"No, but the thought of pushing you out of a plane over the Kalahari Desert has a certain appeal."
I can't help laughing. Eliza joins me then sobers suddenly. She goes still in a way that tells me something is wrong. I follow the direction she's looking in and it leads me to a man on the other side of the room.
Heavy set with cropped black hair, he has a glass of amber liquid in his hand. He's staring back at Eliza. It's not the look of a man who finds her attractive. He's a man who knows something about her and is surprised she's here.
When he sees me watching he raises his glass.
"Who is that?" I ask Eliza. She's gone incredibly pale.
"Who?"
"Don't play that game,cara. You know who."
She glances across the room again and shrugs.
"I don't know. I thought it was someone I used to know but I was wrong."
It's a lie. I've been in the business of uncovering people's secrets for long enough that I know when someone's not being honest with me.
Before I can push it, someone approaches.
"Adriano Volante. I thought that was you."
I turn to find one of the last people I expected standing behind me.
"Olivia. What are you doing here?"
She slaps my shoulder.
"With a welcome like that you should work for the tourist board." She looks past me and fixes an appraising eye on Eliza. "Introduce me to your friend."
"Eliza, this is my cousin Olivia who's come all the way from New York for no apparent reason. Olivia, Eliza."
Olivia frowns as her gaze lands on the collar at Eliza's throat. I'd like to think she'd be discreet enough not to mention it but that's not Olivia's style.
"Interesting, uh..." She gestures to her own throat. "Quite the fashion statement."
I grit my teeth. "Where's your husband,cugina?"
"Right here." Piotr Reznov appears at his wife's side and puts an arm around her waist. He offers his other hand to me to shake. "Good to see you Adriano. It's been a while."
"Not since your wedding," I say. "Congratulations on still being married."
Olivia scowls. "It's only been a year."
I love my cousin, I really do, but I can't imagine living with her for a week never mind a year. Damiano had to put up with her for months before her marriage. She's responsible for at least a quarter of the gray hairs he denies having.
"As I said, congratulations."
"You're an asshole, Adriano." Olivia pinches my cheeks and for some reason I let her. "It's lucky you're pretty. Now, can I borrow Eliza? I need to go to the powder room."
"You can't shit by yourself?" I ask.
Olivia makes a huffing sound and tosses her hair back. Upsetting her is almost too easy.
She reaches for Eliza's hand and pulls her away. I don't try to stop her. Even if Eliza reveals her situation, Olivia grew up in the mafia and married a Bratva boss. She's not going to bat a fake eyelash over me keeping a woman prisoner.
"So," Piotr says, drawing me away from the table as other guests mill around looking at the silent auction prizes. "I hear you're taking the lead on Marseille."
