Page 11 of Claim Me (Dmitriyev Bratva #2)

She immediately stiffened, never allowing her eyes to leave Charlie. When I lowered the cup in front of her, she softened slightly.

The moment her long fingers wrapped around the cup, our hands made contact. She shuddered visibly, almost spilling the hot liquid while breaking the connection.

I remained in the shadows, studying the monitors.

After she took a sip, she lifted her head. “How did you know how I like my coffee?”

“I didn’t. Just took a chance.” The coffee wasn’t half bad. While I didn’t need the caffeine since I was wired for sound from the news, the slight burn in my throat kept me on edge. Scotch would be better, but that would need to wait.

She nodded as if she didn’t believe me. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I stood in the background with her, both listening to the monitors. With one hand in my pocket, I fingered Charlie’s wallet. It was possible he’d been left for dead. If so, that would buy some time. That wouldn’t last long. His death had been the intention.

“He hasn’t said anything. I don’t think he knows I’m here.”

“He does, Marissa. Just being with him gives him peace.”

“I hope so. I’m sorry I don’t know you.”

“It’s been a long time. I can’t say I know Charlie any longer.”

“He had few friends.”

“Something we have in common.”

The tension between us was necessary, although Marissa was shaking from anger and fear.

A shift in the reflection of the window next to the corridor allowed me to see the arrival of a man in a suit. I had a feeling he was the detective in charge of the case. “I’ll be right back.”

She didn’t say anything or acknowledge I had. I had to remind myself she was no longer looking in my direction.

Communicating with her could be difficult. I’d need to be able to grab her attention when there was any sign of danger. I headed outside the room, immediately tossing the cup before he approached.

“I was told someone visiting Mr. Valentine demanded to see the officer in charge. Was that you?”

I studied the aging officer of the law, immediately detecting he had no interest in working the case.

I’d been around law enforcement officers long enough to see through their shields when they were pretending to protect and serve the innocent.

This man was on the take and certainly not within our jurisdiction.

“What can you tell me about Mr. Valentine’s shooter?”

“And you are?” He seemed amused I’d dare ask. I also detected a slight look of surprise. What, that Charlie was still alive?

“A friend. And who are you?”

He eyed me suspiciously while quickly glancing into the hospital room. I noticed his eyes lingered on Marissa.

Too long in my world.

“Detective Torres.”

I nodded. “Go on, Detective. Who shot him?”

“Yet to be determined, but I’m working the case.”

“Mmm… I’m sure you are. What are the circumstances surrounding the attempted murder?”

His face was pinched, his frustration evident by the single hard tic in the corner of his mouth. “He was in his office.”

“At the resort?”

“Yes.” He eyed me warily.

“And let me guess. There were no witnesses.”

“No, there were not. I’m going to need to insist I get your name.” The detective lifted his eyebrow, the smirk on his face as if he’d caught me committing a heinous crime. Why not toss out a crumb and see where it led me?

I pulled out my wallet, grabbing a business card. My stare was hard and cold, unrelenting as my brother would say.

He continued eyeing me, perhaps a hint of venom soaking through while he grabbed the card.

His gaze fell quickly then a second time, now processing my name and who I was.

There were few people within active law enforcement or on this side of the Mississippi who didn’t know of the Dmitriyev name or our reputation.

Maybe we were mostly on the right side of the law, but we were still a powerful Russian family with all the weaponry and connections required. There were also stories from the past that lingered like the brutal and bloody ghost stories told around a campfire.

“Well, Mr. Dmitriyev, you’re far from home,” he said as he pocketed the card. How quickly would he make a few phone calls?

“Never too far when coming to the aid of a friend and his family. I assume you’ll work the case diligently until you find the person responsible.”

“As I would any other case.”

“Yes, given an innocent man was gunned down.”

He pinched his lower lip between his thumb and forefinger as he made clicking noises. “You do realize your… friend isn’t on the right side of the law. Don’t you?”

