Page 90 of Red Fury

“I suppose a guy like Kozlov probably doesn’t need to abduct a woman.” Webb chuckles, but his humor is quickly replaced by something that looks like concern. “Marsh, I need to tell you something about Roman Kozlov. Something important.”

My fake smile falters. “What about him?”

Webb moves to my window again, pulling the blinds aside to check the street once more. He looks twitchy as fuck, and I don’t like it.

“Kozlov isn’t just some wealthy businessman with government contracts,” he says quietly, not turning around. “The man is seriously dangerous. Connected to things that would make your hair curl. There’s talk of mob involvement. More than just talk. He’s not someone to be messed with, and he’s definitely not someone a nice girl like Claire should be getting involved with.”

“What kind of things? The mob? Are you sure?”

Webb finally turns to face me, his expression grave. “Yes, very sure. He’s involved in the kind of things I can’t discuss, even with you.”

“Then why the hell are we doing business with him in the first place?” I demand, my carefully constructed calm starting to crack. “If he’s that dangerous, shouldn’t we be staying as far away from him as possible?”

“When it comes to nuclear weapons, Kozlov is pretty much the only game in town,” Webb replies bluntly. “He has connections, resources… He… We need him. That’s the long and the short of it. But that doesn’t mean I’d want my daughter anywhere near him.”

This bastard is planning to help wipe out my entire species, and now he has Shadow.

“I’m hoping Claire knows what she’s getting herself into,” Webb continues. “Because if she doesn’t… Well, let’s just say that women – people in general – who get involved with Roman Kozlov have a tendency to disappear sometimes.”

“Disappear?” I repeat, my voice coming out in a deep rasp.

Webb nods grimly. “There have been rumors for years. Nothing that can be proven, of course. Kozlov is too smart and too well-connected for that. But the pattern is there if you know where to look.”

My dragon is desperate to break free and tear Kozlov apart. The thought of him touching Shadow, hurting her, makes me want to shift right here and now, despite the consequences.

“I’ll warn her about him,” I say, because it seems like the right thing. Webb doesn’t know my plans to kill the bastard.

“Yep, sounds good. Claire seems like a smart woman. I guess that at the end of the day, she needs to make her own decisions.”

“Yeah, you’re absolutely right,” I say, forcing myself to nod. “I’m just glad she wasn’t abducted by some serial killer.” I smile.

“Yep.” He laughs. “I suppose things could always be worse.” Webb moves toward the door, clearly ready to leave. “Though I have to admit, I’m a little surprised by her choice. She never seemed like the type to go for bad boys.”

“I guess you never really know someone,” I tell him. “Listen, Webb, I’m really sorry I dragged you into this. I was sure something had happened to her.”

Webb nods. “No worries. I was concerned, too. When you described that scene in the parking garage, it really did sound like foul play. Any reasonable person would have reacted the same way.”

“Thanks for understanding. And thanks for your help, even though it turned out to be nothing.”

“No problem.” Webb opens the door, then pauses. “Try to get some rest, Marsh. You look like shit.”

If only he knew.

“I will. Thanks again, Laurence.”

The moment the door closes behind him, I drop the friendly facade completely.

My phone is in my hands before the lock even clicks into place, and I compose another message to Shadow.

Are you hurt? Can you tell me anything about where you’re being held? I’m coming for you. Sit tight!

I hit send and wait, watching the screen.

Unread.

Still fucking unread.

I try calling her, but it just rings. She must have only had a few seconds to send me that message. It’s clear she can’t use her phone right now. Maybe something has happened to her.