Polar Opposites (In Aeternum Book 4) (14 page)

“No. Between ten to twelve would be my guess.”

Anger coursed through his veins. “What the fuck was she doing there?”

“Her father was pimping her out. I took her.”

Bailey looked at him and he thought about what McNeal had said about her losing her parents right in front of her.

“You did the right thing.” He brushed some hair back from her face. “Where is she now?”

“I don’t know. I called in a friend and told her to make sure Safa is put in a place where she will be loved. She won’t be in Egypt anymore, but I don’t know where she is.”

“You want to know.”
So she was in Egypt.

She nodded. “I need to make sure she’s okay.” She shoved a hand through her hair. “I don’t know why, I just need to.”

“Because you care about her.”

“I hardly know her. Had she not wanted to come with me, I would have left her there.”

He frowned. “Really?”

Bailey stared off at something only she could see. “Yes. I was in the middle of a mission.”

“You were at a whorehouse to kill someone?”

“It wasn’t that, I was there for another retrieval. I don’t know why McNeal sent me on it. But he did and I was there.”

Ivan had his suspicions but kept them to himself. He drew her closer to him and kissed the top of her head. “So call your friend and find out where she is. Go see for yourself that she’s doing fine.”

“I ripped her from her family and put her with strangers. How will she be fine?”

“Because any guy who sells his daughter isn’t a father. That fucker isn’t even a real man. You know you saved her life. Someone would have been too rough with her or gotten her pregnant. You did the right thing, Bailey.”

“Maybe.”

She sounded so despondent he wasn’t sure what else to say. So he held her. After a short time, he planted another kiss on her head. “Let’s get something to eat. And you can tell me about the rest of your trip.”

Bailey slipped on one of Ivan’s shirts. His scent surrounded her and she felt her soul settle. Why this man? She didn’t know.

“I went to Egypt and brought back someone to the US. Then I came back here.”

Ivan paused in grabbing a pair of workout pants and looked over his shoulder at her. “That’s it?”

“I don’t know anything about him or why he was wanted. McNeal said it was important and I went.”

He pulled on the pants with a shake of his head. “I don’t know how you do it.”

“Do what?”

“What they ask of you. Do you ever know more about the person you are sent to kill?” When she raised an eyebrow he amended, “Or retrieve?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I do my job.”

He grunted and tugged on a shirt. “I see.” Ivan left the room.

Bailey didn’t understand but she didn’t linger either. She followed him out, the bottom of his shirt brushing the tops of her thighs. The food she’d arrived with was now cold but he had a microwave and so he put it in there.

“You don’t approve of what I do.”

“I don’t want to get into that right now. Tell me more about Egypt.”

“Not much to tell. I wasn’t there for a sightseeing tour. I did go to the museum and I saw Giza.”

“But didn’t run into any trouble?”

“Not really. Like I said, Safa was unexpected but she wasn’t actually a problem.”

He put two glasses down and strode over to her. “Go away with me.”

“What?”

“Come away with me. Take a vacation. We can go see and make sure Safa is okay then we can be somewhere where we’re not working for Theta Corps. You’re just you and I’m just me.” His hands cupped her face as he stared in her eyes. “What do you say?”

Sounds wonderful.
“I’d say you had an idea of where you wanted to go.”

“Russia.”

She stared for a moment. “You want to go home. And what…introduce me to your mother?”

“Yes.”

His response came so quick, it shocked her and she wasn’t sure how to respond. The beeping from the microwave pulled him away and she utilized the moment to try to recover.

Why does he want to take me home to his mother? I didn’t realize he felt this way. Then again, maybe he wants to merely take a trip and I will be like a friend who’s traveling along with him. Nothing romantic about it.

She gazed back in his direction. Nothing romantic. Did she truly believe that?

Ivan put the food on their plates and looked at her. “You seem surprised by that.” He carried the items to the table. “Why are you surprised?”

“Why do you want to introduce me to your mother?”

“Because you’re my girlfriend. It’s what couples do.”

Standing behind the chair at the table, she gripped her fingers into the smooth wood. Girlfriend? “Couples?”

