CHAPTER 7

NICK

A news alert catches my eye. Subsea cables that cross the Atlantic and carry public and private network data for wireless internet are being damaged, sometimes cut straight through. Russian fishing boats have been observed fishing over the damaged areas.

My fucking arse, they’ve been fishing.

No doubt it’s a long-term strategy. The Russians are figuring out how to hamper communications should a war break out.

I should call Dorian. See what he’s observed via his satellite network.

Wonder if he’s done with his meeting? We can discuss it over lunch.

My Sectra Tiger vibrates. I have ten of the mobiles lined up behind my desk on a shelf. The one vibrating is one I always check.

Halston Moore

It’s time we restructure.

Me

I’m not following.

Halston

We’re going to lose control if we don’t take a more strategic approach.

Me

Are you a prophet now?

Sure. I’m throwing the word around. It’s been on my mind ever since I received the untraceable message from a sender who claimed the word as a name.

Halston

For Obsidian, I am the prophet. Our members’ attention is too fractured. We need someone focused.

I won’t argue with the old man there. Although, of the syndicate members I’ve spent time with, I’d dare say we all suffer from a level of ADHD and therefore flourish with multiple irons in the fire.

I reread his text. He’s the only one of us who loves to use the word Obsidian. Wouldn’t surprise me if he named the alliance all those years ago. I pinch the bridge of my nose. This is something else I need to discuss with Dorian. His father. At ninety-two, is he disengaged from the businesses? Is this a bored man who is grasping for relevance?

Me

What do you propose?

Halston

I serve as central command. Monitoring and enlisting services as needed. We meet monthly.

Me

Not feasible.

There’s nothing more alarming than someone proposing regular meetings.

Halston

You don’t have to attend. This is the right thing to do. I have more time and experience than all of you.

I roll my eyes and stretch back in my chair. The bloke’s ancient and American. An ornery combination.

Halston

Until you replace Leo Sullivan, will you be acting as negotiator?

The reason I hired Leo in the first place is I value experts. I also have time constraints. In some parts of the world, nothing happens quickly.

Me

I lack the social stamina. I’ll fill his role.

Halston

Do you maintain contact with your family?

Me

Why?

Halston Moore has a reason for every question.

Halston

Can you send me a list of your contacts? Those you carry weight and influence with.

Me

In writing?

Fuck no.

Halston

It will help with the structure.

Me

We agreed when issues arise to convene and determine who is best situated to influence.

Halston

Discuss with Dorian.

Me

Who is he meeting with this morning?

Halston

Did he not stay with you last night?

Me

He did.

Why are they being so fucking secretive about his meeting?

Halston

It appears Dorian won’t be returning to your house this afternoon. He’s on his way back to London. But it’s your lucky year. He’ll be back soon.

He must have just tracked Dorian, so I believe him, but I’d thought I’d see him this afternoon. Dorian is Halston’s only child after a long line of quick marriages. If I remember correctly, the old man was well past the half-century mark when Junior arrived. I was brought into the alliance years before Halston included his son. But I was brought in earlier than I should have by events beyond my control.

Me

Did you read about the subsea cables?

Halston

Sabotage? It’s been going on for a while. Took a while for the press to cover it.

Me

What do you make of it?

Halston

Nothing new. Insinuating Russia’s behind it because of a fishing boat ranks as ludicrous. Reporters will write anything. But if this bit is new to you, it underscores the importance of a focused command center.

My fingers curl inward. What a bloody wanker. Does it really hurt me, though, if he steps up?

Halston

A source shared the European Union is setting up an eagle eye, monitoring the situation.

Me

But they’ll still allow the fishing boats?

Halston

International waters. But if they anchor along the lines, there will be a reaction, according to my source.

Me

Imminent action?

Halston

If I expected a shock to the markets, I would’ve notified everyone.

Right .

Me

Anything else I can do for you?

Halston

Dorian will be in touch. A package will arrive. A device for you to use.

Me

I’m good.

Hell, if anything, I should be sending the old man a secure device. The custom versions we use aren’t available to the public. As a rule, I don’t use devices others source.

Halston

Use the device I send for our communications.

That will be a negative. Tell him or ignore him?

Halston

Questions are being asked about the wreck.

Me

??

Halston

All those who worked with Leo are concerned. I am, too.

If Halston knew the truth, Mr. Self-anointed Prophet would go ballistic.

Me

There’s no reason for concern. He died because of his wife, nothing to do with a deal.

Halston

Dorian’s helping me smooth things over. When he returns, answer his questions. Let’s put this behind us.

Me

When is he returning?

Why the fuck didn’t he stop back by before heading to the airport?

