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Randi nods, her dark hair shifting over her shoulders to form a dark curtain, keeping me from seeing her beautiful face. “I need evidence but can’t get it on my own.” Her backside shifts against the stone table as she turns to face Vlad. “I need your help, Vlad. You offered proof, offered friendship in our last meeting, and I'm taking you up on that offer now. I know what Kyle’s doing, but I can't prove it.”

“Your American courts will not accept any information you obtain from someone like me.”

I hold a breath at the tense pause from Randi. She knows what she's asking for isn't exactly legal, but what option do we have at this point?

“Can you help me?” she grits out. “I don't care how you get it, but I need something strong enough that will cause Kyle to step down immediately, on his own, not daring to risk the details being released to the public.”

“What information do you need?”

The way he says it, his apprehensive tone speaks volumes. It seems there's various dirty dealings Kyle is a part of, and Vlad is asking which one Randi wants him and his team to target.

“He's abusing power. Allowing certain companies to drill on federal land. We need proof that those companies can be tied directly to campaign supporters. Some kind of money trail proving he's offering kickbacks. And there’s something else.” She takes a deep breath and releases it slowly. Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, she flicks a quick look at me. “Give us a minute, Trey.”

Unease and anger battle inside me, each fighting for the dominant emotion to direct my words and actions.

“No” is all I can get out between my clenched teeth.

“Trey, please.” When that doesn't work, she switches tactics. “Step back, Benson,” she says, her eyes bearing down into my own. “That's an order.”

Pursing my lips, I glance at Tank, who nods. Hurt slashes through the other emotions raging in my chest. Taking three steps back, I stare back at Randi, proving this is as far as I'm willing to go.

With a resigned sigh, she leans in close to Vlad, their low voices a gentle murmur not clear enough for me to catch a single word.

Vlad nods and stands.

“I will see what we can dig up.” Large hands slide down the hideous shirt, smoothing out the nonexistent wrinkles. “I will warn you, friend. What your president has already set in motion cannot be undone. But if he is out of office soon, maybe you can smooth relationships over before war can happen.”

“That's the second time you've mentioned that,” I interrupt, stepping back to Randi's side. I release a tense breath when she doesn't push me away.

Vlad nods, his gray eyes sliding to me. “The situation has escalated. The true reasons behind closed door meetings and secret alliances are coming to light.”

“What does that even mean?” Randi asks. “Stop talking in riddles, would you?”

Vlad smiles. Well, I think it's a smile. His lips twitch, at any rate. “Your president is an idiot.”

“Tell me something I don't know,” Randi mutters.

“He made promises, deals with certain players who were playing him the entire time. Birmingham was greedy, his sights only on one thing, and he was willing to do anything to get it.”

“The White House.”

“Yes. He did not see their true desires.”

“Money, right?” Randi questions.

“Yes.”

“That's what I'm asking about. The oil—”

Vlad laughs. “That is small money compared to what they are planning. You will have your work cut out for you, but I will help as much as I can.”

Randi's head falls forward. “What am I walking into, Vlad? Just tell me. If I'm successful in getting Kyle to step down, what's ahead of me?”

“There is great money during war. Panic causes prices to rise, demand to spike. That is just in commercial goods. Think about the companies who supply the metal, the gunpowder, the technology to your military. Do you not think they would benefit off the threat?”

“You're saying what Kyle thought he was doing was like a small fish in the big pond. He actually set in motion something much bigger than he ever expected.”

Vlad nods, his brows furrowing. “It will take some time to get the information you need. I hope you can end him before it—”