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Kira stashed the phone in her pink go bag. At least they’d had the foresight to bring an overnight bag. Who knew when they’d get back to the house? She’d claimed she needed it for all her snacks.
They headed back to the diner near Sawyer’s Peak that had become their default home base for this operation. Bonnie greeted them, still working, although her attitude was a lot less chipper than earlier. How many hours had the woman been on her feet?
They snagged the same booth in the back corner. Bryce wanted a plan before Ivan came and dictated one. “Any thoughts, Kira?” He watched her. She had ordered more coffee and, despite their lack of proper rest, looked refreshed and ready to go. The woman’s ability to adapt to any situation continued to impress him.
She sighed. “I’m not convinced Ivan has the statue or that he’s not playing both sides.”
“Right, and on our own, I’m not sure how we can help Natalia without blowing our cover. Calling in for a raid seems like our only option.”
The front door opened, and Ivan strode in, followed by another man.
Kira moved into the booth next to Bryce and the two men slid in across from them.
“Hi, I’m Special Agent Jordan Bailey. I’ve been assigned by our field office to go undercover as Levi Solinger to try and negotiate the release of the hostage.”
The agent with dark hair and brown eyes appeared to be around her age, thirty-three. She’d heard of him and his impressive résumé with the Bureau, and it was good to have him on board.
The waitress returned with a coffee carafe for the table and extra mugs. She asked for orders, and everyone but Bailey took a pass.
“How are we going to intervene to rescue Natalia?” Bryce asked once the waitress left. “Is there a plan in the works, one that won’t blow everyone’s cover?”
Ivan stroked his salt-and-pepper beard. “I’ve turned over the rabbit statue to the FBI for safekeeping.” He nodded at Bailey. “But we think we should set up an exchange. The statue for the woman’s release.”
This caught Kira’s attention and she perked up. “Then they’ll be one step closer to the treasure. We can’t let them have that much power.”
Ivan leaned across the table, looking both ways for anyone who might be in earshot. “Not if we can get to the treasure first.”
“And how do you propose we do that?” Kira asked.
Bailey shot Ivan an irritated look. “One thing at a time. Ivan will inform the Society that he’s blackmailed Solinger—me—into giving up the statue in exchange for Natalia. Apparently Ivan has some serious dirt on me that could put me away for life if the information is leaked to the authorities. So, I begrudgingly agreed to attend the meeting and hand over the statue. We’ll have FBI agents on surveillance around the property, and if necessary, they’ll step in.”
Ivan cleared his throat. “And if anyone is suspicious as to why I would go to so much trouble to free Alex’s maid, I’m going to announce that she’s secretly my daughter. I got her a job in Alex’s house to get her out of Russia and help her become an American citizen.”
“What about me?” Kira asked with an edge in her tone.
Ivan glanced between Agent Bailey and Bryce, as if they had a secret and he would let them decide who should be the one to tell her.
“Sophia is trying to get you out of the picture,” Ivan said. “She told Alex that you were the one who called the police and FBI to the art gallery. She’s been planting seeds of doubt about your loyalties. Alex thinks you have the statue.”
“And you didn’t bother to defend me?”
Ivan grunted. “I have nothing to do with protecting your cover. However, Sophia isn’t pointing a finger at Brian. And we can use that to our advantage. If Brian and Levi cut a deal with the Dominiks, this helps us get closer to the Society. Alex may finally reveal his secrets and give us the identities of the members of ACS.”
Red rose from Kira’s neck and flickered across her face. “So, I’m cut out of this operation, just like that?”
Agent Bailey steepled his fingers in front of him. “I’m not sure. From what I understand, it looks like Sophia has been playing you. And Ivan suspects she’s trying to move in on your man.” His head bobbed toward Bryce, and his stomach churned. Of course Sophia would make up rumors to drive a wedge between them.
Ivan shifted in the booth seat, plastic squeaking beneath him. “Alex told me that the Society thinks Kira is a distraction.” He looked at Kira. “Your aggressive bidding at the auction didn’t help.”
“Your cover is still intact,” Bailey said, “but it might be better for Bryce and me to go in alone, with Ivan, to negotiate for the release of Natalia. However, I’ll defer to you and Bryce on this since I’m coming in new to your undercover assignment.”
She stared at Bryce, her eyes pleading with him to keep her in the game. If she were to be cut out of the operation—
His thoughts shifted gear. If she stayed behind, he wouldn’t have to worry about her getting caught in the crossfire. There was a confirmed target on her back. Sure, the woman was more than capable of defending herself. But the way she’d captured his attention—and his heart—he might be better off if he knew she wasn’t in direct danger.
Don’t do it. Don’t do it. Don’t—
“Kira, I may need to play this out alone,” he found himself saying. Everything within him wanted to keep Kira safe . . . even if it meant sidelining her. “If I have Sophia’s attention, we have the power to—”
