Targeted Risk (R.I.S.C. #7) - Anna Blakely Page 0,4

day for Mike to realize she was nothing like her father. Or her brothers.

“I pulled that shit about Alexandar and Ivan going after Jules out of my ass, and you know it,” Mike reminded Lopez. “I only said that to get close to her. See if she knew anything...which, as I’ve been pretty clear about, she doesn’t.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” Lopez shrugged. “She lived in the same house as the man until she was fifteen. She could’ve learned a hell of a lot in that time. Add to that, Juliet’s secret visits to her dad when she got older, all taking place during the time in which his business took off, by the way, all bring me back to this.” Lopez held up the folder.

Fuck. “You think she may have seen or overheard something during her visits to her father. Something involving one of the men on that list?” Mike shook his head. “If Jules had witnessed her father or brother participating in anything nefarious, she would’ve said something.”

“Jesus Christ, Bradshaw.” The guy looked at him as if he’d lost his damn mind. “Stop thinking with your dick for two seconds. The woman’s father is a big dog with the Russian mob, for Christ’s sake. You think she’s just gonna pick up the phone and spill her guts to a random nine-one-one operator?”

“No, asshole. But she would’ve told me.”

“Why? Because you’re banging her? Give me a fucking break.” Lopez tossed the folder onto the table. “You said she hasn’t seen or spoken to her father in years. Why do you think that is?”

Bastard.

“I’m not saying she’s not aware of what Volkov does for a living, Ben. What I’m saying is, she wanted no part of that life. That’s why she cut herself off from him.”

Lopez refused to back down. “Question is, did she cut herself off because she finally understood what her father was and what he did for a living, or because she witnessed something horrific and couldn’t stand the thought of being around him anymore after that?”

“She said they grew apart. And I believe her.”

“Because, and I return to my earlier assessment, you’re thinking with the little head in your pants instead of the one on your neck.”

“I’ve stuck this neck out for you and your agency for ten fucking years, Ben. I’ve given my life to the CIA, and to you. You’ve trusted me on every op, and I’ve come through for you every single time, so why the hell can’t you trust me, now?”

“Because you’ve made this one personal.” The agent got up in his face. “I’m not stupid, Mike. You love this woman. I can see it in your eyes every goddamn time you say her name.”

He didn’t deny it. “She. Doesn’t. Know. Anything.”

Taking a deep breath and a step back, Lopez ran his fingers through his hair before resting both of his hands on his hips. “Do you remember what you said when you called to tell me about your little bodyguard assignment idea?” When Mike didn’t respond, the agent proceeded. “I do. You told me she might be a way in. That there was a good chance she knew all about her father’s dealings. That she may even be able to give up some names. Your words, Mike. Remember?”

Yeah, he fucking remembered. “So?”

“So it was a good call. One the prosecutors want to pursue in a more formal capacity.”

Sonofabitch. “You do realize now that you’ve brought both Juliet and her brother in, it’s only a matter of time before her father finds out. What do you think Volkov will do when that happens, Ben?”

“I imagine he’s going to assume they’re both giving him up. Hence the protection part I tried explaining earlier. If you’re right about Juliet and she knows nothing about her father’s illegal business, then great. We can use Mikhail’s testimony, along with information you’ve gathered, to put Volkov away for good. After that, your girlfriend will be free and clear to go on as if nothing ever happened.”

“That’s great, except, even if Jules doesn’t testify under oath, her father is still going to be suspicious. He’ll always wonder if she turned on him, too. When guys like Alexandar Volkov get suspicious...” People die. “Goddamn it!” Mike locked his hands behind his head and blew out a breath. “How long until she leaves?”

“She’s already gone, brother. Witness Protection took her twenty minutes before I got here. She’s been assigned a new name and a new city to live in. A member of