Leopard's Run (Leopard People 10)

She shrugged, rather than tell on herself. She had been Lady Godiva, running around nude, because she couldn’t stand material against her skin while trying to figure out how to put out a fire that was only partially hers. She felt Timur’s eyes on her and tried not to look at him. When she did, those blue flames were back. He knew. He might not know exact details, but he knew. Godiva, the little hussy, had probably ratted her out and told Temnyy.

“You did good, Ashe,” Fyodor said. “I didn’t expect you to be such a good shot or have such quick reflexes. I thought that leopard had you.”

Ashe shook her head. “I wasn’t about to let him have my female. She might have enticed him there, but she didn’t want him and she wasn’t ready.” She couldn’t help the indignation in her voice.

Timur smiled at Ashe and then switched his attention to his brother. “They got that scent-blocker from someone.” His gaze flicked to Evangeline. “And they knew the layout of the house, with the exception of the safe room. They’d never been here before, and yet they knew.” He was careful. Fyodor was very protective when it came to Evangeline and wouldn’t want any accusations made against her family, especially if she was trying to reconcile with them.

Fyodor didn’t respond. That could be good or bad, but Timur continued. “I’m head of security and if I’m going to protect both of you, I need to know everything going on in this house. Fyodor, you know that. You can’t tie my hands like you have.”

Both women turned toward the men. Evangeline sank into one of the deep chairs. “It’s my fault, not his, Timur.”

Timur shook his head. “No, Evangeline, it isn’t. Fyodor knows what it means to protect others. If he wants to stay alive and wants me to keep you alive as well, I have to know everything, down to the smallest detail. There can’t be secrets.”

Evangeline’s eyes met Fyodor’s. Fyodor nodded. “He’s right, baby. I’ve tied his hands and so have you. It has to stop. Now, more than ever, we have to be careful. Once I received your texts, Timur, I realized we were under more threats than one.”

Timur nodded. “That’s very clear.”

“Not to me,” Ashe said. “I knew I was being followed when I came here …”

“Apostol Delov is a messenger. He was hired by Lazar to find your parents,” Fyodor said. He looked at his brother. “I haven’t had a chance to tell you yet, but Drake got back to me and said that a war is brewing between Ashe’s grandfather and Lazar. Her grandfather is really upset that his son, and only heir, was murdered and that a hit team was sent after his granddaughter. Apparently, he had agreed to the killing of his daughter-in-law, who stole his son from him, but not her husband or daughter. Lazar apologized and blamed the team in the field, but the apology wasn’t accepted.”

“From now on, have Drake include me in all communication,” Timur ordered, half expecting his brother to give him trouble.

“Yes, of course, it’s already done. A meeting has been set up for three days from now. It was the soonest everyone could get here,” Fyodor said. “It also gives Drake more time to tap into his sources to find out if more opium is being shipped out with perfume orders. We need to know if the factory is being used again in spite of the fact that it was shut down. We also need to know whether or not an alternate route has been set up.”

“Do you think my uncles are involved?” Evangeline asked.

Timur saw his woman put her hand over Evangeline’s to comfort her. “It’s possible, even probable that one or both might be. Has either of them been to this house?” He had to ask, and he didn’t look at Fyodor as he did. He knew, because his men communicated with him, that her father had been there.

Pain slid into Evangeline’s expression. Not just pain. Sorrow. That got him in the gut, but Timur had to know everything. He was responsible for her, Fyodor and Ashe. As far as he was concerned, he was responsible for all of his men as well. Quite a few of them had abandoned the lairs and followed him to the United States. That made them his responsibility.

Evangeline’s chin went up. She didn’t break easily. She was a strong woman and she’d faced adversity head-on. Timur not only adored her, he was proud of her toughness.

“My father and Uncle Gilbert came with my brother, Ambroise. Uncle Gilbert and my father stayed in the poolroom while I visited with my brother,” she said. “If someone betrayed me, it was Ambroise. We weren’t raised together. I barely saw him when I was a child. I’d hoped he would become part of my family here.”