Page 61 of The Pakhan

So I’d acted like someone I wasn’t with ease this go-around. However, the small talk with bottled blondes and fake redheads had gone on for far too long. I wasn’t into politics or small talk and speaking in my language of tech talk could possibly give my true identity away, which according to Vadim was a mortal sin.

What I hated more than anything was pretending around the man. He was definitely on the job, walking the room as if a predator searching for prey.

Meanwhile, I found myself shifting further and further toward one side of the massive room, wanting a little privacy if nothing more. I was also bored to tears, the party certainly not something I’d choose to attend. I searched for Vadim, noticing him in the distance. I wasn’t technically out of his sight. Just… In the shadows.

I pulled out my phone, the burner a carbon copy of the one I’d had before. I needed something to take up the time until we left. And my feet were killing me in the tall heels.

Maybe I shouldn’t have ignored that part of beauty school, which my mother had sent me to as a teenager. Had she really expected I’d suddenly turn into a lady? I laughed softly to myself and shifted my finger across the screen, determined to search the internet.

As I navigated to Instagram, I’d forgotten I hadn’t set everything up. And of course, I couldn’t remember my login information. Groaning wasn’t going to do me any good, but I did anyway. I studied Safari for a little while until the hair stood up on the back of my neck. When I looked up, immediately scanning what I could see of the room, I wondered if Vadim’s warning hadn’t simply spooked me.

I wasn’t certain but walked closer to the access door leading to the hallway and to a bathroom I doubted many guests knew about. I had the same bad feeling that Vadim did that whoever was behind the attacks had yet to show themselves.

Tomorrow I would be instructed to work with Vadim’s computer experts in searching the dark web, although my gut told me the footprint had already been erased. That was typical behavior if people knew what they were doing.

There was only one person who could possibly shed any additional light on the situation.

Joshua.

Would he give it to me or act as if it was proprietary?

There was only one way of finding out.

Making contact.

Programming in phone numbers was dangerous in the world of hacking. I’d been forced to remember his number instead. I glanced around once again, trying to determine if what I was doing was insane or good. He had no idea if I was dead or alive, but he would have certainly heard about some fallout.

Turning to face the corner of the room, I took a deep breath and dialed the number. The guy never answered, a signature trait. He liked to know who was calling first and determine if they were friend or foe.

When his voicemail with no message other than a mechanical ‘leave it at the beep’ came on, I glanced over my shoulder before whispering, “Josh, it’s Caroline. I’m alive but the fuckers discovered me. I’m safe and can’t tell you where I am but I need to know if you’ve discovered anything including confirming if the attack was done by the Italians. I just have a feeling and you know how I am. Anyway. Call me. If I don’t answer, that means I can’t.”

I ended the call, holding the phone to my head before slipping it back into my clutch.

It was time for another drink.

As soon as I turned, a guy approached that I didn’t know.

“Miss Caruthers?” he asked. “I was told I should meet you.”

I was the kind of girl who always paid attention to the aura of anyone I met and the gruff-looking guy with dark hair and eyes stuck me as being someone I didn’t want to know. At least he didn’t know my real name.

But he exuded the kind of evil that made me nervous.

“I’m sorry but I’m expecting a phone call at any time.” When I tried to walk away, he steered me toward the access door. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Oh, I won’t take much of your time. I just need to ask you a few questions about donations. You did mention them before. Right?”

What the hell?

“Oh, the governor?”

“Yes, ma’am. He wanted to give you a noteworthy charitable amount but as the governor’s business manager, I need to know a few details.”

At least the story was plausible and while I scanned the room, I was able to breathe a little easier. “Fine but I only have a couple minutes and my date will need me back.”

“Of course. Why don’t we talk in the hallway? It’s loud in here.”

I’ll be damned if the asshole didn’t grab my elbow, trying to force me out of the room. I jerked my arm away. “We can talk in here and I’ll be happy to provide whatever you need.”

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