To Russia With Love (Countermeasure Series) (20 page)

That she had joined him on his personal quest was icing on the cake for both of them. He thought back to the past summer, meticulously calculating the odds of the circumstances that had brought them together. He was definitely a lucky man. Trevor shook his head in wonder and focused his efforts on the minute details he could extract from the reports he’d reviewed, while Cassandra tackled the preparations for the trip with free rein to run with what she saw fit.

Mikhailov’s connections and importance within the Russian Mafia were clear. But something didn’t sit right. Thieves-in-Law, or Vory as they were called in Russia, had been prominent in Russian society since the early 1900s. Their power had been declining with the larger influence of capitalism in Russia and as better educated criminals found other lucrative ventures, namely digital fraud. However, for some reason, Mikhailov’s group seemed to be flourishing and gaining notoriety. The more Trevor read, the more it became apparent something was definitely up.

The fact that Mikhailov still ran free was an indication that the NSA still didn’t have a clear, full picture of his activities; otherwise they would’ve been all over him like a wet rag. Trevor could smell something foul.

The sound of the Imperial March and Cassandra’s snort cut through his concentration. “Damn, that cracks me up every time, Trevor.”

“What? It’s perfect!” Trevor chuckled. “I’ll get it.”

He headed downstairs and opened the door to find a courier standing on the stoop with a brown envelope in his hands. “Mr. Bauer?”

Trevor smiled back and nodded, “Yep. That would be me.”

The courier collected his signature, handed him the envelope, and took off. Trevor checked the sender’s name as he made his way back to the office.

“Who was it?” Cassandra called out.

“The passports are here,” he commented, handing her the envelope.

“Wow! They pushed those through faster than I expected!” Cassandra pulled the documents from the envelope and efficiently checked each visa, making sure all was in order. She looked up with a wide grin on her lips. “Damn. I love it when a plan comes together. As soon as I can get our location confirmed we’re all set. We can leave anytime. I’ll let Jessie know later.”

“I assume that means we can now book our flights?”

“Yes.”

Trevor could tell he’d already lost her to flight plans and itineraries. He loved the “I will conquer the world” expression that overtook her as her thoughts turned deep and gears cranked in her head. He was sure whatever she had planned for them would meticulously fit their needs when the time came.

“Back to work I go.” His words fell on deaf ears. She waved him off and he returned his attention to the transcripts. The more he could learn from them before they left the better. He also needed to compile a small list of the critical equipment they would need to take with them on the trip. Aside from their laptops, which were a given, a small directional microphone and other surveillance equipment would be required. His little list included a serial keypad hacker, a little electronic tool kit, small Maglite flashlights, and other small odd pieces of equipment only he could appreciate.

He made a mental note to retrieve them from the storage room before Jessica returned from apartment hunting. He threw a quick glance at Cassandra. She was deep in her notes. A heavy frown creased her brow. “Let me know if you need my help with anything. You know—bouncing ideas, any input, body massages.” He waited to catch her reaction to his little tease. The quirk at the corner of her mouth was a telltale sign she was paying attention to his rant. “Ha! Gotcha.”

She chuckled. “Incorrigible and bored, I take it?”

“Well. Trying to lighten up the mood a bit. Most days I have enough dark thoughts for both of us,
a ghrá
. I prefer when you don’t have a deep frown like you’ve been wearing for a while now.”

“Just getting things done.” Cassandra’s matter-of-fact tone didn’t fool him.

Trevor knew she was calculating every single move they would make in Russia. “You know you can’t control every minute or action while things are developing, right?”

She sighed and turned her eyes from the screen, staring into his with disconcerting intensity. “I know, love. Don’t worry. I just want to make sure we’re both safe.”

Sneaking a peek at him, she could see the tension etched in his face, matching the concern in his voice. The man took more risks than a Navy Seal when he was on the hunt, and she had to be on her toes. The sound of an incoming email drew her attention. Quickly clicking on the application, she saw the email confirmation for the small studio apartment she had booked.

“Hey! We just received confirmation on the apartment.” A satisfied grin spread on her face. “Well, a studio really. But it’s perfect. Wi-Fi internet access, located on a main drag, close to two metros and—” she flashed a grin, “—it has a supermarket next door.” She took a small breath before continuing with her dissertation on the place. “It’s pricey, but well worth it for the location.”

“Secure?”

“Very. We’ll receive the entry codes via email no later than tomorrow.”

“So, now you’re booking the flights?” His excitement was like a child’s at a playground.

“Yes, I am. You can pack your toys now.” With a grin, Cassandra toggled to the travel site she had bookmarked and finalized the bookings. She also sent Robert an email with the address so he could pass the information to Boris. A satisfied sigh filled the room as she sat back. Just a few more items to check off her list and they were off to Russia.

*****

Stephan’s hand hesitated briefly before he picked up the phone and pressed the sequence of numbers he’d memorized. He had reached a decision on how to handle things. It was time to face the music. The call rang five times—five of the longest rings of his life—and, for a moment, he thought it would go unanswered.

“Hello?” The transition from ring to the greeting that followed filled him with anticipation.

“It’s me.”

“Stephan?”

“We need to talk.” He was straight and to the point.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Not over the phone. I’d like us to meet.”

Silence stretched until the feminine voice asked, “When and where?”

“Brazen Head. Tomorrow at eight?”

“I can be there,” she said softly.

“I will see you then.”

“Good night, Stephan.”

“Good night.” Stephan disconnected the call and leaned his head back against the leather seat. That was a decision that couldn’t be put off any longer. He had stalled long enough and hoped the outcome would be a mutual understanding.

One day. Just one more day to get this weight off my shoulders.
“Fuck!” he breathed out harshly.

