Maximus (Guardian Security Shadow World #15)

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

M aximus took off his jacket and made his way into his hotel room. He opened his suitcase, unfastened the false bottom, and extracted his equipment. Sweeping the room was his priority. Although the chances of someone installing monitoring equipment in the room while he was gone were slim, he wasn’t taking any risks. He’d disabled the listening devices by turning on a high-frequency jamming cube resembling an electrical adapter. He’d developed the technology last year, which was now standard issue for all Guardian Shadows working in Russia and throughout the world.

Loosening his tie, he ensured the room was clean before returning to his phone and calling up an app he’d developed. He tapped on it and watched as Elena Ivanova worked on her computer. The woman was quite a revelation. Her English rather than Russian accent wasn’t anticipated, although he knew her mother was British, and she’d attended school in England before returning to Russia. Another revelation proved to be his immediate and unwavering interest in the woman. Unwavering being the keyword. Why and how did that happen? Only a handful of people held his attention beyond the first interaction. People were slow, boring, and uninteresting. Yet she wasn’t, which was something he needed to decode. Not knowing why he had an interest made him itchy. He didn’t like that sensation.

His cameras, which he’d installed that morning, operated perfectly. The woman’s security was next to nonexistent. Wearing a pair of gray overalls, he’d carried a toolbox and walked into her building. No one had questioned him, and the lock on her door had taken seconds to defeat. The apartment was small but neatly appointed. He’d used his time to install three cameras and get to know his mark. She was tidy. Dishes had been done and put away. Her bathroom had been clean, and there were minimal beauty products that she didn’t need. She was a beautiful woman.

He'd gone through her closets, dresser, and every cupboard in her apartment. Volumes of art books had lined the shelving units in her living room. The desk area had been neat. There’d been papers on leasing a hall, and he’d noted the date. If she were planning a showing, it would fit his plan nicely. Assuming he could get an invitation, which he believed he could, his access to Molchalin would be almost guaranteed. With the asshole being violet coded, all the people at the show were expendable. Using the resources he had available, he could trap his prey while the others handled Molchalin’s army of security. Escape from that public execution could be problematic, however, without a specific plan for everyone, especially because he would take his time and leave the message Guardian wanted. No one was untouchable. No one, including the Shadows. That was why he still worked so damn hard for Guardian. He made sure Shadows were not traceable. Well, unless they gave out their address. He’d had words with Malice about that slip. He’d also used the information Honor had given Jewell to reinforce the programs that would swoop in if Jewell’s defenses failed. He’d taken on the overall system because Gabriel had asked him to do so after the Siege. He’d also bring on someone to train under him so the safety net never faltered.

He'd continued his work in Elena’s apartment. There had been nothing unanticipated until he’d tested her internet. Most people accessed the State’s internet via wireless hookup, so the port at her desk was a novelty. He’d opened his toolbox and pulled out the equipment he needed. Plugging in a stand-alone computer, he’d sent out a signal. What he’d received in return was interesting. Her access to free-world internet aside, what had caught his attention was that her access was more than likely being monitored. It was a private network, so decrypting traffic at a proxy was a no-brainer. No doubt, that was a common occurrence when one worked for Abrasha Molchalin. That being said, as soon as he made contact, Abrasha could know about it, particularly if she did any research on him, which he hoped she would. He’d quickly installed his monitoring system so he could see what she did on the computer, closed the wall plate, and made sure everything was returned to normal. Then he’d pulled his phone out, accessed his app, and looked at himself in the woman’s apartment. Walking into the kitchen and finally into the bedroom, he’d ensured he had adequate coverage before exiting the apartment.

Now, sitting in his hotel room, he studied the woman. He anticipated at least three or four near misses or brush-bys before they would make contact, so her approach was intriguing. She was more attentive than he’d anticipated, which made the contact more entertaining. He changed the app and accessed his secure texts.

Contact made.

He sent the message and closed the app. He didn’t care if anyone acknowledged it, nor was he obliged to check in with a handler. He controlled all Guardian’s systems; checking in with anyone coming to assist was almost useless. He could access any information he needed, and he knew his help was en route and would be in Sochi by the night's end tomorrow. With the first contact made, he would study more and meet with the Shadows who arrived. Separately or a rendezvous of all hands, he didn’t care.

