Merciless (Option Zero 1)

Elsa Olsen stepped out of the limo, a wealthy, entitled, and self-described fashion icon. She was quite bored with the world and found little amusement in anything. The much older and exceedingly dangerous Humphrey was the most exciting man she’d met in years. A part of her was enamored of the danger, and another part was scared, which made it all the more exciting.

Playing a rich society girl was a different role for Jules, but she anticipated no real issue. Becoming someone else was always easy for her. Being herself was where she usually had trouble.

Which was exactly why her heart was pounding much faster than it should be. Ash’s kiss had sent her entire body into a heated frenzy. She was professional enough to maintain the icy expression of Elsa, but the woman inside was all Jules, and she was feeling decidedly unprofessional. How had one kiss made such a difference?

She dared a look over at Ash, still amazed at the transformation. When she’d first arrived at the airport and saw who was waiting for her, she’d done a double-take. Even though Rose had shown her a photo of Humphrey, it had still been hard for her mind to grasp that behind the receding hairline, ugly brown eyes, and pointy-tooth smile was the very handsome Asher Drake. When he’d said in a very quiet, growling voice, “You look lovely, Elsa,” shivers had spiraled throughout her body. The voice had been all Asher Drake.

“Humphrey, my friend. So glad you could join me.”

Jules looked up at the man descending the steps toward them. Omar Schrader was exactly how Ash had described him. He had a slender build, thinning hair, and intelligence in his evil eyes. Taking his welcoming smile at face value would be a deadly mistake. This man could be lethal.

“It’s good to see you.” Humphrey held out his hand to shake Schrader’s and then turned to Elsa. “Let me introduce you to Elsa Olsen.”

“What a delight, my dear.” Using old-world charm by taking her hand and kissing it made no difference in Jules’s assessment of the man.

“Very good to meet you, Mr. Schrader, and thank you for the invitation to your lovely home.”

“My pleasure, I assure you.” He made a sweeping gesture. “Come, let me show you around. Boris will take your luggage to your room.”

Despite the fact that Omar Schrader was a weapons broker and quite likely many other evil things, his home was lovely. And Omar was a gracious host, taking them through several rooms, sharing amusing anecdotes of the mansion’s history. He ended the tour with refreshments on the west portico that faced a small pond. The sun was setting, and with ducks and geese floating on the water, the entire scene was almost poetic.

A stern-looking middle-aged man wearing a butler’s uniform served them drinks and light snacks. Omar munched on caviar and chilled lobster with single-minded focus for several minutes and then sat back in his chair with a beatific smile.

“You have an extraordinary home, Omar,” Humphrey said.

“Thank you, my friend. I’m so pleased you and Elsa accepted my invitation. And I’m very happy that I was able to persuade you to stay here instead of at a hotel. I think you’ll be happy about that, too.”

Humphrey’s smile stayed in place, but his eyes narrowed. “Oh? Why is that?”

“Because someone wants to meet you.”

“And who would that someone be?” Humphrey’s tone was quiet but carried the sharp blade of lethalness.

Omar let loose a loud giggle, startling the ducks and geese, who quacked and honked in protest. Several flew away. No one at the table gave them obvious notice. The atmosphere had just zoomed from low-key to almost deadly.

Neither she nor Ash was armed. They had been patted down before they’d been allowed to get into the limo. However, she had learned that one used what one had available. Utensils on the table could be wielded with lethal precision in an instant.

“Now, now. No one for you to be worried about. I don’t want to spoil the surprise. You’ll meet him at dinner.”

“I don’t like surprises, Omar. People in our line of work rarely do.”

“I guarantee that you’ll like this one.”

Jules knew that while Humphrey maintained his semifriendly demeanor, Ash was calculating exactly what Omar had up his sleeve and if they should take evasive action.

Several tense seconds passed. Jules stayed quiet. Elsa would have no opinion and little interest in such things. Nor would her opinion be welcomed. She had a role to play, but Jules most definitely had an opinion. She believed they should stay and play this out. Omar wasn’t stupid enough to double-cross Humphrey. The reputation Ash had built for him precluded even the most arrogant from taking such a chance. Omar had called them to his home for a reason, but she didn’t believe it was about betrayal.

Though she couldn’t say anything without appearing to try to influence Humphrey, Jules shifted subtly, allowing her hand to drop to her side and then onto Ash’s thigh. She squeezed it firmly. Would he understand her meaning?

The tension in him lessened almost immediately. “Then I will look forward to meeting him.”

“Excellent. He’ll be here at seven for dinner.”

“Then we’ll want to make ourselves presentable.” Standing, Humphrey held out his hand to Elsa. As soon as she was at his side, he nodded stiffly at Omar. “We’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

Omar stayed seated, looking altogether too pleased with himself. The jovial atmosphere had vanished completely, replaced with a formal stiffness in Humphrey and an odd gleam in Omar’s eyes.

As she followed Ash to their room, Jules maintained her icy demeanor, but her mind was whirling with the implications. Who was this mysterious person Omar wanted Humphrey to meet? And why had the man looked so supremely pleased with himself?