All of it worked only in the dark.
“Take him downstairs,” I said.
The contact’s head jerked up. “Please, Mr. Sorin. I told you what I know.”
“You started telling me what I already knew. Keep going, and you may continue disappointing me from a distance.”
My men took him out.
Lev remained. “Kask agreed to the meeting.”
“Of course he did.”
“He wants two Kask witnesses.”
“He can bring them.”
“He asked whether Nadia will be present.”
I looked toward the closed office door. Beyond it, Nadia was dressing in clothes chosen for movement, with Irina between her and the world like a domestic gatekeeper with a spine made of wire.
“What did you tell him?” I asked.
“I told him Nadia Yelchin will stand where she chooses, and if he looks at her too long, you’ll remove his eyes before the meeting starts.”
I looked at Lev.
He didn’t blink.
“That sentence is accurate,” I said.
“It also irritated him.”
“Good.”
Lev almost smiled. “Petya will be brought to the club and held in the east room until you call for him. He won’t be touched unless he tries to bolt.”
“If he’s bruised from our handling, someone answers to me.”
Lev’s face hardened. “Your men haven’t put hands on him beyond transport.”
“Keep it that way.”
“Yes.”
When I returned to the bedroom, Nadia stood in front of the mirror with Irina adjusting the fall of the black coat over her shoulders.
The ivory sweater softened her throat. The trousers fit close through her hips and thighs without restricting movement. The low boots made her look steadier than the auction room had allowed her to look. Her dark hair had been brushed and left down in loose waves, and her brown eyes found mine in the mirror before she turned.
Men had dressed her for display once.
I had dressed her to stand beside me.
Irina stepped back. “The coat has an inner pocket. I put your phone there. Mr. Sorin had it replaced this morning, but your old number is mirrored for family calls.”
Nadia touched the pocket. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
