Page 98 of The Lieutenant

“No. But I think you’ll know what to do. My intuitive little kitten knows when to use her claws as well as her feminine wiles.”

“Now you’re testing me. So you know, flattery will get you nowhere. I will get you back.”

I was able to laugh. “I’m entirely certain you will. I look forward to it.”

The office building in the heart of Paris was quaint, almost unassuming. But inside three of the most powerful land developers worked their magic, purchasing land in several European countries years before. They’d held onto them, waiting until the perfect opportunity came along. They also used strongarm methods of keeping their fingers in the pie.

I would have admired them if I hadn’t become so irritated. We weren’t puppets, yet we were acting as though they were allowed to pull the strings.

Months of meetings with them had come down to this final conversation prior to signing the contract. It was supposed to be a formality, but with our stocks in a severe slump, the news presenting our family as monsters, the entire purchase was up in the air.

We’d already paid millions of dollars to ensure the project would be successful. From architectural designs to hiring a Parisianinterior decorator, we were ready to break ground as soon as the ink was dry on the contract.

The fact the men had kept us waiting in a conference room only fueled another round of anger. The stakes were high, failure not an option.

“Are you okay?” Kara asked. She remained in one of the conference room chairs while I stood at the window, staring at the very sight that should belong to the Nomikos regime. Yes, we were paying top dollar, the market and location the reason, but both brothers and I were confident the location would fuel our diamond sales. Parisians did love their gems.

“I’m fine. We will be leaving in five minutes if this meeting doesn’t start,” I told her.

She was suddenly right behind me. “Patience. Something you need to learn. No matter what happens today, remember that this isn’t the endgame. Only a blip in time. Nothing will stop the powerful Nomikos Empire.”

I laughed softly and forced her beside me. “From your mouth to God’s ears. Or as my father would say:Min afínete kanénan na statheí empódio sto megaleío.”

“What does that mean?”

“Allow no man to stand in the way of greatness.”

“A very wise saying. If this doesn’t work out, you and your brothers will find the perfect place. I can see it in my eyes. Neon lights. A huge dance floor. Rooms that cater to more than just boring meetings.”

“Are you suggesting we enter into the kink realm?”

“I am.”

I brushed my fingers across her face. I truly admired her resilience after what she’d been through. So much of me wanted to head to the United States, having a long discussion with the man who’d caused her pain. I knew she wouldn’t allow me to learn his name. She’d made that very clear. “You confirmed the meeting.”

Kara laughed. “With Don Coppola’s assistant. Incidentally, she’s very nice. In other words, don’t be an asshole when you burst into the meeting.”

In my world, there was honestly no place for being nice to the opponent. The attribute was only another weakness. I laughed. “I’m never an asshole.”

She gave me a hard look. “Tell me another lie.”

“We’re headed to the private airport after this meeting.” I knew she was attempting to keep my spirits high. The anger dwelling inside of me was more about the thought of losing. We could purchase another piece of land anywhere in the world. We had enough power and money. However, to find ourselves embroiled in a bureaucratic war was demeaning to the entire family.

“And from there?’ she asked.

“Then we’ll see.” I sensed she needed to tell me something. She’d received a phone call from her agent during the flight. She’d seemed pensive, saying very little. While I couldn’t be certain she wasn’t hiding something from me, my instincts were primed for what I sensed our future would bring.

She opened her mouth as she wrapped her hand around my arm. “I need to say something that you’re not going to like.”

The door opened as if on cue, only two men walking inside. One I knew to be Alexander Dumas, considered the richest man and most austere businessman in France. The other man I didn’t recognize, but he wore a contemptuous expression that immediately irritated me.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” Dumas stated. He was old world money much like I was, a man who was a notorious womanizer. While I had a memory bank full of blackmail items I could use, Dimitrios had encouraged me to resist showing all our cards.

I looked at my watch. “We only have ten minutes before we’re leaving to catch a flight. I suggest we don’t waste any additional time.”

“Yes, of course. Please.” Dumas didn’t bother introducing his colleague, but with Kara insisting we work together, my plans were to use her credentials to my benefit but only when necessary.

“This is Kara Banning. She will be sitting in today.” I pulled out her chair, my eyes never leaving the space across the table.

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