New Partner
Siberia, Russia
January 1953
“Natasha.”
The red-haired woman stalked off the transport toward the open bunker door, where a man in army fatigues waited. They were the only people on the disguised airstrip.
“You let them do this, Malyen.”
“I had no choice.”
She spun, unnervingly fast and graceful. “I work alone. You know this.”
“The orders came from higher up than me.” The blond man stood firm, his angular features carved in stone, hands clasped behind his back.
“To shackle the most effective operative Mother Russia has ever known to a useless newbie.”
A hint of a smile twitched the man’s lips. It was the first emotion that had shown on his face. “I think you will find he can match you in every way.”
Not a hint of skepticism showed on Natasha’s face but they both knew what she was thinking.
“Come.” The man spun on his heel and walked into the bunker.
Natasha followed without looking back.