But his pops got antsy if he didn’t check in through the system now and again. Both his dad and Guardian knew what they released when they released him. His analytical brain didn’t register the empathy that most people showed when dealing with humans. Unless he had a connection with a person, there was little … there was no concern about their pain or predicaments, which allowed him to send statements without a moral dilemma that ninety-nine-point-nine percent of the population would be forced to endure.

When his phone rang, he closed his eyes before lifting it to his ear and answering. “Yes?”

“You didn’t call to let us know you’d arrived.” His father’s voice on the other end of the line made him smile.

“I don’t check in. You know that.”

Demos’ voice lowered. “You do when your mom thinks you’re traveling for business, and that’s what you told her.” His voice lifted to normal tenor. “So she wants to know you’re safely in London.”

“Ask her to forgive me. I started work as soon as I got in.” Which wasn’t a lie. “I’ll call when I’m heading home, but I probably won’t have time to check in.”

He could hear his mom taking the phone away from his father. “I was worried.”

“Not a problem, Mom. But I could be over here for months. I’m not sure how long the company will need my assistance. I’ll call when I can, but I’ll be busy for the next few weeks. Day and night.”

“Well, that stinks. Won’t you get to see any of the sights?”

“Not at first. Maybe later. I’ll be okay, Mom.”

“You work too hard.”

“Work isn’t hard.” He laughed.

“Well, for you, maybe not, but that doesn’t mean you need to do it all the time. You should be out meeting people your own age.”

“I promise I’ll get a bit of play in, too.” He knew what his mom was hinting at, but any future concepts didn’t have a significant other in them as far as he was concerned. Even so, his mind flitted to the beautiful brunette with the proper English accent. She was his version of damn near perfect. If she had a security clearance, she’d be perfect. But even if he wanted a relationship, one could never happen for many reasons. Most importantly, he had no idea how to function in a relationship other than what he’d seen of his mother and father. He watched and learned, but the connection they had with each other, and with him and their other children, was special. He wasn’t sure he was able to form those bonds. Besides, Elena worked for someone he would cut open, gut, and stake out. After seeing that happen, there was no way the woman would want anything to do with him.

“Good. I won’t bother you any longer. I love you, Max.” He blinked and jumped back into the conversation.

“Love you, too.” He smiled and opened his eyes. “May I talk to Dad for a second?”

“Okay, here he is.”

He heard his dad kiss his mom before answering, “What’s up?”

“Thanks for taking care of that for me. I’ll do better.” He did tend to forget to check in with his mom, which caused issues.

“No problem. Everything going as planned?”

“A bit faster than planned, but now, it’s a cat-and-mouse game. I’ve baited the hook, but I’m not going to set it until I know I’ll have access to the big fish.”

“I have every faith you’ll do what you need to,” his father said. “I’m outside now, and Mom is inside. Is there anything you need from us?”

“No. I have everything I need.”

“If you need assistance …”

“You know I won’t. I have three fucking shadows to watch my six. Don’t you dare show up here.”

His father sighed, “I know, but I’ll be there in a heartbeat if you need me.”

“Thanks, Dad. I love you.”

“Right back atcha, kiddo. Be safe.”

Max disconnected and flicked his screen back to his current target. The weakest link. He’d use the woman to get close to Abrasha, and then he’d kill the bastard and anyone who tried to get in his way. Val, Malice, Reaper, and Val’s husband, Smith, were making their way to their hotels.

He watched as Elena flopped her thick, brown hair over her shoulder and read an article. One he’d supplemented without the publication’s knowledge. His program had suggested numerous places to sprinkle his false persona, and he’d chosen a couple of other magazines to sprinkle with his newfound expertise.

He watched as she thoroughly searched for anything mentioning him on the web. That meant Abrasha could access her searches, too. Given she’d worked for him for the last four years, he wasn't sure if the man would, but he wouldn’t take anything for granted. She had quick intelligence and knew her art—or at least that was his current perception at that point. In the future, his initial analysis could and probably would change.

With step one accomplished much sooner than anticipated, he would wait to make contact when she reached out to him with Abrasha’s bona fides. Rushing wouldn’t fit the plan he’d carefully constructed. Strangely, that bothered him. Like one mistake in a line of code that led to finding many others. It was a detail he couldn’t abide by, but it was there, and he needed to find out how far it went and exactly what it affected. Regardless, either before the show Elena was planning or after it, Abrasha would cease his reign of terror.