Archer presided over a long table flanked by his most trusted lieutenants.
"We expand our arms trade. I want a presence in the UAE market. By next month's royal gala, I expect their signature on our procurement deal."
One lieutenant hesitated.
"Sir, the Crown Prince's security is impenetrable. Our men have attempted entry three times—"
"Then attempt a fourth." Archer's tone was ice. "The stronger our arms portfolio, the more leverage we hold with Washington." His eyes swept the room. "And tell Carlos his narcotics quota drops another twenty percent this quarter."
Another lieutenant spoke cautiously.
"But the Mexicans said if we reduce again, they'll—"
Archer's knuckles tapped the table once, sharp and final.
"Tell them either accept the reduction, or we sever all ties."
In the hallway, Nora paced, hyper-aware of the two shadows trailing her.
She spun abruptly. "Must you hover?"
"Mr. Archer's orders, ma'am. For your protection," Guard A said, his face blank.
"Protection? Or surveillance?"
In one fluid motion, she swept one guard's legs out from under him and drove her elbow into the other guard's throat. Both crumpled soundlessly.
She smoothed her skirt.
"Quiet at last."
She tested doors—all unlocked and empty, except for one: a solid oak door, firmly bolted. She slid a hairpin from her updo and bent toward the lock. Just as the mechanism clicked—
A hand clamped over her mouth. She reacted instantly, driving her elbow backward.
"Uff—Nora! It's me!"
She whirled. And there he was—Leo, like a fallen piece of sunlight in the dim hall. His hair, the color of pale gold, was tousled from crawling through ducts.
He gestured toward a ceiling camera, its red light dark. "Blinded a few eyes. Hurry—I found an old service shaft that leads outside!"
He grabbed her wrist, but she pulled back.
"Archer has got Mark."
"Leave him." His voice was urgent, those brilliant eyes pleading. "We have to go now."
A cold voice cut through the shadows.
"It would seem my security requires an upgrade."
Archer stood at the end of the hall, casually turning a gold lighter over in his hand.
His eyes were dark with controlled fury as they landed on the young man. Leo shifted in front of Nora.
Archer stepped forward.
"Let me guess… the Vanderbilt heir?"
"How do you know that?" Leo's youthful defiance a stark contrast to Archer's polished menace.