Page 86 of Breaking the Rules
“Agreed. Stepanov saw me as an asset that he might be able to trade for his and Petra’s safety, or I could be sent back to Target and work from the inside for Stepanov, but it was clear that Brad was done with me. So he kept me and Petra on lockdown and tried to come up with a different plan. I think he was hoping to make himself a target, staying away from Petra and doing all these public functions.”
Waverly drummed her fingers on the glossy surface of the table and Xavier could see her wheels turning.
“It was the studio, wasn’t it?” she asked. “Axion hired Target to make Stepanov sell and Brad sent those guys in to grab Petra.”
“That’s my thought, yes,” Dante agreed. “They showed up almost immediately after I called into Brad. That’s too much of a coincidence.”
“Did you happen to notice if one of them had a gold tooth?” Xavier asked.
Dante frowned. “I do believe there was one who had a very shiny maniacal grin. You know him?”
“Waverly and I had the pleasure of meeting them in an alley this week.”
“When Petra was at the club,” Dante said, understanding dawning.
“Stepanov has you on lockdown and he’s aware of the threat against his daughter. So why send her out clubbing?” Xavier asked.
“That was a desperate move on my part. Waverly had finally resurfaced, and I had no way to get in touch with her. I knew she had to be wondering where I was, but I couldn’t reach out in any of the usual ways for fear of Brad realizing I hadn’t been shot and dumped in the woods as I assume were his orders. I didn’t know if Waverly knew she could be a target, too. So I asked Petra to make an appearance without giving her the details on why. We’ve become… close, and she was happy to help.”
“You knew I’d track her down,” Waverly filled in.
“I know you,” Dante said, grinning at her. “You’re tenacious. You wouldn’t let that opportunity to grill Petra on what happened pass by.”
“Only we were interrupted,” Waverly sighed.
“Imagine my surprise when she returned home with a virgin trying to solicit prostitutes instead of you,” he quipped.
“And here we are.” Waverly interlaced her fingers and sat back in her chair to process.
“I’m still not buying that you had no way to send a text or an email or make a phone call,” Xavier said.
“I wasn’t kidding about being locked down. Petra is Stepanov’s diamond, his princess. He cut the phone and Internet to the house, confiscated her phone, and threatened us both with my death if we tried anything. We took him seriously. In fact, he’s still royally pissed at me for talking her into going to the club that night. Plus, I couldn’t be sure that Brad hadn’t tapped your phone or hacked your accounts. I imagine he’s got some high up friends who enjoy the benefits of his side work.”
“What makes you say that?” Micah asked.
“I’ve been suspicious for a while,” Dante said. The assignments started changing, and I started asking questions. He told me he was taking on some new assignments. I guess I asked too many questions because I think first priority in Tahoe was to get Petra, and the second priority was to eliminate me.”
“Brad doesn’t know where you are or if you’re alive,” Waverly frowned. “He wasn’t lying about that when I met with him. But if he has someone on the inside at Petra’s, how did he not know you were there?”
“No one but security and the chef have been allowed onsite since Tahoe. And a cleaning crew once a week, but I hide in the closet while they’re there. Security is tight, and they seem pretty loyal to Petra and Grigory. Maybe Anatoli will have an idea? I think he has a crush on you,” he winked at Waverly.
“We’ll be sure to ask him,” Xavier said dryly. “How much time do we have before everyone knows you and Petra are missing?”
“Anatoli texted the house and let them know he’d taken Petra shopping. But I imagine by this afternoon they’ll be putting things together. We should call Grigory before that happens. He’ll be more receptive to hearing you out if he doesn’t know you kidnapped his daughter from his house.”
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Grigory Stepanov was still not very receptive to their news. He steamed and turned a furious red on the video screen in the conference room.
It had been very wise to include Petra and Anatoli on the call, Waverly thought as she watched his daughter, clutching the tiny Pixie to her chest, try to calm her father.
“You were to stay in the house, Petra,” he said, his accent thickening as he desperately tried to control his temper.
Anatoli stepped in to defend the situation and soon an animated discussion was taking place in Russian. They were losing ground and Grigory was refusing to listen.
“Mr. Stepanov,” Waverly stepped in, addressing him in his native language. “This is not an ideal situation for any of us, but your daughter is safe. And that’s what matters right now. However, if Petra is out of the way, I fear you may be the next target. Which I think you have considered and have taken measures to encourage that.”
She glanced around the table. Xavier was grinning at her with pride. Micah’s jaw was on the table.
