Page 21 of Blood Mosaic

Oleg grunted as he glanced at Mika. His second-in-command was cold-blooded, and that’s why Oleg trusted him. Mika Arakis was loyal to Oleg, to the druzhina, and to his own interests. That was all, and that was everything Oleg needed from the vampire.

He looked back at the woman. “Miss Vorona might not be as clumsy as you think.”

“It would be better she trippedsomeof Zara’s traps,” Oksana said quietly. “We need to get your daughter out of Istanbul.”

“And if she doesn’t?” The corner of Oleg’s mouth ticked up. “Whatever will you two do if the woman manages to steal back my money without tipping Zara off?”

Oksana curled her lip. “That would be inconvenient.”

“It won’t matter,” Mika said. “I’ve already leaked her name to some of your brothers in Moscow.”

Oleg felt a twitch under his right eye. “Why?”

“Because your criminal relations gossip more than old soldiers.” Mika straightened. “I know Zara keeps in touch with the Albanians too. Word will get around, and we’ll be ready.”

Oleg didn’t know why there was a sour taste in the back of his throat. That was exactly what Mika was supposed to do.

“Don’t worry.” Mika smiled a little bit. “I have people watching her. Day and night. Zara and her minions won’t be able to get to her without us knowing.”

“I don’t want her hurt.” Oleg turned back to the window to see Tatyana signing the last paper.

She smiled a polite, professional smile at Maria. Miriam? Whatever the secretary’s name was. Then she glanced at the mirror again.

Her eyes narrowed, and Oleg had the oddest feeling that the woman could see right through the glass. He met her intense blue gaze and felt as if she were looking right through the wall.

Elene walked into the room, and Tatyana looked away.

Oleg turned the volume up on the speaker feed from the conference room.

“…get you situated in a proper office.”

“I don’t mind this room as long as it’s private.” Tatyana looked at the mirror. “I do need privacy.”

So she knew someone was there. Maybe not Oleg, but someone.

“Of course,” Elene said smoothly. “Which is why I’d prefer you to work in one of the offices that adjoins mine. This conference room can have people coming and going. You need someplace where you’ll have privacy and can leave your computer if you need to go out for a break.”

“My computer stays with me.” She touched the strap of the messenger bag. “I don’t leave it.”

“Ever?”

“Never.” She rested her hand on the worn leather. “I have backup equipment in other locations. Encrypted drives with people I trust, but my primary computer I keep myself.”

What a suspicious little thing she was. Oleg approved.

“She doesn’t trust any of us,” Mika said. “She might survive this after all.”

“Yes.” Oksana’s nose was nearly on the glass. “She seems smart for a human.”

Elene continued in the conference room. “That’s very security conscious.” She nodded. “I approve. Marta says you’ve completed all the paperwork we need.”

Marta. The secretary’s name was Marta.

He’d forget it by the next night. There were too many women with M-names in the office at the moment.

Elene continued. “I’m assuming you’ve checked that your back pay was transferred into your account. If it’s not, we can wait before we proceed. Sometimes bank transfers can take a few days.”

“The money is already there, but I think there was some mistake. The amount I received was far more than what I was owed.” Tatyana lifted her chin. “I was not asking for an advance.”

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