Page 37 of Dark Embers

“One I helped install myself. It's a motion activated one—not some cheap shit either. It only goes off when someone’s either in her place, trying to get in, or if Sabrina triggered it herself either panicked or in danger. Combine that with her silence? I don’t like it.”

“I’m the last person she wants to come to her rescue,” I warn him.

“Look, I don’t give a shit what she wants right now and I don’t really like the idea of having to turn to you either.” By the sound of him I know he’s telling the truth. “But, there are two not-so-nice Russians in town, looking for something they think Tara has,” Sam says. “Tara lived with Sabrina. You get where this is going?”

“Too clearly.” I’m already pushing my chair back.

“I’ll make this clear for you—I don’t trust you,” Sam continues. “But I know you’re dangerous enough to make a difference if something’s wrong and you speak Russian. I need eyes and firepower on the ground now there in Vegas as I’m stuck out of state right now..”

I’m even more suddenly alert now. “What Russians?”

“Twins,” Sam answers. “At the moment I’m still trying to figure out who they are. Up until forty minutes ago I thought they were still in New York until a contact of mine verified they boarded a plane to Vegas this morning. Are you getting the big picture now?”

My blood runs cold. “You don’t have to say more. I’m already out the door and collecting my men.”

“I take that as yes, you’re going to help me,”

“Like I said, I’m already out the door.”

“Keep me updated, Mirochin. This is my number,” Sam demands. “I don’t believe I’m going to ask this but I need you to keep her safe until I’m back. I don’t care if you have to fucking bind and gag her, get her and her daughter somewhere safe. Those Russians don’t fuck around—they’ve already put one of my best men in a coma.”

“Who?” I ask heading out the study door.

“Clyde Smythe, I believe you know him,” Sam’s words send shock through me. Of course I know Clyde, he saved my life in Russia two years ago. He was Syd’s partner when she still worked for Nikolas Vasilikis. Then something else dawns on me as I wait for the goddamn elevator. “Was Clyde hiding Tara?”

“I can’t say,” Sam says. “Call me when you have news of Sabrina and she and Elena are safe. And Mirochin, don’t make me regret calling you,” he warns before hanging up.

“Where the fuck is Syd?” I mutter, checking the time and hit the button as if that’s going to hurry the machine up. As I wait for it I feel the ice in my chest crack, replaced by something burning. A fury I haven’t felt since—

The doors to the elevator slide open.

“Where the hell are you going?” Syd’s voice rings out as I nearly collide with her stepping in as she steps out with a takeout bag in one hand and her phone in the other.

“We’re going to the car,” I bark, already moving past her. “Are Ivan and Lev downstairs?”

“Yes.” She blinks, stepping back into the elevator. “What's happened?”

“It’s Sabrina,” I grind out as I message Ivan for him and Lev to meet us in the basement. “The man I thought was her sugar daddy called me to go find her. Apparently some silent alarm has been tripped at her apartment and she’s not answering her phone.” I finish telling her the story by the time the elevator finally hits the basement.

Her eyes sharpen. “Who is this sugar daddy?”

“Sam Winters.”

Her eyes boggle. “You thought Sam was Sabrina’s sugar daddy.” She snorts. “Jesus, I hope you didn’t say that to him.”

I don’t answer. “You know him?” Of course she does—she worked for Nikolas for years.

We don’t waste another second as we climb in the SUV and Ivan takes off.

And for the first time in hours, my heart isn’t drowning in guilt—It’s thundering with purpose and I might just get to kill someone which would also make me feel a whole lot better right now.

CHAPTER 16

Sabrina

I should have taken the damn phone with me.

But Elena was fussy because she’s teething and I’d been so distracted trying to calm her down that I left my purse in the closet. Which is where my phone still is. Probably vibrating uselessly, I'm sure. Sam told me the panic room he installed was soundproof, that nothing gets in or out. But I still feel every crash, every thud, through the floor. Including the one I just heard slam right into the false wall. My heart seizes.

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