High Stakes Read online

  She was frowning. “You’re…different. Why?”

  “I’m not different. How would you know? Different from what? You don’t know anything about me.”

  “That’s true. We don’t know anything about each other.”

  But he did know her. He felt as if he could read her better than he did Mallory. Every word, every defensive posture, the stubbornness, the independence, the wariness, that passionate protectiveness for her mother because she was the only one on earth who gave a damn for her. And he could trace it all back to those blasted files.

  She tilted her head, studying him. “I think you were trying to be kind to me. You were going to give me the piano, but I couldn’t be sure why, and I said things that made you angry. I didn’t mean to do it. I just had to make certain that you knew I didn’t expect it. No one has to give me anything. I’ll get it for myself.”

  “I’ll be sure that I remember that.” He thought for a minute before he added, “But from now on, it might be wise if you remember that I’m being paid for everything I do for you. No favors. So just ask. If you want or need anything, you come to me and tell me.”

  “But wouldn’t that be a favor from Kaskov?”

  He wasn’t getting through to her, he thought in exasperation. “That shouldn’t count. I’m willing to bet that Kaskov needs to chalk up quite a few favors on the good side to balance against his murky past.”

  “I see.” She nodded solemnly. “Then you think I should write a thank-you card to Kaskov for my piano?”

  “Not until I manage to—” He stopped. “You’re joking. You set me up.” He added softly, “Where did that come from?”

  She smiled faintly. “You were treating me as if I were a half-wit child. How could I resist?”

  “Evidently you couldn’t. I didn’t expect a sense of humor.”

  “But even when you were trying to be kind, you were still trying to control who I am and how I should behave.” She was gazing thoughtfully at him. “Maybe I shouldn’t blame you. Mallory didn’t try to control me, but he said something about Kaskov not letting either of you go into this blind. Which probably meant that Kaskov knew all about the Trials and told you about them.” She added wearily, “I didn’t think that he did, but I shouldn’t be surprised. Even though he didn’t visit my father’s or Volkov’s compounds very often, I could tell they were intimidated by him. Maybe they even let him into the gambling.” Her smile was suddenly reckless. “And perhaps the reason you showed up in that forest was that he had some twisted idea how he could cheat both of them and win the bet. You did kill Razov.”

  “Yes, I did. But he wouldn’t have done that,” Tanner said firmly. “Kaskov’s not one of my favorite people, but I’d bet that wasn’t why he hired me to get you out of Russia.”

  “You’d bet?” she repeated bitterly. “But that’s always what it’s about, isn’t it? With my father, with Volkov, with all those gorillas who’d lay their bets on whether or not I’d fail. I did fail sometimes, you know.”

  “I know you did,” he said quietly. “But I would have liked to have been there to see those failures.”

  She frowned. “What?”

  “Because I believe that there would have been more to learn from them than from anyone else’s successes.”

  She blinked. “I wasn’t expecting you to know that,” she said slowly. “When I first started with the Trials, most of the time I had to teach myself how to do them. It was so hard. They deliberately chose things I knew nothing about. But then I realized that it was like playing a new piece on the piano. I had to just keep on and learn from every mistake until I had it perfect.” She moistened her lips. “How did you know?”

  “I could see the progression as you moved from Trial to Trial, and what you brought to them from what you’d learned in the past. I have a talent for that kind of thing.”

  She frowned. “I don’t know if I like that.”

  He smiled wryly. “Practically no one in my circle does. But I promise I won’t use it against you.” He added deliberately, “And you can bet on it.”

  “No bets for me,” she said curtly. “Not ever.”

  “Your choice. Perfectly understandable. But there are bets, and then there are bets. It’s all how you play the game.”

  “I don’t play it at all.”

  “Pity. You might be very good at it.” He smiled. “But we’ll discuss that some other time. Right now, I want to convince you that no matter what Kaskov might have in mind as a long-range goal, he would never have involved me if it had anything to do with your archnemesis, Volkov. Kaskov researched me very thoroughly, and he’d know that I wouldn’t go along with it. He wouldn’t waste his time.”