I wait for a response, staring at the black screen for too long.

It appears Mr. Anonymous ratted out Leo to multiple parties. Damn. Did Halston get the same message? If yes, is this his way of handling the issue? Sending me a device to use and telling me he’s taking charge?

I scan the line of Sectra Tigers. I scratched letters into the outer case to help me tell them apart, but I always double-check myself by reviewing the profile in the settings.

Against my better judgment, I shoot an encrypted message to Nomad:

Questions are being asked about the wreck. I need to know who is asking.

There’s a rap at the door, and before I get a word out, it opens.

Lina grins wide, like a showgirl presenting a trophy. “Look who showed up.”

The slim, brown-skinned man stands behind my sister with a Cheshire grin and his hand on my sister’s arse.

“Nooyi, what the hell?” I step around the desk. “What brings you to the country? Did you take a chopper? I didn’t hear?—”

“You’ve been locked away for hours. Elephants could stampede the gardens and you wouldn’t hear squat.”

“Elephants?” Lina’s flirty comment is directed at Amir, but the scoundrel’s a waste of effort.

“My helicopter is in your pasture. Close up shop. There’s a party tonight you shall not want to miss.”

“And they’re going to let you in?”

He laughs the laugh of an arrogant prick. Amir Nooyi is one of my best mates from my boarding school days, and he’s the king of Alliance shipping. Or perhaps heir is the choice descriptor. He’s also an investor in a number of lucrative Indian enterprises.

Lina claps her palms together. “I’ll get Scarlet. Oh, this will be fun.”

Scarlet appears in the hall behind them with an expression that can only be described as deer-in-the-headlights.

“It’s a Monday. I can’t simply take off.” I really can’t. I’ve got to figure out who is sticking their nose up my arsehole.

“It’ll be worth your time,” Amir says. I recognize his mischievous grin. The fuck is as wily as ever.

“Have you got the paps on standby? Looking for some exposure?”

Lina visibly brightens because, of course, she does. She fancies herself a social media influencer, although fuck me if that’s a business.

“Sod off. And you’re still coming,” Amir says.

Amir’s parents want him to settle down in an arranged marriage, following their path, but he’ll never succumb. Amir has too much fun playing the field and no reason to cave. His parents have already given him the keys to the empire.

“I’m not coming.” I catch Scarlet’s gaze, and a sophomoric urge to make a crude joke flourishes but never passes my lips. “Scarlet.”

Amir half turns, seeing her for the first time, and judging by his eager expression, he’s far too intrigued.

“Hello,” he says, reaching for her hand like the gallant gentleman he is not.

“Scarlet, this here wanker is Amir Nooyi. He and I go way back, and if you’re a bright lass, which I believe you are, you’ll stay clear.”

“What kind of intro is that? Always got to be a prick. A tiny one to match your?—”

“And Scarlet is a guest. She recently buried a loved one and is mourning. I doubt clubbing interests her at the moment.”

Lina has the grace to appear empathetic. “A little bubbly might cheer you up?”

“No, thank you.” Scarlet’s green eyes catch mine. The hue isn’t as bright as this morning in the kitchen. No, trapped in the hall, it’s more of a shaded evergreen.

“Perhaps this weekend we can journey into the city?” I suggest to the room.

I need to spend some time this afternoon with Scarlet to acquire the documentation. If she possesses a fraction of what she says she does, my little Lupi Grigi project will be complete with a simple hand-off.

“I’ll be in Turkey,” Amir says. “You should come.”

“Do you ever work?”

“I work hard, my friend. I also work smart. Observe and learn.”

“Get the fuck out of here.” I wave him off, knowing I’m not getting out of this without at least an alcoholic lunch.

“I’m going to go pack,” Lina says. “Because I’m going.” She spins, not giving me a chance to argue. “Chef is preparing lunch and will serve it in the billiard room.”

“So, lunch, and then Scarlet and I shall see you off?”

Amir looks between Scarlet and me with a cockeyed grin. The prick practically salivates. “Scarlet, dear?—”

“Arsehole. She’s mourning. Let her be.”

“She’s not so distraught she can’t speak.”

Scarlet smiles, but I’d bet my favorite Macallan whiskey it’s a submissive expression she acquired to survive in her demented family.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, and lunch would be lovely.”

Graceful. Clever as they come. She doesn’t need me to defend her against the likes of Amir. She’s a strong one. A far better head on her shoulders than my sister possesses.

I follow behind them, making a mental note to take Amir aside for a serious chat. If he’s going to take my sister clubbing, he’s going to need to keep a close eye on her. For that matter, I need to get security engaged. And I also need an update from Ash about where Dorian went this morning.