“Valeria–” There’s a warning in Levin’s voice that she seems to ignore entirely.
“Innocent women die every day, Volkov.” Valeria shakes her head, her braid swinging over her shoulder. “Trafficked, assaulted, beaten, murdered. Everywhere, every day. You could spend your whole life trying to save them all.”
“And I never would,” Levin returns evenly. “But I can help a few. Especially those who I know, who are close to me. Iwillsave her, if she can be found before Obelensky kills her.”
I can feel myself tense at that, cold dread trickling through my veins at the idea of Sasha dead, lost to me forever.
Valeria slouches back. “Good luck. Obelensky’s place is a fucking fortress. I wouldn’t touch it or go near it unless someone was paying me a fantastic amount of money, and even then–”
“Money I can do,” Levin says evenly. “And something else, too.”
Her eyes narrow. “I’m listening.”
“There’s a man you’ve been hunting. He’s been eluding you–the fly that the spider can’t catch. I have his location.”
Valeria’s expression instantly sharpens. “You know,” she says, as conversationally as if we were talking about the weather, “I could kill your friend and torture the information out of you. No need for me to go near Obelensky’s or risk getting caught sharing information about him.”
Levin’s mouth quirks up on one side. “You could try.”
“Oh, it would be a pleasure.” There’s something feral in her gaze, catlike in the way her tongue trails over her full lower lip, as if she’s already tasting the spray of blood on it. “I’ve always liked the idea of trying to kill you, Volkov. We’re well-matched. One of us would win–but I’m not entirely sure which one it would be. That’s not something I encounter often.”
“You’d make it weird,” Levin smirks at her, and I can see the ripple of arousal that goes through Valeria. It’s not as if she’s trying to hide it, and I suddenly feel like a third wheel, as if I have a ringside seat to something I’m not actually meant to see.
“Of course, I would.” She smiles. “God, it would takesuchtechnique to get anything out of you. So much pain. I don’t even know if I’d succeed, and Ialwayssucceed. It would be…delicious.”
“Focus up, Valeria,” Levin says wryly. “I’m never going to go to bed with you, and you can try to get through me to Max here–and then try to get me into your little room of horrors–but I don’t like your chances, and we’re not here for that.” He leans forward towards her, and I can see him playing to what she’s thinking, taunting her, letting her see the muscled bulk and handsome face that he’s told her she’ll never have.
I can’t help but wonder if she knows what he’s doing, if this is a game he’s played before with her. Levin moves more skillfully through this world than any other man I’ve ever known, and Valeria is the first person I’ve ever met that I almost think could be a match for him in skill and violence. It wafts off of her like perfume, death and blood hovering around her like an aura.
“I have money and a name for you,” he continues. “You’re welcome to them, but I need information,goodinformation.”
“Who did you go to before me?” Valeria asks curiously, crossing one slender, muscular leg over the other. “I’m just dying to know.”
“None of your business.”
“Did you send little Yusov crawling into holes again? Be careful sending him into such dark places, Levin. He might not be able to get out again. And I guarantee you that’s one little birdie that will sing his way to a quicker death.”
I don’t miss the switch from her using Levin’s surname to his first, and neither does Levin. I see it in the flicker of his expression, the way it turns more guarded in an instant. I don’t know what it means, but it’s clear that he does, and that’s reassuring.
“Tell me who you’re looking for,” Valeria says finally, after a moment’s more consideration. “A name.”
“You don’t already know?” Levin makes an expression of faux shock. “When we set up a meeting? Don’t play me for a fool, Valeria. I know you’ve already looked into why I’m here.”
“Surprisingly, it’s been quite difficult. You should be glad. There’s likely no chance Obelensky knows you’re on his tail. So who did he steal?” She jerks her head towards me. “His wife? His lover? Just like the last time?”
“Her name is Sasha Obelensky,” Levin says coolly. “And she will be dead very soon, if she’s not already. The name is all you should need to know why I’m in such a hurry to get to her.”
“Curious.” Valeria cocks her head to one side. “Why would he kill his daughter? Or his–” she draws it out, and I wince at the idea.
“His daughter,” Levin says flatly. “Illegitimate. He’s covering his tracks. I intend to get to her before he can finish the job.”
“Quite a mess to wrap yourself up in. Does this have something to do with Andreyev?” Valeria asks curiously, her piercing gaze still fixed on Levin.
“That’s not a part of this conversation.”
“Still an answer.” She smirks. “Obelensky has another daughter. She could be useful to you. From what I hear, she spends a lot of time poking into his business. In fact, I heard there was a bit of a problem yesterday. She burst into his office, upset about some girl that he was holding captive with the intent to have her killed.”
I feel a rush of sudden adrenaline that has me leaning forward, muscles tensed and the words coming out before I can remember Levin’s caution to let him do the talking. “That must be Sasha! So as of yesterday, she was still alive–”