Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 101840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
“Ah, Locke. Well met. Very sorry about your grandfather’s passing,” Ted Harlan said, clapping him on the back. “But I’m sure you’ll do well at the helm of Maris in his place.”
Locke nodded and murmured a few words of acknowledgment, while the third person in line to the British throne gestured for him to take the seat next to his.
So, it really was that Ted Harlan.
I glanced around the main table and recognized several notables, including Santi’s father, Esteban, Selene Mercier, who was currently the head of her family’s tech company, and Vraj freaking Nanda, taking a sip of ice water as if he hadn’t single-handedly changed people’s lives with his words on healing and enlightenment.
It was the motliest of crews.
What the fuck kind of Paxis game was this? While I’d seen the names on paper, it was very different seeing the people in person.
Most of them were here with spouses, exactly as Locke had claimed, except for Alvarado, who’d unexpectedly brought his son.
Santi flashed me a grin as he gestured for me to join him at a smaller table off to the side. “Good morning, Jethro. How did you sleep?”
I felt Locke’s gaze sear the side of my face.
“Good morning, Mr. Alvarado,” I said in a politely restrained voice. “I slept well, thanks.”
“Come join me at the kids’ table,” he teased.
Before I could take a step in his direction, Locke cleared his throat. “You must be Esteban’s boy,” he said, eying Santi. “Santiago, right?”
Santi’s head tilted, but he grinned back and reached out his hand to shake Locke’s. “Santi. Yes. And you must be Locke. Your reputation precedes you, of course.”
“As does yours.” Locke clasped my elbow. “I’m afraid I need Mr. Davis here with me. We have a few items of business to discuss before the first game session begins.”
His smile was polite but cool. Santi’s, on the other hand, was amused. “Sure thing, jefe.”
Then he turned away and began flirting with one of the attractive young women in the room.
“Stay away from him,” Locke commanded in a very low whisper. He pulled back the chair next to his and nudged me to take it.
Part of me wanted to argue, to make a comment about how I might as well be industrious and take side jobs since Locke hadn’t wanted me the night before. But the tension was back in Locke’s jaw, along with that stupid little line I couldn’t stop wanting to smooth off his forehead.
I glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention to us as I quickly whispered back. “We met in the gym last night. Polite minimum only, swear.”
He nodded and turned to accept another greeting.
Saleem al-Qadiri was dressed in immaculate white—a thobe so finely woven it moved like water. A slim Patek Philippe watch disappeared beneath his cuff, and it reminded me of the kind of watch my great-aunt wore. Ten times more modest in appearance than the actual cost of the thing.
Apparently, he’d given up his own family name in order to marry into the ruling family of Qadara. He must have loved his wife very much.
Al-Qadiri, unlike Santi Alvarado, smiled with genuine warmth and happiness at Locke.
“My friend, may your grandfather be granted paradise, and may peace find your heart in time. If you need anything—my family’s door and our table are always open to you.”
I could tell by Locke’s manner that he had great respect for the man—who only seemed about ten years older—and as soon as they finished speaking, al-Qadiri’s wife approached and greeted Locke just as warmly. “How is Celeste? She sent my father the loveliest glass bird to sit in his window.”
Locke’s body language changed at the mention of his sister. He relaxed and smiled. “She’s good, Liyana. Thank you for asking. How’s your father? Please remember me to him when you call home.”
She returned his smile, her expression fondly affectionate. “I will. He misses the game, but traveling isn’t easy for him with his hips.”
When the food was served, I had a chance to watch the interplay between the people at my table. It was easy for me to tell who Locke was comfortable around and who he was guarded with.
Since I was being watched now by Santi in addition to Locke, I tried to spend most of my energy politely listening to others like a good assistant… while mentally tallying the who’s who of what the everlasting fuck, like the agent I was trained to be.
One thing I quickly realized was that there was no way I could keep this gathering a secret from ESP. It was too important. Too impossible to believe that this collection of power players had come together to play an extended version of chess.
But at the same time, I needed to figure out the best way to notify Rocky without also admitting that I’d basically accepted a temporary assignment as a highly paid sex worker.