Page 20 of Claim Me

“Yeah, I am. Charlie wants me to protect her at all costs.”

“Fabulous. I thought I’d woven a complicated relationship.”

Scoffing, I watched as she lowered her head into her hand, her back rising and falling as she sobbed. The urge to protect her was even stronger than before. “Trust me. She’s not going to want any protection. She’s still in shock and Charlie is hanging on, but I need to get her the hell out of here. There’s something else. It appears she has a hearing impediment.”

“Wait,” he started. “The musician?”

“Yes. I don’t know a thing about her including her backstory, but I need to find out.”

“Her disability could be used against her. Did he tell you Popov was responsible?”

The thought of some Russian prick attempting to hurt her made my blood boil more than before. “He did, along with leaving meclues as to the reason. However, they’re located in his safe in his house. My main concern is protecting Marissa.”

“Be careful with Popov. From what I remember, he has no respect for other syndicates.”

“Do me a favor and find out what you can about the Popov Bratva and check your sources regarding the Valentine Corporation and the Marengo Resort and Casino. I need to know how far into bed Charlie or his father had gotten with Popov.”

While on the plane, I’d researched the resort. While not nearly as large as those we’d built in Vegas, from the pictures, the resort itself was stunning. Built in the fifties and meant as a getaway for the rich and famous from LA, the entire facility had recently gone under extensive renovation.

At what cost?

Millions. If I had to guess, I’d say money Charlie’s father had needed to borrow. With what collateral? Ice chilled my blood into something else entirely. The need for brutal, vicious, and swift retaliation.

“I’ll see what I can find. Give me a call when you can. Just don’t start a war. It’s not our playing field.”

She appeared exhausted, her body still shaking. “Yeah, I know. Pakhan.” As soon as I was finished with the conversation, I noticed a small waiting area with eyesight of Charlie’s room. Maybe we both needed a cup of coffee.

Without knowing anything about her, I selected a medium roast, following my gut that she took cream. French vanilla. What the hell. After pouring a strong cup of black for myself, I headed tothe room, only briefly hesitating outside the door before walking in.

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.”