on'

me," I say, turn

explain," he says, r

ou are, Anton. I'd expect you to do the same for me. I am not Swan, nor

me. I knew showing up here in the continental U.S., at her workplace, was

come my presence. But what do I know? I'm clueless when it comes

g at the new club in 30 minutes," my assist

eet us out front,"

cause, instead of doing as I say, she

d like to share, Brenda?" I

this firm because you like their vision

my judgment, Ms. Lionel?

sir!" she blu

he conversation, I

m the multiple times she came to the London branch looking for yo

make my life easier by running errands and talking to people I don't wish to speak to," I say, pushing

didn't tell you: I just heard someone tell Claude that, uhm, Odette-that's her name, right?-ju

floor?

he says, pushi

nda points. "Six o'clock, si

d barge into their conversati

ou?" asks the dar

r woman, whom I suspect is Claude. I should know her fac

ital Ms. Odette is at," Brenda interje

en if I did, why would I inform you?" the dar

that we've not been informed of Ms. Odette's precise locatio

tate Amerie, who redirects

h useless, I turn aroun

so much; you've been helpful," Br

r, I turn to her. "Never apolog

e. I'm too preoccupied as I

at's next, a proposal?" Maksim an

ocate her for me

Not even a happy birthday?" he s

nap, anxiety creeping in. What if something ha

i for my birthday," Maksim says before cutting the call. H

out front?"

sir, h

on't have the gall to deal with on

assistant convince me to meet with him instead of her? I'm fairly certain this man is tr

frank with y

Mr. Kenan,"

rtunately, I owe one too many favors, and here you are-with a

eed, ket, or, heaven forbid, rohypnol in my establishment, you will ce

. I do," he says,

b run?" he asks. It's obvious he doesn't want m

feel I should. I guess you're not so

ase, and meet me at the control center,"

re a couple of idiots trying to impress girls by buying overpriced bottles of trash. Jud

ure catches my eye on the security monitor

Maksim's irritating voi

u must have by now.

y expecting an answer, just trying to distract

w for a fact she doesn't seem to enjoy dancing with that dud

as I hear his insu

, and watch as she eventually leaves t

going. She must either be drunk or have poor spatial awareness becau

ht her second cigarette when I shrug off

t to leave home without

sion a mix of surprise and annoyanc