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Rafe broke into another easy smile. Always calm and collected. Someone could be trying to tear his limbs off and Rafe still wouldn’t lose his head. “Jolly good. I’ll get us some glasses. Would your friend like to join?” Alec cast him a warning look, and Rafe shrugged again. “Suit yourself.” He came back with the uncorked bottle and two dusty glasses.
Rafe held one up to the light and frowned in disapproval. “I thought you had a woman come round to clean?”
Alec snatched the glass and began to pour the wine. “I do, but I doubt anyone’s used these since—” The words caught in his throat.
Since my father.
Rafe studied him. “You know, you might give a thought to moving somewhere else,” he said lightly. “Somewhere without quite so many memories.”
Alec let his icy glare speak for him as he passed Rafe the glass, then poured his own. His living arrangements were another subjectnotup for discussion. “So what happened to Egypt?” he prompted.
Rafe took a sip of the sweet red wine and made a face. “You know, for a half Italian you have a terrible palate.”
Alec finally managed a laugh. “Blame the English half then.”
Rafe nodded in agreement and set down his glass. “Egypt is off for now.” He lowered his voice. “It appears we have a leak. And from rather high up. I’m meeting with someone from the Foreign Office later. But that’s not why I’m here. When did you last speak with Signore Cardinelli?”
Alec’s neck prickled. “Today, actually. He invited me to a dinner party he’s giving later.”
“That’s perfect,” Rafe said. “There’s a woman who should be in attendance. Madame Noir. You’ll need to make contact with her.”
“Who is she?”
“Another French aristocrat of dubious origin with a line of dead husbands behind her, each one more important, and wealthier, than the last. She’s currently the mistress of one of Germany’s most profitable military contractors.” Rafe leaned forward in his chair. “It is believed she will be there tonight to secure a deal.” He then paused for effect. “It appears the good Signore Cardinelli may be moving into arms dealing.”
And with one of England’s greatest adversaries, no less.
“That’s absurd,” Alec scoffed. “Why would he invite me then?”
Rafe’s eyes narrowed. “My guess is he’ll double-cross her, for the right price.”
It was Cardinelli’s usual move: dangle someone or something out on a line and wait to see who bit the hardest. For months now Alec had been warning his superiors that if he was this willing to turn on others, he would do the very same to them. But they didn’t seem to care. So far the information had been worth the risk. But they would have to pay the piper at some point, and Alec damned well didn’t want to be there when it happened.
“Fine. Let him. Why amIsupposed to snuggle up to a Frenchwoman?”
“Because you will need to warn her that loyalty is not one of the signore’s stronger traits. And make an alliance.”
Alec muttered a curse. Apparently his superiors had decided to finally listen. And expected him to be the one to turn the tables on the signore.
“She could be a valuable informant. Imagine: a direct line to a German military contractor.” Rafe’s eyes practically sparkled.
Every now and then Alec was reminded that Rafe had actuallychosenthis line of work. He wasn’t a true believer, exactly, but he enjoyed it in a way Alec had never quite managed. But then, for him, this hadn’t been a choice.
A bone-deep weariness settled over him and he suddenly felt ten years older. “Can’t you go?” It was a useless question. Signore Cardinelli tolerated Alec only because of their shared interests. He had no use for a so-called philistine like Rafe.
Rafe shook his head. “My presence won’t be welcome. Which is unfortunate, given what I’ve heard can happen at these parties.” He then added a suggestive eyebrow waggle.
Alec had only ever been to Cardinelli’s palazzo on business, but he, too, had heard the whispers.
“It has to be you. And it has to be tonight. Madame Noir is leaving for Paris in the morning.”
Alec didn’t bother replying. “If you’re thinking of your friend, I’d be happy to keep her company,” Rafe said a little too eagerly.
“No, that won’t be necessary,” Alec managed to growl through his iron jaw. “As it so happens, the signore invited her as well.” If he dared to show up without her, the door would be slammed in his face. But the moment he saw anything vaguely salacious, they were leaving. Mission be damned.
Rafe cut a glance to his bedroom door. “She won’t be sore if you pay another woman attention right in front of her?”
I know you will doanythingto get what you need.
