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“We don’t trade in invisible. We trade in intelligence.” OZ’s terse words drew the rest of the room’s attention away from me. “Please ensure anything—actionable or not—finds its way to Aziza before anyone else. Dismissed.”
And with that, OZ’s virtual presence vanished.
I forced my focus to what I had control of. “Vivi, the guests will be arriving shortly.”
“I’m on it, love.” She uncrossed her long legs and gracefully stood, adjusting the vile uniform. Before she left, she pinned me with her eyes. They were everything Vivi herself was—elegant, cool, and dangerous from a distance, but up close, all heart.
In that regard, she reminded me of Coop. Most people dismissed him as brash and cold, as well. I knew better. At least I’d thought I had.
Her slender fingers buttoned the bright pink blazer and straightened the silver name tag that read Vivian McQueen, Director Hotel Operations, Obsidian Winds Resort. “But, darling, this will be the last time I don this hideous getup.”
“Just think how smashing it will go with the new pair of Kenkazi earrings I’m going to get you.” I smiled, knowing she couldn’t resist her current favorite luxury designer.
“Best add a matching pendant.” The ping of her high heels echoed, signaling the end of negotiations.
Wolfe stood, planting his palms on the table as he leaned forward. “Now might be a good time to fill me in on Obsidian Protocol.”
Hard as it was, the time had come for me to start treating Wolfe like he was here to stay. Especially if Coop really was working for someone else.
“It’s a proactive measure only implemented on Marakata and only for very specific circumstances, like this, when visitors arrive unexpectedly. In other words, unvetted. Our new guests will be told they’re being taken in by a resort called the Obsidian Winds. The staff caring for them wear the bright pink uniforms and none of OZ’s logos appear anywhere. The guests won’t be required to sign NDAs and they won’t have access to any part of the island other than the bungalow where they will be sequestered. Any communication devices will be jammed or intercepted and they will be flown out at night so no identifying parts of the island can be seen. For all intents and purposes, they will have never been on OZ’s island.”
“So Colt…?”
“Scuttled their boat. Made it look natural—storm damage, gas leak explosion. Left no reason for them to return, nothing to recover or investigate.” I paused, watching Wolfe process the information, seeing the concern weighting heavily in his pale eyes. “Just say it.”
“There’s a big difference between being proactive and being paranoid.”
Perhaps informing him about the DNA samples, which would be procured during the guests’ medical evaluations, could wait. Life on Marakata always required a bit of an adjustment, which was why everything was on a need-to-know basis.
“Omar Zaki is a very private man. This is his home. The heart of our organization. Our resources are invaluable and our clientele are confidential. Beryl Enterprises, our entire business, is nothing if the emerald island, the crown jewel of our organization, can so easily be breached.”
Wolfe nodded and stood, but hovered in the doorway like he had more to say. Career operators typically didn’t have qualms about our more invasive measures, like detaining and deceiving possible innocents or even with blowing up a boat or two.
Maybe Wolfe wasn’t as good a fit for the island as Coop had thought. Best to find it out now, before he learned anything more. “Is this going to be a problem for you?”
“No,” he replied absently. He peered down the hall before returning his attention to me. “Sorry, I was just stalling until I was sure we were alone.”
“We’re as alone as we’re going to get,” I said, knowing Vivi was long gone and I’d disconnected the room from I&A.
Wolfe approached me until he stood close, with legs a bit spread as he crossed his arms over his chest. Keeping his voice low, he said, “Coop’s in the Amazon and I don’t believe in coincidences either.”
Okay, maybe he fit too well. But that didn’t mean he needed to know everything I was thinking yet.
To be a convincing liar wasn’t so much about concealing the truth, but crafting a new reality. “You were right about there being a scoop.”
“Let me guess, Coop’s there looking into it for you. Should’ve known you both would be on top of it already.”
It always helped if your subject crafted the reality they wanted to believe for you. “Please keep this under wraps.”
“Of course.”
I waited for Wolfe to clear out before elbowing the table and pressing my face into my palms. If three of Marco’s men had died by Coop’s hand, the Alvarez Cartel would most certainly draw a bullseye on Beryl Enterprises.
What have you done to me, Michael? To us?
