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“No, because I want to know exactly how this will affect us, our business… our lives. Especially since you bargained for nothing.”
Oh, I bargained for something alright, only it’s not for The Sanctum’s benefit…
“I admit it, this one was more for me than us.”
“Our deals are usually much more calculated than this,” Finn continues.
“You’re right.” I turn to Carter, knowing full well why he has not questioned my decisions yet. Being calculated is his thing; the man started writing the formula on the board long before I made the deal with Morrigan, because he doesn’t shift unless he knows at least the next three moves. Being calculated is a deep-set need, not just a desire, for him. “That’s why we need to shake hands with Holt and O’Rourke on this business.”
“What?! That makes no sense. I’m talking about one problem, and your answer is introducing another one.” Finn leans back in his chair, dragging a hand over his face.
“It’s the only thing that makes sense.” Carter shrugs as he drags his gaze between all of us, like that conclusion is the most logical one in the world and he doesn’t understand why no one else sees it. “There’s a reason O’Rourke was so keen to hand over his daughter to his new business partner. This arrangement is new. It wasn’t part of the one he was making with Holt Sr, and we need to find out why. The logical explanation is that Holt has something O’Rourke really wants, or maybe their deal is much more ambitious and needed further payment.”
He picks up his glass and takes a polite sip as his eyes drag across the busy restaurant floor.
Finn huffs from his chair, shaking his head. “I hate it when you make so much fucking sense.”
“I know.” There’s no smugness in his eyes, just a logical self-awareness. “They’re here, you know.”
I hum my acknowledgment. They’re sitting on the other side of the restaurant.
“O’Rourke is the type of man that likes the limelight. And he certainly enjoys people knowing that he’s associated with us in some way. So I thought we would shake on the deal in public. Give his ego a boost. It will bring him closer to us, and we need him close. Do you all agree?”
They all nod without hesitation.
This is how it works with us, how it’s always been. We pick a direction together, we move together, and we lead together. We learned young that we move on the same tune, and we were smart enough to understand that the song shouldn’t be disrupted. We don’t always agree; we challenge each other, but in the end, it’s never one person deciding—always all of us.
Except with her… but then again, she’s not a business deal.
“Hello, gentlemen.”
“Jasmine, Roxanne. Glad you could join us. Please, sit.” Finn points to the empty chair next to me, then makes Carter scoot so Roxanne can sit next to him.
“How are you, darling?” I smile at Jasmine and kiss her cheek.
I don’t miss the stolen glances from most of the men from the restaurant, and some of the women. The girls are gorgeous, and this is the exact reason why. Both brunette, with shiny, wavy hair framing their slim and chiseled cheeks and plump lips, both leaving enough to the imagination in their tight, yet fairly conservative dresses.
“Very well, thank you. Am I your date for the evening?” she asks politely.
“You are.” I nod as she gives me her sexiest smile. She plays her role well.
We asked Ekaterina to send two girls, because our plan is to get involved with Holt and O’Rourke from all fronts. We have our team of hackers, our vault of secrets, but most men… they forget themselves around the right women. And we have the right women.
“And whose attention am I catching?” She throws an electric gaze around all the tables.
“You’ll see soon.”
“Perfect.” She holds her glass as I pour some wine and settles into her role.
Our game isn’t prostitution, but an escort service, with a set of skills specific to us. Our business deals in information—and so do they. They’re high end, intelligent, strong, and their beauty distracts all who can afford hiring them. Ekaterina is incredible at finding and selecting the right ones, with the right skills and desires. She runs and takes care of the girls, but technically, Finn is the one in control of the service. Just as Carter has the hackers and Madds, the fight club.
But Ekaterina knows exactly what goes into training and taking care of them. Her background is so different from ours, brutal, trained as an asset to her country, and her knowledge has been invaluable to our operation and the girls interested in it. They’re different, they crave a level of control that normal escorts simply aren’t interested in. Their beauty and brains work in tandem, giving them a specific power they wield like an irresistible weapon.
“I want to make something clear. Morrigan O’Rourke—this was notourdeal.” I look at Finn in particular. “It was mine. But as it happens, she’s one of the cards in a game we’re interested in learning, and she may be useful.”
Finn raises his eyebrow, a sly smile in his eyes. I’m going to get the twenty questions soon. “She’s here too.”
My gaze moves to their table in a heartbeat, struggling to be inconspicuous in front of Finn and the others. Only, that thought leaves me when I meet the surprised gaze of one very beautiful redhead.
