Page 39 of Grizzly Sleuth
“All the more reason for you to not follow. If I’m caught, you will get my sister far from here.” The command was aimed at Idris.
“I will protect her.” A vow he’d do his best to keep.
“Excuse me, but it’s not up to you or him what I do.” A stubborn Svetlana glowered at them both.
“You’re not going to relent, are you?” Yuri groaned.
“No.”
“Fine. If you must be crazy, then Olga is supposed to meet me at the restaurant up the block from the hotel at eight p.m. Whatever you do, though, do not stand in front of it, staring. You’ll be noticed.”
“I can’t keep an eye if I’m too far.”
“And I won’t be able to properly woo Olga if I know you’re too close.”
The siblings glared toe to toe, Yuri hunching to bring his gaze even with his sister’s.
Idris cleared his throat. “I’ll make sure we don’t look suspicious.”
“Says the giant hairy brown guy. You do realize you’re even more noticeable than my sister?” Yuri shook his head. “If this is a trap, then I’ll only have myself to blame. But, come on, you have to admit, this is a great opportunity to get some intelligence.”
Before Svetlana could argue, Idris jumped in. “Your brother is right. Having an inside source would benefit us.”
“Benefit you. I don’t give two fucks about this doctor.” Her perfect grasp of English cursing impressed.
“You should, because Levy is the reason the KGB came after you in the first place.” A harsh reminder that pinched her features, but Idris needed her to put aside her concern for Yuri and face the facts.
“I can see you’re both going to be men about this. Whatever. Do what you like. I don’t care.” With that, Svetlana slammed out of the hotel room, and Yuri must have realized Idris planned to chase her because he grabbed him by the arm.
“Leave her alone. She needs a moment to calm down and see reason.” Yuri sighed. “My poor sister loves me too much. The curse of being too adorable.”
“And you’re being a little too flippant about this. What you’re doing is dangerous.”
“I’m aware. I’ll be better able to defend myself if I’m not worrying about Svetlana suddenly appearing.” Yuri slipped on his new loafers.
“Fair enough.” Idris held out his hand, and the other man gripped it tight. “Be careful.”
“Careful would have been choosing to live in the woods like a hermit. I’m much too pretty for that.” Yuri winked. “Don’t wait up.”
As if Idris would be able to sleep. He already knew Svetlana wouldn’t until her brother returned.
Yuri left, and a few minutes later, Idris left the room, key in pocket, food bag in hand, and Svetlana’s sweater tucked over his arm. He found her sitting in the stairwell. Idris sat down, placing the as-yet-untouched food bag between them.
“He left, didn’t he?” A morose query.
“Yes.” And must have taken the sketchy elevator when he smelled his sister lying in wait in the stairs. Smart man to avoid another fight.
“Idiot,” she muttered.
“He’s trying to do what he thinks is right.”
“We’re stronger together.”
“Sometimes, yes. But in this case, no.”
“You’re taking his side.” Her glare burned through him.
“No. While I understand his reasoning, I think you’re right.”
