“You were an escort?” The thought both tantalized and terrified Loki.
“No.” M scowled at him. “I never slept with any of them. I was more of an assistant. Booked all the appointments, kept the girls happy and paid, managed security when needed. Like what the Asian woman is doing for you now, right?”
This last question was directed at Natasha, who gave a curt nod.
“I never sold you out. Never spoke a word about your business. Only what I learned about your clients and their, uh, proclivities.”
“I trusted you,” Natasha hissed. “I allowed you into my inner sanctum and you used it against my clients.”
“They’re big boys and girls. They can take care of themselves.” M squared her shoulders and crossed her arms. “If you help us now, I’ll make sure you’re taken care of too. You were a good friend to me once, Natasha. I’d like to return that favor.”
“Fuck you and your favor.” Natasha pointed at the bed. “Sit. Now, or I’ll call my guards and have you both taken down so fast you won’t know what hit you.”
Loki did as she asked, with M moving in slowly beside him. “She’s right. My client will pay handsomely for intel about Todd Martin’s whereabouts.” He cringed. “Sorry. Todavi Marcogonoff. If anyone’s betrayed you and your homeland, it’s him. He’s selling secrets to the highest bidders, regardless of collateral damage.”
“Idiota kusok,” Natasha mumbled in Russian. “I warned Todavi not to cross the KGB, but did he listen? Nyet. He just goes off and does what he wants, thinking he’s this big-time pop star and his life is golden.” She shook her head. “This is the reason I’m getting out. No one gives a shit for rules anymore.”
“You’re leaving the KGB?” M asked, her expression surprised. “But you love it there.”
“It’s not the same anymore, myshka. All these young assholes with their big plans and bravado. I’m done with these silly games. Besides, it’s beginning to affect my business.”
Loki tried to steer the conversation back on track. “What about Marcogonoff? Do you have any idea where he is now?”
“He escaped you at the charity ball, did he?” Natasha chuckled, still keeping her weapon trained on him. “He always was a wily shit. Took after his parents that way. And I have heard rumors of where he will go next, but they are just that. Rumors.”
“We’ll take rumors at this point, Mistress,” M said.
“You call her Mistress?” Loki whispered. “Did you and she ever—”
“Focus, cowboy.” M gave him a stern look. “Mistress is a title meant to show respect. And what I do or have done in the privacy of my bedroom is none of your concern.”
Well, didn’t that just make his traitorous cock wake up and twitch again. Not what he needed to be thinking about right now, but damn if he could forget it once she’d planted the erotic seed. He shifted on the bed and forced himself to concentrate. “Rumors?”
“Todavi, or Todd as he likes to call himself these days, has a friend who owns a club in DC. A club that caters to soldiers and arms dealers. The man’s name is Fritz. That’s all I know. But I would guess that if he’s trying to move that sort of information, this man is where he would go to do so.” Natasha gave a disgusted sigh. “I can’t believe I didn’t pick up on what he was doing until now. I always assumed the leaks were coming from inside the KGB organization, that it was on the government side of things. I never suspected an agent would turn, especially Todavi. His parents are practically gods in the Kremlin.” Her shoulder slumped. “As I said, I am getting too old for this cat and mouse shit. I am done. I won’t kill either of you. Consider this a final thank you, myshka, for all your service.”
“Do you have a name?” Loki asked, relieved when she lowered the pistol and clicked the safety back on. He could’ve taken Natasha then, but given the unknown relationship between the two women, he wasn’t sure whose side M would be on in this dog fight. “Anyone specific we should look for?”
“Other than Fritz? No. And the club’s name is Stripes, I believe.” Natasha walked back to the closet and stowed the gun away, then locked it behind her, sliding the key into her bra. “It’s in the Georgetown area.” She walked back to the entrance, her heels clacking on the hardwood floor. “Now, I must go. They will be watching me for any changes to my routine.”
Loki rose to go, but M placed a hand on his arm, stopping him. “Sit.”
“But we need to get out of here,” he said, frowning. “Get to that club and find Martin.”
“We won’t be leaving until the morning,” M said, staring at Natasha. “Right?”
“Unfortunately, your myshka is correct. This building is heavily monitored by the KGB. They have seen you both enter and will expect you to stay through the night, as is customary with my clients. If you try to leave before morning, they will be suspicious and they will take you in
to custody. I will lock the door behind me. There are no cameras or hidden listening devices within this room. I sweep regularly for confidentiality reasons, but the same is not true for the hallways, lobby, or exterior of the building. The KGB monitors them all quite thoroughly. My recommendation would be for you both to consider this a spa stay. Relax. Don’t try anything stupid. I’ll have someone bring you food and drinks shortly. You’ll be free to leave in the morning. Enjoy your evening.”
With that, she walked out, leaving Loki and M alone. The lock clicked into place with an ominous finality.
“There’s got to be a way out of here,” Loki said, getting to his feet to inspect every inch of the room. He could understand now why the decorations were so sparse. Nowhere to hide anything.
M stood and proceeded to toe off her shoes and remove her jewelry. “I’m going to take a shower.”
“Seriously?” Loki threw up his hands, exasperated. “That’s the most useful thing you can think of to do right now?”
“Mistress is right. We won’t get out of here until morning without capture. She might be a Russian sympathizer, but she’s also fair. Nothing will happen to us here.”