Black Ice (Ice 1)

She could only hear the distant timbre of his voice and no other. He was talking on the phone, low, calm, and maybe she should go to the door and listen in but she wasn’t going to. She was going to wash off, wash him from her body, and then she was going to find some clothes and get the hell out of here.

There was no sign of their drenched black clothes on the floor of the large bathroom. He must have removed them, thank God. She washed quickly, then wrapped herself in one of the oversize towels and headed into the bedroom.

It wasn’t enough. She dragged the sheet off the bed and pulled that around her instead, wrapping it like a toga before she went to the door.

She couldn’t resist temptation. She paused, listening to his calm, unemotional voice.

“I’ve made the final arrangements. Just keep your end of the bargain. If something happens, anything, then all bets are off, you understand me?” It was a threat, in a calm, gentle voice that sent chills down her spine. There was a pause, and she held her breath, straining to hear.

“As long as you understand,” he said. “I don’t bluff, and she’s the deal breaker.”

The conversation ended, and Chloe counted to a hundred in Italian before she pushed open the door. He was sitting in an overstuffed chair, his legs stretched out in front of him, not moving. The room was dimly lit, something she was grateful for. She didn’t think she could bear the bright electric light right now.

He didn’t even seem to be aware of her presence, but then his voice came from his unmoving body. “Did you hear anything interesting?”

She should have realized he’d know she was listening. He seemed to have an almost unnatural awareness of her. Then again, that awareness probably stretched to include anyone around him—it was how he survived.

“Only that I’m a deal breaker.” She came into the room, keeping the sheet around her. “Are you trading me for something?”

He turned his head to look at her, and there was no missing the faint light of amusement in his eyes as he surveyed her outfit. “I’m trading you for two ox and a bunch of chickens.”

“You forget, I was in on those meetings. That probably means two stinger missiles and a bunch of Uzis.”

The smile widened just a bit. “What do you know of stinger missiles and Uzis?”

“Not much,” she admitted, moving into the room.

“Trust me, they’re worth more than the life of one woman.”

She grimaced. “Life seems to have very little value in your world.” The moment the words had left her mouth she regretted them, but he didn’t even blink.

“You’re right. Which makes it even more difficult to keep you alive.”

“I don’t understand why. I must be a huge inconvenience.”

“Inconvenience is putting it mildly. I don’t know why either,” he said in a cool, dismissive voice. “There are some clothes in the foyer—you’ll need to dress for tonight.”

She ignored the alternative of not being dressed. “Why? Are you taking me out on the town?”

“You’re getting a chance to meet your old friends again. The baron and his wife, Mr. Otomi and the others. I’m afraid my unexpected departure and Hakim’s unfortunate death cut our meeting short, before a major player could even get there. He’s arriving tonight, and we’ll be finishing up our business then.”

“And you want me to come with you?” she said, disbelieving.

“You’re not leaving my side. You’ll do everything I say, and when I give you a signal we’ll have a fight. You’ll leave, head to the toilet, and I’ll be there in about ten minutes. You’ll stay there, no matter what you hear. You understand?”

“And what if you don’t come?”

“I will. No matter what happens.”

“‘I’ll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way,?

?” she murmured.

“What?”

“Just an old poem. About a highwayman. I expect you’re something of a modern equivalent,” she said lightly.

“I’m not a thief. And somehow I don’t see you shooting yourself in order to warn me.”