“Sheikh Saleem al-Qadiri is the son-in-law of the ruling Emir of Qadara.”
Jett looked surprised before covering it up with his usual teasing manner. “I’ve never rubbed elbows with a real-life sheikh.”
“And you’re not going to,” I snapped. “Your job around the players is to be seen and not heard. I want you to be wallpaper.When I’m playing the game, if you’re in the room, you will stand silently behind me, awaiting my needs.”
Jett’s eyes darkened, and the grin he gave didn’t meet them. “Sit still, look pretty. Understood.”
“Most of the time, I won’t need you in the game room. You’re free to sit by the pool with the other non-players. Some will be spouses, some might be executive assistants, some will be…” I hesitated.
Jett grinned and curled his fingers into air quotes. “‘Assistants’ like me?”
“Mistresses, yes.” I eyed him coolly. “I believe we addressed this when I made my offer, but as far as the others are concerned, you are very much my assistant and not my… ‘assistant.’ Understood?”
Jet’s eyes darkened even further, and his smile turned dangerous. “Oh, yes, sir. You’re straight as an arrow, sir. I won’t get any gay cooties on you while I’m sucking you off…sir.”
His comment made my temper flare, but I ruthlessly quashed it. I had no time for anger either, and I didn’t need to explain myself to him.
“While you’re socializing, keep an ear open for gossip,” I continued.
“You want me to spy on your friends.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Not spy, exactly. You work for me. I’m asking for your help?—”
“No. You’re demanding it. In a particularly assholish way.” Jett blew out a sharp breath as if calming his temper. “Fine. What am I hoping to see or hear?”
“That remains to be seen. And maybe you won’t see or hear anything useful. Simply take note of anything that seems unusual. Anything that could help in a business negotiation, for example. The Maris family didn’t get where we are todayby underestimating powerful people. Just be aware. Use your head.”
He bounced his eyebrows at my word choice, so I rolled my eyes.
“Remind me again why you didn’t just bring a woman?” Jett asked. “Surely that would’ve been easier.”
He was damn right it would’ve. I didn’t want to think too hard about how easily I’d convinced myself that bringing Jett was the logical choice.
“I’m not in the habit of repeating myself,” I told him as though it didn’t matter one way or the other. “Please remember that this is a highly paid job, and one of the top requirements is discretion.”
“And one of the bottom requirements is… my bottom?” His cocky grin appeared, which helped ground me for some reason. If he was feeling easy about the two weeks ahead, maybe I could also.
“Let’s see if I’ve got everything,” Jett said as the car pulled up to the house. “I make everyone feel welcome, facilitate their needs, act gregarious and charming enough for them to gossip at me except when standing silently as your beck-and-call girl, and carbo-load by the pool for long nights serving at the pleasure of your d?—”
I was relieved that Jett broke off when the housekeeper opened the car door to welcome us.
“Good evening, Locke. Good to see you.”
I stood and leaned in to give her quick cheek kisses. “Ciao, Concetta. I’m happy to be here. This is my assistant, Jett Davis.”
She smiled warmly as Jett climbed out of the car behind me. “Welcome to Villa Altomare, Mr. Davis.”
An attendant was already pulling our luggage from the vehicle as Concetta led us into the house, chattering happily about the visit. “We have your suite already prepared for you,and I’ve placed Mr. Davis in the suite’s extra room as requested so you will have privacy for work between sessions. We will have dinner ready for you and Mr. Davis in the dining room in an hour if that suits you both.”
Jett slowed down to take in the villa. “Call me Jett, please. This is beautiful.”
It was open and airy, luxuriously fitted with modern but comfortable furnishings. The far wall was a wide expanse of French doors open to the cool evening air and peaceful view of the Mediterranean Sea.
Fresh flowers filled vases here and there, and the scent of orange blossoms came in on the breeze.
“Dinner in an hour sounds good,” I assured her. “And thank you again. I know it is a lot of work on short notice.”
“Not at all. We enjoy hosting this group and have been looking forward to it. This way, Jett. As I’m sure Locke has mentioned, feel free to avail yourselves of any of the house amenities, including the pool, fitness rooms, common areas, et cetera. If there is anything at all my staff and I can do…”
