Not sure what to do with his idol’s confession, Jeremy asked, “Why are you telling me this, Dom?”
“I can’t undo what I’ve done, but you don’t have to repeat my mistakes. Helping a dictator suppress his people will change you, but not in the way you seek. You are brilliant, Jeremy. Don’t sell your soul to make your fortune.”
Jeremy put his hands in the pockets of his trousers and rocked back on his heels. It’s too late. “I can’t back out of the deal now.”
“If you don’t, Jeremy, it will destroy everything you love.”
The sadness in Dominic’s eyes was testament to the truth in his words. It was also a sign that Jeremy was no longer an outsider. What do you say when your idol bares his scars as a warning to you? Nothing.
One of the house staff interrupted and said, “Excuse me, Mr. Kater?”
“Yes,” Jeremy said.
“There is someone in the foyer who would like to speak with you.”
Jeremy followed the uniformed man toward the main entrance. Richard met him halfway across the room and said, “Jeremy, can you come to the kitchen for a minute?”
Jeremy spoke while he kept walking. “I can’t right now, Richard.” He didn’t wait to hear the Frenchman’s answer. Whatever he needed, it could wait. Right now he had a pretty good idea who was waiting to speak with him, and the faster he addressed her concern and got her to leave the better.
Alethea was pacing the enormous marble foyer impatiently. The click of her black suede Rupert Sanderson pumps echoed through the empty space. She needed Jeremy to come with her so she’d worn a revealing cherry-red Versace gown to further entice him. She rushed forward when she saw Jeremy and said, “They wouldn’t let me in. Can you believe that? The one time I decide to announce myself and I’m not welcome.”
“What are you doing here, Alethea?” He didn’t sound happy to see her, nor did he exhibit any signs of being impressed by her attire. His lack of attention irritated her, but it also wasn’t worth wasting time on, considering the direness of the situation she and Jeremy had gotten themselves into.
“I’ve been calling you, but you’re not answering my calls or texts. I tried to reach you through the office and the receptionist said you were away. Did you get any of my messages?”
“I told you I’d call you back next week.” The same confidence that had impressed her the first time was now nothing more than an annoying speed bump.
Sorry to disturb your party with reality. “This can’t wait until next week.”
“It will have to. For once, you’ll have to be patient.”
Had she not heard his cold, dismissive tone with her own ears she wouldn’t have believed him capable of it. Any other time, she would have gladly taken up the challenge, but her reason for crashing the Andrade celebration was serious. “This isn’t about me. It’s about our project in Tenin. We have people planted in the compound. Remember the ones you set up the communication network for?”
“Of course I remember.”
“Well, someone has blocked me out of it. I can’t contact our people.”
Finally she had Jeremy’s attention, even if he was giving it to her reluctantly. “I can look into it as early as tomorrow morning.”
“We don’t have the luxury of time, Jeremy. I have it from a good source that the next strike against Alvo is going to be a military one that wipes him out—and it’s going to happen tomorrow. We have to get our people out of there and pull out of the deal. This is bigger than what I thought it was. We’re in the middle of a war over there. We’ve got to warn Alvo, but first we’ve got to get our people out. Do you have your laptop with you? Can you work your magic from here?”
Jeremy rubbed his forehead in frustration. “I didn’t bring it.”
Alethea’s jaw dropped. “You never go anywhere without it.”
Jeremy said, “Today was different.” He looked up at the ceiling as if he could see through it to what was upstairs. “The Andrades won’t have a computer here with the ability to do what I need. If we’re locked out, I might need to piggyback on a government server. I’m going to need either my stuff or . . . I could use what’s at the New York Corisi building. I have access.”
“Then let’s do it.”
“I have to tell Jeisa that I’m leaving.”
“Your image consultant? Does she have you on a short leash?”
At least one part of Jeremy hadn’t changed. He didn’t hedge the truth. He said, “I love her, Alethea. Today I was going to propose to her.”
Shit, we don’t have time for this. In an instant she had an angle she could use. “Isn’t she the daughter of a diplomat?”
Jeremy said, “Yes.”
Alethea drove her point home. “Does she know that you’re making your money by propping up a dictator?” When his face reddened, she said, “I’d say as little to her as possible about this while we try to get ourselves the hell out of this situation. You think her father is going to let his daughter marry you if Tenin becomes a massacre that has your name linked to it? It’ll be all over the news—an American hacker involved in a foreign civil war. The press will crucify you and anyone associated with you.”
As convincing as Alethea was, Jeremy knew what he had to do. He’d think of something, hopefully before he saw Jeisa, which would smooth the situation over. “I can’t leave without saying something to her.”
“Fine. Two minutes. Tell her whatever you need to, but don’t tell her enough to jeopardize our people. This is bad, Jeremy. This is really bad. Do you have a car here?”
“I have a helicopter.” Full of fucking roses, he thought with disgust.