Page 135 of Beguiled

“I’m sorry, baby. I wish I could have saved her.”

“She was a wonderful woman and a good friend. Something else for you to remember tonight. Life is precious. It can change on a dime and for that instant, you’ll wish you had more time to let go of what doesn’t matter.”

“Very profound.”

“I aim to please. Now, stop worrying. I received the last signed contract late this afternoon. All your blackmail candidates are now your partners.”

“I have no idea how you managed.”

Her laugh sparked the air around me. “And you’ll never know. It’s magic.”

My groan kept her laughter going. “I’ll remember this later. When I pull off my belt.”

She folded her arms. “Well, I might tell you my trade secrets. But only after I move into my new office?” Both eyebrows were now raised.

“Yes, ma’am. Being prepared as we speak.” The only reason we’d agreed as a corporation to do business with the members on the specialized blackmail list was she’d figured out a concrete, very lucrative conclusion for all parties. They would be our first stock owners when our shares went public. Through her discussions with our attorney, we would always retain a huge percentage of stock as a family, no one party capable of purchasing enough to control the corporation. However, with the companies getting in on the ground floor of this opportunity before our expansion efforts were complete, they would become very rich.

In exchange for their full loyalty.

A true win-win.

After tonight.

A voice sounded in our ears and we looked at each other as one of my soldiers provided new information into the small microphones.

Why not use modern technology in heading into battle?

“It appears viper is on the move,” Jason stated into our earpieces.

The viper.

“Sounds like the Born Killer needs to get busy,” she purred after turning on her microphone. I did the same. Being wired was one thing, but no one was allowed to overhear our private conversations.

“How do you know?” I was curious.

Saige chuckled. “Facial recognition software.”

I pointed toward her, my eyes opening wide as I mouthed the question as to if she was responsible. Her smile was cagey.

“She is correct. Works beautifully,” Jason commented.

“How far out?” I asked him as I scanned the restaurant out of habit.

“Stepping out of his car now. I’ll let you know how many others in a minute.”

“Get in position,” Kirill said.

“Be careful. I don’t need to remind either of you that Mikhail has everything to lose. When he discovers his world is about to crash and burn, there is no telling what he will do.”

Kazimir’s voice of reason brought my eyes to hers.

Saige nodded and was the first to rise from the table. We’d lured the man in with social media. Selfies taken at the bar where we’d had a drink. A few at dinner. All posted to Saige’s Facebook page.

Another brilliant idea that I could take no credit for. Saige was determined to prove her worth in becoming a vice president. Little did she know her office was all ready to go.

The risk had been whether Mikhail would take the bait and show up tonight or wait until the party that had already been announced prior to the fake article going out. Now we knew my instincts had been correct.

While he blamed his father and his brother for taking his mother away from him, he blamed me for being the one to take hisrightful place in the regime. In his mind, the explosives had been established, both with his leak regarding the blackmail and extortion attempts to the FBI and his attempt at controlling the Armenians.