Page 108 of Elite Metal: Warriors

“What makes you think I have vodka?”

He lifted a shoulder. “I looked in the freezer.”

With a heavy sigh, she stood and made her way to the kitchen, pulled out two glasses and poured each of them a generous portion. “What were you doing with Ming Kow tonight?” she asked.

“Brokering a deal.”

She leaned against the counter and tossed back her drink. And his. Then she poured two more. “I gathered as much. Not like you to get your hands dirty.”

“I thought a relationship with your, ahem, boss, would come in handy should you need a quick extraction.”

“I can handle myself.”

“I know you can. I trained you. But let’s be honest here. You may be over your head.”

She made her way back to the living room and thrust his drink at him. It sloshed over the edge and he tsked. Gregor was a firm believer in the curative properties of vodka and believed it was a sin to waste. “I am in complete control,” she told him.

“Really?”

She hated the way his brow rose. “Totally.”

“And were you, ah, totally in control with the man you allowed to seduce you this evening?”

Ty che, blyad? How had he known about that? But hell. It was Gregor. She needn’t even ask. He knew everything. “I thought he was following me. I needed to interrogate him.”

“He wasn’t.”

“I know.” How annoying, though, that Gregor had known before she did.

“He’s an interesting case. Former military. Sketchy past. Questionable alignment—”

“What do you mean?”

“Technically, he doesn’t exist.”

“Ah. One of those.” She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. He’s after Ming Kow too. As long as he keeps out of my way I don’t have any issues with him.”

“Is he?”

“What?”

“Is he after Ming Kow?”

“That’s what he said.”

“I’m sure it is. But I suspect your illustrious boss is only a stepping stone to what this man is really seeking.”

“I don’t follow.”

“Good.” Gregor leaned forward. “That man is dangerous to you. You need to give him wide berth.”

“I told him to leave town.”

Gregor’s rich chuckle filled the room. “He won’t do that.”

“Of course he won’t.”

“Let him play his little games, and we will play ours. No matter who finishes first, we all win if we take Ming Kow down.”