Point of No Return

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The four of us checked out of the motel, then drove both cars to the location, what with Blane and Kade wanting to cover all the bases, and we met up on the sidewalk in front of the place.

Blane and Kade were dressed in suits that I knew cost thousands of dollars each. Kade wore entirely black—black slacks, black silk shirt, black jacket. Blane wore deep charcoal gray with an identical black shirt. Side by side, Kade with his inky-black hair and Blane with his dark blond, they looked mouthwatering, two sides of the same dangerous coin. The expensive fabric of their suits enhanced the hard edge of their collective presence, making them appear formidable and deadly.

Branna looked gorgeous in her silver dress and I noticed with more than a little envy that her waist was narrower than mine. She carried a small clutch bag and I wondered if she had a knife strapped to her thigh like I did.

Although the three of them had spent the afternoon planning, trying to think up all contingencies, the extent of my role seemed to be “stick close and don’t get hurt.” I hoped that would be as easy as it sounded.

“Ready or not,” Kade said in a little singsong voice, his lips twisting as he looked to Blane, who gave a curt nod, his expression much more grim than Kade’s.

The entrance was guarded by two huge guys, twins by the look of them. I ignored them as I hung on to Kade, his arm wrapped around my waist. Branna was similarly draped on Blane. Money changed hands and we were allowed to pass. We followed a third guy into an elevator with red fabric covering the walls. He didn’t speak and let us out on an indeterminate floor.

The hallway was shadowed, dark wood paneling the walls. Heavy, antique brass sconces glowed on the walls, lighting the way to a set of double doors with long, twisted wood handles. The carpet was thick and red, an oriental style that seemed vaguely out of place. It felt like we were going into a place run by vampires who took Hollywood stereotypes way too seriously.

Kade clasped my hand as he opened the door. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart, and sent up a prayer that we’d all be okay by the time tonight was said and done.

The room was full of people, the noise hitting us as we walked in. They surrounded what I could see were gaming tables. Not like in Vegas, with flashing lights and bells, but serious card tables that were for serious players. A few of the patrons looked our way when we entered, most taking a quick glimpse of Blane and Kade before returning their attention to whatever they’d been doing.

I could pick out the security guys immediately, especially since they didn’t seem to try and hide their presence. Big men, the guns attached to their hips visible, though all were dressed well, which seemed to be a theme. If I’d been worried we might be overdressed, that fear was immediately put to rest. The men were dressed in suits, and the women—a minority of probably one to ten among the men—were wearing dresses as slinky as mine or even more so.

I had a sneaking suspicion that most of those women were actually prostitutes. Nice.

Blane and Kade leisurely circled the room. I kept my eye out, counting the security guys and seeing if I could find any exits other than the doors through which we’d entered. A table with two empty seats sat in one corner and Kade headed toward it.

“Mind if we join you?” Kade asked those seated at the table in general, his smile thin, his eyes calculating. None of the men objected, so the dealer gestured for Blane and Kade to sit. Several pairs of eyes took in the cut of Blane’s and Kade’s suits, the Rolex on Blane’s wrist, the flash of metal at Kade’s side.

I took up a position mirroring Branna, who stood next to but slightly behind Blane. Kade drew my arm over his shoulder while the dealer dealt the cards.

I knew nothing about poker other than what could be gleaned from watching television and movies, and it became rapidly apparent that whatever game they were playing was far beyond my level of understanding.

A man came by to exchange the large wads of cash Blane and Kade gave him for chips. My eyes widened at the stacks in front of them, and as they began to grow with each successive hand.

I immediately realized they must have passed hours playing poker when they were younger, because each of them seemed to almost instinctively know if the other one held a winning or losing hand. Soon the only question at the table was who would win—Blane or Kade. The pile of chips grew taller and wider, and I could sense the growing disgruntlement and suspicion from the other players.

