Page 45 of Maximus

Reaper’s eyebrow rose. “I could push the issue.”

“Why?” Val said. “He’s good. He’s on our side, right? The bosses don’t have an issue with it, or we’d have orders to determine how he did it. We don’t. All we have is Con whining. Jewell hasn’t said squat to us. And watching Con get some of his own is funny as hell. It’s about time.”

All four of them laughed, and Smith pointed to his ear. Maximus smiled. He knew Con had heard the entire meeting and was fine with that. He glanced at his watch. “We have twenty-seven hours until the show. Last call for alibis.”

He looked at the other assassins. “We’re good, and Con said to tell you Abrasha has landed in Sochi,” Val said.

“I know.” Malice smiled. “He’s en route to his compound, where he’ll spend the night before coming up here tomorrow night. He never spends the night outside of his compound when he’s here.”

“Are you ready to go?” He looked at Malice.

“Good to go,” Malice said.

“I’m ready, too,” Reaper agreed. “As long as you’re wearing your comms tomorrow night.”

“I will be.” Max turned around and walked back down the path he’d traveled. The die had been cast, and the followingnight, Abrasha Molchalin would pay for the damage he’d done to the innocents of the world.

CHAPTER 21

“You look stunning.” Max walked a circle around Elena, who wore a sleeveless black gown that had a slit up her thigh. A bit high for her liking, but it was the style. The material clung to her curves, and she hoped she didn’t look lumpy. A small gold chain glistened around her neck, a graduation gift from her mother, and she had matching drop earrings her father had purchased. Max had warned her she wouldn’t be coming back for anything, so she wore what was most important to her. Her hair was swept up in a smooth coil, with curls strategically escaping and framing her face.

“Thank you.” She waved at her face. “I usually don’t worry about makeup, but tonight, I needed something to hide behind. Does that make sense?”

He smiled and touched her chin with his finger, tilting her face up. “You’re absolutely beautiful without makeup, but I understand the need for a little armor tonight.”

She took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I’m worried I’ll screw up.”

“You won’t. Just do what you normally do.”

“And listen to Val.”

“At all costs.”

“He should be here soon.” She glanced at the clock. “And we should go downstairs. Guests will start arriving shortly.” She brushed his tux’s collar. “You look amazing.”

He smiled at her. “You’ve got this.”

“I know.” She nodded.

They made their way to the event. The facility security nodded as they passed. She and Max had been in and out of the venue all day and were known to everyone. She went directly to the small room in the back where the champagne and small bites would be loaded onto trays and circulated through the crowd. “Is the champagne properly chilled?”

“Yes, ma’am, and the servers are on a timed release as per our conversation. Champagne service for the first half hour, then food trays are mixed in,” the kitchen lead said. She looked around. “We have more than enough for the number of people attending tonight.”

“Good. Thank you. If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to come get me.”

“I will, but we’re fine,” the woman assured her.

She smiled and returned to the venue. The lights were now dimmed, and the spotlights on the paintings were in full view. She moved to the Monet and adjusted the light to the left to draw on the lighting over the pond. Each painting was mounted and highlighted perfectly, but she had to check one last time. By the time she’d finished, guests were arriving. The manager of the resort was taking invitations and checking the people off as they came in. Max lingered in front of the Chagall, and she walked up to him. “I have to go play hostess.”

He smiled at her. “I’ll join you.” He extended his arm, and she slid her hand into the crook of his arm. “Breathe.”

“I am.” Wasn’t she?

As they reached the front of the venue, habit clicked into place, and she greeted each of the couples as they walked through the door. She asked about children, pets, and vacations. She didn’t know the people but remembered what she’d learned from the last showing, and her recalling such facts made them feel special.

Max visited with people, introducing himself and talking about the paintings with such authority it was hard to believe he’d just learned about art. Elena smiled and turned, bumping into someone.

“I’m so sorry …”

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