Deep Into The Night (Hartz Island Series) (18 page)

They stood outside a carved wooden door. More than anything, Cassie wanted to turn and look at Jack for reassurance. He gave her arm a gentle squeeze. Butkovsky keyed in several numbers on the keypad. The electronic door buzzed, and he held it open for them to enter.

Stunned, Cassie gasped quietly, and Jack sucked in his breath. A richly furnished foyer greeted them with various pieces of artwork displayed. What were the chances of someone who knew Sergei also collected the same artwork? This was not a coincidence. Cassie watched Jack but his eyes were now glued to what was happening beyond the glassed wall. She grabbed his hand firmly for him to join her in front of a very modern painting. She oohed appreciatively even though she thought it was butt ugly. There had to be more to this artwork than taking up space on a wall.

“So you recognize this artist?” Butkovsky asked.

Yep, she sure did, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. She made a few noises and acted perplexed.

With a sweep of his hand he proclaimed, “It’s a Sashay.” Then, he pointed to two others and a statue of some sort under a glassed box near the glass wall.

“Sashay. Of course. Darling you remember—” she turned to Jack—“this is the artist from the reception we attended in Morro Bay. Andrei, you must look at this statue.” Cassie guided him to the monstrosity and clapped her hands in glee. “I remember the gallery owner said she was the next Picasso. What do you think?” she asked Ivan.

For the next five minutes, Cassie listened intently to the Russian expounding the virtues of the artist in hopes of Jack getting his live camera feed fed on the statue and the room beyond. When he finished, she thanked him and made a point of looking at each piece he had on display. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Ivan join Jack at the window looking into the big room.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

"D
o you enjoy gambling?” Butkovsky asked Jack.

Jack smiled and nodded. “Yes. Twenty-one, and definitely a good game of poker.” He laughed. “One could say business is now a gamble.”

“Will you be coming to Seattle often?”

“Yes, I believe so.”

“Your wife is enchanting. Will she be coming with you?”

Jack made some noises and said, “Maybe occasionally.”

Ivan gave Jack a card. “When you come without your wife, I can make special arrangements for you.” Ivan nodded toward a scantily clad woman.

“I see.” Jack smiled and slipped the card inside his jacket.

Butkovsky gestured at the activity. “Would you enjoy gambling this evening?”

Jack waved Cassie over. “Darling, would you enjoy some casino tonight?”

She hesitated and locked eyes with him. “Would you?’

“Yes, for a bit. You like roulette.”

With a swipe of a card, they were through the door and into the beehive of gambling. Ivan escorted them to the bar for them to place a drink order. Jack ordered merlot for the both of them and watched the barman pour their glasses.

“I did not settle my tab in the club,” Jack reminded Ivan.

“I will have it transferred up here.” Ivan looked at his phone and excused himself.

Jack watched to see where he exited. With one hand on Cassie’s elbow and the other holding his wine, he escorted Cassie around the crowded room, which equaled the size of the nightclub. They stopped and viewed the various tables. No poker, which led him believe it was somewhere else. They stopped at a roulette table, where they watched. It allowed allowed Jack to see the back area. He noticed barmaids entering and exiting a room. Probably the poker room.

“Let me get you some chips.” He pulled out the chair for her. When he returned, she nodded to the table and widened her eyes. He realized Cassie didn’t know how to play roulette. Jack kissed and whispered, “Just put the chips down on any numbers. Red or black. Odd or even. You need to lose.”

While Cassie placed her chips, Jack watched the room at the back. On the opposite side was another door. Interesting. Cassie glimpsed up and smiled. He saw what she picked. Thirty-six, her age.

The dealer spun, and she won. Excited, she squealed softly. Jack continued to watch the room discreetly, keeping an eye on the door. Cassie lost a few times, but her winning pile grew.

He leaned down and said quietly, “Try to lose more.”

Cassie flashed her eyes at him. “Darling Andrei, I’m trying.”

“Try harder.” Jack turned away and pretended to cough, covering his mouth he said to Heather, “Tell her to put her chips on double-zero.”

Cassie did and gave him the “so there” look. The dealer spun, and Cassie won. Jack covered his mouth and swore.