My feet grew tired as time passed and I shifted my weight, trying to ease the ache in my lower back. Branna caught my eye and frowned. I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at her. I guess being uncomfortable wasn’t sexy.

Two of the men at the table began conversing in Russian, it sounded like, and it didn’t take a genius to realize they were discussing Blane and Kade. To my shock, Kade opened his mouth and spoke as well. In Russian.

Of course I couldn’t understand a word he said, save one. Lazaroff.

The men eyed him, then one of them raised his hand and crooked a finger, signaling someone behind us. I turned just as whomever he must have called over stepped up behind us.

“If you’ll come with me,” the man said in heavily accented English.

Kade and Blane stood. “You’ll cash these in for us, right?” Kade asked the guy, gesturing to the pile of chips. I could tell by the sarcasm in his voice that we’d never see any of that money again and a little part of me sighed at the loss. Such a waste.

“The women stay,” the man said, gesturing for a security dude to block me and Branna from following. “Just you two.”

Alarm shot through me and I thought fast. “Back off,” I snapped at the security guy. “You may do your job just for fun, but I get paid to do mine and he’s my paycheck.”

“Find another john,” he said, dismissing me with a hard shove. I stumbled back and Branna caught me. I righted myself quickly.

Blane didn’t look like he was going to go, but Kade grabbed his arm, shooting Branna a look. A moment later, they were taken through a dark doorway and disappeared from view.

Branna grabbed my hand. “Let’s go,” she said, pulling me through the room.

Shocked, I stumbled after her and then managed to jerk back, stopping us. “What are you doing?” I hissed, trying to keep my voice down. “We can’t just leave them.”

“Kade was very clear on what I was to do if we got separated and that was to get you out of here,” she said. Branna didn’t look at me as she said this, her eyes scanning the room.

“What are you talking about?” I asked. “And since when do you give a shit about what happens to me?”

Her green eyes met mine. “Since Kade is in love with you and you’re carrying his child.” Her gaze flitted over me. “I suppose we can’t help who we fall in love with,” she muttered.

“I’m not just going to leave when God knows what could be happening back there,” I said. “And as much as you care about Kade, I’m surprised you’d want to, no matter what he told you to do.”

Branna huffed a frustrated breath. “Fine,” she said. “But just remember that you’re the liability here. Frankly, I’d have been happier if we’d left you behind.”

That’s the thing about Branna—it wasn’t exactly a mystery where you stood with her.

“Follow me,” she said.

We made our way through the crowded room, keeping close to the walls. I could see where she was heading, a dark door near where we had entered. We were almost there when I was brought up short by a hard grip on my arm.

“Where are you going?” One of the security guys had hold of me, his eyes narrowing in suspicion as he looked at me.

“I-I, um . . .” I stammered, completely at a loss as to what to say.

“Viktor told us he had a special client,” Branna suddenly piped up next to me. “We’re freshening up first.”

I held my breath as the guard seemed to consider that, then he nodded. “Hurry up then,” he growled, giving me a shove as he released me.

A moment later, we were through the door and I breathed a sigh of relief. “Who’s Viktor?” I asked.

Branna shrugged. “It was a guess. They’re Russians. Gotta be a Viktor here somewhere.”

I swallowed. Quick thinking, I supposed, but I shuddered at what might have happened if there hadn’t been a Viktor.

We were in a short hallway with two doors to the left.

“Which one?” I asked.

Branna didn’t say anything, but she hesitated before reaching for a handle and I figured she probably didn’t know any more than I did.

She pulled open the door, and my heart dropped to my feet.

There was an entire table of men playing cards, all guards by the look of them, and every one of them turned toward us.

“We were just looking for Viktor,” Branna said. “Sorry to interrupt.”

One of the men, bigger than the others, pushed himself back from the table and stood. “I’m Viktor,” he said. “Who are you?”

Oh shit.

Branna slammed the door shut without a word and I opened the second door without being asked. I could hear men shouting and the scrape of chairs as we burst through the second door into a long narrow hallway.

