“You and I are in a bit of a quandary,” the man finally spoke, his slight accent betraying his heritage. She wasn’t actually sure if he was Russian but that was what she’d dubbed him in her head. His dark aviator-style sunglasses with silver rims made it impossible to see his eyes. He was huge, with broad shoulders, but his build was more sleek than muscular.

She glanced around, wishing Roman would somehow find them. Her heart beat an erratic tattoo in her chest, thumping out of control so loudly blood rushed in her ears. She and the Russian hadn’t gone far, but it was out of sight from the SUV and the dock where Roman was. If he was back from his recon mission, he’d be looking for her. “I can’t see how that’s possible when I don’t even know you.” But she guessed that he must be working for Neal. That thought made a cold sliver of fear skitter over her skin. He could have just killed her in the SUV though, she reminded herself. Whoever this guy was wanted her alive. Because bringing her out of the SUV to kill her in a public place didn’t make any sense.

“True, but we have a mutual acquaintance.”

“So you’re working for that bastard?” she asked, unable to hide the bite of anger from her voice. Because really, who else could he be working for? She might have suspected he was the man who’d come after her at Vadim’s house, but this man had dark hair and tattoos. The description of the man Roman had interacted with was so plain and unassuming. Not this guy. This man was memorable, like a jungle animal roaming the streets wearing a black suit that did absolutely nothing to hide the fact that he was a predator. Which meant Neal had two guys working for him.

To her surprise, the man snorted. “For him? Lynch owes my boss money. And Lynch told me that you stole his money.”

“I didn’t steal anyone’s money. And how did you know where I was today?” Because she and Roman had been incredibly careful coming here.

He paused for a long moment, watching her, though all she could see was her own reflection in the sunglasses. Which was pretty unnerving, and was probably why he wore the damn things. That and the way he was so still was freaking her the hell out.

“I saw your friend scouting Lynch’s boat. Then I spotted you messing with your hair when he got into your SUV. I wasn’t even certain it was you because of the wig, but you have a beautiful face. Hard to forget. This,” he glanced around them, “was just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Now tell me what we’re going to do about Lynch’s money—my money.”

A surge of adrenaline pumped through her at the confirmation that she’d been right in tracking down Neal’s boat. That meant he could be nearby, close enough to bring down even. Was he on the boat? Maybe Roman had already called the cops. She hoped so. Unfortunately she was pretty sure this guy was a hit man of sorts. If he collected money for someone maybe he was more of an enforcer. Which was terrifying.

She cleared her throat, trying to tamp down her nerves. “Neal Lynch stole from the company I work for. That money has been returned to Powers Group.” She decided not to confirm that yes, she was the one who’d liberated the funds from that thieving monster. “So whatever he owes you is on him. If he owes you so much, why not just take his boat?”

The Russian stilled, his head cocking ever so slightly to the side. “I have checked. The boat is not his property.”

She shook her head. “The boat belongs to one of his fake corporations. It’s his and it’s worth over five hundred thousand.” And as far as she’d been able to find out, he hadn’t bought it with Powers Group money.

“My boss only takes clean products.”

She frowned, not understanding. “The boat is clean. I mean, it’s under a corporation’s name, but he could transfer it to you. Hell, I could transfer it to you or whoever you work for with a clean bill of sale. Title and everything. The owner would be responsible for future docking fees wherever they keep it and yearly tax fees, but…it’s clean.”

Another long pause. “Right now Lynch is being protected. It is in my interests that he is not arrested. Yet. If you transfer his property to me, he is fair game. If not…things could get messy. Starting with that friend of yours.”

Taylor’s hands balled into fists, her jaw tightening. Threatening the man she cared about, especially after she’d just lost someone, wasn’t in this guy’s best interests. All her instincts told her to lash out, but she reined in the stupid part of her brain and took a deep breath. “Just so we’re clear. If I transfer ownership of the boat, Neal is no longer protected? And you will leave me and my friends alone?”

“Correct.”

“Fine.” She had no idea who this man was, though she could guess considering some of the tattoos on his fingers. She’d done enough reading that she recognized some of them. And she knew there was a Russian mob presence here and in surrounding areas. Combined with his accent and the mention of his boss—she didn’t even want to know the name of the man he was working for.

The man reached into his jacket pocket and for one moment she tensed, thinking he was going for the gun he’d holstered earlier. Instead he pulled out her cell phone, then battery. He handed both pieces to her. “I’ll call this phone with details soon.”

Nodding, and trying not to show how much she was trembling, she stood and slipped the battery back into her phone. Turning it on, she clasped it close to her chest, her fingers wrapping around it like a lifeline. It didn’t hide the subtle tremor racking her body. “You better freaking call.” Not come after her with a gun. Though she didn’t say it out loud it was pretty clear she was implying it.

He simply nodded and she took a few steps away from him, back in the direction of where he’d taken her from. He didn’t move from his spot.

Heart racing and sweat dotting her upper lip and forehead, she turned away from him and started walking, her legs shaking. Swiping her code into her phone, she tapped on the camera icon. Then she turned around again, still moving away from him. The man was standing, his body turned toward hers, but he wasn’t making any threatening gestures.

She was careful about it, but she took his picture as she held her cell phone against her chest, knowing she needed this to figure out who he was. His jaw tensed, as if he knew what she’d done.

She turned and ran, her lungs burning as she sprinted down the sidewalk. Avoiding a couple joggers, she jumped to the left and risked a glance behind her as she fled. He was walking in the other direction, not coming after her. Elation surged through her but she didn’t stop her getaway.

Slowing to a fast walk instead of a sprint that would draw more attention, she rounded the corner onto the sidewalk that ran along the southeast side of the marina.

Less than thirty seconds later she spotted the SUV. Her heart pounded erratically in her chest, the staccato thump insistent, blood rushing in her ears. Maybe Roman wasn’t even back yet—He appeared from around the other side of the vehicle, his expression tense and his cell phone held up to his ear.

He barked something into it and dropped his arm as he rushed toward her onto the sidewalk. She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “We need to leave. Now!” Winded from fear and running, she sucked in deep breaths.

It was clear he wanted to argue as he scanned behind her, looking for any threats but he nodded and ushered her to the passenger side of the SUV. After shutting her door he rounded the vehicle and hurried to the driver’s side and slammed the door.

“You hurt?” he demanded, his voice shaking with what she recognized as worry as he started the engine.

“No, but we have a problem. And a solution I think.” As he drove, she launched into what had happened, leaving nothing out.