A man joined us as we were walking, a black bag in one hand.
“She’s talking about Song.” Owen’s voice was smooth and cool.
“But—”
“You removed a very big problem for me and I appreciate it.” Her assistant opened a door into a dark hallway and we had no option but to follow her. “Forgive me, but you’ll need to leave your weapons here.”
Several guards ran their hands over the two assassins, searching for and removing the weapons they had tucked away. When no one made a move in my direction, I didn’t offer up any of the items I’d hidden away on my person.
“You still haven’t explained why you were trying to kill me.” There were steps leading down into another hallway. The further we went from the crowd in the casino, the more nervous I became.
“Well, it would seem that you were the wrong American in the wrong place at the wrong time.” She stopped in front of a door and pulled a key out of her pocket. “We were looking for someone else and you happened to fit her description.”
“Tessa.” I watched as she pulled a key from her pocket and opened the door.
“Yes, your friend.” Maria walked into the office and I realized it was the first door I’d seen her open.
“Why do you want to kill Tessa?” The office was mostly bare. A desk, a couple of chairs, and one computer. As we crowded in, Patrick took a spot by Maria’s desk and several of the guards covered the door. The nameless assistant stayed outside.
“Her husband has something of mine.”
“Your issue is with him. Leave Ava out of it.” Owen stepped forward, his arm brushing mine.
“She’s free to go.” Maria flicked her fingers at the door.
“No. I won’t just let you hurt Tessa.” I leaned forward. “I don’t know what Danny has that is yours, but keep the money and we’ll call it even.”
“Ava.” The aggravation in Owen’s tone was clear.
“It’s not about the money.” Maria sat down behind her desk. “I want the piece. That’s why I commissioned him to get it for me.”
“You mean it’s the principle,” Owen said.
“There is that, too.” Maria smiled. “I can’t let people think it’s okay to back out of deals.”
“You can’t hurt Tessa.” I glared at Maria. “This isn’t her fault.”
“How do you know?” Maria folded her hands on her desk. “Have you spoken to her? She chose to marry the cat-burglar after all. This very well might be her fault. Perhaps when she left you at her apartment, she knew you’d be in trouble.”
No. Tessa and I had been friends for too long. She never would have willingly put me in danger.
And Danny is a cat-burglar. My best friend, the art history buff, had married a thief. Go figure.
“I haven’t seen her. I’ve been a little busy,” I explained. “Running for my life and all.”
“You’re free to go now. No one will bother you.” Maria cocked her head to the side as if waiting for something.
What was she thinking? I was free to go. Oh. Just me.
“Owen and Mavis?” I looked at her in fear.
“Owen is a favor for a business partner.” She smiled sadly and looked at Owen. “It’s a pity. You’re truly an artist when it comes to your craft. Unfortunately, business comes first. I have spent many years cultivating that particular branch of my company and find it in my best interest to keep them happy for now.”
From the corner of my eye I saw Owen stiffen at the mention of his brother. My heart broke even more for the man I loved. If I got out of this alive I was going to kill Marcus. He’d asked his boss to murder his brother. That’s low even for a criminal.
“And me?” Mavis stepped forward.
“You are a problem.” Maria turned to look at my friend with cold eyes. “And I believe it’s better to trim those types of things early on.”
“I’m not going to just walk out of here while you kill all of my friends!” I stepped forward.
“I thought I was being generous.” She shrugged and stood up.
“You’re not being generous. You’re a criminal that does what’s best for yourself. I’m sure that if I left now you’d find some use for me later and blackmail me in to being a drug mule or something.” I put my hands on the desk and leaned forward. “So you can take your money and shove it up your—”
A knock on the door made everyone in the room jump. Well, I jumped. Maria, Owen, and Mavis merely looked at the door.
“Enter.” Maria’s cool voice echoed in the tiny room.
Vitz walked in with a package, followed by a man. No, not just a man. Danny.
“You instructed that Mr. Myers be brought to you if he showed up on the premises.” His boredom with the task was clear. “He had this with him.”
“Well, apparently all of the interesting people are in Paris.” Maria smiled. “How nice to see you, Mr. Myers. I’m assuming that’s my painting?”
For the first time emotion shined in her eyes. Anticipation.
“Hello, Maria.” He glanced at me quickly. “Ava, sorry about all this.”
“Sorry?” My anger had hit all new levels. I marched up to him and smacked him as hard as I could. “Sorry? You bloody Englishman! You didn’t spill wine on my dress. I’ve been shot at! This woman is planning on killing my friends. I killed a man with your car! And you’re sorry?”