Page 76 of Weeping Roses

“I heard she had one, but lost contact.”

“Lost meaning refused?” Artem adds, a cunning gleam in his eye.

“She was taken from Marsha when she was convicted of drugs and prostitution and placed in the care of her grandmother in Idaho.”

“I remember. Mikhail found out and used it to get Veronica’s name.”

Artem nods. “Things have moved on since then.”

“In what way?”

“Her grandmother died, and she moved to New York.”

I stare at him, noting the dark gleam in his eye and I say one word in response.

“Nikolai.”

He nods grimly.

“It may be a coincidence, but we mustn’t rule out he may be there for her.”

I stare at the image of the young woman thoughtfully. “Why would Nikolai go to New York to find Marsha’s daughter if she was cooperating with him?”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Artem taps on his keyboard and brings up an address in the city.

“She is currently living in this apartment block. She works as a receptionist in one of the hotels. Her life is pretty normal, and she spends her free time meeting friends or heading to the gym. She is an ordinary girl who is possibly in extreme danger right now.”

“Who needs our protection and—” I glance at my Rolex and say grimly, “There are five hours and counting to remove her from the situation.”

Artem turns back to his computer and secures the line and I reach for my phone.

“You’re good.” He says and I place the call.

He answers on the third ring.

“Valentin.”

My brother Arman is currently in New York on business and his men will be responsible for watching Nikolai.

“I may have the reason the visitor is heading your way.”

“I’m listening.”

As always, Arman’s voice holds no emotion, and he demands facts. Like the rest of us, he is a closed book and keeps his thoughts to himself, but is already ready to react if necessary.

“The woman’s name is Gabrielle Adams. She is Marsha Steele’s daughter.”

“I see.”

Arman knows only too well who Marsha is, and he says simply, “What’s the plan?”

“Get to her first. Remove her to a safe house and discover if she knows anything. When Nikolai can’t locate her, we will follow his next move, if she’s the reason he’s heading your way, of course.”

I laugh softly. “If not, we will know either way. Are your men in position?”

“Of course.” He sighs. “I’ll arrange her detention, but I am up against it with the markets.”

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