Page 2 of Vienna Bliss

“And who do we think is more important to the operation?” Alena tipped her head to the side as if considering the options. As she did, he glimpsed a hint of gold through her hair.

The lock on that damned collar.

“We came here to rescue you,” Rolf said in irritation. “You didn’t check in.”

“I am not under obligation to check in with my contact, who, by the way, isn’t you. I want Agent de Gaul on the line, right now.” She pointed at each of the people arrayed in front of her. “You all ready to roll the dice and side with Rolf?”

“Agent Pedersen,” Rolf said softly.

“I think I’ll stick with Rolf.”

For a moment, Alexander tuned out her back-and-forth with the Interpol agent. If she was bluffing, it was a masterful performance. Both her mention of dice and his own use of the term bluff reminded him of what she’d said in his office.

Alexander, it isn’t a game.

When he’d caught her back in Vienna, he’d been sure he knew what was a truth and what was a lie. Everything about her had been a lie, and his own position as the injured party was an irrefutable truth.

That surety was gone now.

He had a dozen questions about her revelation even before the raid. Now…now he wasn’t even sure where he should start an inquiry, if he were given an opportunity.

Agent Pedersen turned and said something in French to the agents beside him. Both stripped off their helmets and heavy tactical gloves, setting them aside. The first, a black woman, left the room, while the second, a woman with pale gold hair pulled low in a bun, plucked a knife from a small compartment on her vest and walked over to them.

She freed Ruslan and Finn first, then him and finally Jakob.

He rubbed his wrists and then climbed to his feet. Jakob jumped up and positioned himself at Alexander’s left side.

“Take care of the others,” Alexander said softly.

“I am a medic.” The black woman, now carrying a bright red duffel, walked past him to the couch where the blonde had positioned the RTW men in need of medical care.

“I’ll stay with you,” Jakob said.

Alena had half turned to watch all this happen, while still standing in the no-man’s-land between himself and Rolf Pedersen.

She took a few steps towards the couch, watching for a moment as the two agents helped Ruslan and Finn.

Then Alena turned and walked over to stand beside him, on his right.

Alexander froze, his breath still in his chest. The cynical part of him wanted to declare this another ploy of some kind, another move in what she’d told him was, to her, a game.

Her fingers tentatively brushed the back of his hand, and Alexander’s breath released in a rush of air.

He took her hand in his, lacing their fingers together. She squeezed tight.

Rolf looked at them. The other man’s gaze jumped from their hands to the scarf around Alena’s neck. The scarf that hid the collar Alexander had locked on her.

Rolf was looking at her, at them, as if he knew what was under the thin piece of silk.

Alexander now knew why Rolf looked familiar. “Shit.”

“Recognize him?” Alena whispered.

“He was in Vienna.”

“Yes. The question is, was he at the club to watch you or me?”

* * *