“Heather, tell her to put it all on zero.”

The dealer had called out for last bet, but Cassie hadn’t moved her chips. He spun, and the little ball landed on double zero again. This was not the attention he wanted.

“One more time darling.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “One.”

“I think my husband is ready to leave and go back to our hotel.”

Taking all her chips, she placed them on the one and stood up next to Jack. Expecting her to lose, he put his arm around Cassie and stepped back. Jack couldn’t believe his eyes, she’d won again. Cassie was on a hot streak. The dealer handed Cassie her winnings, and she stared at the dish. Jack was certain she was clueless to how much she’d won. Her hot chair had already been grabbed by someone else in hopes of repeating her luck.

“What now?” she asked.

“Let’s get out of here.” Jack spotted the cashier’s window near the bar. “I think it would be better if you cashed in and not me. I’ll settle up our tab.”

Jack walked Cassie to the window and stepped over to the bar. He wasn’t surprised to find his tab was well over another hundred. He left a generous tip and turned to find Cassie now accompanied by Ivan Butkovsky, who in Jack’s mind stood too close to her. Warning signals had been going off all night, but this one was loud and clear. Butkovsky stroked her arm and in Jack’s world, that was a big no.

“Andrei, I was just telling your beautiful wife the night is young. Why not join me for a drink?”

“Thank you, but…ah…I think we both want to go back to our hotel. Yes?” Jack asked Cassie, who nodded. “Perhaps you can tell. We haven’t been married long.” He laughed and held out his hand for Cassie, who gripped it hard. “Thank you for the enjoyable night. I expect to be back in Seattle next month. May I call on you?”

“Certainly. I’d like to win back my money. A game of poker?”

“Poker would be nice.”

“Someone at the front will call you a cab.”

“Thank you.” Jack motioned to where he saw people entering and Butkovsky nodded. He and Cassie made their way across the room, once again, he placed his hand firmly on Cassie’s butt. When they were out of earshot he said, “I am ready for that cab, Heather.”

The foyer was just outside the doors, where a concierge stood at his desk. “A cab, Mr. Sokolov?”

“Yes. I’m turned around. We came through the nightclub.”

The man hit something and doors opened, leading them into the first entrance. Those doors had been well concealed. Jack turned, gave a quick wave, and said to Cassie, “Don’t stop now.” With his arm around her, he moved them quickly through the doors to street side just as a cab swung around the corner fast, stopping in front of them.

They hopped in, and the cabbie said, “Hey, boss.”

“Let’s get the hell out of here, Steve.”

And they did.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

B
efore they’d pulled around the block, Cassie had slumped against the seat and closed her eyes, but then she smiled. Jack immediately put in his ear piece and grinned. Heather and the guys were cheering her on, chanting her code name Chickadee.

“We’re done with the camera feeds and microphone.” He removed everything but her earpiece. When they finished, Cassie handed it to Jack.

Her body trembled, and a tear rolled down her cheek. He might be used to this sort of thing, but she wasn’t.

“Steve, blast the heat on please.” He touched her arm. “Hey.”

Cassie opened her eyes.

“You did terrific.” He brushed away the tear and kissed her gently. “You were the reason we got in.” He held her gaze until she nodded. “We’re almost done. Can you hang in there?”

“Oh, no.”

“What?”

“My new coat. I left my coat behind.”

“I’ll buy you a new one.”

“From Nordstrom?”

He burst out laughing. “Anywhere you want. Heather, keep the feed going. Who knows where Cassie’s coat is going to end up. Maybe you can pick up some tidbits of information.”

Jack directed Steve to pull into the parking garage by his Tahoe. He wanted to switch out the knives for his gun and retrieve his wallet. The cab pulled in front of the hotel, and they hopped out, heading into the lobby.

Jack reminded her they were still Mr. and Mrs. Sokolov. “I know I’m being paranoid, but bear with me.”

Cassie went in search of the ladies’ room while Jack checked in. Before exiting, she took her time and studied her image in the mirror. A warm glow flowed through her, knowing she’d done a terrific acting job, but it was something more. Jack hadn’t hid the hungry look in his eyes every time he looked at her. Was he looking at Cassie Ryan or Katerina Sokolov? At this point, she didn’t care which one and was willing to push to find out. Gone were the cameras and the microphones. It was just she and Jack. He could say anything he wanted, but his hand on her butt said it all.

