The Prince's Gamble (11 page)

Alexander shrugged negligently. “Things change. Surely you understand that.”

“I do.” They both knew Alexander was referring to what had happened after Nicolai’s brother’s death.

“I thought this casino was a good move, but it cost a great deal more than I thought. Especially with all the extra work that had to be done to repair the boardwalk and building after Hurricane Sandy. Plus I have one government agency after another in here all the time, breathing down my neck with their crazy regulations.”

“Not so easy in this country to slip them a little and have them go back to their dingy little offices,” Nicolai replied with a sneer of disdain.

“Not easy at all. If I don’t get the money flow turned around soon…” Alexander took a big gulp of his brandy before loosening his tie and yanking it off, his actions intentionally jerky and portraying disgust.

“It would be a shame to let such beauty fail.” Nicolai’s greedy gaze drifted over all the possessions in the room before skipping down the hall to the room Kathleen had disappeared into earlier.

Alexander met Nicolai’s gaze and the look there made his skin crawl. The other man hadn’t changed in all the years since they’d been in school together. Still greedy and covetous and not above breaking the rules to get what he wanted.

“I see,” he said, much more calmly than he was feeling at the thought of what Petrov wanted with Kathleen.

“I may have an…investor. I could get you some quick cash in exchange for a favor or two.”

Alexander hesitated. He had agreed with Kathleen not to appear too eager, but he was also delaying because he was unsure of the wisdom of continuing with this plan. Petrov’s eagerness was more worrisome than he had expected. Or maybe he had been lying to himself all along that he could allow Kathleen to go ahead with this.

“Does she mean that much to you, my friend?” Nicolai pressed at his hesitation. He seemed pleased with Alexander’s upset. Nicolai was still clearly someone who liked other people’s toys best.

Which made his decision, as distasteful as it was, the only way to proceed.

“You’re asking a great deal of me.”

“As are you,” Petrov smoothly replied.

Alexander nodded and rose. “May I sleep on it? Get back to you in the morning?”

Petrov got to his feet and dipped his head in agreement. “Of course. I couldn’t imagine giving away something so valuable without some thought.”

Alexander walked him to the door and escorted him to the elevator, wanting to make sure he didn’t wander anywhere that might reveal their little ruse.

With a final clasp of the man’s shoulder, he got him on the elevator and waited until the display indicated the car was past the point where he could re-enter the penthouse area without a key. If Petrov attempted to get out on any of the business levels, he would be unable to get past the keycard-protected doors.

Satisfied, Alexander returned to his apartment and found Kathleen waiting for him by the sofa where he had been sitting moments earlier with Nicolai. Thanks to the mike tucked into his lapel, she had heard the entire exchange with Petrov.

“How did I do?” He closed the door behind him.

“You sounded quite convincing.”

Anger filled him as he realized that she hadn’t meant it as a compliment. He strode to her side, yanking the microphone from his lapel and tossing it at her.

“Shut these things off. We need to talk. In private.”

Chapter Twelve

Kathleen also didn’t want the coming argument to be one for all the world to hear, so she complied.

“We’re done here for tonight. Call me on the cell for anything important,” she advised her team, removed her earpiece, and shut it off. She snatched Alexander’s mike from the sofa and did likewise to secure their privacy.

Alexander shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it onto a nearby chair, demanding, “Why are you so determined to push me away?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” she answered.

Alexander shook his head and did a rather inelegant and fatigued plop onto the expensive leather couch behind him. Placing his elbows on his knees, he leaned forward and buried his head in his hands. The gesture made him look so defeated that she was moved to sit before him on the coffee table and offer comfort.

Gently, she ran her hand across his upper arm and shoulder. “What is it, Alexander?”

“You were right about me. I have been keeping a secret from you.”

Shock flooded her eyes. “What? Alexander, if you have information on the case—”

He waved a hand. “Don’t worry, it’s…” He sighed. “It’s personal.”

She relaxed a little. “It’s okay. You can trust me.”

“I know.” An almost pained grunt came from him before he straightened and laid his hands on her thighs. He met her gaze full-on, making it impossible for her not to see the uncertainty on his features.