  She frowned doubtfully. “Maybe.” She bit her lower lip. “But Volkov might know about Gregor and Razov by now. And the first thing he’ll do is to check whether Maria is still at home. He’d know I wouldn’t do anything without her. When he finds out she’s not there, he’ll start hunting. I have to get to her before he does.”

  “A few hours…”

  “If you’re telling the truth. If she’s really going to meet us in Stockholm. Perhaps you’re just telling me that to keep me from causing you trouble.”

  “A few hours,” he repeated. “They don’t know yet. I have someone watching and reporting from the forest. I’ll let you know when I hear that they do know.” He bent down and took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and looked into her eyes. “I promise. It would be very stupid of me to lie to you at this early point in our relationship because it would cause me boundless problems later when I’ll have to count on you trusting me. I want this job to go smoothly.”

  She gazed at him searchingly. “Then you’ll probably be disappointed. Maybe you should have asked for more money from Kaskov. Volkov isn’t going to give me up easily. At first, the Trials were a way of getting revenge and punishing me, but lately they’ve become more intricate and I can feel him building toward something. He’s not going to be satisfied until he finishes whatever his master plan is for me.”

  “Revenge?” His eyes were narrowed. “I thought it was just a case of two sadistic lowlifes using a kid in their games. You couldn’t have been more than twelve when this started.”

  “Oh, that was my father. It was more than that to Volkov.” She smiled sardonically. “Evidently Kaskov either didn’t know it all or didn’t want to share it with you. Well, neither do I.” She leaned back in her seat. “You said that you had someone watching the forest. Will you let me know what’s happening?”

  He nodded. “As soon as I get a report.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” he said mockingly. “Always glad to oblige.”

  “You’re making fun of me.” She gazed at him soberly. “But I realize you could be making this more difficult for me if you chose. I’m grateful that you aren’t doing that.”

  His smile faded as he looked at her. “I figure you’ve had enough problems to contend with since I met you.” Then he added dryly as he turned away, “Besides, I’ve noticed you’re very good at karate. I wouldn’t want to get on your bad side.”

  * * *

  Avgar Forest

  “What do you mean, she’s gone?” Volkov asked harshly. “Didn’t you tell her she was to stay here until we picked her up and could verify the kills?”

  “Of course I did,” Balkon said. “She couldn’t have misunderstood.” He looked down at Razov. “And she wouldn’t have been afraid since she’d managed to get rid of both of them. You saw how she took care of Gregor. There wouldn’t have been any reason for her to run away.” He frowned. “But she wouldn’t have run anyway. She’s very careful about what effect her actions have on Maria.”

  Volkov was on his knees examining Razov. “If she did manage to kill them both…” He began to swear. “But she didn’t kill Razov. Whoever killed him took him from behind and broke his neck. Lara would have been too small and wouldn’t have had the strength for a move like that.” r />
  “She might have been able to do it.” Balkon added suspiciously, “Are you sure you’re not trying to get out of paying me?”

  “Call Maria,” Volkov ordered. “Stop arguing. Someone else did that kill. You fool, something’s wrong. Who would have tried to help Lara? Was she sleeping with one of your men?”

  Balkon quickly shook his head. “They know she’s off limits. She doesn’t see anyone.” He reached for his phone. “All she does is practice for the next Trial and play that damn piano.” He was punching in the number. He listened and then looked up. “It’s out of service.”

  “Of course it is.” Volkov got to his feet. “Lara’s managed to get her away. She’s probably been planning this move ever since she tried to run the last time.” He was motioning to two of his men on the path ahead. “I told you to make certain that she wouldn’t try that again. You weren’t hard enough on her. You should have left it to me.”

  “I handled it right. I had to go through Maria. It’s the only thing that works with Lara.”

