Page 147 of Lethal Torture

Pricks.

Unfortunately, I realize, as I take in the barely suppressed grins and sideways glances in the room, my threats have betrayed rather more than I might have intended.

“Lowbridge and Stewart might be dangerous on paper,” I go on, attempting to ignore them all, “but in person, they’re both toothless. Bogdan Kozlov, however, is not. He is the unknown quantity tonight, and we need to be prepared for whatever he might bring to the party.”

“Bogdan Kozlov.” Zinaida frowns. “I haven’t had a chance to be fully briefed on his background.”

And whose fault is that, princess?I resist an extremely strong urge to grind my teeth in frustration. But since I can hardly chastise her in front of the entire room, I turn politely to Paddy, who is watching our exchange with amusement.

“Paddy,” I growl, “pull up the Kozlov file.”

Still grinning, he clicks the mouse, bringing up Kozlov’s details.

“From what we can discern,” I begin, “Kozlov was a small-time player in London back when Lowbridge got started. We think they were working together back then, although we have no actual proof. They definitely were by the time Lowbridge set up his first webcam business over in Romania. Kozlov ran the day-to-day there, while Lowbridge focused on building his security business on the profits. They’ve maintained the same kind of partnership ever since. When Lowbridge won the Port Authority contract several years ago, he set up Minos as a cover company for Kozlov and brought him back to England. Kozlov brings a steady supply of girls in from his networks overseas. Lowbridge has a private militia to keep the supply chain moving, and an extremely rich client list, all of whom will pay top dollar to fulfill their sick fantasies.”

“I don’t understand why I haven’t come across this piece of shit.” Zinaida frowns at the screen. “I know nearly all ofLondon’s criminal players. I’ve never even heard this guy’s name. Do you have a photograph?”

“Sure.” Paddy clicks again, and Kozlov’s heavy features fill the screen.

I zoom in until the man’s mean eyes seem to stare directly into the room. “I’d say he’s as dumb as he looks, but that would be a lie, unfortunately.” That gets a few muted chuckles. “Kozlov is as wily as a gutter rat and utterly without conscience. According to Eva,” I go on, my smile fading as I remember her face when she talked about Kozlov, “there’s no request too depraved for him to refuse. He’s sent countless girls—and boys—to torture and death without thought for anything but the money involved.”

“Are we expecting him to have backup?” Bryan eyes the face onscreen like he’s counting the hours until he can put a fist through it.

“Absolutely.” I nod. “I’ll go through that part with you boys in more detail when we get closer to tonight, but Kozlov definitely has trained muscle at his disposal, and a lot of it. We’ll need to be prepared.” I look around the room. “If that’s all the questions, we should probably get cracking. Paddy and I will keep you updated during the day.”

Everyone nods. It’s only when they begin to move that I realize Zinaida is frozen in place, her eyes still locked on the screen.

Her expression is as blank as I’ve ever seen it, but there’s a shadow behind the brilliant sapphire eyes that gives me a queer jolt deep inside.

I know that look.

It’s the same hunted, terrified look I’ve seen in the eyes of children trapped in war zones, those who long ago lost parents and siblings or any real form of security, reduced to desperately scrapping in the streets for a chance at survival.

It’s not an expression I’ve ever seen in Zinaida’s eyes. And the moment I recognize it, I know I can’t let anyone else here see it.

“Right.” I shift position slightly, effectively blocking Zin from the room. “Get to it, everyone. We’ll talk later.”

I remain in place as they all shuffle out, talking quietly among themselves. Only Paddy gives me a searching look, but seeing my face, he doesn’t push it.

I turn to Zinaida. She still hasn’t moved. Her hands are clenched into fists at her side, and she’s paled so much I wonder if she’s actually going to faint.

“Zin,” I say gently. I want to reach out and touch her, but instinct and experience warn me against it. “Want to tell me what’s going on?”

Her head turns mechanically toward me, like a marionette on a string, and although her eyes meet mine, there’s no trace of Zin herself in them. The shadow has spread since the others left the room, taking the brilliance from her eyes and leaving them as dead as the night sea.

“I need to see Eva.” Her voice rasps like old steel.

“Eva?” I keep my voice even with no small effort. “Why?”

“I need you to hold off on your plans for Kozlov.” She gives the directive flatly, leaving no room for argument. “I’ll explain after I’ve spoken to Eva.”

Unease turns inside me. “I’ll drive,” I say, reaching for my phone to have the limo pulled around.

“No.” Again, her tone brooks no opposition. “Charlie will take me. I’ll be back in time for my meeting with the home secretary. We can talk then.”

She walks stiffly from the room, leaving me no option but to watch her go and wonder what the fuck just happened.

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