“You must promise to never to say a word of this to Tatiana.”

At her questioning glance, he continued. “She must never hear of this because I do not want her living in fear.”

Why would he say that? Did
he
live in fear? Now she was worried.

“I was seven,” he began. “The Soviet Bloc had crumpled and some people were growing desperate, including those in the Russian mob. I was on my way to school with my bodyguard when our car was attacked.”

Kathleen wracked her brains, trying to recollect if that had been in the file she had been provided, but it didn’t ring a bell. “Were any of you hurt?”

“My bodyguard and driver were killed. I was taken. Taken by men with tattoos much like those Stravinski bears.” Although his tones were calm, his recitation steady, it was only done with great control. From the tension of his hands resting on her thighs, she understood just how emotional it was for him to recount the tale.

“What happened next?”

“I was held for ransom, bound, and blind-folded in a cold, damp room. It took several days for the police to find me.”

It had to have been traumatic for someone so young. She covered his hands with hers, trying to soothe him. “What happened to your kidnappers?”

“Some were killed during the raid. Others escaped and have yet to be caught.”

Which was why he still feared for his sister, even though the incident had happened over twenty years earlier.

“No one has ever told Tatiana of this?” she guessed.

He shook his head forcefully. “Never. My mother was pregnant at the time. The stress of it caused her to miscarry, which in turn made another child difficult. It was a miracle that Tatiana was carried to term.”

A miracle that had brought the whole family great joy, from what she could see of his relationship with his sister. But now she better understood the protectiveness he exhibited.

It made something else click as well. “Is that why you and Tatiana were schooled here? To get you away from that risk?”

He nodded, but then leaned forward again to lay his head in his hands in an almost wounded posture. She hated that she had been the reason he’d bared such a painful moment in his life, but it helped her understand so much more about him. About the man she was coming to care for more than was wise.

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and drew his head to her breast. Softly she murmured, “I won’t say a word to Tatiana. I promise.”

Slowly he raised his head and locked his gaze on her face. “I know you’ll keep that promise,” he said, and released a sigh.

His position brought him so close, the warmth of his breath spilled across her face. So near, she saw the moment his gaze lost the cold deadness which had seized him moments before. As he brought his hands to her waist and tenderly urged her into the vee formed by his legs, the icy blue of his eyes slowly darkened.

“You look amazing tonight. Feel amazing.” As if to prove his point, he ran the back of his fingers up and down her side and the satin of the dress.

“Tatiana did a wonderful job, but this isn’t me. I’m really not this kind of woman.” She couldn’t ignore the way her heart skittered from his touch, and feeling a little unsteady, she brought her hands to his shoulders. The fine cotton of his shirt was cool and smooth beneath her hands, his muscles hard and well-defined even through the fabric. It was impossible not to stroke her hands along his upper arms and experience the strength of him.

“I like when you touch me,” he said with a boyish grin that drew out the playful dimple on one side of his lips.

The admission yanked a smile to her face since it was so far removed from the uptight and formal man she had first met. It made it that much harder to drop her hands away from the temptation he presented.

“I shouldn’t have done that. And we shouldn’t be here, like this.” She gestured to the almost intimate way they sat. It would only take the slightest pressure on his part for her to be in his lap. “It’s too…dangerous.”

The logical part of Alexander’s brain understood. She had a job to do and whatever was going on between them could distract her. And he reminded himself that this woman, this princess seated before him, was not the real Kathleen. The real Kathleen would not fit into his world nearly as easily.

But the other part of his brain—
or maybe it was his heart
—desperately wanted Kathleen’s touch. Wanted to know what was in
her
heart.

“
You’re right. This is probably not the right thing to do,” he said, and reached down and took hold of her hand. “But for the first time, I’m not thinking about what’s right. I’m giving in to what’s in here,
Ko’shechka maja
.” He raised her hand and placed it flat against his chest, directly above his heart.

She shivered at his words and it made him imagine how she would shudder with desire as he made love to her. He grew hard imagining how much smoother her skin would be than the satin now beneath his fingertips.

“What does that mean?
Ko’shechka maja?
” She mangled the Russian, but was intrigued enough to inch closer.

