Too Far Gone (13 page)

Lauren’s breath caught in her throat as she stood up. What would Vanya do? Polzin stalked closer, his eyes traveling over Lauren’s body from head to toe. She’d met powerful men, but this one didn’t bother to hide his rapacious nature. He wore authority like a crown, the ultimate ruler of his domain.

Mike’s warnings echoed in Lauren’s head. She was doomed and he was too far away to intervene. Surely the head of the Krushka syndicate would recognize her. If not her face, then he’d sense her fear or even hear her knees knocking.

Vanya rose gracefully, moving to him like a moth to flame. “How fortunate for me that you are early today.”

“Fortunate?”

“Yes.” Vanya slid her hand up and down his arm. “For both of us.” She kept Polzin in the middle of the small room. “This is Renae Ford. She requested an introduction.”

“Why?” Polzin’s gaze narrowed as he raked Lauren from head to toe once more.

Lauren gathered the role of buyer’s assistant close about her, burrowing into the part as though it were the warmest of coats on a frigid night. “My employer is diversifying his investments with a new venture. This requires a certain
stock
. You have a reputation for supplying the best.”

“
Buyers
come to me. Not their whores.”

Lauren held his hard gaze. “Yet, here I am.”

“You are a woman.” His lip curled in derision. “I deal with men.”

Her heart raced, but she couldn’t be the first to blink. “A fact we understand. But would you deal with a man you met
here
?” She spread her hands to indicate the private quarters of his mistress.

“Swiftly, I assure you,” Polzin replied.

Lauren gave a light laugh, despite the image of Desmond’s lifeless body flashing through her mind. “Vanya said the same. She is incredibly lucky to be yours. I was very intrigued by her. She’s a beautiful dancer.”

“She is,” he agreed, accepting the drink Vanya served him.

“Our venture doesn’t infringe or compete with your establishments,” Lauren continued.

“How can you be so sure?” he asked.

“How could any wise businessman not?” According to Mike and Claudia no one had successfully chipped away at any Krushka territory. None had held on when Polzin wanted to expand either.

The mob boss settled on the sofa with his drink and pointed to the cushion, signaling for Vanya to join him. “What is it you want from me?”

“Simply an
invitation
to further discussion.”

He arched an eyebrow, gestured for her to continue.

“The terms and such are not mine to discuss. I manage the inventory once it’s acquired,” she explained. She wanted to push harder, but any misstep and this meeting would blow up in her face. Polzin needed to see her as an assistant. She could be confident, but she had to respect the ironclad boundaries.

“You are American. How do you know my Vanya?”

She gave him a secretive smile. “Women know women,” she demurred. She couldn’t mention Desmond. Giving him any context to recognize her would be too much risk.

Polzin turned to Vanya. “You vouch for her?”

Vanya nodded. “I like her.”

“Hmm.” He snapped his fingers. “Fetch her phone and her bag.”

Lauren managed to keep her hands from shaking as she handed her purse to Vanya. The woman carried it to Polzin with a smile that managed to be sexy and content simultaneously. From the moment Polzin had arrived, all signs of the jaded cynic had evaporated. Of all the actresses in Hollywood, Lauren thought Vanya was one of the most talented.

Lauren couldn’t imagine this kind of life. No control or say in even the smallest things. Vanya might be doing what she loved each night as she danced on that stage, protected and safe from poverty or harm, but the price was incredibly high.

Both women waited in silence as Polzin searched Lauren’s purse and then paged through her phone, his sharp mind surely noting contacts and numbers. Trusting Mike, Lauren by default trusted Claudia and the rest of the agency resources to provide a background that would convince Polzin to take a chance.

“There,” he said, returning the phone and purse through Vanya. “Now, take off your clothes.”

Lauren blinked. “Pardon me?”

Polzin shrugged. “If you’re wearing a wire, you will die here and now.”

Vanya’s eyes rounded the slightest bit.

“Fine.” Lauren stood. Slowly and remarkably steady, she undressed. If the man got the slightest hint she was wearing a wig, it was over. When she’d removed everything but her bra and panties, she held out her arms. “Would you like a closer inspection?”

