“My second-in-command’s brainchild.She saved my life in the field once or twice.I consider this payment for her loyalty.”
“I know few people who would bankroll a multimillion-dollar effort like that without demanding an ownership stake.”
Jamie smiled pleasantly, taking a champagne glass off a floating drinks tray.“I know quite a few people in my social circle who find sinking money into profitable ventures a good way to do business.You earn people’s loyalty that way and recoup your investment when it takes off.Besides, I don’t need an ownership stake in her company.”
The subtle dig at Stanislav’s money status didn’t go unnoticed, either by the man himself or their audience.Everyone knew the Callahans were one of the richest families in the world, if nottherichest under certain measurements.Stanislav’s wealth came from Russian state-sponsored contracts and ties to the Kremlin that lived or died on whichever corrupt faction of oligarchs managed to gain traction in that government body.Who you knew in Russia was just as important as what business a person owned and operated.
Jamie’s family wealth was born out of the private sector and not strictly beholden to politics.With money from ownership stakes in legacy unicorn tech companies, real estate, water rights, and Empyrean, they weren’t lacking for money in any way.Giving back to the country by way of philanthropy, military, and political service, managed to deflect much of the public scorn other wealthy families had to deal with in the American media sphere.
Stanislav’s current conversation companion shook his head, mouth curling in a faint sneer.“Some might say that’s bad business, not taking your fair share.”
“I don’t believe I asked for your opinion, Mister—?”Jamie let his voice trail off in a bored, questioning manner, despite knowing exactly who the man was.
“Emmet Doyle,” came the snapped reply, his Irish accent not nearly as thick as Tomas’ had been.
“Sorry, I’m unfamiliar with your name.Are you a businessman?”Jamie asked with a casualness that said more clearly than words he didn’t care about the answer.
Emmet was too good at the game to give in to his anger, though Jamie could see by the twitch of his hands against his glass that Emmet wouldn’t be averse to punching him for that insult.
“Of a sort,” Emmet replied through gritted teeth.
“Well, I’m here to have a business conversation with Stanislav.Stick around.You may learn something.”Jamie switched his attention from Emmet to Stanislav with such a rude dismissal it was impossible to miss the opinion he had for the Irishman.Jamie smiled politely at Stanislav, taking a sip of champagne.“Niko here should have delivered the results of the test you put us through.I don’t care what use you have for the business in question you want us to handle cybersecurity for, but the fact that we provided you with what you wanted, in a timely fashion, should prove we can do the job and do it right the first time.”
“I don’t base my opinion on one job, no matter how well it was performed,” Stanislav said mildly.
“And I don’t make it a habit of being strung along by someone who thinks he knows the business world better than I do.”
“You said it yourself.You’ve been deployed for a decade.That’s a lifetime in R&D, in boardrooms, inbusiness.”Stanislav smiled, but it wasn’t friendly.“You’re new to the game, no matter your family name.”
“I’m not new towar,” Jamie drawled.“And out of everyone here tonight, I can guarantee I know more about that than anyone—yourself included.”
“Most men would hesitate to make such a claim.”
“I’m not most men.”
“I can see that,” Stanislav said slowly, his sharp eyes never leaving Jamie’s face.“I would think, with your father running for the American presidency, that war would not be something you’d wish to align yourself with.”
“War is big business.The threat of it, and the reality of it, will always exist.There willalwaysbe an enemy to fight.If you don’t think I’m not prepared to cash in on that, then perhaps we were wrong to reach out to you.”
Jamie was careful to keep his tone more curious rather than accusing, knowing he had to walk a fine line so he didn’t insult Stanislav.Jamie had to hope the arrogance people expected of him wasn’t going to be a harsh enough insult that Stanislav would walk away from the partnership they needed.Begging wasn’t something Jamie would or could do because someone of his status didn’tbeg.
But they could question an idea until it turned into an offer both parties could accept.
“I think we can come to an agreement on how to use your company.Good work is difficult to find, after all,” Stanislav said after a long moment of silence.“Good people are even rarer.”
Jamie allowed himself to smile.“I’d heard you’re a decisive man, Stanislav.I’m glad to see I wasn’t disappointed.It’s always so refreshing to work with people who understand what it takes to run things.”
Stanislav pulled a slim tablet out of his inner tuxedo jacket pocket.“As I was telling Emmet here before you arrived, I unfortunately must deal with a business emergency and need to leave.I will reach out to you in the near future if tonight doesn’t overwhelm you.”
“When you’ve taken mortar fire from insurgents, a gala full of rich people is child’s play,” Jamie said with a shrug.If he wasn’t damn sure of the oncoming attack, it definitely would be.
Stanislav laughed, but it never reached his eyes.Jamie pressed his hand to the tablet and let it access his RealIdent and the identity the MDF had painstakingly created for him.Stanislav didn’t offer to provide his own contact information, but Jamie knew he wouldn’t.If Jamie survived the night, then it would be more than obvious to Stanislav that Jamie would be someone he’d want to do business with.
Stanislav moved away from Jamie to say his goodbyes to the handful of people who merited it in the tent.Jamie ignored his departure in a way only someone of his wealth and status could.Emmet looked like he’d swallowed something sour, glowering at Jamie with unconcealed anger in his eyes.
“That,” Jamie said, gesturing with his champagne glass, “is how you do business.”
Emmet stabbed his finger in Jamie’s direction, taking a step forward.“All I saw was you begging for scraps from the table.”
