Xander gritted his teeth. This one time, his brother managed to be a step ahead of him. Ares was subtly giving him an ultimatum, and he didn’t like it.
“So, you want to buy out the personal security branch of Axis Management. What’s the offer?”
“I’ll offer you one point three million.” River crossed his arms over his chest.
“He insults us, Ares,” Xander said.
“We have a contract from Ian McIomhair. His agency is set to bring us in, two-point-five million dollars’ worth of business next quarter alone,” Xander said.
River spread his hands. “I’m doing you guys a favour, and I know you are going to make more dough when this is off your hands. Tell me I’m wrong.” River’s steady green stare bore into Xander, and he returned it without flinching.
“I won’t accept anything less than one point five,” Xander said. “You know our contracts are solid and our people are the best.”
River stared at him for a moment. “I’ll write the cheque right here and now if you can get me an updated assets list.”
Xander rubbed his hand over his face. “The only person who can hand me that list hasn’t come into work yet.”
River shrugged. “I’ll give you ten minutes.”
Xander’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he swore.
“Xander, what is it?” Ares asked.
“The team on Harper has lost sight of her. I haven’t heard from her all day, and this is the first update they give me.” Xander pushed back from his chair.
“You have a security detail on your executive assistant? Wow, the working conditions here have sure gone downhill.”
“It’s a long story,” Ares said.
“Want me to pick up their trail?”
“No.” Xander glared at him. “Give us more time to get the list to you or withdraw your interest.”
“You have until ten am tomorrow,” River said.
“She’ll call, Xander. Give her a chance to cool off.” Ares’s phone rang, and it was his time to curse.
“River, thanks for coming in. We’ll get the information to you.”
“Okay.” River pushed the chair back in, clapped Ares on the shoulder and shook Xander’s hand. “If you need help with whatever this is, call me.”
Xander smiled tightly and made sure the door behind him was closed.
“Ares, what is it?”
“My contact at the police station. Someone just filed a formal missing person’s report on Alina Volkov.”“But you knew that,” Xander stared at his brother, his mind blanking for a moment.
“I heard someone was looking for Harper through a contact but this is a formal thing, Xander. Before it wasn’t.”
Xander barely heard him. An incessant buzzing grew in his head, and his heart pounded so hard, it felt like it was going to leap out of chest and land on the floor.
The girl looked so scared out of her mind, Xander stayed as far back as he could from the windows.“What’s your name, honey?” Nadia kneeled in front of her.
“My name is Alina Volkov.”Despite the girl’s terror that voice grabbed Xander’s heartstrings and twisted.
“We won’t hurt you. I’m going to take care of you, I promise.” He hadn’t meant to say the words but they flew from his mouth and he wasn’t going to take them back. This girl was his and he would take care of her, no matter what.
“Harper,” he breathed.
