Page 168 of Lethal Abduction

I know now that the ship belongs to a shadow company created by Zinaida and Juan Cardeñas, who has, apparently, been living on it for the past several years, ever since he faked his own death to avoid Yakov’s assassins.

My phone lights up, and I answer immediately.

“We’re in the air,” says Luke’s calm voice.

“Thank fuck for that.” I light a cigarette and draw on it deeply, then swallow the shot of vodka I didn’t dare drink until I got the news.

“It went well, Dimitry. All things considered.” Luke pauses. “Mak is with me. He told me what went down with Leon in there.”

“Ha.” I laugh without humor. “Would have been helpful if he’d mentioned earlier that he was working with Leon, not to fucking mention Zinaida Melikov.”

And that smooth fucker is lucky he isn’t here, or I’d put a fist through that smirk of his.

“He wants to talk to you.” Luke hands the phone over before I can tell him to stick it where the sun does not shine.

“Dimitry,” Mak says.

“Fuck off,” I snarl.

“Leon is an old friend.” For once, there’s no edge of amusement in Mak’s voice. “And he’s been waiting for revenge for a very long time. I’m sorry I went behind your back, but I won’t apologize for giving Leon the chance to get the answers he needed.”

“And Zinaida? Juan Cardeñas?” I clench my fist with frustration. “Mind telling me how all this fits together?”

“Shared interests,” he says simply. “Juan’s search for his friend’s daughter led him to Zinaida’s foundation. She’s been after the scam farms for years, has eyes and ears in nearly all of them, which is how she found out about the car bomb meant for Juan. She tipped him off, and they joined forces. They’ve been trying to find a way to bring Yakov down ever since.”

I kick the railing of the yacht hard enough to hurt my foot.

“Did you fucking know?” It’s been playing in the back of my mind throughout the long hours of radio comms and tension. “That Leon was my father? Did you know all this fucking time?”

There’s a long silence.

“I suspected,” says Mak finally. “Not before you visited Leon. But after he called and told me about your visit in London... yes, Dimitry. I suspected then. As did he.”

And the bastard never said a fucking word. Neither of you did.

“Is that why you sounded so fucking smug when I called you from Australia?” I kick the railing again, unsure how I feel about any of it.

“No, Dimitry, it isn’t.” Mak’s voice is quiet. “I was happy for you, because I’ve known for a long time that you deserve to build something for yourself. And so long as you were content being second to Roman Stevanovsky, that was never going to happen.”

I digest that for a minute. I rub a hand over my face, exhaustion and adrenaline chasing each other through my veins.

“Why are you involved in all of this, Mak?” It’s been bothering me ever since I realized he knew Leon. “What’s your skin in the game?”

“Ah.” His voice is light, once more the smooth, urbaneprick who’s both maddening and impossible not to like. “That, my friend, is a slowly unfolding story. Let’s just say for now that your friend Yakov isn’t the only ex-intelligence operative who has caused me... trouble over the years. And let’s also say that I find that particular brand of treason... objectionable.”

“Oh, you do, do you?” I shake my head, but I can’t help smiling. Mak is so full of secrets, I doubt even he can keep track of them.

“Luke would like another word,” he says politely. “I look forward to our next drink together, Dimitry.”

I snort. “You’ll be lucky if I don’t poison yours.”

“Something to look forward to.” I don’t miss the edge of amusement in his voice.

“Dimitry,” Luke says, once he has the phone again. “Paddy and I are heading back across the ditch. He’s got a friend who needs a hand in Ireland, and after this, I owe him. I might be out of touch for a bit. Just wanted to let you know.”

I shake my head wryly. “You’re a sucker for punishment, Luke, you know that? Are you sure you don’t want to come on board with us full-time? I know Roman would love to have you.”

“I told you once before.” I can tell he’s smiling. “I left the army a long time ago, and I’m not about to swear allegiance to another one. But I’m always a phone call away, brother.”

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