“Scusa. Non parlo Italiano. English, per favore.”Licking my lips, I clasp my hands behind my back and hope he doesn’t find it strange I’m not a native Sicilian.
“So, we speak Engl-itch. No problem. Excellent I am on talk all language.” The sixtyish man removes his shirt, revealing pink flesh, wiry gray chest hair, and a pudgy waist. A thick gold chain holding an amulet of a double-headed eagle, hangs around his neck
This is my defining moment. Everyone is counting on me. I must succeed.Too bad I never learned to flutter my eyelashes. However, men have said my smile is seductive.
“Love your yacht, Alexei. Why haven’t the Americans confiscated it?”
For a moment he appears annoyed, so I unbuckle his belt and use my baby-voice. “I’m just wondering how you’ve succeeded where so many others failed.”
“Hah, I am smarter, da?” When his chest puffs out, I feel safe to continue.
“The other day I was reading how the Americans stole your bank accounts. Is it true?” Starting to unzip his fly, I pray he doesn’t notice how badly my hand shakes.
“Are you worried I won’t pay?” Grinning, he watches me lower my side zipper.
“It wouldn’t be the first time a client stiffed me. In my experience, all men claim to be rich, especially sexy generals.”
“What about you, little bird, who’re you pretending to be?”
Oh God, he knows.Heart pounding in my ears, I can barely think. Ready to defend myself, I wait for a knife or a gun and when nothing happens, I smile, strut around the room, and pretend it’s all a big joke.
“This world-famous thief is going to steal your family jewels.” Backing away from him, I pretend to rifle through his drawers, and purse my lips in a disappointed pout.
“No gifts for me? Maybe you’re not so wealthy after all? Show me your money.” I shimmy out of my dress, leaving me in red lace underwear and heels.
Even though I wear less on public beaches, I feel too exposed. Pretending to giggle, I lick my lips, touch my breasts, and reach in his pants at the bottom of the bed.
Despairado said the device resembles a small garage door opener or a calculator, but the general’s leather wallet contains nothing like that, nor does his shirt pocket.
Damn. The team said the e-device would need to be less than three feet away from his heart. I wonder… I try reaching toward his chain and he quickly grabs my wrists.
“Nyet.”
Bingo. The emblem must transmit his heartbeat to the e-storage. To go any further, the hacker team will need to help me, but Egonov took my comm unit.
My choices limited, I pull a needle from a bra stay, plunge it in his neck, and search the room. Coming up empty, I push the door ajar.
Thank God, Dash is there.
As I motion him inside, I explain fast. “His pendant has the transmitter, and I can’t find the receiver.”
Pupils dark, my man takes in my state of undress and scowls. Blowing air through his pursed lips, he dips his head and speaks to his mic.
“Houston? We have a situation.”
Chapter 19
Dash
Seeing Landy in red lace undies, and Balabanov laying naked in bed, seriously fogs up my brain but I push these thoughts aside. We have only minutes to search out the device, transfer the funds, and leave.
“Get dressed.” While I sweep the room with my transmission detector, she fights the spandex.
As she suspected, the wand’s LED flashes green near the medallion. Needing to locate thereceiver, I check the walls for a safe and open all the drawers. When the sensor blinks near a hardcover book, I flip through the pages, open to the middle, and remove what appears to be a credit-card-sized calculator, AKA theelusivehard wallet.
“Nailed it.”Picture snapped, I hit send, and the waiting Hackzilla responds almost immediately.
“Place the general’s thumb to the sensor on the back.”