He nodded to Vanya.

Vanya stood. She moved toward Lauren. Lauren held her breath. Her fingers icy, Vanya unhooked Lauren’s bra and removed it. Her small, cool hands moved over and under Lauren’s breasts. It was all Lauren could do to remain still. Vanya’s hands moved down her body, smoothing intimately over her bottom, between her legs and, lastly, sliding her fingers around the waistband of her skimpy panties. Lauren didn’t breathe again until Vanya turned to Polzin.

“No wire.”

Polzin surveyed Lauren’s body. “Very well. You have the invitation your boss requires. Fortunately, your request is well timed. We’re having a show tonight. You will receive the details shortly. Now, leave so I can have what I came for.”

Lauren made a production of dressing, taking her time. Polzin ordered Vanya to turn off the camera. She did as he asked and returned to his side.

“I’ll see you later.” Lauren smiled at Vanya as she headed for the door.

Polzin watched her go, Vanya already on her knees in front of him.

Lauren’s body sagged with relief when she was out of the dressing room and clear of the security detail. Surrounded by the garish lights and sounds as well as the push of the partygoers, she worked extra hard to keep her composure as she moved though the club. She counted her steps until she reached the brisk air of the December evening. With a deep breath, she relished the sanctuary of knowing Mike’s eyes were on her again. She wanted a long, sanitizing shower after being so close to the slimy Polzin.
One shower might not be enough
, she thought, as the extravagant Lotus sports car Claudia had arranged stopped at the curb.

The passenger window rolled down and Mike leaned over. “Get in.”

She hurried to comply—not because they were likely still being observed or she was eager to please him. She just wanted out of here. Fast. How could one man’s order sound like comfort and security while another man’s order evoked dread and resistance?

“We have the invitation,” she said as he left the club behind.

“You okay?”

For the first time since she’d convinced him to look for Vanya she felt like they were in too deep. “I don’t know anymore.”

“Staying put was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.” He stopped for a traffic light. “Claudia threatened to send a team in to take me out if I moved.”

The idea almost made Lauren laugh.
Almost
. “Polzin is,” saying his name sent a chill down her spine, “expecting us at his
show
tonight.” The cell in her purse chirped. She jumped. When she’d checked it, she confirmed, “The directions to the mansion where they took the women were just sent to me.” She expelled a big breath. “We’re in.”

“We might just have a tail, too,” he said, his eyes on the rearview mirror. “So Vanya is cooperating?”

Lauren cleared the nerves from her throat. “Yes.”

“That’s not an overwhelming endorsement.”

“She could’ve told him the truth when he walked in and she didn’t. She’s on our side.”

Mike’s fingers flexed on the steering wheel. “He could’ve killed you without a second thought.”

She was well aware. Maybe one day she’d get past this residual, hair-raising sensation that she’d made a narrow escape. “He didn’t. I’ll admit that I’m seriously creeped out after the encounter, but I’m not backing down.”

Mike met her gaze, something like admiration or respect in his. “I’m with you all the way.”

Her use of
us
and
we
was his biggest problem with this entire mess, Mike decided as he let the tail follow them back to the hotel. He couldn’t get into the party without her but his every instinct nagged him to keep her far away from Polzin and his crew. When Claudia had reported Polzin’s unexpected entrance and what he’d forced Lauren to do in that dressing room, Mike had almost come undone. The one thing that had kept him in this damned car was the realization that one wrong move could have cost Lauren her life.

“You did a good job,” he admitted. “But walking into the lion’s den twice in one night is pushing your luck. It’s a bad idea.”

“Don’t start that again.” She tugged the seatbelt and shifted, but the deep bucket seats of the Lotus restricted her movement. “Neither of us can get those women out alone.”

No, but there had to be a way to avoid putting her close to Polzin or the men he’d tasked with killing Trinity. She had the invitation. They’d been by the mansion. He could take another look and create a sniper-style attack to clear a path. It was the sort of plan that sounded good in theory. As a sniper, he’d be too far away to help if something else went wrong. That sort of effort required backup for a successful, casualty-free rescue. There was no time. Claudia was a good start but outmaneuvering Polzin during his party would be thorny. Tonight would test Mike’s creative problem solving skills as never before. It was time to call in a favor. Maybe two.

