“Aleksandra? Where’s Gian?” one of the guards asks, confused why I’m not with their associate.
“The Russians killed him,” I said. “Mikhail is answering Antonio’s phone. Did you let Mikhail and his men inside the compound?”
“Of course not!” the guard quips, appalled by my suggestion. He holds a hand and picks up the phone to connect with the compound. When no one answers, he buzzes us through.
“Stay in the car,” Agent Malone says as they pull around to the front entrance.
“I’m coming in with you.” I refuse to let the feds bully me into sitting on my ass in the back of their car. “Antonio won’t know to trust you, and Mikhail is my brother. I’m the best negotiator that you have, and I know the layout of the building. You need me,” I say, insisting that let me accompany them inside.
She pauses for a second, considering my request. “Your kids stay in the vehicle,” Agent Malone says. She climbs out of the car and opens the back door, letting me out.
“Stay here,” I say, giving the kids a quick kiss before jumping out of the backseat and shutting the door. “Lock the car.” I don’t want to take any chances that Mikhail will escape and kidnap my children from me.
“Already done. Do you think we don’t know how to do our jobs?” she asks. She’s brandishing her weapon and gestures for me to get behind her as we stalk up the stairs. “You really should be waiting in the car. This is against protocol.”
I snort at her remark. “You wouldn’t be going inside if it wasn’t for me,” I remind her testily.
“We’re on the same side,” Agent Malone says. “But I can’t be responsible for you if you get shot.”
“I won’t blame you or sue you if that’s what you’re worried about,” I snap.
Is she trying to dissipate the brewing tension between us because it’s not working?
Just wait until Antonio discovers I let her in through the front door.