Page 124 of Black Reign

Guests rise.

Drew leans closer.

“You know what’s funny?”

“No.”

“You spent years trying to find her.”

I keep my eyes toward the aisle.

“And?”

His grin widens.

“She found you first.”

My jaw tightens.

Because he’s right.

Somewhere inside Kane Haverhill’s wedding, Vesper is watching Ghost exist in the real world.

And I have absolutely no idea which pair of eyes belongs to her.

5

Sergei is my masterpiece.

His real name is not Sergei.

I didn’t ask what it was.

He is a retired stage actor with a weakness for Scotch and an alarming willingness to accept cash for bizarre assignments.

The gold teeth are caps.

His suit is his own.

He was offended when I suggested renting one.

I gave him the credential, the phrase, and exactly three instructions.

Walk in.

Say his name is Sergei.

Smile.

Then answer almost nothing.

He loved the role.

Perhaps too much.

I time his arrival for the precise window when staffing movement is highest.

Security shifts toward the gate.