Wild Men of Alaska 04 - Wild Men of Alaska - Four Book Bundle

thought they had. The feeling must have been conveyed in her expression, for Perry laughed. “You were such a delight at first. Willing to learn, to please.”
    She lashed out at him, and he deflected. Each kick, fist, series of volleys, he easily dodged. He’d been her teacher and therefore knew all her moves. They’d worked together, covered each other’s backs for six years. She’d thought the world of him. How could he have done this to her? He’d set her up. Played her. And she’d let it happen, never suspecting Perry of being a traitor. He’d been her mentor, and she’d followed everything he’d told her like some devoted dog. No longer. This ended.
    Tonight would be his last Christmas Eve.
    Letting him get in a few good swings, she lured him back toward the fireplace. One blow had stars blinking in her vision and slammed her into the hearth, the force of the punch knocking her into the beautifully glazed pottery vase. It tumbled to the floor, breaking, and she followed after it.
    Sergei roared her name as she went down. She struggled to her feet, slicing upward, the Ulu she’d stashed inside the vase gripped in her hand.
    Perry’s look of shock was comical as the wound registered. She’d cut close to his balls, slicing through his femoral artery.
    The Remington recoiled, and glass shattered, deafening as it echoed in the tall ceiling. The Arctic wind raged in, and the room froze.
    Perry hit his knees.
    Sergei cocked the shotgun and aimed at Thug One. “Move,” he dared. “Give me reason.”
    Not strong in the brains department, Thug One charged, and Sergei pulled the trigger.
    Ivan broke Thug Two’s neck, and he crumpled to the floor.
    “You bitch,” Perry hissed, blood soaked through his pants, bubbling through his fingers as he tried to stanch the wound. The man was dead, and he knew it. Kate had a hard time feeling bad about it. She’d already grieved for him once.
    “I’ve got to know,” Perry gasped, color draining out of his face. “Where’s the money?” He pitched forward.

C HAPTER E IGHTEEN

    “I’m tired of being your clean-up man,” Ivan said, shaking his head over the body count.
    “Let’s hope this is last time.” Sergei laid down the shotgun and confronted Kate. “Vhy did you let him vail on you like that?”
    “Easiest way to take a man down is with his ego.” She dropped the Ulu on top of Perry’s body. “What did he mean by, ‘where’s the money’?”
    “The arms deal in Afghanistan. I couldn’t let Perry keep the money.”
    “This has all been about money ?”
    “ Nyet. This is about love, Katja.”
    “How much money?”
    There was a look exchanged between Ivan and Sergei.
    “Thirty million.”
    Thirty million. Again, she was nothing but a pawn to be played with between two dangerous men. Pain pounded in her chest, making it hard to breathe. “Where’s the money?” she repeated Perry’s dying question.
    “In an off shore Cayman account.”
    “And you’re living here as a handyman?”
    “I don’t need the money, and I like to fish. I told you it vasn’t about the money.”
    She turned on Ivan not able to look at Sergei. “What has the last two years been about? You egging me on to go after Sergei?”
    “You didn’t need any egging, Kate,” Ivan scoffed.
    “What is your role in this?” She hadn’t even met Ivan until after Afghanistan. The twisted trails started to make a map that she could now see from a different angle. “I can’t believe I ever fell for that bullshit. You weren’t sent from some government outreach program to help traumatized agents readjust to society.”
    Ivan shrugged. “Sounded plausible at the time.”
    “If you’re his comrade why don’t you have an accent?”
    Ivan smiled. “I assimilate better into your American society as I’m not as untamed as this guy. More cultured.”
    “I sent him,” Sergei said. “To vatch over you. Keep you safe since ve suspected Perry vas still alive. Katja, you must understand, Perry knew you vere falling for me and that I cared for you more than I should. The order to kill each other vas test. One that I am glad ve both failed. He liked the hero vorship, and vanted more from you, but knew you vere beginning to see the rust in his armor.”
    “You’ve been spying on me? Sending babysitters?” She gestured to Ivan. “Why didn’t you come yourself?”
    “I couldn’t contact you. Keeping avay from you kept you alive. Besides, you veren’t ready to see me again.