Page 12 of Under Control

“That dark car chasing us from the rink was a goddamn ploy,” Delta said, flipping his cell phone rhythmically in his hand, “trying to turn up the tempo.”

Carrick sucked his teeth, seething in anger. “Fucking right. I think it’s damn clear that no one is after Danica—no one, except forhim.”

The worst part spiraled in Carrick’s mind, something he was unwilling to admit.

She’s scared of Petrov and I left her alone with him.

Guilt crashed over him and he knew that was the final straw. It was time to make a move. He pushed off the SUV, Delta instantly calling after him in the background.

“Don’t be a hero,” were the last words he heard from his old crewmate.

That wasn’t what Carrick was planning on doing, but he couldn’t help but reach around to the rear waistband of his pants and grab the cold steel of his pistol’s grip. Wrapping his hands around it, he concealed it underneath his thick, black sweater, watching the two bouncers as he approached. Like a jaguar stalking his prey, his senses heightened, and every move they made echoed through his mind. He could take them both in the fucking blink of an eye. That wasn’t what he was worried about.

One of the bouncers turned to him and held up his hand.

“Hey, watch it, buddy.”

“I’m not your fucking buddy,” Carrick growled, moving forward without a pause.

He found his way to their position and was ready to push past them to get to the girl. He wasn’t going to waste another second without answers.

But it didn’t come to that.

Kosta Petrov, an American-Russian businessman, pushed open the front door to Danica’s apartment and came walking out, clutching a cane to help him walk. Tall, round and snarling, he stopped when he saw Carrick steps away from him. Petrov’s gaze floated from man to man, and it was clear he knew what was happening—for the most part.

“What the hell are you doing?” he wheezed at Carrick, a lock of his gray hair falling out of place onto his forehead.

Carrick narrowed his eyes but played it cool. “We need to talk.”

Petrov grunted, smoothing his hair back, then continued moving forward down the sidewalk, nodding to the bouncers to bring around the car. That left Carrick alone with him. It was a good thing Carrick was taller—by a few inches at least. And for maybe the first time in the businessman’s life, Petrov was looking up at someone.

Carrick held back, though—trained to be slick and smooth. He knew how to make things happen, how to talk to people. And chest-pointing or dick-measuring wasn’t going to help.

“Your payment.” Petrov nodded at the car that was pulling up. “In cash.”

“I said check or wire transfer,” Carrick replied, emotionless, matching the confidence and intensity of the drilling mogul. “We do things by the book.”

“Is my money not good enough for you?” Petrov demanded, his dark eyes framed by gray eyebrows, which were narrowing as he challenged Carrick.

“I don’t take cash,” Carrick insisted, fully understanding what Petrov was after.

Petrov made no noise or any movement.

“You did a good job,” Petrov finally spoke, cutting the silence. “And your observations?”

“She’s being watched. You got that for sure,” Carrick lied, choosing his words carefully. “I don’t know by who, but I know they aren’t amateurs. Do you have any enemies?”

Petrov shot a yellowing smile, like he knew something Carrick didn’t and was pleased about it. It was poisonous, and Carrick knew what a slippery snake looked like. He was clearly not willing to provide any information.

“And who’s going to keep her safe now?” Carrick followed up, probing.

“Youwill protect Dansa.” The Russian accent came through harder when the businessman spoke his daughter’s name.

There it was. Petrov wanted him to become the girl’s bodyguard—or prison guard. Carrick’s stare never left the man’s face, confirming to Carrick that there were layers and layers of secrets to the story. There was something going on—something serious.

“Protect her?” Carrick demanded.

“I need someone to make sure she stays safe,” Petrov smirked and took out a check, signing it. “Write your price on here and cash it tomorrow.”

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