This guy was dangerous.
The man said nothing. He stepped aside so Ryker could get past and waved his arm to indicate for Ryker to carry on through. Ryker cautiously walked into the house, and continued down the hallway and into the marbled kitchen. He glanced behind him every couple of steps to see the man slowly following, his hard gaze fixed on Ryker, his hands hanging by his sides, at the ready. The man nodded, indicating for Ryker to keep going, and he continued through to the open back doors then stepped out into the garden.
Ryker spotted Eva immediately, sitting in a lounger next to the pool. She wore nothing but a skimpy bikini that left little to the imagination and a pair of tinted sunglasses that covered much of her face, and was holding an iced drink in one hand. She smiled when she saw Ryker and got to her feet.
‘Hello, James,’ she purred.
‘Eva,’ Ryker said, sounding as cool as he felt.
He had to admit, Eva looked stunning, with her toned body and sun-drenched skin. But Ryker was not about to be side-tracked by a beautiful woman, particularly one he mistrusted. He wasn’t sure Eva quite realised that yet. In the meantime, Ryker was happy to play along and let her think she had the power. It may yet work in his favour.
Ryker moved toward her. He looked behind and saw the man stood at the back door with his arms folded across his chest. He was staring at Ryker.
‘You’ve met Sergei.’ Eva looked over Ryker’s shoulder.
‘Yeah. You’re a bit old for a babysitter, aren’t you?’
Eva laughed. ‘I love the bravado. He may not look much, but he’s no pushover.’
‘Why’s he here? Daddy getting paranoid?’
‘Daddy’s always paranoid.’
‘About what?’
‘Why don’t you ask him?’
‘Because I want a truthful answer.’
‘You don’t like him, do you?’
‘Your dad?’
‘Yeah.’
‘I’m not sure it matters either way.’
‘To you, maybe not.’ Eva stooped her head down and lifted her glasses to reveal her eyes. ‘I’m up here, James.’
‘Why don’t you put on some clothes. Then we can talk.’
‘I’m sorry that me looking like this is such a distraction for you.’ Eva finished her drink, sucking at the straw until it slurped in the bottom of the glass. She fixed her sultry gaze squarely on Ryker. ‘You thirsty?’
‘What you drinking?’
‘Lemonade. But I’m feeling it’s about time for something stronger.’
Ryker looked at his watch. Nearly five p.m. ‘Why not.’
‘But not here,’ Eva said, moving back over to the lounger. She quickly dressed in a short denim skirt that showed off every inch of her toned legs and a strappy-top that did little to cover her ample cleavage.
‘Won’t your babysitter mind?’
‘I’m not a prisoner here.’
‘Of course you’re not,’ Ryker scoffed. Prison? He would certainly trade some of the cells he’d been holed up in for being cooped up in the Kozlov’s mansion.
‘But he is coming with us.’ Eva walked past Ryker and up to Sergei who didn’t move as Eva reached out and playfully squeezed his cheek, smirking as she did so.
Ryker smiled. Sergei simply stared through him.
‘Come on boys,’ Eva called. ‘Let’s get out of here.’
CHAPTER 28
Sergei the henchman drove. Eva and Ryker sat in the back of the luxury SUV, where everything was so shiny and clean it looked like it had never been used.
Every few minutes, Sergei would glare into the rear-view mirror, his suspicious eyes on Ryker.
‘Does he ever talk?’ Ryker asked Eva as he glared back at Sergei.
‘Of course he does.’
‘Does he speak English?’
‘Not a word.’
‘Really?’
‘Really.’ Eva leaned forward in her seat and tapped Sergei on the shoulder. ‘Hey, do you speak any English, you stupid ugly monkey?’ Sergei said nothing. No reaction on his face. ‘Would you like to see my knickers?’ Eva said. ‘White cotton. Like your little sister. Your favourite. Perhaps you’d like to take them off with your teeth.’
Not a twitch from Sergei.
‘Okay, I think you’ve proved your point,’ Ryker said. Either that or Sergei was one cool character. Actually no, Ryker was sure Sergei was a cool character regardless.
‘He’s quite playful really,’ Eva said. ‘If you get him in the right mood.’
‘I’m sure he is.’
‘I like you, James,’ she said, giving him a beaming smile.
‘Thanks.’
‘You’re not married.’
‘What makes you say that?’
‘No ring.’
‘Ah. No, I’m not married.’
‘But there is a special someone?’
‘Yes. There is,’ Ryker said, feeling slightly awkward.
‘She’s a lucky lady.’
‘You could say that.’
‘What’s her name?’
‘Where are we going?’ Ryker said, looking out of the window and seeing the familiar road that led up to Mijas village.
‘For a drink.’
‘Long way to come for a drink.’
‘I like it up here.’
‘Me too. Just didn’t think it would be your... style.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘It wasn’t an insult. Just this place, the village, doesn’t seem very trendy for–’
‘A rich man’s daughter? What, you thought I’d take you over to Puerto Banus so we could ogle at the billionaires’ yachts and sip cocktails while watching Ferraris and Lamborghinis crawl by.’
Ryker shrugged. Actually she was spot on with her deduction.
‘I’m not materialistic like that.’
‘No. You just sunbathe at your mansion all day and have your chauffeur drive you out for half an hour when you fancy a drink.’
Ryker smiled. He was playing with her, not trying to rile her. But he thought he saw a little hurt in her eyes.
‘It’s not all fun and games, you know, being brought up with all the money in the world.’
‘I’m sure it’s a real hardship.’
‘Don’t be such an arsehole,’ she said, more on edge. ‘I didn’t choose to be born into money. And it doesn’t define who I am.’
‘Okay, I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to upset you. I like it up here. The village is nice. Picturesque. It’s a good choice. I thought someone your age would go somewhere more hip.’
‘Oh, so now it’s my age that’s a problem? You think I’m a dumb kid who goes out binge drinking and eating kebabs at two a.m.?’
Ryker laughed. The twinkle in her eye told him Eva was playing him a little. ‘Sounds like a decent night out to me.’
‘Sorry to disappoint but I thought we’d go for something a bit more laid back.’
‘I can do laid back.’
Moments later, Sergei pulled the car over to the side of a narrow road that ran through the village.
‘We’re here,’ Eva said. ‘Let’s go.’
Ryker and Eva got out of the car. The stench of piss caught Ryker’s nose as a diminutive man led a drove of donkeys along the cobbled street. Eva saw Ryker’s face.
‘For the tourists,’ she said, shrugging. ‘A donkey ride through a traditional Andalusian white-washed village.’
‘Do you get a peg for your nose?’