Page 47 of Deadly Legacy
Reuben’s scalp prickled with unease as he scanned the room. Dmitrii had stationed men throughout the ballroom, their positions creating an invisible net. It was a meticulous security arrangement, one that suggested he expected something to happen tonight.
“Dmitrii’s making another call,” Stepan noted.
On the monitor, Dmitrii had stepped into a private alcove, phone pressed to his ear. The camera angle captured his profile as his expression transformed from controlled to savage, lips curling back in a snarl.
“New plan,” Reuben decided. “We need a bigger distraction. Something that pulls all eyes away from the exits.”
Stepan nodded, already understanding. “Fire alarm?”
“Too chaotic. We need something targeted.” Reuben’s mind raced through options, discarding each as too risky or too subtle. “The auction announcement. It’s in ten minutes. Everyone will be watching the stage.”
Tapping his earpiece, Reuben gave Wallace detailed instructions. “When they announce the auction winners, there’ll be a problem near the stage. Use that moment to slip out through the kitchen. Our guy will be at the service door.”
“Got it,” Wallace replied, his voice steady despite the pressure.
Reuben’s shirt clung to his back with sweat, the fine cotton fabric adhering to his skin. He watched Dmitrii finish his call,the crime boss’s face now a mask of cold fury. Whatever news he’d received had changed his plans.
“Auction announcement starting,” Stepan reported.
On cue, the lights dimmed as the event coordinator took the stage. Wallace began moving casually toward the kitchen entrance, maintaining an appearance of passing interest in the proceedings.
“Now,” Reuben said into the comm.
On the main floor, two men in security uniforms—Nikon’s people—began a loud argument near the stage. Heads turned, attention diverted. Wallace slipped through the kitchen door unnoticed.
“He’s clear,” Stepan confirmed 20 seconds later, having tracked Wallace’s progress through the back corridors.
Relief flooded Reuben’s system, though he kept his expression neutral. “Get him to the safe house immediately. That note is priority one.”
Returning his attention to the monitors, Reuben watched Dmitrii scanning the room, his expression darkening as he realized Wallace was gone. The crime boss signaled to his men, who began moving more openly toward the exits.
“Dmitrii’s figured it out,” Stepan said.
“Doesn’t matter now.” Reuben began shutting down the command center, disconnecting cables with quick, efficient movements. “We got what we needed.”
The final monitor showed Dmitrii standing in the center of the ballroom, phone in hand, muscles rippling beneath the skin of his face. His eyes darted around the room, searching.
Reuben switched off the screen and gathered his things. “Let’s move.”
Stepan checked his weapon before concealing it inside his jacket. “He’ll be ready for us.”
“Good.” Reuben pocketed his earpiece, the adrenaline of the operation still humming beneath his skin. “So will we.”
Chapter 15
The surveillance sweep took seventeen minutes, each second ticking by like a countdown to detonation. Reuben stood at the window of Quantize Guard’s conference room, his fingertips tapping against the sill.
Through the glass, he tracked movement in the parking garage entrance while Stepan’s team swept for hidden threats, their equipment humming softly as they searched for electronic intrusions.
Stepan snapped the detection case closed with a soft click. “It’s clear. No foreign surveillance devices. Our own feeds are operational.”
The tension between Reuben’s shoulder blades eased slightly as he rolled his neck to one side. “The founders?”
“Waiting in the lobby with their legal team.” Stepan glanced at his watch, his brow furrowing. “Dmitrii’s car just entered the parking garage. Two minutes, maybe less.”
Reuben turned from the window, fingers finding his tie. The cool silk slid against his skin, a small comfort against the iron tension filling his chest.
His gaze settled on the contract centered on the conference table, pages arranged in neat lines. Months of careful planning, countless sleepless nights, all funneling down to this single meeting.
