Taken by the Thief Read online

  While they were talking I decided it was time to get up, and I noticed Kostya do the same. But before we could leave my father’s guard opened the door and came hurrying in.

  He held out a neatly folded piece of paper a little bigger than the average letter.

  “This just came,” he said. “It was delivered by a young lad who said a guy in a club paid him to bring it by this morning.”

  Even Kostya looked worried at that. People didn’t do that sort of thing unless they were trying to send an anonymous message or one that couldn’t easily be traced back to any one person.

  Kostya, Vasily and I all watched Father as he opened it. At first he didn’t appear to react, but eventually he frowned, and before he’d reached the bottom line, he had clenched one hand into a fist.

  As he finished reading he looked up and saw us all looking to him. After glancing at each of our faces in turn, he got to his feet, took the letter with him and walked to the far window. For a moment he stared out of it, seemingly considering something.

  By the time he looked our way again he was composed, but there was a set look to his face, his eyes that little bit more narrowed and his shoulders more squared back. Something was wrong and he wasn’t happy about it.

  “What is it, Father?” I asked, the first to dare speak.

  “Some upstart of a young don thinks he can pull one over on me is what’s wrong.”

  “It’s a threat?”

  Father nodded.

  “They want me to hand over an area of my business simply to stop them doing something horrible.”

  “Is the kid still here?” Kostya asked. The guard shook his head. “Did you get a description of the messenger or know which club?”

  Once more the guard declined the information.

  “Then I’ll see what I can find out, if you wish, sir?” Kostya said, grabbing his jacket off the back of the chair. My father nodded, leaving me to watch as Kostya hurried away without another word.

  If Vasily hadn’t been there I’d have rushed to father’s side and comforted him, or asked what could be so terrible, but I wasn’t about to ask my father to divulge more while a Petrushkov was in the house.

  “Perhaps I should go and let you get a handle on this. Unless I too can be of assistance.” Vasily got up, putting down his cutlery despite being halfway through his breakfast.

  Father looked at him for a moment, clearly hesitating. A moment later he held the letter out, his hand covering some of the most important bits.

  “Do you recognize the handwriting?”

  “No. Not at all. It’s far too... well, look here, they’ve not learned cursive properly, as most men of our caliber and education have. You’re right, whoever sent this is an upstart. Someone who doesn’t know their true place in Moscow.”

  Father took it back, shifting his hand and reading some more, but Vasily was now closer and reading it over my father’s shoulder. Stepping forward, I tried to call my father’s attention to it, but Vasily did himself.

  “Is this referring to what I think it is?” he asked. Father raised his eyebrows in surprise before nodding. Neither men would look at me even when I also came closer, the two of them now reading the letter together, Father not even trying to hide it anymore.

  “I didn’t think anyone knew about that, but...” Vasily trailed off. Instantly Father set his jaw, anger springing into his face.

  “Only us and Konstantine.”

  I felt my blood run cold as Father called for his guard. Although I had no idea what secret they were talking of, it was clear Konstantine was now the scapegoat. My Kostya. Somehow he’d been set up, and everyone was already falling for it.

  As Father rushed out, calling for Konstantine to be brought right back immediately, Vasily stepped in close to me.

  “I’m so sorry, my dear. It seems your lover has been up to no good. I’m sure your father will be far more careful about who he lets you out with in the future. I’d best go help him with all this mess. But if you find you wish for an... alternative place to lay your head, you’re very welcome to pay me a visit.”

  Vasily walked away before his words could sink in, but as soon as they did I shuddered. Not wanting to be left in the dark, and desperate to ensure nothing happened to Kostya, I hurried after them.

  Vasily had followed Father to his library, and I soon joined them, despite the look I got. I wasn’t normally allowed in the library.

  “I cannot let this upstart of a don take all my territory. I refuse,” Father said straight to Vasily.