“Run!” Branna said, kicking off her shoes. I wasted no time in copying her, the Jimmy Choos another casualty of the evening as we both sprinted down the hall.

I heard the door slam against the wall as the men came through, yelling at us. We threw ourselves through a door at the other end, which happened to open to a stairwell.

“Up!” Branna said, which was the exact opposite direction I’d intended. I obeyed, though, hightailing it upstairs. We hit the top landing just as the stairwell filled with the sound of the men. Branna clapped her hand over my mouth and hers, stifling our breathing.

We waited as the men spoke tersely in Russian, then listened as they hurried down the stairs, disappearing into each floor. When I thought they were all gone, Branna carefully removed her hand from my mouth, then placed a finger over her lips. I nodded to show I understood.

Since we couldn’t go down, it looked like we were stuck with entering the top floor. The doorknob turned easily in my hand and I closed my eyes, sending up a quick prayer.

The hallway was empty, thank God. I let out a relieved breath.

“Now what?” I asked in a low voice.

“Now you come with me.”

I squeaked and spun around in alarm. Viktor stood there with a gun pointed at us, and now I saw the camera mounted in the ceiling, facing the stairwell door.

“Okay,” I managed, raising my hands in a gesture of surrender. Branna did the same.

Viktor made us walk in front of him into an opulent office. The carpet was the same thick and red oriental style, the furniture dark, heavy wood. A computer sat on a desk and the window overlooked the city lights.

“Over there,” he said.

I complied but Branna hesitated. He prodded her in the back with the gun. “Move.”

Branna suddenly turned and knocked the gun from his hand, then they were fighting. I watched in stunned amazement as Branna held her own, but it soon became obvious that she was tiring and unable to get the upper hand on the huge Russian.

I winced when he knocked her down, then Viktor had Branna by the throat and slammed her against the wall. She whimpered at the pain. He spoke in Russian and though I couldn’t understand what he was saying, I could tell by the way he said it that it wasn’t good.

Reaching under my dress, I pulled out the knife Kade had given me. My palms were slick with sweat and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do what I had to do. I didn’t want to use his gun, afraid the noise would bring more of them. But knives were an up close and personal kind of weapon. Viktor was choking Branna, her feet dangling and not even touching the floor, and hesitating was no longer an option.

Moving stealthily forward, I gripped the knife tight, then lunged.

Viktor roared in pain and rage, releasing Branna to try and twist to grab the knife out of his back. When that didn’t work, he focused on me, a fist flying and catching me on the temple, the force of the blow knocking me aside.

A gunshot sounded and I flinched, but it was Viktor who staggered, then fell. I scrambled out of the way as his body toppled heavily to the floor.

Branna stood behind him, gun in her hand. That must’ve been what she’d been carrying in her purse. I guess she wasn’t worried about the noise.

My head throbbed from where he’d hit me and both of us were breathing hard. Branna had livid marks around her neck from where he’d choked her.

“Thanks,” she said, her voice too rough. “I didn’t expect that from you.”

I frowned. “I know I can’t do what you can, but I wasn’t going to let him kill you. Not if I could help it.”

Branna’s laugh was bitter and hoarse. “I’ve beat the shit out of you, said horrible things to you, made it very clear I hate you. I would’ve let me die.”

I swallowed. “No, you wouldn’t have,” I said.

Her gaze swung from Viktor’s body to meet mine. “You might’ve let me die if you knew I slept with Blane last night.”

I gaped at her in shock, anger and hurt flooding through me. Blane and Branna had had sex? A day after they met? Blane knew Branna hated me, had hurt me, yet he’d still slept with her?

Branna must have read the look on my face, because her expression hardened. “Kade was everything to me,” she said. “I love him, and you took him.”

“I took nothing,” I retorted, my fists clenching in anger. “Kade loves you, but he’s never been in love with you, Branna. And I’m sorry you’ve never faced it, but that’s not my fault.” I took a breath, trying to calm my fury. “So you slept with Blane to get back at me?”