The Race

“D
O YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU need?” Trevor asked as Cassandra came down the stairs. Standing in the foyer beside their luggage, he took mental note of the equipment they were taking with them—all easily justifiable as business-related and tied to their cover as data recovery specialists interested in expansion to Russia, a hot market for their services.

Cassandra gave him a droll look and he bantered, “Okay, I get it. Note to self. Never ask Cassie if she has everything she needs when she’s the one who planned the trip to the last microscopic detail.”

She laughed. “Damn right! And just as a clarification, yes: I have everything we
both
need.” Shaking her head, she retrieved her laptop case and handbag from the entry table. As she was about to head to the front door, the sound of Jessica’s light tread running down the stairs stopped her in her tracks.

Jessica reached the bottom and launched herself at Cassandra. “Hold up! You can’t leave without giving me hug!”

Cassandra was filled with amusement. “You mean one more hug. You’ve been saying goodbyes since I told you last night about the trip to Russia. I bet the hugs are just a cover. You really can’t wait to get rid of us so that you can have the place to yourself.”

“The hugs are real. But I have to say with you both gone, I just might finally be able to get some uninterrupted sleep!”

Cassandra’s hearty laughter filled the room. “Sorry about that. I…ah…sometimes I can’t contain myself.”

“Sometimes? I might have to upload your household’s soundtrack to the internet one of these days. Oh my god, I can just imagine the number of hits it would get. The newest rage touted on all internet news channels.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Just kidding!”

Cassandra scrutinized her friend and noticed that her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Jessie, are you really okay with us taking off like this? I know it’s short notice, but it’s an opportunity we can’t pass up.”

“Definitely. It’ll give me a flavor of what it’s like to have my own place in Dublin,” Jessica reassured her.

“Are
you
okay?” No other words were needed. They both knew to what Cassandra was referring.

Jessica smiled and hugged her again. “Yes and yes! Get on with you or you’ll miss your flight.”

Holding Jessica’s hand, Cassandra stepped back hesitantly. “You have our numbers. If anything happens, you need to talk, vent, scream, you call me, hear me? You can also catch me on chat after we’re settled.”

Her friend burst out laughing. “I’ll be fine. I swear. Everything’s great. I’ll be checking out some of those apartments we found in the paper. No worries. I also have the paperwork you piled on me to keep me busy.”

Trevor walked back into the house. “Okay, all loaded. Ready to go,
a ghrá
?” he asked as he pulled Jessica into a big hug. “Be good, lass. If you need anything, call Stephan. He’ll be able to help you out.”

Jessica and Cassandra glanced at each other at Trevor’s mention of Stephan. She let the comment slide.

He took Cassandra’s hand in his and led her through the door to the car. Cassandra cast one last worried look and waved at Jessica, calling out, “Love you. We’ll be in touch. Remember what I said!”

“Yes, mom,” Jessica joked, but the smile dimmed in her eyes as she waved them off.

Cassandra watched her walk in and close the door as Trevor merged into the late afternoon traffic. Jessica’s reaction to Terese was not proportional to her nonchalant description of what existed between her and Stephan. Cassandra knew Jessica would come clean about what really was going on between the two of them when she was ready. Until then, short of beating it out of her, she would have to wait patiently for the whole of it, just like Jessica waited for her own disclosure about her feelings for Trevor.

*****

The house was eerily quiet as Jessica closed the door behind her and walked upstairs to the homey and welcoming guest room. As much as she loved being around Cassandra, and as welcome as Cassandra and Trevor made her feel, Jessica knew she was intruding on the newlyweds’ bliss.

Cassandra had helped her search through apartment listings and narrow the list to a few in neighborhoods that Trevor had said to be brilliant. Jessica smiled at the use of the word. Definitely not one heard stateside, and definitely not in California. Her plan, while her friends were away, was to find her own digs.

Once she’d secured her new place, she would focus on her personal dilemma. The reason she was in Dublin in the first place. Should she persist in reaching out to Stephan? That question kept prodding her since her arrival in Ireland. When she had made the decision to cross the pond and test the waters with Stephan, she knew it would be hard, but she never expected the obstacle in her path to be her age.

Could that really have been the reason he’d run like a bat out of hell from her house that evening? She knew there was something special between them, knew that he was not indifferent to her, even though he was holding her at arm’s length.

Her heart twisted in her chest and a chill raked up her spine when her thoughts turned to that afternoon in the restaurant. He had voiced his opinion about her behavior then. It had even appalled her. Could she change his opinion? Granted, she had been snarky, but didn’t they say all is fair in love and war?

She froze as that thought penetrated her self-awareness. Did she love him? Really, really love him? Jessica’s heart beat erratically, her breathing rushed in and out of her in hard pulls. Lightheaded, she sank to the edge of the bed and hung her head between her knees. She wanted him. That was a given. Just thinking of him warmed her inside. She craved his hands on her breasts, the feel of his weight pressing her against silky sheets, his velvety hardness buried inside her.

She fell back on the bed and started at the ceiling. Seeing him again proved that she wanted more. She wanted to share the little things with him—grocery shopping, laundry, bad days at work, laughter. She wanted to confide her innermost thoughts to him and have the same in return. That was no crush. It was something bigger, deeper. That was growing into a much larger ball of wax.

If she decided to pursue his attention, was she ready for the heartache if things didn’t turn out the way she wanted? The words she had spoken to Cassandra months ago came back to haunt her.
Go with the flow. Do not overthink it. Let your hair down and enjoy the moment, it will be what it will be. You don’t want to miss out on a good thing. What if he’s the one? If you don’t try, you’ll never know. Search your heart. Take a chance.