Page 99 of The Lieutenant

“Ah, yes, the esteemedNew York Timesreporter,” he said as he sat down.

“Journalist, and I’m currently working freelance.” She had a brilliantly perfect smile on her face, her expression a further indication she was a consummate actress.

“And you’re very close to Mr. Nomikos.” He was goading her.

“Close? Oddly enough, you are correct. Only not in the way you’re thinking. Tabloids are such… pieces of trash. However, I do trust him implicitly since he saved my life. Very few men have the courage to fight during moments of adversity.”

I sat down beside her, sliding my hand under the table to squeeze her leg. “As you can see, gentlemen, she has a way of insisting I provide all my trade secrets for a very special exposé she’s working on. I’m eager to see what she comes up with.” I couldn’t help but give her a longing look. In turn, she dragged her tongue across her bottom lip just for emphasis.

They laughed.

I didn’t.

Except inwardly. They believed they were about to play me. Soon, they would find themselves scratching their heads.

“Now, to get down to business. We need to discuss the contracts.” The hesitation was exactly the same as it had been with the Greek officials. I could tell by the look of satisfaction in Alexander’s eyes that we’d been blacklisted, and he was more than thrilled to provide the news.

“Unfortunately, the piece of land was sold to another party only two days ago.”

Now Kara squeezed my leg, a reminder to me not to fly off the handle. At this point, my need to win against all odds had turned this into a more enjoyable game. Why not toy with the fuckers, forcing Dumas to have a few sleepless nights? She kept a smile on her face and I sensed eagerness to learn what I had planned.

Perhaps she would end up being proud of me at this point. I could barely keep a wicked smile off my face.

“Then there is no need for this meeting. I’m glad things worked out for you,” I told them, already starting to rise from my chair. “For both our companies actually. We’re thrilled with the recent deal we made.”

“Wait a minute. Does that mean you purchased from someone else?” Dumas jerked to his feet.

“I won’t belabor the point. We were offered an opportunity we couldn’t refuse. I’m certain as a businessman of high esteem, you can understand we must do what’s best for our company, including all our employees. I came here in person to share the news because I thought it was the right thing to do. Burning bridges is never in anyone’s best interest, nor is spreading false claims.”

The two men were stunned. Their expressions also allowed me to realize that entering into a contract with them wouldn’t have worked to our benefit. While I hadn’t told either Dimitrios or Christos my plans, I was happy with my decision. They’d learn to appreciate my thoughts of wisdom.

I smiled at both as I stood to my full height, buttoning my jacket. But not before allowing them to see I’d brought a weapon in with me. It was a subtle threat, but a threat nonetheless. “Shall we?” I asked Kara.

“Absolutely. We should celebrate your good fortune.”

She was damn good at what she did. “I agree. Gentlemen.” I headed for the door, shocked I’d floored both. I stopped just before walking out, winking before turning toward them briefly. “Oh, and a wire transfer returning our deposit will be fine. With ten percent added for our handler’s fee of course.”

Kara could barely contain herself as we walked out, forced to place her hand over her mouth to keep from bursting into laughter. By the time we were inside the elevator, Alexander was running from his office, finally released from his moment of shock.

I had a smirk on my face as the elevator doors started to close. When they did, Kara smacked my arm.

“You continue to surprise me. No, you shocked me this time. I didn’t know you had such conniving bones in your body.”

“That wasn’t conniving. That was just about good business.”

“You knew they were pulling the contract.”

I nodded. “I did.”

“I was certain you were going to threaten them as I’ve already witnessed you doing.”

“Well, my kitten,” I told her as I turned and crowded her space. “I did, but with a more professional gesture.”

“What made you change your mind how you were going to handle the meeting?”

The elevator doors opened and I wrapped my arm around her as we headed for the main doors. “Well, a highly intelligent individual reminded me that sometimes the best thing that could be done was making lemonade out of lemons.”

“Oh, she did, did she? She is highly intelligent. And an amazing partner.”

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