“As I understand it, you’re a facilitator.That’s less decision-maker and more subordinate.So why don’t you let your employer know I’m only interested in talking to him, and if he’s unavailable, then I walk.”
Niko froze mid-sip of his drink, eyes flicking for a quick second off to the side.Jamie didn’t bother to look, knowing everyone in that area wasn’t important.
“Him?”Niko finally said after finishing his sip.
“We both know Oksana isn’t the one in charge.Did you think we wouldn’t do our due diligence before making overtures with you?”Jamie stepped forward, using his superior height and build to loom over Niko.“I’m sure you know money isn’t an issue for me.What I’m after is making a name for myself in markets thataren’tsaturated.Katie convinced me this was the way to go, and I take her counsel very seriously.She is extremely good at what she does, which is why I had no problem bankrolling her company.What we can provide is something your employer needs, and if he’s willing to pay, then we’re willing to work with him.So why don’t you cut out the middleman and introduce us?”
Niko’s eyes narrowed, even as his shoulders raised a fraction of an inch in reaction to Jamie’s close presence.He didn’t start gibbering out excuses though, but neither did he back away.Jamie had to admit that Niko was a good performer, cognizant of the eyes on them from too-curious gala attendees.From the outside, it probably looked like they were having a conversation they didn’t want anyone else to overhear.
Niko probably wished the conversation was going in an entirely different direction.
Jamie couldn’t feel it when Niko tried to use his empathy to influence Jamie’s emotions, but he could tell when the other man became frustrated at his failure by the way he almost broke his glass when he clenched his hand a little too tightly around it.
“You’re a hard man to please.Most people are happy when they see me,” Niko got out in a clipped voice, some of his English accent fading beneath the edges of his birth language.
“I’m not most people.”
“No, you certainly are not.”Niko smoothed out his expression, the anger leaving his face, if not his eyes.There was a coldness there Jamie didn’t like, but he trusted in the shields Katie had reinforced in all their minds that morning to hold.“I’m surprised you seem to think you know who my employer is.”
Jamie shrugged, taking a step back, giving Niko room to breathe in such a way that would signal it was on Jamie’s terms.“If there’s one thing the Marine Corps is good at, it’s preparing you to handle anything the world can and will throw at you.Information is currency, and I hold it at a high value.”
“Ekaterina said something similar at lunch the other day.Some tech you left with that actually works?”
“The United States military is on the cutting edge of weaponry.I wasn’t averse to leaving with some,” Jamie said, going for a cryptic casualness over solid details.
Niko’s eyes narrowed, but his expression remained politely interested.“I see.”
Jamie looked down his nose at the other man.“And I think you’ll see I’m running out of patience.We played your little game and cracked your little code.We did what you asked, free of cost, I might add.Now, why don’t you hold up your end of the bargain and introduce me to your boss.”
“You’re in luck.”Niko set his glass down on the railing surrounding the sculpture they stood next to.“Stanislav Pavluhkin came tonight specifically to meet with you.Shall we?”
Jamie waved his hand at the nearest exit.“Lead the way.”
13
ONE HEARTBEAT AWAY FROM KILLING
Anyone find anything?Kyle asked through the mental links tying the team together.Because I haven’t.
Nothing, Katie replied.
Find nothing, too, Alexei added.
Unless Cillian hid the bombs in some of the larger artworks, I’m not seeing where they could be in the wings marked off for the gala,Sean said.
Which means they could be on the upper floors.Only the first three floors are open for the gala, Annabelle said.
Not good planning.Who they hit if no one up there?Alexei asked derisively.
Kyle snagged a pastry puff off a floating tray and popped it into his mouth, chewing angrily as he stared at vases lining the wall behind glass cases while he waited his turn in line for a drink.He was one floor up and several galleries over from where he’d left Jamie, who had basically given him free rein by turning him loose.Kyle didn’t want to waste any time searching, but he couldn’t be obvious about it.So he’d stopped to stare at several crafts exhibits and displays as he moved through the museum, but goddamn, art was boring.
We need to find these damn bombs.Otherwise—
“I honestly didn’t expect to see you here,” a smooth, Russian-accented voice said from behind him, derailing his thoughts.“Jamie never did properly introduce you last Saturday.Here I thought you were merely a plaything that knew how to keep his mouth shut, not a companion worth a night out like this.You clean up nice, but this venue isn’t quite your scene.”
Kyle couldn’t quite stop his shoulders from stiffening at the veiled insult.He swallowed his bite of food, trying not to choke on it.Wiping the back of one hand across his mouth probably added to Oksana’s opinion of his lower-class status, but Kyle didn’t care.This was the role he was playing, he reminded himself.
Jamie’s version of slumming it.