Jack walked across the lobby towards her. He oozed a confident power and moved with an easy grace that never wavered in that nightclub. Without hesitating, he pulled her in close.

“I think we need to hang around here just a bit before we head home. I could use a drink. What about you?”

“Yes. I never did drink that last glass of wine.”

“That makes two of us.”

Even though it was late, the bar in the lobby still had a few customers. “How about the two seats at the end of the bar? It’s private, and we’ll have our backs to the wall.”

Jack pulled out the bar chair for her and slid into his. They both ordered scotch. She watched him watching her. An amused smile played across his face.

“You crack me up. Finnish and Russian?”

“Well, I stole that identity from someone I met in Hollywood.” She swiveled her seat around. He turned his chair toward her, which allowed her legs to slip between his. “Did we get the information you were looking for?”

He nodded. “And then some.”

“Were you frightened in there? Because I know I was.”

“Butkovsky made me nervous, but when he touched you.” His eyes squinted and his jaw tightened. “Then I got pissed. Real pissed.”

She searched his eyes, and what she saw made her heart skip. “Jack?”

Pulling her in toward him, his mouth found hers, and he kissed her long and deep. She braced her hands on his thighs and the longer he kissed, the more her hands explored, starting with his inner thigh and working up to his groin. His breathing grew ragged, and she could barely breathe.

Jack pulled away, and she collapsed against him, panting. His heart pounded against her cheek. Jack tipped her head back and studied her intently. If she’d been hot before, now she was on fire, looking deep into his eyes.

His voice broke with huskiness. “Is there any…any reason why we shouldn’t go use that hotel room?”

She parted her lips to answer but shook her head. Jack threw down two twenties on the counter and grabbed her hand. The way he was moving, Cassie half expected him to throw her over his shoulder and run up the stairs. As if Jack commanded the elevator, its doors opened just as they walked up. He hit the floor number and circled her into his arms. With his hand firmly on her butt, he grinned and raised his brows.

“I’ve been wondering something all night. Do you have any underwear on?”

She laughed and then pouted her Katerina pout. “My darling Andrei, that is for me to know and for you to find out.”

He gave her a cock-sure grin and muttered under his breath. When the doors opened for their floor, Jack held up his hand for her to wait while he stepped out. Clear, he motioned for her. Quietly but swiftly, he guided her down the hallway to their room. Cassie stayed just inside the door while he checked everything inside, including the bathroom.

A little unsure of whom to be, Cassie posed against the door. When Jack turned around, she held his gaze. With slow cat-like movements, she stopped just in front of him and lowered her thick black lashes, now teasing him with her eyes. He stood still, watching her every move. She reached behind and unzipped her dress. Lifting her hair, Cassie turned, wanting Jack to see. He sucked in his breath, and she stepped back up against his chest and bulging pants, moving her buttocks in a slow sway against him. His hands reached around and cupped her breasts, stroking her nipples. Groaning, he buried his head in her neck. Intense pleasure and heat soared through her as Jack’s hands began a lust arousing exploration of her body.

No longer in control, Cassie turned, seeking his mouth. All the restraint she’d shown all these years for the man she wanted to make love to, slipped away.

“Ah, Christ, Cassie. You drive me…”

He never finished his sentence; he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. All of her dreams of making love to Jack drove her passion. Unbridled sexual heat burned in their bodies. She could not get enough of him, nor he of her. They moved in perfect rhythm, with him deep inside of her until she reached her climax. Happy and content, filled with his juices, she lay in his arms. His breathing finally slowed. Cassie turned and smiled, kissing him like she’d done in all of her fantasies. When she was finished, he held her tight, and she was safe in his arms. She fell asleep listening to his heartbeat.

Jack jerked awake to the sound of his cellphone ringing. “Wyatt,” he answered.

“It’s Ethan. Sorry about this, but I’d thought you’d want to know. The nightclub people have Cassie’s coat and they’re headed to the Hilton now. Or at least that’s what they said.”