At the hotel, he parked the car and cut the engine, but he stayed in the seat. Their tail parked across the lot. Two men, apparently sent to watch. Somewhere in the city one or more of Polzin’s other men were searching for the right redhead for tonight’s preview. Their callous disregard for women, the lack of humanity, made him want to punch something.

“Are we going in?” she asked.

“Yes.” They had to go back into that massive suite that was far too small for his comfort. “What did you tell him about us? About me?” It sounded better when he rephrased it.

She released her seatbelt with a click. “Just what we discussed. I gave him what he needed to hear.” Her eyes flashed with humor. “I even said you’re my employer, which makes you my boss.”

He’d like to be
. The thought filled his brain, followed by a parade of visions of her submitting to his sensual demands.

Why in the hell couldn’t he shake that unfortunate conversation? He never should’ve brought up the subject of sex games. Teasing her wasn’t an explanation. Neither was testing her reactions. He had better control than that in and out of the bedroom. He was on a case here.

The truth was, each revelation about her ex gave him the impression Trinity did everything for money or pleasure—his own. He’d kept a tight leash on Lauren’s career because it lined his pockets. He’d kept a tighter leash on her personal life because it boosted his status and respectability to date fan-favorite Dr. Loveless. He didn’t have to worry about her cheating on him or even leaving him, she was too classy.
Bastard
. And it drove Mike crazy just thinking about it... about how the man had neglected her and used her.

She might not see herself as a top A-lister, but her poise in the media, her good reputation on the set, gave her more clout than she realized. People saw her as the working-class girl who made it, the woman in control, and exactly where she wanted to be. It might not be true, but Lauren didn’t let the public close enough to bust the myth. Why had she allowed Mike to see what she hid from others? Not everything she’d shared was essential to her case. Why did that make him want to reciprocate? Why did it make him want her so?

“Polzin will assume we’re lovers,” he said, his throat dry as hell. At his statement, her eyes went wide and her lips parted. Her hand froze on the door handle. He sympathized with the reaction. His mind had shot right back to the excellent kisses as well.

“Of course,” she said after a moment. “I’ll keep that in mind tonight. To him, women are simply playthings or tools for using.”

“That’s not what’s happening here.” He scrubbed at his face and yanked the key out of the ignition. “Inside.” He couldn’t stay out here, pretending to be a man he didn’t want to be with a woman he wanted too much.

He walked beside her, but he kept his hands and lips to himself. If he kissed her now, it wouldn’t be about control or business. He couldn’t risk her life on the slim chance the men watching them recognized the personal attachment he was feeling. Once they were safe in the suite, Lauren set to work like a costume designer possessed. He was grateful for the distraction and limited conversation as she focused on presentation and he made the calls that would smooth the way for their escape.

He checked in with Claudia and together they studied the blueprints of the mansion. So far she hadn’t come across a report of a missing redhead, but adults weren’t considered missing until at least twenty-four hours had passed. By then it would be too late. Polzin would insist on someone beautiful and clean to fill out the preview roster tonight. Mike was determined to keep another woman out of the snare. Rescuing five plus Lauren and Vanya would be tough but he intended to get the job done with no casualties.

His mind turned it over and over as he dressed, thinking of the so-called finishing school and the clubs they’d waded through. “I’m an idiot,” he said aloud, checking his watch. No matter where they picked up the redhead, they were taking her to one place: the party at the mansion. If they hurried they could ambush the kidnapper on the road. “Can we leave ASAP?”

“Sure,” Lauren replied. “My makeup’s done,” she added one final touch, “now.”

“Damn it,” he muttered, fumbling with the knot of his tie. A sniper attack didn’t require this nonsense. He suddenly wished he’d insisted on a different approach tonight.

“Having performance issues, dear?”

“What?” Mike loosened the knot and started over. He didn’t want to spend the night among Polzin and his sharks with a convenient noose around his neck.