His laughter was rich and deep, oddly comforting given the panic that was setting into her.

The tall Russian walked over to her, turned her so they were face to face, and placed his hands on her waist. “Baby, did you really think I took a job in the middle of this country and got this apartment to see you because we were just friends? I could have had a lab built in Russia and been close to family. I chose here because I chose you. And I was hoping this place was one you came back to often. So yes, I think of you as my girlfriend and us as a couple.” A quick brush of lips. “Got it?”

She swallowed. “Yes.”

His grin would have melted all her clothes off were she wearing much more than her panties and his shirt. As it was, her nipples beaded and drew tight and longing rose within her. Food was appearing less and less important by the heartbeat.

“Excellent.” Another kiss and he was back on his side of the table. “Let’s eat.”

She sat and stared down at the reheated French toast. Picking up the fork and knife, she paused at his laughter.

“What’s funny?”

“You seem really confused there, Bailey. Why is that?”

“I don’t know.” She cut into the food. “Guess I didn’t know you thought that way about me…or us.”

He leaned forward. “Don’t you?”

“I think so. I’ve never had someone pursue me like you are doing, Ivan. I’m not sure what to make of it.”

“Is it bad? I mean, are you thinking I’m stalking you?”

Now it was her turn to laugh. “No. You knew what I did for a living and came. I don’t think you’d be dumb enough to stalk someone who kills.”

He chewed his food and took a drink. “So you’re okay with being my girlfriend.”

“Yes, Doctor. I am.”

He settled back in his chair. “So, about the trip. Tell me what your thoughts are on it.”

“I could use a vacation so yes. I would love to go with you.”

His smile was immediate and perfect. She shifted in the chair.
Damn him for doing what he does to me.

After they had finished eating, she washed the dishes while he made a phone call. She assumed it was to his mother but since he spoke Russian, she wasn’t positive. They finished about the same time and he had a weary expression on his face.

“Everything okay?”

“My mother can be exhausting. I hope you’re ready for parties. She plans on throwing ‘a few’. Those would be her words.”

“I don’t party much but sure, I’m game. As long as this isn’t something where you leave me to fend for myself.”

He prowled toward her. “And here I thought you were used to working alone.”

“Not against mothers. They are something else entirely.” A slight shrug. “I don’t have much experience with them.”

He sobered. “Do you want to talk about it?”

She lifted an eyebrow. “It? What’s
it
?”

“You not having much experience with mothers.”

“No.” She waved off his question. “I do not.”

For a moment, she thought he was going to push the subject further but he let it go. Instead, he swept her up in his arms and carried her back to the bedroom.

“What are you doing?”

“I thought we should figure out when we’re going so we can get tickets. And tell our bosses.”

Casting a look around, she cleared her throat. “So, then, we’re doing what exactly in your bedroom?”

“I have a calendar in here. Somewhere,” he muttered, tossing her on the bed. “You should help me look for it.”

She squealed when he lifted her shirt. “I don’t believe you’ll find it there.”

“No, but there’s something I want under here.” He nipped the top of her thigh and pressed a kiss to her belly button. “Most definitely want.”

She began to stop him but when his mouth covered her pussy, she stopped. They could plan the trip later.

* * * *

It wasn’t until late afternoon that they finally left the bedroom and went to figure out their trip. While he called to get time off, she placed her own call.

“Strange, Bailey, for you to be calling me.”

She sat on the couch and stared at her hand. “I’m taking some time off, McNeal.”

With his silence, she could picture his expression. Both eyebrows raised, leaned back in his chair and lips pursed as he tried to find his words.

“You need some time? Take a day, sure.”

“No. You don’t understand. I’m taking about a month off or so. Getting away.”

Keyboard typing came through to her ear. “You know I could just deny this request.”

“And I could quit. Both things we know aren’t going to happen. Stop being a prick, McNeal. I’ve never taken a vacation, I need one.”

“This have something to do with bringing Theodore Ramsey back to the States?”

“Why would it? I don’t even know why you want him. You sent me to do a retrieval and I did. Just for future reference, I despise doing them. Don’t send me on any more.”