“Thanks, Ethan.” Jack jumped out of bed and threw the covers off Cassie. “Cass, we’ve got to get out of here now.”

He couldn’t take the time to guesstimate what or where these people were. It could be a totally innocent gesture of returning a coat, but at two-thirty in the morning, he didn’t think so. He helped her sit up, and while she got oriented, Jack pulled on his pants, slipped on his shirt and jacket, not bothering to button. He tucked his gun in on the side for easy reach.

“Put your dress on. No shoes.” Jack steadied her while she slipped on her dress. He tucked her purse in front and zipped her up, leaving her hands free.

“What’s going on?”

“Someone from the nightclub is headed over here. Do exactly what I tell you.”

She nodded.

“You carry our shoes. We’re taking the stairs down.”

Jack checked the hall before opening the door. He listened, and then motioned for Cassie to follow. Like always, he’d insisted on a room near a stairwell for an easier exit if need be. He felt certain anyone coming would be taking the elevator and not the stairs to the eighteenth floor. When they reached the stairwell, Jack repeated his procedures. He waved Cassie forward, catching the door and easing it shut. With Jack in the lead, they descended all the way into the parking garage. When they exited into the garage, Jack spotted a large vehicle parked up against the wall that they could use for coverage. Besides adjusting their clothing, they needed a breather.

The chill in the garage permeated the cement floor. Cassie slipped on Jack’s jacket and rolled up the sleeves. He pointed to her heels. “Can you run in those?”

The horrified look on her face answered his question.

“Put my socks on to protect your feet.” He helped her and then buttoned up his shirt and slipped on his loafers.

“We have three floors to go up to where the Tahoe is parked. If we hear a vehicle, we need to duck down.” Jack grabbed Cassie’s hand and off they went.

Twice they crouched down. Once for a delivery truck and the other for a black Mercedes with darkened windows. When they reached the Tahoe, Cassie climbed in the back and collapsed across the seat, staying down, out of sight. Jack pulled on one of his black stocking caps he kept in the side pocket and slipped on a pair of lightly shaded glasses for a quick disguise.

Finally, out of the garage and on 4th Avenue heading north, Jack said, “Traffic is light.”

Cassie started to giggle, and then laughed, but somewhere the angst of the night took over.

“Honey, are you laughing or crying back there?”

“Both.”

“Ah, shit.” Jack pulled over fast and hard. He turned around to see exactly what was going on. It had been a long night, and he didn’t want it to end with Cassie falling apart. “Crawl up front with me.” He reached over and turned on her heated seat and waited for her to buckle up. “If you keep crying, you’re going to ruin your make-up.”

She gave him a snide look, so he knew he was good to go.

When he pulled into his parking spot, shut off the engine, Cassie sighed. “I think I’m too tired to even walk.”

Normally, he refused to baby her, but she deserved some special treatment. “Okay, I’ll either give you a piggy-back ride in or carry you. You decide.”

Her lips parted into a sensual smile. “Carry me, my Russian stud-muffin.”

Jack came around to her side, and he scooped her up in his arms. She buried her face in his neck. By the time they’d reached his condo door, Jack thought she’d fallen asleep but she murmured, “Take me to the shower. Turn it on and I’ll do the rest.”

“Your wish is my command, Princess.”

It was after three in the morning, and Jack’s mind buzzed. He poured a scotch and gave into his impulse to call Ethan about the coat. From what Ethan could tell, it was hanging somewhere, and he thought that it might be at the Hilton. Jack told him to go to bed, it was late. He downed the last of his drink, and then headed back to the bedroom to see if Cassie had finished up. A hot shower did sound good. Curled up in bed, with her eyes closed, she didn’t stir. He pulled the covers up over her shoulders. A feeling he hadn’t felt for a long time swept through him.

Jack finished his shower and headed to bed. When he climbed in, Cassie rolled up next to him and sighed. He pulled her tight and held her. “Jack,” she murmured, “can we go home to the island? I just want…I just want to be safe. It’s not safe here.” Her voice faded away.

He kissed the top of her head. “You are safe. You’ll always be safe with me.” But was she? Something had her very worried. It was time to find out exactly what. “We’ll go tomorrow.”