Page 41 of Red Fury

Secretary Harrison emerges from his armored vehicle, immediately flanked by his close protection detail. He looks every inch the powerful government official in his charcoal suit and red tie, but I can see that he’s tense. Whatever’s about to be discussed in that conference room, it’s important enough to make even him nervous.

Shadow steps out of the second vehicle, and I have to force myself not to stare. She’s wearing a deep burgundy suit that brings out the green in her eyes, her short hair perfectly styled. She carries herself with that same professional confidence I’ve come to expect. I note that she grips her leather portfolio a little too tightly, as well as the slight tightness around her eyes.

She’s nervous and I can’t blame her. This is huge. It could crack things open for our people.

She glances my way for the briefest moment, and I see something flicker in her gaze before she looks away and falls into step just behind Harrison.

“All teams, we’re moving inside,” Laurence Webb’s voice crackles through the comm. “Stay alert. This is a high-priority event.”

The lobby is exactly what you’d expect from a historic hotel – soaring ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and enough marble to build a small palace. Our group moves through the space; theadvance team having already swept and secured our route to the conference facilities.

I keep my eyes open and my senses honed.

We’re maybe fifty yards from the conference room entrance when Webb appears at my elbow.

“Marsh, I need a word.”

I glance toward the conference room, where Shadow is disappearing through the doors with the rest of the delegates. Shit. I was hoping to position myself where I could at least catch glimpses of the meeting, maybe overhear something useful.

“Yes, sir?”

Webb guides me to a small alcove away from the main flow of people. His expression is serious, all business. “Change of plans. I need you to come with me to a meeting across town.”

My stomach drops. “Sir, I thought my assignment was close protection for the Secretary during these meetings.”

“It was, but something more important has come up, by order of Harrison himself.” Webb checks his watch, then looks back at me. “We’ve got a sit-down with Roman Kozlov in forty-five minutes. Lincoln Park area, nice part of town. The boss himself specifically requested I bring you along.”

Roman Kozlov. The name means nothing to me, but from Webb’s tone, it should.

“I’m still fairly new to the team,” I say carefully, trying to find a way out of this without seeming insubordinate. “Maybe someone with more experience would be better suited for whatever this is.”

Webb shakes his head. “Kozlov is our primary independent arms supplier. He’s got contracts worth hundreds of millions with the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, you name it. The guy can be…difficult to work with. Temperamental. He is the only arms supplier who can help us…if we’re lucky. It’s time to get your feet wet, rookie.”

“Okay…sure.” I nod a few times. What kind of arms do we need supplying, and why?

“And he’s about your size, which means he’s used to intimidating people just by standing in the room. Bringing you along might just bring him down a peg or two.” He chuckles.

My dragon stirs. This could be exactly the kind of intelligence I need to gather, but it also means leaving Shadow alone in that conference room. Not being close enough to hear what’s going on in there. It means I’d have to trust her to hand over the intel.

I don’t.

As much as I want to, I can’t.

“I like what I’ve seen from you so far, Marsh,” Webb continues. “You think on your feet, keep your head down, and your mouth shut. You don’t get rattled. We all heard how you handled yourself in that elevator incident.” He widens his eyes. “Also, Kozlov needs to see that Harrison’s people aren’t just a bunch of suit-wearing bureaucrats. You’re ex-military, which means you’re good people.”

“Some might disagree,” I retort.

“Trust me, it’ll be good for him to meet someone he has to look up to for once, instead of down.” Webb laughs, but there’s no humor in it.

“Am I there as your security detail?”

“Yes.” He nods. “I don’t fully trust him. I’d choose not to deal with him if I could help it, but it’s not my choice to make. It would be good having you there to watch my six.”

“Understood.”

I glance toward the conference room doors, now closed, with security posted outside. Shadow is in there. Fuck! I wish I could split myself in two.

The rational part of my brain knows I don’t have a choice here. Webb is my boss, Harrison requested me specifically, and refusing would blow my cover completely. Besides, Shadow canhandle herself just fine. An image of her straddling me with a knife to my jugular hits my mind, and I have to hold back a smile. My balls tighten. I need to get laid. It really has been too damned long.