The Untouchable

Chapter 90

"Why don't you want to come to me?" Sennoy asked, puzzled.

"Because I don't trust you," Daniel replied sarcastically.

"You can't trust anyone," Sennoy agreed. "All right, I'll be there. Don't be silly, Daniel. If you've decided to set a trap for me..."

"We'll do without threats," Daniel said dryly. "I don't have the money or the means to set a trap for you, Sennoy."

"Well... who knows? You're a smart kid," Sennoy said. "I'll drop by tonight."

Daniel disconnected the call, wrinkling his nose. He licked his parched lips, examining the room to see if he'd forgotten anything. He adjusted the curtain jerkily, rubbed his face - he didn't want to meet Sennoy! But there was no choice. It was necessary to go through this abominable step to protect himself. From fatigue and tension, his whole body trembled, his armpits were soaked. By evening... well, there was time to sleep. He had been preparing so early for nothing - he was accustomed to Alexander's impulsive behavior. Sennoy did not intend to rush at the first call; he showed that he was not that eager. To hell with him. Daniel collapsed onto the bed, the sofa's springs rattling pitifully. Sleep, sleep, sleep - he needed rest. Sleep came instantly as soon as he closed his eyelids. His exhausted body overpowered his nervous system, demanding rest.

He woke up as if someone pushed him, opening his eyes and immediately jumping up in fright. Above him stood smiling Sennoy, while two sturdy men silently walked around the room, peering into corners and opening cupboard doors.

"Sleeping beauty," commented Sennoy and shot a look at the two men. "Well?"

"No weapons, everything is clear," reported the taller one.

"Good. Damn, what a room. You stay at the front door, and let Dima wait with the others at the entrance," Sennoy shrugged, taking off his dark gray coat with a thin brown stripe, and raised his eyebrows in surprise when Daniel sat up on the bed. "Where are you going?"

"Outside to talk to you. I don't want to stay here," Daniel stood up, brushing off the sleep. "I told you to come alone, but you brought the whole army with you."

"Sit down," Sennoy pushed him back onto the bed. "I liked you better when you were asleep - meek, humble, not all scowling and ranting like now. I couldn't come alone; you got a grudge against me, might've set me up. Don't worry about my guys. No one's gonna hurt you. They're just here to watch my back.."

"What guarantee is there that they won't drag me into the car on your orders?" Daniel, flustered, smacked his hand away. "Do not touch me, Sennoy!"

"Call me Andrei, why do you keep using the prison handle," Sennoy pushed his legs with his knee, making himself more comfortable. "They ain't gonna haul you off. But I'm hoping you'll come with me. You'll be way better off at my place than stuck in this dump," Sennoy looked around the shabby interior disdainfully. "How much do you pay for this place - thirty rubles?"

"Fifteen for a room," Daniel cut him off, throwing his legs over the side and rising again. "No, I'm not going with you. I'd rather live in a kennel than in a gilded prison. Been there, done that, didn't like it."

"I'm not Sashka; I won't keep you on a leash," Sennoy closed his iron fingers on Daniel's elbow. "Why are you being so stubborn? I'm not going outside to get wet. We'll talk here," and he licked his lips hungrily, glaring from head to toe. Daniel shook off his elbow, rubbed the spot his fingers had gripped, but sat down obediently on the bed.

"When are you going to take Matvey Bystritsky down?"

"In a week," Sennoy answered quickly. "And Sashka's gonna be buried under lawsuits; he'll be too busy to bother with you. Before long, he'll start offloading his stuff cheap just to get out of trouble. Then you'll be outta here too. Deal?"