Alexander was sure she wouldn’t like it, yet didn’t demur. “My little cat. Can I call you that now? Kat, just like your cover name?”

Her hand trembled on his chest as she cradled his jaw with her other hand. “My friends call me Kat,” she confessed, her gaze lingering on his lips before she reached out with her thumb and swiped it across his mouth.

“I don’t want to be your friend.”

She stopped with her thumb dead center of his lips, puzzlement on her features. “You don’t?”

“I want more, Kat.” He opened his mouth and nibbled on her thumb before licking it. Male satisfaction swelled his erection as she shook with desire and closed her eyes.

“Sasha,” she murmured, and he shifted forward until he was surrounding her. His thighs brushed against her legs and he embraced her with his arms.

Nuzzling the side of her face, he whispered against the shell of her ear, “I want to hear you say my name while we make love.”

Her hand on his chest curled into his flesh. She opened her eyes and the melding of green, blue, and hazel had darkened to the color of a forest at dusk. Her pupils were dilated with desire. She turned her face the smallest bit, just enough that her warm breath bathed his lips as she spoke.

“I need to go, Sasha. Alexander,” she corrected, as if to remind herself of her duties.

Disappointment welled up within him.

But he knew the day to come would be difficult. He would not add complications by forcing the issue tonight. That time would come soon enough.

With the barest brush of his lips along hers, he said with a sigh, “I’ll walk you back to your room.”

Chapter Thirteen

Kathleen closed her door and leaned back against it, her body vibrating with need.

Alexander had not needed to walk her here, considering that the room he had provided for her was less than one hundred feet from his private suite. But after her rejection of his advances, she had sensed that he needed to restore the formality she had first witnessed in his office, the distance necessary to keep things professional between them.

But even she had to convince herself such professionalism was possible. Her body and mind refused to let go of the smell and taste of him. Of the feeling of being enveloped by him physically, and touched emotionally.

His revelation about his kidnapping had rocked her vision of the very competent, demanding, and reserved man she had first met. She now knew those things were probably a defense against the emotional scars he carried from the incident. His concern for his sister and keeping her free of the fear that he still carried with him in the recesses of his heart. It all bespoke a man of great love and devotion.

Her heart ached for him.

Her mind wondered what it would be like to be loved by such a man.

Impossible, she told herself as she headed to the shower, intending to wipe away the memories of his touch. She needed sleep, so she would be ready for whatever came tomorrow.

Her team was already at work on obtaining the warrants necessary to establish video surveillance in Petrov’s room and Alexander’s offices. It had been decided earlier in the day that Alexander would contact Petrov in the morning, ask to meet him, and agree to provide Kathleen’s…favors…in exchange for Petrov’s assistance in getting a quick infusion of cash.

Once that meeting occurred, they would prep the next step in the plan, namely, Kathleen offering herself to Petrov. It should be easy to convince him there were issues with Alexander and she was willing to go off with Petrov. She hoped he would suggest that she help him launder the money connected to the markers he had deposited.

But success also brought the likelihood of the other man touching her. The very idea sent a shiver of disgust through her body. She purged the thought from her mind as she carefully removed the earrings and necklace Alexander had lent her and placed them in the black velvet box that had somehow found its way into her room.

Efficient. Competent. That was how Alexander ran the casino, and he had played his role perfectly tonight. She trusted he would do the same in the morning, since time was ticking away on finding Vanessa before something horrible happened to her. Kathleen just prayed her hunch was right, and that they weren’t already too late.

With equal care, she undressed and hung up the gown. Feeling unexpectedly wistful, she skimmed her hand along the lush fabric, so far removed from the simple cottons and wools she normally wore.

Luxury to which she should not grow accustomed, she reminded herself and headed to the shower. She needed to clear her mind and a long hot drenching under the half-a-dozen or so jets would hopefully help wash away a goodly portion of her cares.

But as she passed the soapy washcloth across her breasts, her nipples tightened and between her legs came a pull of need.

Get it over with and it’ll be easier to ignore him
.

She dropped the washcloth and replaced it with her hand, tugged and tweaked her nipples. Eased one hand between her legs.

