NoWayOut (4 page)

Chapter Four

“I must say I’m a bit surprised to see you didn’t join me so
oner.” Alexi began as Ramj
settled into the wing-backed chair opposite him.

“Oh?” He watched with displeasure as the man p
icked up an oval shaped platter; he reached
in his shirt pocket for a small square shaped plastic bag packed with a white substance. Ramj recognized the drug immediately as his host dumped a generous amount on the platter before resealing the bag and dropping it in his pocket.

“When you sent Alicia back I was sure you weren’t in the mood for any distraction.”

“I managed to occupy my time nicely.”

“Really?”

Alexi’s attempt at sounding surprised was weak at best.

“Indeed.” He watched tightlipped as Alexi chopped and made three neat white lines with the aid of a letter opener that he licked clean with on drag of his tongue.

Ramj shook his head at the offered platter.

“Excuse me friend, I forgot
you don’t li
ke to mix business and pleasure,
”
Alexi apologized but
eyed the platter longingly before asking, “But y
ou won’t mind if I partake do
you?”

“Suit yourself.”

Alexi gave a broad smile before his head dipped. It took less than five seconds for
him
to snort the t
h
ree lines. When he finally sat back in his own chair he had the decency to look composed and ready to talk shop.

“Alicia did mention
one of my housekeeper
s was with you.” Alexi
probed
, not ready to drop the subject.

Ramj took a moment to answer.
“True.”

“I must say, I didn’t realize the woman was so eager to advance her position here. Normally, I wouldn’t offer one of my women without knowing she could sufficiently satisfy my associates. So I must apologize if anything was not to
your liking and assure you
I will personally see to her proper training. Perhaps on your next visit you’ll find her far more improved.”

Ramj was certain
neither Tul nor the other members of the Order would approve of him beating the junkie to a pulp. However, he did toy with the notion of laying him flat with one good blow.

“That won’t be necessary, she’ll be coming with me when I leave in the morning.”

“With you, but I-.”

Ramj’s look effectively silenced the other man. He really did despise the human whom he f
elt had no redeeming qualities
. He wondered what the man would do if he shifted into a wolf-grizzly hybrid or something equally frightening. He wouldn’t ch
ance it of course; after all i
t was how he’d gotten into the mess to begin with. The last thing he needed was another dead person to bring back to the King.

Ramj flexed his fingers before reaching for a pen and pad that lay on the table separating them. He wrote down a figure that could effectively solve the economic woes of several second and third world nations combined. In silence he pushed the paper across the short table. Despite Alexi’s best efforts pleasure showed on his face at reading the figure.

“It looks like you have yourself a deal.”

“Good. I’ll need wiring instructions to an off shore account. The payments will be made in quarters, the first of which will be deposited tonight. The second after a visual inspection. The third after my scientist have inspected the weapons and the final upon delivery.”

“Of course. Do you mind if I ask why exactly you want these weapons. Plan on
invading some developing nation?” Alexi
laughed.

“I’d be happy to tell you my plans if you tell me how you
were able to take possession of them
?”

“Hmm, it seems we both have our secrets.”

“Yes it does,” he agreed.

Ramj didn’t worry himself much, his operatives would take control of Alexi soon after this all went down. He was certain the man would be far more talkat
ive. The working theory was
a few warheads were transported to Afghanistan during the Russian occupation and abandoned for any opportunist ambitious enough to venture into the country in a Post 9/11 environment. His payment was to secure a nuclear warhead among other dangerous missiles that could mean literal decimation.

“But you will give me a heads up should something be heading my way?”

Not bloody likely, Ramj thought but instead said, “You’ll be the first to know.”

***

“What?” Tiffany asked groggily, not sure why the woman in her dream continued to bother her when she’d already willed her away several times.

“The boss is waiting for you in his parlor Tiffany.”

The boss?

Alexi!

She shot up in bed only to find herself staring into the anxious face of a fellow co-worker. The events of last night came back to her in a rush and Tiffany glanced briefly at the empty spot next to her.

“Mr. Habalov guest is waiting with him.” The woman supplied.

“Um, right,” she answered jerking the blanket up to shield her nude form. “I’ll be right down.”

“You should hurry Mr. Habalov seems a little irritated this morning.”

Great! Had Konstantin blown her cover? How could she be so stupid as to actually fall asleep when she’d planned to sneak away
under the cover of night
?

Tiffany waited until the other woman closed the door behind her retreating form before swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Her words replayed in her head as she donned her skimpy housekeeping uniform, minus the stockings and shoes. She brushed fingers through shoulder length hair, which did little to help it, before leaving the room and heading in the direction of the housekeeper’s quarters. There she’d hoped to find something less revealing to put on for her impromptu meeting.

“Where are you going?” The stern voice of Alexi’s head security halted her in her tracks.

“I have to see Alexi, but I thought I’d change first.”

“No time for that, he wants you now.”

She didn’t bother to argue, there was no point. He wouldn’t take no for an answer
anyway
. In bare feet she padded alongside the guard. The man knocked on
the closed double doors leading in
to Alexi’s private study.
It was the same
room she’d barely escaped from just yesterday evening. He urged her forward at the sound of Alexi’s answering call. Tiffany felt on edge as so
on as she entered the smoky interior
. The two men sat in leather winged back chairs quietly. Alexi puffed on a cigar while Konstantin’s eyes took in her appearance. A disapproving look settled over his face.