“You and Kade were fucking like rabbits next door,” she sneered, “a really lovely thing to do to your former fiancé, by the way. Blane and I were both hurting. Did you expect we weren’t the kind of people to take comfort where it can be found?”

Well, that took some of the heat from my anger, and I couldn’t think of a thing to say.

Branna retrieved Viktor’s gun from where it had fallen onto the floor, then handed it to me. “I’ll trust you not to put a bullet in my back,” she said. “Watch the door.” She hurried behind the desk to the computer.

I held the gun steady in my hands and trained it on the one door. My nerves were strung tight, my heart pounding so hard from the adrenaline in my veins that it felt like I’d been injected with ice water. We were surrounded by bad guys and I had no idea how we were going to get out. And on top of that, my nemesis had slept with my ex while I slept with his brother. God, this was so messed up.

It seemed like Branna was taking forever. “What are you doing?” I asked, keeping my eyes on the door. “We need to get out of here.”

“It’d be pretty pointless to get this far and not see if there’s anything on their system that we can use,” Branna said dryly.

“Then hurry it up,” I snapped. “If you do find something, it’ll be pretty pointless if we’re dead.”

“I’m trying,” she ground out, “but they have advanced encryption. I need Kade.”

Suddenly, the door swung open. I sucked in a breath, my finger tightening on the trigger, and I only just stopped myself from firing in time.

Blane and Kade stepped inside, each of them holding a gun. Blane looked surprised to see us; Kade just looked pissed.

“What the hell, Branna?” Kade barked. “I thought I was pretty fucking clear on what your instructions were.”

“Shut up and get over here and help me,” she retorted.

I noticed both Blane and Kade didn’t look as put together as they had before. Their clothes were slightly askew, and now I could see cuts and bruises on their faces and hands. They’d been fighting, maybe with the same guys who’d come after us.

“I thought they were taking you to see Lazaroff?” I asked.

“Point that somewhere else, Kat,” Blane said, motioning to the gun I held. Embarrassed, I lowered my arm. I hadn’t even realized I was still pointing it at them. Then the first thing that flew through my head was an image of Blane and Branna having sex.

“Are you all right?” Blane asked, moving over to stand next to me while Kade headed for Branna. His eyes examined me.

It was only by mustering a great deal of self-control that I didn’t say what was on the tip of my tongue. I’d ended it with Blane, and if he wanted to sleep with the goddamn Rockettes, then that was his prerogative.

“I’m just fine,” I said stiffly. Our eyes met. His lips thinned.

“She told you,” he said quietly.

“Was it a secret?” I asked, trying and failing to keep a lid on my anger.

“What, am I supposed to apologize to you now?” Blane asked, his words bitter.

I stepped closer. “You once told me I’d gotten my revenge,” I hissed. “So congratulations. You have, too.”

“Whatever drama you two have playing out over there, can we save it for later?” Kade interrupted. “Blane, you need to see this.”

Blane broke our staring contest, heading over behind the desk. I remained where I was. Whatever was on the computer, I doubted I’d be able to make heads or tails of it.

“I didn’t realize Keaston had such ties to the Department of Energy,” Kade said.

Blane’s voice was grim when he replied. “It certainly looks like it pays well. Are you getting this?”

Kade hit a few more keys. “Uploading now. It’ll be safe on my server.”

A smell suddenly hit my nostrils, sickly sweet and thick, just as I heard a thin, hissing sound behind me. I turned around.

“Does anyone else smell—” And then I couldn’t breathe, choking and gasping on the cloud of white coming from the vent in the wall in front of me and aimed right at my face.

“Tear gas!” Blane said. “They know we’re in here. Get Kat!”

I dropped the gun, my hands covering my nose and mouth while my eyes streamed, the burning sensation nearly unbearable. I couldn’t see anything and I stumbled back, trying to get away from the vapor inching its way through the room.