A soft sob escaped her as passion built and she neared satisfaction. Her eyes were closed and his image filled her mind’s eye. His remembered scent and feel replaced that of the hotel soap and her own hands.

In her memory, his voice and words echoed, “
Ko’shechka maja.”

With thoughts of him filling every part of her, she came, and her body shuddered with pleasure.

One name escaped her lips.

“Sasha.”

…

“Quite impressive.” Nicolai Petrov eyed the executive dining room with its expanse of windows displaying the wonders of man and nature.

“Quite
expensive
,” Alexander replied, determined to play his role and move along the investigation. The sooner they did, the sooner they would hopefully find out what had happened to Vanessa. And the sooner he and Kathleen could explore their attraction.

“Yes, you mentioned costs had been a problem.” Nicolai trailed a finger along the edge of the gleaming marble countertops of the bar and buffet areas before he gestured to the Monet on one wall of the room.

“You could sell that.”

“Done already to a not-to-be-disclosed buyer. I’m hoping father won’t notice the switch. That is if he even bothers to visit.”

Nicolai nodded sympathetically. “Before Andrei’s death I was invisible.”

And after his brother’s death, Nicolai had had only a few things on his mind, including revenge for the brother everyone had loved beyond reason.

“It must have been hard on you.” Alexander was actually able to understand because of the wounds he had kept hidden for so long. Since sharing it with Kathleen last night, the burden seemed not so heavy anymore.

Nicolai narrowed his gaze and peered at him intently. “I’ll have my day with the police who murdered him.”

If Alexander remembered the story correctly, Petrov’s brother had been shot when Interpol had come to arrest him. No one knew whether the kill shot had come from Interpol or elsewhere. At the time, Interpol had suspected that Andrei had taken over the family’s assorted businesses, some of which were less than legal and had connections to the Russian mob.

Which only provided Alexander with more reasons to play out this ruse and end it quickly.

“Make yourself comfortable while I order lunch. Any preferences?”

A sly smile slinked across Nicolai’s face. “No, food, thanks. I’ve already eaten, but I can think of one tasty tidbit I’d like to have.”

“Oh?” He raised a brow.

“Your little spitfire from last night.”

“Who, Kat?” He almost cringed at the fact that their ruse to attract Nicolai was working so well. Angry at Nicolai’s obvious interest, he strode to the wet bar and lifted high a bottle of vodka, but Nicolai waved off his offer.

“Was that her name?” Nicolai asked, and at Alexander’s nod, he said, “I’d love to have her purring beneath me. Her sharp little nails digging in when she comes.” He flexed his fingers to demonstrate.

Alexander tightened his grip on the bottle to keep from wrapping his hands around Nicolai’s throat.

“Yes, well… She’s not part of the bargain. I don’t mix business with pleasure.” Not only because he hated the thought of Nicolai putting his hands on her, but because the more he seemed disinclined to share her, the more Nicolai would want her.

“Sadly, she is. My connections need a way to clean up some of their earnings without it being too obvious. Kat is just the person to help.”

Alexander had no doubt that Nicolai would not be content with only using Kathleen as a courier. Once he had her alone, he would push for more.

“What kind of help?” He poured a few fingers of vodka into the glass and took a sip, needing the bite to keep himself focused on the job and not on killing the man.

“Kat helps us do our laundry. She may have some of my friends helping her.” Nicolai walked to the windows and turned his back on Alexander.

He pretended to think about it. “How many of your friends and for how long?”

Nicolai pivoted on his heel with military precision and shoved his hands in his pants pockets. A cunning look firmly on his face, he said, “I guess that depends on how much money you need to keep your little kingdom running.”

Alexander nodded slowly and then slugged back the vodka in his glass. Slamming the glass down on the marble counter, he stalked toward Nicolai. “Fine. But
I
say when our business relationship ends. Is that clear?”

Nicolai chuckled harshly and shook his head. “I see the prince is still alive and well. I’ll speak to my people and see what they have to say.”

“What does that mean?” he shot back, his impatience real.

Nicolai rocked back and forth on his heels. “Send Kat to my room at nine, appropriately dressed, of course. I’ll have an answer for you then.”