Page 88 of Captive Lies

“Not to mention your buying up real estate in Moscow is doing nothing to dispel rumors that you have some officials in the Kremlin and the Russian mafia doing favors for you,” Gussaid.

“The Russian mafia nearly killed my woman,” Grant reminded him darkly, although he wouldn’t deny or admit to greasing a few palms in the Kremlin to facilitate business transactions. A corporation would never survive in a country where the government was corrupt without a couple of well-placed bribes. It usually spelled safety or doom for his employees and saved them the trouble from the government or the rebels. International business wasn’t cut-and-dried, but Grant’s awareness of a country’s political situation, how to work around the corruption, and how to win the loyalty of the locals were very important to its success. He hated to capitulate to Gus’ requests, but he hated to put his father in this untenable position more. “Blaire and I will speak to the DOJ and ask them what we can and can’treveal.”

“That’s all I ask,” the senator said. “Now, your mom is waiting at the hotel and she’s been pushing for dinner tonight with you and Blaire. She missesher.”

“Not her son?” Grant quirked a brow in amusement. “I’m sure Blaire would love to catch up with her. Let mecheck—”

There was commotion outside his office and then Jake burst into the room with an angry Morrisfollowing.

“You should teach your people manners, Thorne,” Gussaid.

“I’m sorry, sir—” Morrishuffed.

“Last I checked, this was my office,” Grant snapped at his father’s aide. The look on Jake’s face already had him thinking the worst. He jumped up from his chair and was already rounding the table. “Blaire?”

“There was an incident in the gallery. Something’s goingdown.”

“What?” Grant grated, already heading out the door withJake.

“Tyler’s call got cut off. Either they’re jamming the signalor—”

“Don’t fucking say it,” he gritted out. “NYPD?”

“Already sentthem.”

“What do we know?” They got into theelevator.

“We’re down a man—Drew.”

“How the fuck did this happen?” Shit, his dad. What if this was a coordinated attack? When they got to the ground floor, he called thesenator.

“Grant, what the hell is goingon?”

“I don’t know. Does mom have security at thehotel?”

“Ofcourse.”

“Get there and wait for us. As soon as I have information, I’ll let youknow.”

“Be careful,Grant.”

“Iwill.”

* * *

Blaire

“I’m calling Jake,”Tylersaid.

Sofia and Jeff walked over to us. “What’s goingon?”

“You need to close the gallery,” I said, trying to remain calm. “Someone attacked our man outside and …” My words trailed off when I noticed Tyler’s pissed-offexpression.

“Hello … Jake … what the fuck?” He glared at his phone before looking at me. “I can’t get asignal.”

I turned back to Sofia and Jeff. “Let’s get everyone out now.” People were starting to notice our huddle and the fact that my bodyguard and I were holdingguns.

“Blaire, we need to get you out of here.” Tyler’s demeanor had turnedurgent.

---