Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 146417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
The woman who was traveling with Tasha said something and nodded toward Big Tag.
“She’s telling Tasha that this is her new family and she needs to go with them now,” Kim translated.
Tasha shrank back and Kenzie and Kala stared at her.
Big Tag stayed where he was and let Chelsea take the lead.
Chelsea got down on one knee and addressed the child in Russian.
“She’s telling her not to be afraid. She says she knows what it’s like to lose her mom and end up going to a strange country.” She glanced his way. “She was only nine when she went to Russia?”
He nodded. “That was when her mobster dad killed her mom and kidnapped Chelsea and Charlotte.”
Kim laughed suddenly. “She told Tasha that Big Tag looks scary but he’s a marshmallow and that she’ll quickly learn how to manipulate him.”
Tasha set her pitiful suitcase down and walked over to Tag. She looked up at him and asked a quiet question.
“She asked if he knew her papa.”
Big Tag got to his knee and he still loomed over her.
“He’s says that yes, he knew her father, and he knows lots of people who knew her dad. He wants to honor her father by taking care of her and making sure she has a good life. He says he knows she’s scared but he’s going to make sure no one hurts her again.” Tasha’s nose wrinkled and one of the twins said something. “His Russian isn’t as good as he thinks it is. That’s what Kenzie pointed out. Or Kala. I can’t tell the difference.”
Tasha looked back to Tag, her face so serious. “I will be going with you then.”
Tag looked as soft as a man that big could. “I’m glad. We’re going to take care of you. These are my little monsters. They speak better Russian than me so you can plot with them. Kenzie and Kala. If you can’t tell them apart, use a marker in their sleep. It’s what I do.”
“Dad!” they managed to say in one voice.
Then the girls were off, talking in a mix of Russian and English, and he understood why Tag had dragged his daughters halfway across the globe. Because he was kind and knew Tasha would be far more comfortable with other kids around. Tag stood back and watched the girls while Chelsea had a conversation with the woman who’d brought Tasha to the club.
“She’s telling Chelsea that all the paperwork is in order.” Kim bit her bottom lip as she listened. “She’s got a passport, and everything is done on her end for the adoption. Apparently someone named Dusan greased those wheels. Is she talking about Dusan Denisovitch? The head of the syndicate?”
“He’s Charlotte’s cousin.” A flutter went through him when he realized someone was at the door. A shadow had crossed the frosted glass of the windows. “Someone’s here. Switch to the outside camera.”
Her spine went stiff and she stared at the screen as Rene went to open the door.
“We don’t have to. He’ll be inside in a minute. This was all part of Tag’s plan.” Kim’s words were proven true as Levi stepped into the lobby.
“Taggart, I’m not surprised you’re here.” Levi was dressed in all black, a hat on his head. It was one of those hats worn by college dudes who only listened to vinyl and liked things in an ironic fashion.
He was joined by another man, one he hadn’t met before. He was younger, looked barely twenty, though he dressed down in black slacks and a collared shirt. He definitely didn’t look like the typical CIA employee. He had boy-band hair. “Who is that kid?”
Kim whistled as though she really hadn’t expected that. “Drake Radcliffe. He’s a wunderkind brought in by one of the big bosses. He’s a genius at finding patterns. I think he’s connected on the political side, but I haven’t figured it out yet. He’s only been on the scene for the last six months, and I’ve spent most of that time either in Colorado or Europe. I haven’t been in the office much. If he’s here then Levi’s pulled some strings.”
“He makes you nervous?”
Kim shrugged. “Like I said, he’s known for being able to see patterns, for his incredible deductive powers. Some people at Langley call him Sherlock.”
On the screen Taggart was watching as the girls headed up the stairs. “Don’t get comfortable. We leave for the airport in thirty minutes.” He turned back to Levi. “Well, I’m not so happy to see you. If you’ve come to try to stop me from taking Sasha’s daughter home with me, you better have brought the big guns.”
Levi actually seemed taken aback, and Ezra realized that was all part of Tag’s plan. “No. That was Sasha’s daughter? You found her?”
“I did, and I’m taking her back to Dallas with me. So if you’re not here to fuck with those plans, why are you here?” Tag asked.