Ivan 2 (Her Russian Protector #9) - Roxie Rivera Page 0,70

property,” Mueller said finally. “I want your property. For free,” he added as if Ivan needed the clarification. “I need that land to secure the rights to develop and to get my hands on that big pile of government money.”

“You did this,” he gestured to Ruby’s face, “over some fucking property?”

“I tried to buy it from you, but I could tell when Erin left my office that you two weren’t going to sell. I would have tried to sweeten the deal to get your cooperation, but my hand was forced due to unforeseen circumstances. So—here we are.”

“Teague?” he asked, wondering how Mueller knew about the man’s suicide.

“Yes,” Mueller said with an exaggerated sigh. “Him getting fired this morning over the firm’s audit and the missing money has caused significant problems for my investors and me. The auditors will turn over their findings to the board, and the firm’s board will launch an investigation that will probably catch the attention of the Feds. Just a few hops and skips and the Feds will realize that Teague tried to replace his massive loss by laundering money overseas. Africa,” he said with a disgusted look on his face. “I warned him about touching those people and their money.” He turned toward the corner of the warehouse and the pallets there. “And their guns.”

Ivan glanced at the pallets and shipping containers. “That stupid bastard worked with arms dealers?”

Mueller shrugged. “He’s book smart, not street smart. That will be a problem once he’s in prison.”

Ivan hid his shock at the realization that Mueller didn’t know about the suicide. He thought Teague was still alive.

“Unless he talks,” Ivan warned. “Negotiates a deal with the Feds.”

“He knows what happens to men who snitch,” Mueller replied confidently. “He’ll stay loyal and do his time.”

“Sounds like you have it all worked out,” Ivan said, all the while wondering how angry Mueller would be when he realized he had it all wrong.

“Plan your work, work your plan,” Mueller parroted smugly. “So, do we have a deal? The sister for the land?”

Ivan shook his head. “No.”

Ruby whimpered with shock. She sent him a pleading stare, silently begging him to save her. Did she really think he would leave her?

“No?” Mueller echoed. “What do you want?”

“You can have those two pieces of property and three others in my portfolio.”

“In exchange for?”

“Ruby.”

“Obviously.”

“And him.” Ivan pointed at Kavanaugh.

Kavanaugh’s face went slack. He whipped his attention to Mueller and seemed finally understand he was expendable. “Sir, you can’t be— ”

Mueller shrugged. “Sure. Take him. He’s replaceable.”

“Wait! Sir! Mr. Mueller!” He let go of Ruby and tried to reach Mueller, but two of his former friends showed how little loyalty they had by blocking him.

“It was nice doing business with you, Ivan.” Mueller ignored Kavanaugh’s continued shouts and pleading. “I’ll have my lawyers get in touch tomorrow.”

Without even a glance at Kavanaugh, Mueller walked away, proving what Ivan had always known. The man was a hateful little coward.

Speaking of cowards...

Ivan stalked toward Kavanaugh who looked ready to bolt. Kostya kept him from running by lifting his weapon and warning, “I’ll shoot you in the dick if you make me chase you.”

With Kavanaugh under control, Ivan reached for Ruby and tugged her into a brotherly embrace. She collapsed with relief and clung to him. “For a second there, I thought you were going to let them keep me.”

“I told you before,” he said gruffly, “you’re family.”

“Jesus, you almost sound as if you actually like me,” she said with a sniffle and a laugh.

“Well, you’re growing on me,” he admitted and awkwardly patted her back. “Like a mushroom.”

“Jerk!” She punched him with her balled-up fist, but he barely felt it. “I’ll have you know if I were a mushroom, I would be a white truffle, expensive and rare.”

“And loved by pigs,” Kostya commented.

Ruby frowned at him. “Who asked you?”

“No one,” Ivan said, stepping between them before they started to argue. He turned his attention to Kavanaugh, who looked like he was about to piss his pants. “Not so fucking tough now, huh?”

“What are we going to do with him?” Kostya asked, a ravenous gleam in his eye. He had been sidelined too long and needed to get back to doing what he did best.

“Where’s your closest black site?”

“About ten minutes from here.”

Ivan enjoyed the petrified look on Kavanaugh’s face. “Let’s go.”

A short time later, Ivan and Ruby stood side by side in a soundproofed garage behind an old, rusty single wide. He had bandaged her nose with supplies