  “And look what’s happened. She had to have found a way to get someone to help her. She wouldn’t have been able to do it on her own.”

  “No one in Avgar would dare to get in the way of the Trials.” Balkon moistened his lips. “They’re too afraid of you.” He smiled weakly. “And me. We make a wonderful team.”

  “You’re nothing to me or to anyone else in either of our families,” Volkov snarled. “I would have gotten rid of you years ago if I hadn’t needed you. I can’t believe that now when I’ve almost finished with the bitch’s final lessons, you screw it up. I won’t stand for it. You’re going to find Lara and whoever took her. We’re both going to send our men all over Russia and you’re going to deliver her to me. Do you understand?”

  “I understand,” Balkon said eagerly. “You know I have contacts everywhere. Trust me. I’ll do it even if I have to go to Moscow to find her.”

  “You’ll find her if you have to go to the ends of the earth,” Volkov said coldly. “Use Maria, use anyone else you have to, but bring her to me. Now get moving!”

  * * *

  “We’re landing.” Lara was looking out the window as Tanner came down the aisle. “Is that the airport? The scenery looked beautiful as we flew in, but the airport is out in the middle of nowhere.”

  “Which is the best place for us to be since we have no documents, and my friend who owns this facility doesn’t appreciate attention from the authorities.” He leaned over and fastened her seat belt. “It’s a small world and there are always people who want to make it even smaller by selling information.” He sat down beside her and fastened his seat belt. “We won’t be here long. I just wanted to rendezvous with your Maria and pick up some equipment before we took off again for somewhere safer.”

  She stiffened. “Where?”

  “I’m weighing our options. I’m making a few calls and I’ll have a decision for you by tonight.”

  “What if I don’t accept your decision?”

  “Then we might have problems,” Tanner said. “But we won’t borrow trouble until we have to.” He smiled wryly. “Though I haven’t allowed myself much time to persuade you that I’m almost always right, since I want to get you out of here as soon as possible. I have an idea that might be as much a difficulty as it proved in Avgar Forest.”

  “You didn’t find it that difficult,” she said quietly. “We both know that. But it was only because I wasn’t prepared. I’d make sure it wouldn’t happen like that again.”

  “I’m quite certain you would. So I’d better change the subject to keep you from deciding you should try to prove yourself,” he said. “I got a report from the man I left in Avgar Forest. Volkov and your endearing father found the bodies of Gregor and Razov, and they weren’t pleased. There was a minor explosion between them when they found Razov. Volkov knew you hadn’t taken him down.”

  “Of course he did,” she said between set teeth. “I wouldn’t have been able to kill him from behind with a hold like that. I don’t have the height or the strength. I’d even considered it, and then I discarded it. Volkov has studied everything about me and would realize that. That’s why I was so frantic when I woke up and found out you’d done it. If you wanted Kaskov’s money that bad, you should have just waited and let me kill Razov. It might have given us more time.”

  “I humbly apologize. You’ll have to forgive me if I didn’t want to waste the time waiting around to watch you dispose of a man I thought was probably a dangerous killer. Particularly when I wasn’t sure that you were capable of doing it.”

  “Then you should have known. Mallory said Kaskov hadn’t let you go into it blind. Research is everything. I found that out during my first year doing the Trials. You have to know what to expect.”

  “The first year…” He tilted his head. “That was when they sent you out in that speedboat to distract a smuggler who was trying to interfere with Volkov’s heroin traffic. It was one of your failures.” His expression hardened. “A broken leg and a concussion. I suppose you deserved that?”

  “It doesn’t matter what I deserved. You have to accept whatever happens if you don’t do whatever you must to succeed. I was too scared, and I hadn’t researched that speedboat to find out what it would do if I pushed it too hard. I got too close to Dimitri and he swung a boat hook at me. I didn’t know anything about boats. I’d never been out of the village except for that trip to Moscow. My father had just given me a few lessons before they sent me out there in the ocean with my orders.” She smiled bitterly. “I had to go on a few other trips after that and I failed one more, but then I started doing my research and I learned how to win. Volkov didn’t like that, so they switched me to something that would be more challenging. I wasn’t being entertaining enough.”