I cocked my head, keeping my expression devoid of any reaction.

Did he honestly believe goading me would work?

“What Mr. Valentine does for a living and how he does so changes nothing, Detective Torres. Now, if you don’t believe you’re capable of finding the person responsible for doing this, then I assure you that I am. ” I allowed that to sink in.

“Yes, well, I’ll keep that in mind. Is that Ms. Valentine?”

I shifted so I could look in through the pane of glass. “It is.”

“I’ll need to speak with her.” When he tried to walk past me toward the room’s door, I stepped directly in front of him.

“That’s not going to happen right now. She’s visiting her dying brother. Sadly, he isn’t expected to make it through the night. If you’ll give me your contact information, I’ll be happy to make arrangements to bring her by the precinct when she’s up for questioning.”

He was several inches shorter, which made him even more uncomfortable than before. As he took a step back, he shot her a second glance. “Very well, Mr. Dmitriyev. However, I will need to question her. Don’t force me to obtain a subpoena for a quick conversation.”

I allowed a smile to cross my face. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

With his head shaking, he pulled out a business card from his cheaply crafted suit jacket, holding it out between two fingers.

Nodding, I didn’t bother looking at it. He could have provided a punched Subway meal card for all I cared. Perhaps he didn’t realize there wasn’t a human being on this earth I couldn’t hunt down if I chose to do so.

Just as he turned away, I sensed he had another thought. Once again, he scratched his jaw while tipping his head. “I’m curious, Mr. Dmitriyev. What is your relationship to Ms. Valentine?”

My deep breath was exaggerated. “Let’s just say I’m willing to do anything in my power to protect her. Against everyone.”

“Ah. Good to know.”

Motherfucking rat.

I watched him head down the corridor, taking several deep breaths. Within fifteen minutes the Popov family would know I was in town.

Then things would get dicey.

Anger continued to furrow deep within. I stood at the window with my hands in my pockets watching time pass.

Ten minutes.

Thirty.

Charlie had yet to awaken and I was beginning to wonder if he would. After at least another ten minutes had passed, I finally heard footsteps.

Six of Dmitriyev’s finest soldiers strolled down the hallway toward me. They were highly trained killers, all of whom had proven their worthiness and loyalty over the years.

In other words, they would keep a thick layer of protection around me and around Marissa.

“Hey boss,” Ryker said as he approached, the other five directly behind him.

I nodded to the small waiting room. “Let’s talk over here.” As I lifted my head to check on Marissa, I noticed Charlie had awakened. I’ll be damned if he didn’t have enough energy to try to use sign language.

Goddamn it. What the hell was I going to do in trying to communicate with her? Maybe I’d need to learn sign language.

The soldiers trailed behind me as I headed to the small waiting room, all six crowding around.

“Charlie Valentine is an old friend from years ago. He was shot by what appears to be a Russian Bratva out of Seattle. Your job is to protect him and his sister, who remains in his hospital room. She’s determined to stay with him, but I need to handle some business. ”

“Is she in danger?” Simon asked.

I nodded. “Undoubtedly.”

“We’ll take care of her.”

After doling out a few additional details, I was about to tell her about the change in plans when I heard beeping sounds just before a blue light over Charlie’s door began to flash.

“Fuck!” I pushed the men aside as a team of doctors and nurses came running. I was blocked from the room, including being able to put my eyes on Marissa. What the fuck?

In the chaos, I realized they were preparing to perform CPR. The monitor had flatlined. I pushed my way through several people. Additional teams were rushing to yet another crisis. Another flashing light.

Another tragedy.

When I finally managed to push my way toward the window, I had scanned the room searching for her.

What the fuck? She wasn’t inside. How the hell had she managed to rush by me without me noticing? I swung my head toward the stairwell just in time to see the automatic door starting to close. Goddamn it.

Whatever Charlie had said to her before he’d died had sent a wave of terror through her.

There was no time to waste.

I took off running.