Arms closed around me and I was lifted bodily. I could feel us moving, then we were out of the room, the fog gone.

But I’d been too close to it, breathed too much in, and still coughed and choked. I was blind, my eyes burning so badly I’d be crying even if water wasn’t already streaming from my eyes.

Kade, I think, had his arm wrapped around me and I clung to him, trying to stay on my feet.

“Gentlemen,” someone said, “I was told you wanted to see me.”

Kade pressed some fabric into my hand, his pocket square, maybe, and I used it to wipe my face.

“You were told wrong,” Kade said. “We were just on our way out, but if you’d validate our parking, that’d be a big help.”

The man laughed and now I could sort of see him, at least the outline of him. He was tall and broad, and there were a half dozen men surrounding us, all pointing what I assumed were guns.

“You were in my office, accessing my files,” Lazaroff said. “The only part of a car you’re going to see is the inside of a trunk.” His voice hardened. “Now drop your weapons.”

“Not a big chance of that happening,” Kade replied.

“You’re surrounded. One word from me and you’re dead. Drop your weapons.”

Kade glanced at Blane, who gave a curt nod. I heard the dull thud as Blane, Kade, and Branna dropped their guns.

“I have a . . . gift, you might say,” Lazaroff continued, “for finding the weakest link. It’s come in helpful over the years.” He paused. “Two men invade my place of business, hack my computer system, and overall seem quite competent. So why bring along two females?”

This didn’t look to be going anywhere good. I squinted, my cheeks still wet from my teary eyes, and saw his head turn my way.

“Bring me that one,” Lazaroff said, pointing at me. Two men immediately closed in.

Kade’s arm tightened, yanking me closer. “I don’t think so,” he said, his voice like ice.

I panicked, knowing that resisting could very well get Kade hurt, maybe killed. “No, don’t!” I said, pushing against him to free myself. “You’ll just get hurt.” Kade made a grab for me, but I backed away just as the two guys got between us.

I stumbled back but caught myself, blinking fast to try and clear my vision. I wasn’t thrilled with being called the “weakest link,” but considering the four of us, I couldn’t disagree.

Warily, I approached Lazaroff, stopping when I was just out of reach, but it didn’t matter because a guard grabbed my arm and yanked me right up to him.

“What’s your name, milaya moya?”

I didn’t know what to say. Should I tell him the truth? The guard twisted my arm hard, up behind my back, and I cried out.

“Name,” Lazaroff repeated.

“Kathleen,” I gasped. “Kathleen Turner.”

“And why are all of you here, Kathleen?”

Well, I certainly couldn’t tell him that. I pressed my lips closed because I knew what was coming wouldn’t be pleasant.

“We’ll tell you,” Blane said. “You don’t have to hurt the girl.”

Glad to know he still cared.

“Ah, but what if I want to hurt the girl?” Lazaroff replied. “By the looks of you two, hurting you might prove somewhat arduous. Whereas hurting the girl”—he reached out and gripped my jaw—“is much easier, and highly effective.” He hit me without any warning, the flat of his palm striking my face with enough force to knock me down had the guard not been holding me up. As it was, my knees buckled, which put more pressure on my shoulder, with my arm still twisted up behind me, and a whimper escaped as I tried to regain my shaky footing.

It was immediately apparent that Lazaroff’s actions had provoked a response, because I could hear Blane and Kade yelling and cursing. I shook my head to clear it, only to have Lazaroff grab my jaw again.

Then I hauled off and kneed him in the nuts.

Smart idea? Probably not, but I wasn’t about to be a punching bag just to torment Blane and Kade. I’d been hit twice tonight, and I thought I’d better not start keeping count or things were going to get really depressing, really fast.

Everything seemed to stop as the guards looked in horror at what I’d done. Lazaroff was bent over, his hands cupping his abused crotch.

Then all hell broke loose.