  “Not enough broken bones or concussions?”

  “I got the broken bone from that smuggler, Dimitri. But the concussion was from my father. He doesn’t like to lose.” She smiled crookedly. “Volkov wasn’t pleased, he said my father was lucky that I hadn’t been permanently damaged and then what would they have done?”

  “Yes, there’s always that to consider. No kid to beat up on? No wonder Volkov was upset.”

  “I didn’t tell you that to make you feel sorry for me. I don’t want your pity. But it was important that I learned the value of research.” She frowned. “Which you should have done.”

  He nodded slowly. “You’re probably right. I believe in research. I use it in my business constantly. There were just a few things about this job that made me more careless than usual about applying it. I’d already had to move too quickly, and I wanted to get you out of there.”

  She gazed at him. “You’re apologizing?”

  “I’m explaining. There’s a difference.”

  “But you said I was right.” She smiled. “So there’s not much difference.”

  He held up his hands. “I surrender.”

  Her smile faded. “But it’s not because you were feeling sorry for me? I don’t need that.”

  “Would I dare?” He shook his head. “No one needs pity less than you, Lara.” He paused. “But I should tell you that your father and Volkov were in a rage. Volkov appeared particularly angry about losing his favorite punching bag. They tried to get hold of your mother, and that’s when they realized that you’d done a flit. Volkov sent off your father with orders to bring you back.”

  “That’s all right as long as they can’t get hold of Maria.” Her gaze flew to his face. “You told me the truth? She’ll be there when we land?”

  “I told you the truth. Not everyone lies, Lara.”

  “Most people I know do.” She rubbed her temple. “And I’m confused, and I don’t know why Kaskov would do this when I’ve hardly said more than a few sentences to him all the times he visited me. It bothers me. I don’t want to trade a Volkov for a Kaskov.”

  “That won’t happen. Kaskov’s in a different league. That doesn’t mean he’s less dangerous, but he ope
rates out of his own playbook. He didn’t confide in me why he wanted you out of Russia except that he didn’t want you killed in that forest.” He met her eyes. “And he knows how I operate, and he realized when I took the job that I’d be in complete control. So it doesn’t matter what he wants from now on. The only one you have to worry about is me. I’ll call all the shots.”

  “Complete control,” she repeated. “I don’t think so, Tanner.”

  “Then you’ll have to argue with me later,” he said coolly. “But haven’t I removed Kaskov from your current list of those you need to worry about? I can only eliminate so many threats at one time.” He tapped his chest. “Better the devil you know.”

  Her searching gaze had not left his own. “Are you a devil, Tanner?”

  “It depends on who you ask. I’ve been called worse. I like my own way and I don’t stop until I get it. That doesn’t make me popular.” He smiled crookedly. “Certainly not with you, Lara. The only thing I can promise you is that I’m nothing like the devils you’ve been accustomed to all your life. Completely different breed.”

  She didn’t speak for a moment. “That might be enough,” she said slowly. “You can’t be worse. I’ll just have to research you to know how to get what I want from you.”

  He chuckled. “You really shouldn’t be so frank about your intentions. Deception is the way to go when you’re dealing with an adversary. You’ll never win the game that way.”

  “I told you, I don’t play games. You said I had to deal with the devil I know. But I don’t know you well enough. I can’t win unless I research you and find your faults and strengths.” She nodded. “So that’s what I’ll do.” She added, “But I’ve already found that you don’t like lies or deceptions. Whenever we speak, you keep digging and probing until everything is clear and on the table between us. So that advice you just gave me was exactly how not to get what I want. You’d only fight me.”

  “Very true. But wouldn’t it be easier to just let me run the show? It will be much more comfortable for you.”