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His father dismissed his concerns. “We’re engaged in commercial real estate transactions,” Philip had huffed, “not espionage.”
“Mr. Liu.” Ryder turned to shake hands with the newcomer. “I hope you’re enjoying the evening.”
Dressed in a tuxedo like most of the men at the gala, Liu stood out for two reasons—neither being his height, which Ryder estimated to be around five feet six. He stood out because even in a room full of wealthy British people, he had the highest net worth. The other reason was the beautiful Chinese woman with long dark hair and a body-hugging black halter dress at his side. She was one of Liu’s highly trained bodyguards, something most people in the room were unaware of.
Ryder gave her a discreet lift of his chin, one professional to another, which she returned.
Mason Winters had tried to advise his father not to include Liu on the guest list and been overruled. The charity gala was a gold mine for someone like Liu, with MPs, members of the peerage, and several high-profile managing directors of Britain’s largest companies in attendance.
The list included the founders of an artificial intelligence startup based in London. Liu had taken an aggressive approach to developing his own AI technology, but his ties to the Chinese government made it difficult for him to gain access to the research and proprietary information held by companies in Europe and the United States, despite his money.
“I understand you have recently returned to the UK,” Liu said. “Your family must be very pleased.” His smile was benign, but Ryder could see the calculation in his brown eyes. “Will you be joining Arborleigh Holdings now?”
“No.” Ryder stifled his annoyance. Liu wasn’t the first person this evening to ask him that question. “My father has both of my sisters to help him grow the company. I’m working in executive protection.”
“Still? But you are the son.”
As if his time in the military and helping run a security agency was a youthful dalliance and he would return, the prodigal son, to the fold. Ryder slipped behind the stoic, aristocratic mask he’d perfected in his youth.
Before he could give Liu a vague non-answer rather than the “fuck off” hovering on his tongue, pipes and drums played “Scotland the Brave” from inside his tuxedo jacket.
Saved by the proverbial bell. Or bagpipe, as it were.
And one he needed to answer.
“If you’ll excuse me, Mr. Liu, I need to take this call.” The ringtone meant his boss, Lachlan Mackay, was calling from Dìleas’s headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. Nathan, the cheeky bastard, had installed the ringtone for Lachlan on Ryder’s mobile last year when Ryder wasn’t paying attention.
“Of course.” Liu’s lips tilted in a smile meant to mimic graciousness. “Another time, perhaps.”
Ryder gave the billionaire and his bodyguard polite nods and moved toward a roped-off corridor near the main lobby before answering his phone. “One moment. I need to get somewhere quiet,” he told Lachlan.
“Out clubbing?” The Scot’s voice held a hint of amusement.
“Hardly, more like a soiree and definitely not as fun.” Ryder slipped further down the darkened corridor. “What do you need?”
“Lucas Caldwell just rang. He wants us to meet with the president of a company about to present their new software platform to the US military for the Next Generation Air Dominance aircraft. She’s the daughter of an old friend of his.”
“Why is Lucas concerned? Has something happened?”
“She thinks she’s been followed and that someone may have been in her home. And it’s Lucas asking. We owe him.”
Lucas had kept Lachlan from going to prison two years ago, framed as an arms trafficker, with Ryder as his supposed accomplice. He’d also saved them, and Nathan as well, in Afghanistan more times than any of them could repay.
Any lingering buzz Ryder might have had going from all the champagne dissipated. He’d lost mates in Afghanistan. They all had.
Those were memories best not relived.
He checked the assignment calendar on his phone. “If you keep finding more clients, I’ll need additional people. I’m interviewing a former Royal Marine this week with experience in close protection. Finn is in Dubai. Caleb Varella’s job in Mexico wraps up Thursday. I can send him to meet with her and perform a threat assessment.”
“We need someone in her office on Monday,” Lachlan replied. “Pull Caleb from the Mexico job or handle this new assignment yourself. Nathan and I are bringing Danny Mayhew, Nathan’s former SEAL teammate, on board this week. He can serve as backup while he learns the ropes.” Lachlan’s tone didn’t invite a rebuttal. “Penny will set up the meeting and email you the details. The woman’s name is Nathalie Williams, of Williams Advanced Avionics.”
Ryder froze.
Except for his heart, which thumped loudly in his ears.
Nathalie.
The din of the gala faded into the background.