  “It’s definitely a difficult situation to be in. Do you have anything to bargain with? Or anything on this other don?” he asked.

  “I don’t even know who he is.”

  Father sat down, his jaw set and his eyes distant. Normally this was a sign Father was thinking, but confident. Today, however, his hands pulled at the seam of his trousers, fidgeting in a way I couldn’t ever remember seeing my father do.

  “I might be able to help,” Vasily said a moment later, sounding like he’d just thought of something. “It wouldn’t guarantee that I could keep all your territory in your hands, but it might reveal the don, and it would ensure nothing could be used against you...” Vasily stopped talking and looked towards me, holding out an arm before he continued. “…or your dear Nadenka ever again.”

  “Nadenka should not be brought into this.” Father looked at me too, and I expected him to dismiss me as he often did, but I walked further forward, trying not to feel too creeped out by being so close to Vasily.

  “You’re perfectly right,” Vasily said, coming even closer to me. “Poor Nadenka shouldn’t have been brought into this, but Konstantine involved her, using her to get to you. You must be reeling, my dear,” he said, leaning in just enough to look like he truly cared about how I felt. A ripple of fear ran across my skin. I didn’t want Vasily to ever look at me this way.

  “Father, I’m sure we can find a way to fix all this,” I said, trying to subtly put distance between me and the Petrushkov don, but Vasily only followed me, the three of us getting closer and my mind beginning to edge into panic.

  “Let me... Let me fix this, and Nadenka, I know your father just wants you safe. Let me provide that safety. I’ve admired you for some time. Come be by my side in this world of dons and territory battles. Become my wife. I can give you anything you want. Even your pets would be welcome in my house.”

  “No,” I replied, without thinking.

  “Nadenka!” Father yelled. “Do not let your emotions and childish sentiments get the better of you. Konstantine was not a lover of yours, not truly. You cannot be entirely affected by this, and Vasily is a wonderful man. Consider his offer with more care.”

  My mouth hung open.

  “I really would like to help you and your father, Nadenka,” Vasily said, stepping closer and taking my hand. “But having you by my side is important to me. It would be of benefit to everyone for you to say yes.”

  I looked between the two men, able to read between the lines enough to know what they were saying. Vasily was offering to help my father only on the condition I married him. And I wasn’t going to get any more time to think about it.

  Hoping I didn’t live to regret it, I nodded.

  “Perfect,” Vasily said, his eyes lighting up, but not with a gentle smile or a love-filled gaze. With the smug delight of someone who had gotten their way. With the gloat of a predator that had cornered their prey. Trying not to shudder under such a look, I stared him in the face.

  “Please, Vasily. Help us. Even the thought of planning something like a wedding is too much when someone threatens my father.” It took all my control to speak the words calmly and with conviction, but they appeared to have an effect.

  “Oh, my sweet Nadenka. I’ll get straight to it. You’ve made my heart light.” Taking my hand, he stepped in close to kiss me. At the last second I turned so his lips landed on my cheek, hiding my shudder. He lingered, his mouth near my ear.

  “I
hear Kostya has been taming you,” he whispered. “Teaching you to obey him like a master. I look forward to continuing your education, because you will learn to please me as I wish or face the consequences.”

  Without another word or a backward glance, Vasily let me go and hurried out. I suppressed a yet another shudder, knowing one thing for sure—even if it ruined my reputation, I would never ever marry Vasily.

  9:08am

  Kostya

  Something didn’t feel right in the pit of my stomach as I hurried out of Sokolov’s house and got into my car. I’d been feeling off all morning, not even enjoying screwing Nadenka in the way I normally did, and now this.

  I’d always promised myself I’d never get involved directly with the dons. Never do anything that made me belong to one of them. Then Nadenka had come along and I’d gone back on my vow just to get to pin her down and do as I pleased with her. Most of the time that was entirely worth it, but today... something wasn’t right.

