Page 3 of Wicked Duty
Darren pulls the fat dossier off the coffee table between us and hands it to me. The thing weighs at least a pound. “Long story short, a lot of his highest profile clients and associates showed up for the opening and were killed in the crossfire, and the backlash has been more than Roguilin bargained for.”
“What’s this?” I open the flap to find a huge manuscript tucked inside.
“The charges Viktor’s been slapped with.”
I balk. “The Feds are involved?” No one in the room replies as I pull out the document. “Just how much chaos did you guys create?”
“This is why we need your help, Callum.” Maya’s clear, if anxious, voice drifts across space, time, and technology. “My sister, along with everyone else involved, was named in the court case against him, and…” The woman chokes up, and I cansee her eyes well with tears from twenty feet away. “I’m worried he’s going to send someone to hurt Lucy…orworse.”
If I possessed a functioning heart, I’m sure this would tug on its strings. But I don’t. Not anymore. Which allows me to consider this scenario logically rather than clouded by messy emotions.
I’ve underestimated the potential dangers of this assignment, which could easily cost me my damn life.
If INTERPOL can’t get a leash on Roguilin, what am I—one ex-special forces operative—supposed to do to keep him at bay?
If anyone else had asked, I’d scoff before telling them to take a hike. With Shane Gallagher’s direct involvement, that reaction could land me at the bottom of the Hudson River.
“You said lots of people were named in the court case.” I flip through the stack of pages in my hand. “What makes you think Roguilin will come after Lucy in particular? I mean, let’s face it, if he wanted, she’d be dead already.”
At that comment, Maya releases a small sob.
Veronika fixes me with a dirty glare. “She’s been named as a star witness. Roguilin’s worried she’ll be able to help the DA’s office build a strong case against him. This is all happening as we speak.”
Veronika sounds sensible. But I doubt she’s sharing everything.
On screen, fear pinches Maya’s features as she struggles to maintain her professionalism.
Darren rubs his neck. “Lucy’s having a tough time. Not surprising, after she?—”
“Darren!” Veronika issues a sharp rebuke.
Their stiff body language conveys that they really are hiding something.
I want to ask what, but I’m pretty sure I can guess.
They’re attempting to paint this Lucy person as an innocent victim who found herself tangled in Viktor Roguilin’s web of power, deception, and deadly control. But in reality, she’s probably just another impressionable, money-hungry, pretty face who went searching for attention and fame in all the wrong places.
After all, everyone in this room understands what type of man Roguilin is.
He’s infamous for multiple reasons—all of them terrible—and attracts the greedy and powerful like dogs attract fleas. In Lucy’s case, her desire to ingratiate herself with that sort of crowd came to bite her—and everyone else here—in the ass. I stand by my earlier assessment. If Roguilin wanted Lucy—dead or alive—this little meeting wouldn’t even be happening. She wouldn’t need protection. She’d need a heavily armed search party with an endless supply of means and know-how.
I study Maya’s distraught face. For all I know, she’s embarrassed to share that her sister cut her teeth at one of Viktor Roguilin’s brothels that masquerade as a strip club. In his world, “model” is usually a euphemism for “escort,” which is typically a euphemism for “prostitute.” Maybe Lucy worked her way into Roguilin’s inner harem. Women like that will do anything to get ahead.
Too many real victims exist for me to waste time conjuring up half-assed sympathy.
“So, can you share what this assignment specifically entails?” I push the conversation forward, reminding myself of the ungodly sum of money Darren offered if I accept the job.
Darren slides another file toward me. “We want you to guard Lucy. But she won’t make it easy for you.”
“Meaning what, exactly?”
“Ever since we got her back from those bastards,” Maya swallows hard, “I’ve accompanied Lucy just about everywhereto ensure her safety. But I have the chance to study abroad in Italy for a year. When I leave, Lucy’ll be all alone. And while I’m not comfortable with that, she refused to let me give up this opportunity. So, even though she hates the idea, we decided to compromise by hiring a bodyguard.”
Veronika purses her lips. “To put it lightly.”
I open the second file and freeze when I see a photo of a beautiful young woman with long chestnut hair, expressive dark eyes, and a warm, genuine, dimpled smile.
The photo kicks me in the gut because this is not the hardened face of the wannabe model I envisioned. I linger on the image of Lucy Marlow for a few more seconds before forcing myself to flip the page.
