Hostile Ground (The Arsenal #7) - Cara Carnes Page 0,18

a corner booth. His full lips upturned into a grin when their gazes locked. Though both arms were draped around a woman on each side of him, his focus remained on Addy.

“Is that who we’re meeting?” She glanced at Kristof, who was still a few inches taller than her despite the heels she wore.

“Yes.” Kristof’s curt reply surprised Addy. He drew her closer to his side. “Let’s get this business done.”

Right.

“Take all the time you need,” Shep said into the com. “At least this joint has more interesting scenery than the warehouses and piers and vacant houses.”

Addy didn’t bother scanning her surroundings again. Shep blended in better than a chameleon in any habitat. Kristof stopped near the booth and offered the man a curt nod as he slid in beside the blonde on Gavriil’s right side. Opting to keep her attention on the club, she slid in beside the brunette on the other side of the booth.

“Kristof, you’re on time. Dare I suspect this enchanting beauty is the cause?”

“Iriana, this is Gavriil Kozlov.” He unbuttoned his suit jacket and poured a drink, which he held up for her to take.

Addy offered a smile and took the beverage they both knew she wouldn’t drink. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine. Many have told me about the beauty who fights better than most men. I see the fascination now.” Gavriil wound his fingers through the brunette’s hair.

The blonde shifted and wrapped an arm around Kristof’s waist. He poured a drink and leaned back in the booth. “I trust you have the rest of your employees under control.”

“Yes.” The man’s face darkened. “Your gift was unnecessary. My secretary will likely remove you from our Christmas card list.”

Right. Kristof had the man’s heart delivered to Gavriil.

“It was less of a gift than you were going to receive. Don’t let it happen again.”

“It won’t.” Gavriil picked up his drink and took a sip. The brunette offered him a pull of the joint she held up. “I trust you’ll handle the cargo without my involvement.”

“I will, like always.”

“Always? How many times have they handled ‘cargo’? Jesus they make me sick,” Zoey said. “Marshall, you’ll likely have visitors soon.”

“They just pulled up,” someone said.

“Tag that vehicle,” Marshall ordered.

“On it,” someone replied.

Addy shifted in her seat and sipped the drink she held. Conversation on the com continued in her ear. The women were being moved. Then what? Would they be returned to whoever they’d been stolen from? What was Kristof’s definition of handling the situation?

“New targets have a tail,” someone said. “Quarter klick back, south.”

“Roger. Drone has the vehicle,” Zoey said.

A tail? Addy narrowed her gaze. As if sensing her concern, Kristof’s eyebrows rose. Addy pulled out her phone and tapped out a message.

Tail on your cargo crew.

Kristof chuckled and pulled out his cell. He cursed and tapped out a message to someone. Addy would kill to know who, but they’d been unsuccessful in cloning his phone so far—much to Zoey’s chagrin.

“Forgive me. We have an issue with the pickup.”

“Oh?” Gavriil asked.

“It seems I wasn’t trusted to handle the situation,” Kristof said. He slid his cell back into his pocket. “Thank you, Iriana. Your attention to detail is appreciated, as always.”

Interesting. He trusted Gavriil with details she’d expected him to keep quiet. Why?

“Brilliant and beautiful. Careful, friend. Those are the dangerous ones,” Gavriil said with a grin.

“You have no idea,” Kristof muttered.

Addy chuckled. Awareness beaded along her skin as she peered into his intense gaze. Although the scantily clad blonde writhed against him, Kristof ignored the woman altogether and kept his attention fully on Addy.

Her pulse quickened as she severed eye contact and took a long pull from the cocktail. She didn’t know what it was, but it was good and filled with more Vodka than mixer. The alcohol burned the back of her throat with just enough sting to snap her out of the hormonally-charged thoughts.

Amusement glimmered on Kristof’s face as he raised his drink and took a sip. “As much as I’m sure you’re enjoying these beautiful women’s company, we have business to discuss.”

“Of course. Give us a moment, ladies,” Gavriil said to the two women at his sides. Addy and Kristof both stood. Silence descended as the two women shimmied out of the booth and disappeared into the club. “Do we have a problem?”

“My men will take them to your safe house,” Kristof said as he and Addy both sat back down. “They’ll remain there and keep them secure until