“You
wanted to see me, Sir,” she beg
an in a strong voice
while
trying not to translate Konstantin’s nonverbal communication.

“Yes. Have a seat.”

There were two other winged back chairs in the room, Tiffany opted on the one furthest from Konstantin.

“You know my friend Konstantin Malovich.”

Malovich? She held back her surprise. He’d said his name was Jestkov, not Malovich. As she repeated the name in her mind it struck an immediate cord. Her next breath caught in her throat and she had to remind herself to breath steadily. Konstantin Malovich was trouble with a capital T. Mr. Untouchable himself. Some said not only did he have ties to the Russian Mafia but ran so many facets of it he and his family could be its very nucleus. As well known, as his crimes were his diplomatic connections had many governments, including their own, turning a blind eye to his numerous illegal activities.

How could he
be the same man that showed her so much care the night before
?

“Mr. Malovich,” she nodded in his direction after clearing her throat, although she couldn’t bring herself to make eye contact.

“No need to be so formal Tiff.”

“Of course,” she nodded again but focused her attention on Alexi who seemed the lesser of two evils, at the moment.

“I’m sorry I over slept this morning Mr. Habalov.”

“Not a problem, it’s not why I’ve called you here.”

“No?”

“It’s seems as though you’ve made quite an impression on my friend.”

That got the butterflies going in the pit of her belly.

“So much so he’s asked me to
release you from my employ so that you may pursue other opportunities.”

“Other opportunities?” Tiffany questioned, she could feel Konstantin’s eyes on her.

“Yes Tiff, I’d like you to join me on a trip,” Konstantin spoke up for the first time since she’d entered the room.

“I don’t know about that,” she looked nervously at her hands then between the two men.

“If you’re concerned about your mother, don’t be. I’ll make sure all of her medical expenses are covered,” Konstantin added.

Their gazes locked
, his
comment reminding her
he knew the truth about her identity. Was he toying with her? If she didn’t agree would he unmask her right there? Had he already?

“Perhaps I should speak with Tiffany alone for a few moments,” Konstantin said at her continued silence.

“Of course,” Alexi agreed, standing to cross the room in quick strides before closing the door behind him.

“I’d like to thank you for your generous offer Mr. Malovich, but I don’t believe I know you well enough to take a trip with you.”

“I guess I should apologize for the confusion Tiff, but my offer isn’t a request.”

Her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach, and she could tell
from the look in his eyes
he was beyond serious.

“I’ve already decided to turn in my letter of resignation and be on my way. I’d rather put my experiences here behind me and move on with the rest of my life.”

“Good and I’ll help you do it. Why don’t you run along now and pack your things while I finish up my business with Alexi.”

He’d just dismissed her, as if she were no more than a bothersome child.

Tiffany stood on unsteady legs, her mind a jumble of thoughts. At the forefront of her mind were methods of escape.

“And Tiff,” Konstantin called once she reached the doors causing her pause, but she didn’t dare caution a look over her shoulder. “Don’t do anything foolish.”

***

Foolish, everything she’d done these last five months was foolish she worried as she zipped her suitcase. From the frying pan into the fire, that’s exactly how she felt. Compared to Konstantin, Alexi didn’t even register on the map. She hadn’t worried about her transition back to her normal life on
the east coast when she left Alexi’s
household, certain that once he was in the hands of the proper authorities Alexi would eventually fade into obscurity. She couldn’t say the same for Konstantin, not only did the man know her real identity his reach was far and wide enough to cause her serious concern.

The knock at the door made her jump, “Mr. Malovich is waiting for you.”

“I’ll be right there,” she called back. Giving the room a quick once over. She’d cha
nged into jeans, a form-fitting t
-shirt
,
and pulled her hair back into a neat ponytail.

“I’ll get those for you,” she didn’t recognize the man waiting outsi
de her door and surmised he must be one of Konstantin’s guys
. Another Russian, and although he wasn’t as big as Konstantin or Alexi there was a definite n
o nonsense attitude about him. T
he
gun holster she glimpsed
as he stepped aside to let her pass
only added
to her anxiety
. In the main foyer she saw both men waiting. Konstantin
was the first to spot her and like
before he gave her apparel a quick once over before turning his attention back to his host.

***

She felt like a head of s
tate in the luxury SUV
with its
reinforced bulletproof glass and diplomatic flag
s flowing in the breeze as it
sped down the highway.
That is to say if the diplomat was being whisked to a secure location for a quiet execution. Her stomach knotted with the mounting anxiety of her fate. Where were they taking her?
Minutes ticked by and still nothing from her back seat companion who seemed completely comfortable with the silence. She
stared out the window hoping for some opportunity to getaway. Where was the famous LA traffic which would slow the vehicle enough to allow her make a run for it? Was god in on this assassination attempt because he sure didn’t seem to be on her side at the moment? Maybe her time really was up. The thought wasn’t comforting.
A few stay over guests lingered in Alexi’s home which
explained why they didn’t bother
getting th
e deed done there. Fear crawled up her spine. There had to be a way out maybe if she knew how he planned to do it she could come up with some way to escape.