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Antonio jumped into the conversation. “I’ve got him but I agree with Dante. The way this guy is circling makes me nervous.”
Cash had noticed the boat too and understood that it was making everyone nervous. He wasn’t thrilled about it either. He wasn’t thrilled about any of this but he couldn’t say anything.
“If you can hear us and understand what we’re saying, put your hand on your tie,” Dante directed.
Keeping a wary eye on Li and his group while listening to the chatter through his earbud was enough to piss Cash off. He brought his hand up and rested it on his tie for a brief moment.
“Roger that,” Dante said. "Louis, ready the boat just in case.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” Louis replied.
Smartass. Louis was a new member of the team and so far Cash wasn’t impressed. Back to the task at hand.
“Mr. Li,” Cash stated in a calm but clear voice, “standing outside is not in the best interest of anyone. Please decide.” He didn’t add or leave but he sure as shit wanted to deliver that ultimatum.
Li ignored him and continued talking in Cantonese. He seemed to get even more animated.
Cash glanced at his watch one more time. “Mr. Li, you have one minute to make your decision.”
Li glanced at him but didn’t stop his call. Instead, he actually turned his back to Cash.
Asshole. Cash glanced at the security. All of them were getting restless. Even Huang was showing signs of agitation, granted on him it was the mere blinking of his eyes, but it was there. Whatever Li was saying was upsetting his team.
Cash glanced at his watch. Li’s time was up. “Mr. Li, I am returning inside. If you wish to join me, now is the moment. If you choose not to, then please leave the premises. You are bringing unwanted attention.” He turned and walked back inside the residence. His phone vibrated in his inner coat pocket.
“Yes, Archer,” he said, barely biting back a sigh.
“You left Li outside.”
“I did,” agreed Cash. “I am not going to stand there while he ignores me and does what he wants. I warned him it was time to come in and the longer he was out there, the more he would be exposed. He didn’t seem to care but I care because he’s drawing attention to the residence. We had a boat circling.
“You need to go out there and bring him in,” Archer demanded.
“Why?” he asked. “He’s obviously upset about something. If he wants to stay somewhere else, then let him.”
“He’s upset because he wants his secretary inside with him. He thought he could bluff by asking for his whole security team to be admitted. I believe he thought we would acquiesce to having just his secretary. I explained to him it was against the rules. He does not agree. You need to go out there and bring him in.”
“Wait, that was you on the phone with him? You speak Cantonese?”
“I speak a lot of languages. Now is not the time for me to list them all. Go. Fucking. Get. Li.”
Refusing to be intimidated, Cash growled, “Why does this meeting have to take place? “What is it they’re working on that is so damn important?”
Archer’s voice dripped ice. “That is not your place to ask. Bring Li inside and bring him alone.”
Cash wanted to argue but he knew it was pointless. He had to do what Archer said. For a change, he hung up on Archer and turned back towards the front door. He was a few strides away from it when it opened, revealing Mr. Li. He had come through the door on his own. His people were behind him outside. His secretary also came through the door.
“Mr. Li welcome to this residence. As I said before your associate is not allowed to enter.”
Li waved a hand and then nodded to Huang. The man stepped back and Li said something else in Cantonese and then closed the door behind him. “I am sorry, Mr. Walker, for not heeding your advice sooner, but here I am.” Li gave a little bow.
Cash returned the gesture. “Mrs. Munari will escort you to your room,” he said.
The middle-aged housekeeper appeared from one of the doors of the hallway.
Mr. Li gave another small bow and then followed Lena up the stairs. He stopped about mid-way up and turned to face Cash. “I trust everything is in order for our meeting.”
“Yes, it’s all in hand.”
