I nod. “Are there any other terms?”
A flicker of surprise moves across her face. “Those were the main talking points. I’ve been asked to let you know that we will agree to your terms once the paperwork is in order.”
“My lawyer will be in touch with yours,” I reply. “Anything else?”
Jennifer’s expression changes again, and she looks almost pained when she leans forward. “There’s one more thing. One of us is expected to remain behind and learn the ropes.”
“You’re welcome to—”
“Not her,” Jeremiah interrupts, with a sideways glance at his sister. “I’ll be the one learning the ropes.”
The pleasant buzzing in my veins has vanished. “Why was this not discussed beforehand?”
“It’s a last-minute thing,” Jeremiah replies a little too cheerfully. “I’m sure you don’t mind, considering how many men and weapons we’re providing.”
I choose my next words carefully, ignoring the flicker of annoyance pulsing through me. “Very well. Katia will see you out.”
I know a power move when I see one, and the Harrisons are testing the waters, trying to see how badly we need them.
Goddamn it.
I can’t give them any reaction if I’m going to get what I want.
What the empire needs.
I gesture to Katia, who steps forward and stiffly leads them out of the office. She returns a short while later and waits for me to look at her. I ignore the drink on my desk and motion to her.
“Jeremiah Harrison cannot be trusted,” Katia begins. “His face is always in the tabloids. He’s played a part in bringing down several of his family’s businesses.”
“You’ve done your homework.”
“He’s also known for his gambling addiction and has had several assault cases settled out of court.”
“I’ll keep him on a tight leash.”
Katia’s eyes flash. “That won’t be enough. Someone has to have eyes and ears on him at all times. He’s too much of a liability. Let me do it.”
“No.”
“I can handle it,” Katia continues as if she hasn’t heard me. “London barely leaves the estate now, so I can have Nadia watch her.”
“Nadia is a freelancer. She isn’t—”
“I’ll talk to her,” Katia interrupts with a wave of her hand. “I’m sure she won’t mind being brought into the fold.”
I rise to my feet and move around the desk to stand in front of her. “You know how I feel about people interrupting me.”
Katia has the sense to look chagrined as she lowers her head and clears her throat. “I didn’t mean—”
“I’m not done talking,” I snap. “When I give you an order, I expect you to follow it, not argue. You keep forgetting yourself, Katia. Perhaps my father was right about you after all.”
Katia presses her lips together.
“After how you’ve handled security with London, you should be grateful I haven’t done a lot worse. Jeremiah Harrison will be my problem to deal with.”
I level her with another meaningful look. “You are not to tell me how to run things. Your job, while you still have it, is to stay near London in case she needs protection. Don’t make me regret overlooking your previous fuckups. Am I clear?”
A muscle works in Katia’s jaw.