“He’s reviving the terrorist group The Watchers. I told you about the targets—this is the man behind it all. But he was hiding out of the country and he knows most of the players from previous interactions with Theta Corps.”

“I fail to see how this is relevant.”

“I’m telling you more about why we wanted him.”

She shook her head. “I didn’t ask.”

“Bailey. You are needed.”

“I’m confused. Are you saying I can’t go because I may be needed to kill a man you just had me bring to you alive instead of killing him there?”

Ivan looked at her, confusion on his face. She didn’t have time to explain it to him and she wasn’t sure she even understood. She broke eye contact and waited for her answer.

“No, we needed him alive. Hopefully he will be able to tell us more about what the group has planned.”

“All of which I fail to see how it pertains to me and my vacation.”

McNeal coughed. “What if I don’t want you to take all this time off?”

“Then that’s your problem. I wasn’t asking. Ivan and I are taking time. You and the rest of Theta Corps will leave us alone.”

“You’re going, aren’t you?” The statement was resigned.

“I will call you when we’re back.”

“Do you have an idea when that will be?”

“Years, McNeal. I’ve gone years without a vacation. Don’t push me on this.”

“I’m only asking so I know to worry if you’re not back by a specific time.”

“Would it make you feel better if I say I will call you once a week on Sundays? And give you an update?”

“Yes.”

“You would?”

Another surprise for her. She had been being facetious and hadn’t expected him to want that. Ivan’s smile was gentle and contained a bit of knowing in it, as if he had just gotten a revelation.

“I would. That is acceptable. You two have fun.” The call ended.

She stared at her phone, looking for an answer she knew wasn’t there but that she hoped to locate anyway.
What was that about?

“I’m good on this end and he said so were you. So figure out when you want to go then tell me where so I know how to pack.”

Ivan knelt before her and slid her to the edge of the sofa. “Thank you for coming with me.”

Bailey leaned forward and pressed their lips together. “Thanks for inviting me. Now tell me what I can do to help.”

He nipped her lower lip and winked. “I have a few ideas.”

She’d just bet he did.

Chapter Eleven

St Petersburg, Russia

Crisp air flowed around them and Ivan held out a hand to Bailey, assisting her from the taxi. He stared up at his childhood home and smiled. This felt right, being back again at the good-sized two story house.

“Very nice,” Bailey said beside him. She took her hand from his and grabbed her bag.

“Thanks. Can’t wait to take you on a tour.”

The front door opened and his mother burst through.

“Ivan! I can’t believe you’re actually here,” she cried in Russian.

He hurried to meet her at the bottom of the steps and hugged her. It had been a long time since he’d seen her—close to three years.

“I’ve missed you, Mama.”

She kissed him and stood back to look at him. The tears in her eyes were daggers to his heart. He’d been a terrible son, not coming home for so long. She looked the same, her thick brown hair still without any gray and her blue eyes sharp as a hawk’s.

“It is good to see you, Ivan.” She brushed at the tears and patted his cheek before she smiled. “Introduce me to her.”

Ivan turned and found Bailey waiting patiently by their luggage. Just looking at that woman made his heart skip a beat. She had her hair loose and it fell free around her face, moving slightly in the breeze. Her navy knitted pants and Bordeaux mock turtleneck combined with the boots she wore highlighted her natural good looks. Her expression was serene as he beckoned her forward.

She moved with the grace he was used to seeing from her. When she reached his side, he took her hand. “Mama,” he said. “I’d like for you to meet Bailey Hyde. Bailey, this is my mama, Aksana Vinokourov.”

“Nice to meet you, Mrs Vinokourov.” She held out her hand and shook his mother’s.

“Please, no need to call me that. You are with Ivan, I am either Aksana or Mama,” she replied in English.

Ivan stared at his mother, eyes wide, before swallowing hard and putting his attention on Bailey. If she was shocked, she didn’t let it show. The smile remained in place and she nodded slowly.

“Let’s get you inside and settled. Then we can catch up. Unless you’d like some more rest.”