Page 21 of Concerto of Crows and Cowards

“I guess you don’t get to go back to Mr. Vassin unharmed after all,” Max said coolly. Groans came from the men who littered the ground as two of them tried to make their way back to standing positions. Jimmy still lay unconscious. He’d probably be that way for a while.

“Tell Mr. Vassin I expect him to get in touch soon. I won’t make deals unless I meet face-to-face. And you can tell him my price has doubled.” Max headed back up the porch stairs while Jade kept her weapon trained on the men. “Now get off my lawn.”

The two who’d arrived in the helicopter limped their way back and took off for destinations unknown. It took Tattoo a little longer to disappear because he had trouble getting Jimmy into the car with his knee not working properly, but he eventually managed it.

Max didn’t slump over and grab his head until they were both out of sight. It never paid for the enemy to see your weakness.

“Come on, tough guy,” Jade said, tugging his arm so it wrapped around her shoulder. “Let’s get you a couple of those magic pain pills.”

“I guess I should thank you for saving me.” His words slurred through the debilitating pain.

“It’s just another day at the office,” she said. “Besides, I’ve gotten pretty fond of you.”

Chapter Eight

It took less than twenty-four hours for Martin Vassin to make contact and apologize for the “miscommunication” between Max and his men, and then invite Max to Las Vegas to be a guest in his hotel so they could meet face-to-face without the added hostility of other parties. Max had told him he’d need twenty-four hours to decide and had hung up the phone on a very surprised Martin Vassin.

In reality, he’d needed an extra twenty-four hours so Atticus could start putting his backup plans in motion—because Atticus always had backup plans—and so they could gather the necessary equipment and supplies for their trip. Max’s plane was flown into Austin and refueled, and he and Jade had taken off and were almost to Las Vegas before Max called Vassin back and told him they’d be landing in the next ten minutes. He wanted Vassin scrambling and as flustered as he could get him. And Jade was going to help him do that.

“This dress is ridiculous,” she said, smoothing down the short black dress she wore. “No bodyguard would wear something this stupid. And how am I supposed to run in these heels? I feel like a giant. We’re the same height.”

Max’s mouth quirked at the continued complaints, and he put his hand possessively on her lower back as they left the plane and made their way to the waiting limo.

“And I’ve got no place to put my gun.”

“I’m sure you’ll find some place—creative,” he suggested and then helped her into the limo as she struggled to keep her skirt from riding above her waist.

The driver closed the door behind them and they were silent while the luggage was loaded into the trunk. The vehicle finally started moving, and Max waited until they’d turned from the airport onto Wayne Newton Boulevard before he took a device out of his pocket to scan for bugs. He wasn’t surprised to find one under each of their seats.

Jade opened her handbag where he knew she’d stashed her weapon, and probably a few other goodies, and she came out with the small rectangular device that would emit the frequencies needed to make the bugs unusable.

“I guess ten minutes wasn’t enough time to take him off guard if he’s already got listening devices in his limo.”

“What do you want to bet they’re permanent?” Max said. “He’s the type of man who wouldn’t trust friends any more than enemies. But you’re probably right—I bet they’re scrambling to get our room outfitted as we speak.”

“What did Atticus have to say? I was putting on this ridiculous getup while you were talking.”

It never ceased to amaze Max that the only time he ever saw Jade really uncomfortable was when she had to play a traditional feminine role. She was naturally one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen—her skin flawless and the bone structure of a queen—but she tried to downplay her looks. She never wore makeup and it was rare he saw her in something other than jeans and T-shirts.

“You’re beautiful.”

“What?” she asked, flustered by the compliment, and then she tried to joke her way around it. “Atticus called to say I’m beautiful? That doesn’t sound like him.”

“I just wanted you to know that,” he said, ignoring her discomfort. A flush tinged her cheeks and she looked out the window at the passing traffic. “But I think you’re beautiful whether you wear something like this or my old robe. And you need to learn to accept a compliment. Just because I tell you you’re beautiful doesn’t diminish how you do your job. There’s no one else I’d rather have at my back. Now say, thank you, Max.”

Her lips quirked in a half smile. “I don’t think so. But if you play your cards right I’ll be thanking you profusely later. Now what did Atticus say?”

“They’ve still got no leads on the girl. He’s called in a few favors from a former SEAL team because he doesn’t want to leave us without backup if we need it. We’ve got to keep things rolling with Vassin until they can at least get an idea of where she’s being held. Atticus said Vassin hasn’t been in touch with Senator Henry in more than two weeks, and the senator is frantic.”

Jade bit down on her bottom lip while she thought it out. “It’s not good for him to stop communication. It could mean Vassin has reached the end of his use for the senator and his daughter.”

“That’s what Atticus thought as well. We need to find her fast. Vassin has a home here in Las Vegas. We need to try and get an invitation. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”

The limo turned onto Sands Drive and then made the slow creep to the massive front entrance of the hotel. It took up the entire block, and towers speared into the sky at each corner while huge angels that had been carved into the sides trumpeted over the street. There was nothing subtle about the elegant veneer—the electric excitement and the undercurrents of desperation could still be felt even in the finest establishments. Max glanced at Jade and caught her surprise as she saw where they were.

“I didn’t realize Vassin had done so well for himself. I was expecting a dive off the Strip.”

“Illegal arms dealing is a profitable business. And Vassin only owns about thirty percent of the hotel. But word is he’s got the capital to snap up more shares when they come available.”

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