Page 70

CHAPTER 69

AS KABERA LED Lial out toward the balcony, the two bodyguards started to rouse themselves. Kabera gave them a subtle shake of his head.

The men settled back heavily on their stools as the blond woman and the Asian woman turned their full attention on them. Lial knew the men were in good hands. They were about to have a very interesting night. And they wouldn’t remember a minute of it.

The air on the balcony was at least fifteen degrees cooler, and about a hundred decibels quieter. The beat still throbbed in Lial’s head as she pulled the plugs out of her ears.

“I should have brought a pair of those,” said Kabera, rubbing his head as if he was trying to scrub away the noise.

“I dated a rock drummer once,” said Lial. “He’s deaf now.”

Kabera was right next to her. Lial shifted her weight to one leg, moving her hip closer to his. She leaned forward and rested her arms on the balcony railing. “Beautiful out there,” she said.

Kabera slid around behind her. She felt his hands on her shoulders, his lips close to her ear. “It’s even prettier from up there,” he said. He poked his index finger toward the sky.

“I saw you fly in,” said Lial, stroking his arm playfully. “Very smooth.”

“I trained in F-16s,” said Kabera. He nodded toward the floatplane. It had been towed to the end of the dock just below the club. “That’s my little weekend toy.”

“Sorry,” said Lial, pulling back. “I don’t ride in toys.”

She felt Kabera’s hands slide off her shoulders. He grabbed her right wrist and tugged her toward the stone staircase.

“Stop!” Lial grabbed the stone railing and jerked her hand away. “I’ve never been in a plane that tiny before!”

“Trust me,” said Kabera. “You’ll love it.”

“No!” Lial shouted. “I’m too scared!”

Two minutes later, she was strapped into the front passenger seat as the props began to spin. Kabera looked over from behind the controls. “Relax,” he said over his headset mic. “You’ll be fine.”

Lial realized that he hadn’t even bothered to ask her name. The arrogance was stunning. She adjusted the headset over her ears. Her knees were trembling—voluntarily.

Kabera pushed the throttle forward. The plane started to cruise toward the center of the lake. “Don’t act so nervous,” he said with a smile.

“I can’t help it!” Lial moaned, gripping the seat with both hands.

She was an excellent actor.