“I’m pleased to see you could make time for dinner,” Stanislav said, shaking Jamie’s hand with a strong grip that didn’t faze Jamie before he turned his attention to Katie. “Ah, Ekaterina Ovechkina. Niko has nothing but praise for your work, as do we. It is good to finally meet you inperson.”
“Thank you. It’s good to finally meet you as well,” Katie said, shaking his hand but pulling away after a few seconds to put some space between them. “My company has a reputation to uphold. I expect nothing less than the best from my employees. I’m pleased to know you find our work ethicssatisfactory.”
“Of course. Is not often we meet such beautiful woman who also has beautiful mind,” Yakov said as he stepped forward to shake her hand and pat her shoulder in a fatherly sort of way. “>”
“>” Katie replied in Russian without missingabeat.
A smile broke across Yakov’s mouth. “>”
“>”
“>”
“Please, call me Ekaterina,” Katie said in English. “I think we can all agree to be on a first-name basistonight.”
“Of course, Ekaterina.” Yakov turned to Jamie, gaze growing sharper as the smile dropped off his face. “Jamie Callahan. Have heard many things about you and your family. Is good to finallymeetyou.”
“Likewise, Yakov,” Jamie replied, extending his hand in greeting for a brief shake. “Always a pleasure meeting a businessman such asyourself.”
Yakov released his hand and turned to look at where Kyle stood close by Jamie’s side. “You must be Kyle. The man who punched my son inhisface.”
Kyle shrugged, unapologetic as always. “He had it coming. I don’t care for bullshit maneuvers that put my friends indanger.”
Stanislav didn’t look amused by Kyle’s response. He didn’t say anything while Yakov boomed out a humorless laugh. “Willrememberthat.”
“I’m glad,” Kyle saidcoolly.
Then it was Alexei’s turn to be put under the microscope. Yakov’s gaze was direct and shrewd, eyes flicking up and down Alexei’s body, taking his measure. Alexei tried not to stiffen under the perusal. “>”
“>” Alexei replied, going through the motions of a handshake with the older man. “>”
Yakov raised an eyebrow. “>”
“>”
Alexei didn’t really feel like talking about his childhood in the refugee camps and cities that dotted the contested region in the Ukraine. It wasn’t any of the Pavluhkins’ business. Luckily, before Yakov could trap him in more conversation, Jamiespokeup.
“Let’s get started, shall we?”Jamiesaid.
Alexei was glad for the interruption and headed around the long table with Katie. He pulled out the chair for her and helped her get situated before taking his own seat. No menus were available, which told him it was probably a prix fixe meal full of food he’d never be able to afford on his own. The delicate bone china plates, crystal glassware, and polished silver cutlery produced a multilayered place setting that made himinwardlysigh.
He’d kill for a hamburger and some beer rightaboutnow.
The waitstaff came in and introduced themselves. Alexei didn’t quite catch their names, but figured it didn’t matter. He let Jamie handle the wine questions—something about pairings and swapping out several vintages for pricier bottles—but no one argued when Yakov requested a bottle of expensive vodka for a businesstoast.
“Tradition,” Yakov said with a lazy wave ofhishand.
Tradition—and the promise of a sound thrashing in the training room back on base by Jamie or Katie—was probably the only thing stopping Alexei from rolling his eyes during the toast once the bottlearrived.
The waiter poured the vodka into six small, crystal-cut glasses rather than shot glasses, and passed them out around the table before leaving. Alexei raised his glass toward the ceiling along witheveryoneelse.
“To new ventures,”Stanislavsaid.
Everyone echoed his words before drinking the vodka. The sharp tang of the alcohol filled Alexei’s mouth, the cold liquid sliding down his throat with a soft burn that tingled. He set the glass on the table and ran his tongue over the back of histeeth.
Jamie set his glass down as well and said, “Do you have electronic jammersrunning?”
“Of course,” Yakov said, sounding mildlyaffronted.
