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The vista behind theis hidden by the fog A few floodlights color the footpaths of the garden with an eht The view must be spectacular on a clear day

“Sit,” he says, leading me to a round conference table near his desk

When I’m seated, he takes a bottle of vodka from an ice bucket and pours two shots “I believe you have an assassin on your tail”

I regard him from under my eyelids “News travels fast”

“In our circles” He places a glass in front ofheadway in finding the man ants you dead?”

Inhaling deeply, I exhale through my nose as I consider him Like I said, I don’t trust anyone, not easily “As a matter of fact, yes”

When I don’t elaborate, he asks, “And who is this person ants you dead, if I may ask?”

My smile feels flat “You may not”

“May I ask why then?” He traces the rilass “Power?”

“Power is always a good ”

A grin slides onto his face He knows I’ “What’s with the evasiveness?”

Impatience slips into my tone “What’s with the curiosity?”

“I like to knoho back, he studies o, you were parading a woman around New York City, a woht? It was all over the gossip azines”

I tighten lass “If you value your life, you won’t speak her naain”

“It’s like that,” he says, giving not only his agree with a nod “What happened? Did your hunter go after her to get to you?”

If I clench the glass any harder, it’s going to break

“Ah,” he says when I don’t answer “I see that I’ht”

Narrowing my eyes, I say in a calculated tone, “You seem very interested in matters that don’t concern you”

He regards htful and attentive “You have a lot of enemies”

I raise a brow “So do you”

“This joint venture will guarantee you an alliance with my family To a certain extent Is that the real reason for your interest in Konstantin’s project?”

“It will also secure you an alliance withthe papers?”

He smiles at ives and a more amiable atmosphere settles

“What’s with the questions, Nikolai? I thought you were happy with my terms Do you have doubts?”

Pulling his glass closer, he says, “Just et off the ground”

I give hi”