  Vasily showing up hadn’t helped. Already, once before, I’d had to come up with a way to make a point and gain access to Nadenka over him. We’d not seen him since, but it didn’t strike me as a coincidence that he’d popped in for breakfast today of all days. Was he up to something? But if so, what?

  I was just going through the gate when I heard one of the guards yell. The gates immediately started to swing back into place, my car only partway through.

  Pushing the throttle down, I got through just before they would have crushed the car. I looked back. More guards running down the drive from the house, guns out. I was in trouble.

  Stepping on the accelerator, I sped off down the road as shots rang out, thankfully missing the car and me.

  I was several miles down the road before I could think clearly again. What had just happened? One moment I was running an errand for my boss and the next my boss’ guards were shooting at me.

  It had to be something to do with the morning’s letter, and something must have happened after I’d left the room. More than ever, I needed to find the kid who’d delivered it. And I could only think of one club someone would use to do something so discreet.

  Hoping Sokolov’s men didn’t also think of it first, and already thinking of Nadenka and how I’d met her there, I drove to a large building on the west of Moscow. It was early, and the place wouldn’t normally be open to customers, but once before, the owner, Yazov, had helped me out in a sticky situation. I was more than hopeful he’d do the same again.

  Thankfully the bouncer on the door admitted me immediately, nodding in my direction as he did. I hurried through the open door, my eyes looking for anyone who might know who had been here the night before.

  Just as I was walking past the showgirls’ dressing room, one came out, one who’d been trying to get my attention for months.

  “Konstantine!” she called, surprised to see me as she prepared to go home. “What brings you here so early? We’ve not seen you in ages. I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about us.”

  “Not forgotten about. I’ve just been busy,” I replied. “I need to find a kid that was in here yesterday at some point. He passed on a message and the message got mangled. Need to find out if he can remember any of it.”

  The showgirl immediately pouted. “You’d better not be thinking of pulling any of your tricks on such a cute kid.”

  “No, no tricks at all. I just need to know what was in that message. The boss, Sokolov, was meant to get it, but something happened to it. It got torn or something. He sent me to track it down, work out who sent it and find out what they were trying to say. It sounded like someone offering a friendly warning.”

  For a moment the woman pursed her mouth, clearly trying to decide if she should talk, but she’d already shown me so much, glancing towards the small dining room the staff used when they weren’t on duty more than a few times.

  “Well, I can’t leave you alone with him, but if you just want to ask the kid a few questions... It was Hetren’s boy. Earned him a few notes, too. Come on, I’ll show you where he is.”

  I hadn’t got to my current position in life by being normal or playing by the rules, but I equally knew when I should let people think they were in charge and that I didn’t know things I’d already worked out. A time to play a smart game and a time to play a dumb game. This was the time to play along and let people think I just wanted a little chat with someone I couldn’t get access to any other way. Of course, I could, but they didn’t need to know that.

  Following, I was led right to the room she’d kept looking at, not even realizing she’d given the game away. Inside was a boy. He looked to be no older than fourteen, his short black hair sticking up over intense, angry-looking eyes.

  “This guy was meant to get that letter you took to that fancy house, but it got a bit...” she looked to me, hoping I’d explain.

  “The guard took it, but he’d left the dogs out,” I said. “For some reason they thought it was a dog biscuit. The last part was unreadable.”

  “I won’t tell you who gave it to me,” the kid replied, his face stern, but his fingers searched for something to hold onto, giving away his nerves. “I promised. It was part of the deal.”

  “Oh, I already know who gave it to you—tall guy with a small goatee, likes to wear this suit jacket that doesn’t button up right,” I replied, my eyes never leaving the kid’s as his mouth fell open in shock.

  “Wow, that’s him all right,” the kid said. “But I still don’t get how I can help.”

  “Can you tell me anything about the second half of the letter?”

  The kid tried to pretend he didn’t know, shrugging as if he’d not seen it. I knew better.

