Page 139 of High Reward

She shakes her head then shrugs. “I mean kind of, but I also understand why it’s that way. Doesn’t mean I like it, but I’ll obey.”

“Good. I’m not saying you’re wrong about the way women are treated in my world. Nor am I saying that’s how it should be. But I am telling you that’s how it is for many of the people who will be in that room, and I would rather you be pissed and safe, instead of dead because you wanted to run your mouth.”

I’m looking directly at Lili when I speak, and she rolls her eyes, holding her hands up, palms out. “OK, I get it. I’m a smart assand I’m too blunt. But I’m with Grace. I don’t like it, but for reasons that cannot be fathomed, I like you, so I’ll obey.”

I smile and try to relax my shoulders. “Thank you. Both of you.”

“Is there anything else we can do to help?”

“Go find Bellamy. I’m sure she can put you to work setting up the meeting room for everyone.”

Grace stands to do as I instruct, but Lili stays sitting, as if she wants to talk.

“I’ll be with Bellamy,” Grace says, slipping out.

“Spit it out, Spitfire,” I demand when I’m alone with her.

“What good is this summit going to do? It feels like you’re asking for trouble when you’re still dealing with Phineas and Grace’s stalker has gone quiet.”

“Phineas is somehow connected to the Russians. The Russians are why we’re having this summit. It’s all linked. The hope is to keep Las Vegas neutral and prevent a turf war. Does that make sense?”

She nods. “It does. But I still don’t like it. I don’t like seeing you this stressed out.”

“The stress is temporary.” I try to reassure her with a smile, but it’s clear she doesn’t buy it. Still, I have a lot to do to prepare for the arrival of the first few guests, so I stand and round the desk. When I’m in front of her, I bend and press a long kiss to her mouth, letting my hand rest at the base of her skull.

“That helps,” I murmur against her lips when I pull away. “Now go find Grace and stay out of trouble.”

She stands and offers a mock salute as she backs out the door.

I shake my head and settle in at my desk to review the arrival plans Luke put into place since he was providing transportation for most of the attendees.

“Are you sure we shouldn’t have used the warehouse for this?” Matteo asks when he pokes his head into my office a few minutes later.

“We have Phineas there. That wouldn’t have worked.”

Matteo drags a hand through his hair and leans against the doorframe. “Yeah. You’re right.”

“You look like shit.”

Matteo glares at me. “Thanks. Skylar said the same thing. I’m just worried about Danny being in the same room with your family. Is Amarjit still planning to be here?”

When the summit was first organized, Danny was going to send an emissary in his stead. But something happened in Chicago, and Danny will now be attending himself. It threw off the arrangements we’d been making, but we are adjusting as best we can. It certainly fucked up Bellamy’s seating chart, and Danny isn’t the only one throwing a wrench in things. At least Danny informed us beforehand. My brother arrived in town a few hours ago and didn’t tell anyone until he was on the ground.

“Yes, the good doctor should be arriving any moment. She’s going to be on standby in one of the offices. Hopefully, we don’t need her.”

Owen enters then looking much calmer than Matteo or me. “What’s got the two of you so stressed?”

“My brother is joining us.”

Owen whistles. “That’s fun. Both Serrano brothers in the same room. How long has it been since that happened?”

I scoff. “Aside from the occasional visit to Mexico, not since I left for college. And when I visited, I kept it to family events. This is the first time we’ve really conducted business together. And he’s doing it just to be an asshole.”

“So, he takes after your father,” Owen quips. “I get it. And Danny showing up isn’t doing us any favors either.”

Bellamy pokes her head in the door before I can respond. “The conference area is ready, Sir. And it looks like the first of the SUVs just pulled into the lot, but I haven’t heard from Luke. I thought he was coordinating all the transit.”

“Thank you, love.” Owen pulls a tablet out of the inside of his jacket and swipes and taps a few times until the parking lot camera feeds pop up onto his screen. I lean over his shoulder so I can see better. The SUV Bellamy referenced is parked a few spaces down from the front door. The back passenger door opens, and I groan.