sounded ridiculously confident about that as they reached one of the big glass doors.
A rush of Florida heat rolled over them as they stepped outside. She savored the warmth after being cooped up inside all morning in the air-conditioned space, and slid off her light cardigan sweater. “Why does that sound as if you know that for a fact?”
“I know the owner of this particular store. I made a call.”
“Viktor…” She trailed off when he looked down at her, pinning her with such a heated look she felt it all the way to her core. A Florida summer had nothing on him. “What?”
“I like it when you say my name.” The words were a sexy growl.
She felt her cheeks flush and couldn’t blame it on the weather. Viktor had gotten under her skin, and she had no idea if she was ready for a man like this because she was pretty sure he was way out of her league. Deep down she wondered if he was going to freak out when she told him about her lack of experience. Part of her didn’t want to tell him, but she was beginning to really trust Viktor—which scared her too.
*
“So, it’s good information right?” his contact asked.
He tried to keep his tone disinterested, but this was gold and the man had to know it. “Very good.” Last night he’d received pictures of the blonde woman and Viktor out at a restaurant and it had looked like a date. “How’d you get the pictures without him seeing you?”
There was a short pause, then, “Because I’m very good at being invisible.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes. It was easy to follow him. I placed a tracker on his SUV last night so I didn’t need him in my line of sight. I just followed the tracker.”
“Have you removed the tracker?” He didn’t want Viktor to know anyone was targeting him. Not yet. Not until it was too late for the fucker to do anything about it.
“Of course,” the man snapped. “Did you get what you needed from her purse?”
“Yes.” After he’d received the location of Viktor and the woman last night he’d sent a well-trained team of two to mug her.
He’d needed it to seem random but also have a team good enough to surprise Viktor. The circumstances had been perfect for the mugging. Viktor hadn’t had his driver and he’d been wrapped up in that whore. Unfortunately, now Viktor seemed to have someone watching the woman’s place. That seemed a bit paranoid but also confirmed what he’d needed to know—Viktor cared for the woman.
“I overheard Lucy talking to someone on the phone yesterday. I think it was about this Dominique Castle. Lucy was confirming with someone that she works for Red Stone Security,” he said.
A thread of alarm worked its way through his system. “Hmm, that could be a problem.”
“Why? It’s not like you’re going to hurt the woman, right?”
The owner of Red Stone Security and his sons weren’t the kind of people you messed with. Then again, neither was Viktor. He ignored the question. The woman might get hurt, she might not—but he was pretty certain she would die too. “Maybe it won’t be a problem. She is important to Ivanov though, that much I’m sure of. I know for a fact he had someone change her locks last night.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I had someone go to her condo complex last night. She’s a beautiful woman,” he said, looking at her picture again. “It’ll be a shame to waste all that beauty. Keep me updated with anything else. Your payment is on the way.” He hung up before the man could respond and traced a finger over Dominique Castle’s face.
What kind of woman got involved with a man like Ivanov, he wondered. She’d have to be a whore. No doubt about it. She’d get what she deserved too.
*
Viktor pulled out his phone as he left one of the hotels he and Abram had recently bought. This was one they wouldn’t keep, but would reorganize, get it running right again, then sell for a profit. His driver was waiting outside, the SUV idling as he approached. Viktor waved him off from getting out to open his door and slid into the back seat, calling Abram as Kir pulled away.
“Hey, I’m calling it a day.” Normally he’d work another two or three hours but he wanted to see Dominique and she was free tonight. It amazed him that someone like her wanted to go out on a date with him, but he was determined not to fuck things up. He might not know anything about relationships, but he would learn. For her.
“Me too. I’m going to check on Lucy. I’m worried about her.” There was an odd note in Abram’s voice.
“She’s sick. It happens. But…I think it’s a good idea.” Not that his brother was asking him. Because Abram wouldn’t ask for anyone’s opinion when it came to Lucy.
“Look, I want to hire a new assistant for me as soon as possible. We can start looking next week.”
“Any reason for the rush?” Viktor thought he knew, but didn’t want to assume.