  “I know curious boys your age. You read it. I’m not cross. Today it’s actually helpful.”

  “Well... It did mention something about some horses, and a track to train them. Something about it going to the wrong person.”

  “Right. That’s all I needed. Thanks, kid,” I said, getting up and pulling another note from my wallet. “Buy yourself something with that or save it for an education or something.”

  I walked out of the room before anyone could stop me or say anything further, eager to be gone and on the road. The Petrushkov don hadn’t covered his tracks well enough for a man like me, but that made no difference. It was Sokolov I’d need to prove my innocence to if I ever wanted to see his daughter again.

  Before I could leave the building I had to pass a set of stairs up to offices and Yazov’s domain, and on the way past, that was the exact person who strode down. He stopped as soon as he saw me and flicked his head back upwards, his face serious and unreadable.

  Not knowing any other reason why a man like Yazov would summon me to his office and aware I was screwed, I followed him as well. Maybe this way I’d get some idea of how to fix all this.

  10:21am

  Nadenka

  Vasily hadn’t been gone long when Father’s guards came in, informing him that Kostya had escaped. I sighed, more than a little relieved. It drew my father’s gaze, making it clear he’d noticed.

  As soon as we were alone together, he beckoned me closer.

  “I am pleased that you accepted Vasily’s offer. He is truly the only don left who can protect you, especially after the betrayal of this Konstantine. He’s clearly a man who thinks himself so important. He fixes things, yet he acts like he’s a don in his own right.”

  “I don’t think this was Kostya,” I said as Father got to his feet, but he merely gave me a look and carried on moving until he stood in front of the large window at the back of the house. “Think about it, Father. If Kostya was going to do anything to harm any of us, he’d have done it already. This isn’t even his style.”

  “Betraying people is exactly what he does. And he’s good at it. I’m more than a little relieved he didn’t do those despicable things he does to some girls to you. At least this don knows how respectable men wage war, and how protected you are. Vasily has assured me again and a
gain that he’ll do everything he can to keep you safe.”

  “I’m not in danger, Father. Kostya wouldn’t ever...” He held his arm up for silence and I instinctively shut up.

  “Enough. Kostya would endanger you, and Kostya did. I should never have let him anywhere near you. Please, go feed your pets or plan your wedding. I need to do what I can to make this work.”

  At first I considered arguing with Father, but he strode off to his guard hut and I knew any further words would be futile.

  Instead I made my way through to my area of the house, trying to work out what must have happened and what Vasily had done. Not for a second was I in doubt that the annoying Petrushkov Don was behind this sudden turn of events, but I was surprised by my reaction.

  My heart hurt, and as I walked into the bedroom, I knew I couldn’t sleep there again without Kostya.

  But that meant doing something, and if he’d gone to find the messenger, or he needed a safe place to work something out, I could think of only two places to go. There was only one problem—I’d never snuck out of the house in broad daylight. And there was going to be hell to pay when I finally returned, so whatever I did, it needed to be thought through and final. I couldn’t come back until I’d found Kostya, worked out what he was being blamed for, and cleared him somehow.

  Grabbing a large handbag, I stuck it on the bed and tucked in it fresh underwear for a couple of days, a warm wraparound, and as much cash as I could find scattered throughout my room, including upending all my other handbags. I then opened up my secret stash where I kept my diary and pulled out the small roll of notes I kept there.

  Finally, I grabbed a pair of more sensible, low-heeled boots. They were ones I’d worn enough they didn’t rub or cause blisters. As soon as they were on, I grabbed everything else and hurried to the door.

  I checked no one was about at each turn, aware I didn’t have the ability to hide what I was up to while I carried such obvious items. Thankfully all the staff were elsewhere and I could get down to the lower floor and the stables no problem. Quickly tucking my stuff down by the shoe rack outside, I opened the door for the stable and strode in as if I was having a bad day. Immediately the stable hand popped out of a stall.