3
LOKAN
The Beijing skyline glittered beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows of Lokan's office, a forest of glass and steel reaching toward the smoggy afternoon sky. He stood with his back to his desk, listening to his assistant rattle off the day's remaining appointments while his mind processed the emoji that had appeared on Carol's phone mere minutes ago.
A sailboat. Such a simple image to upend nearly two years of carefully constructed cover. The sad part was that he and Carol had grown to love the business they were building, and somewhere along the way, it had stopped being just a cover.
It would be difficult to leave everything behind and run. Carol would be heartbroken.
"—and the textile consortium meeting at four," his assistant continued. "Will you need the conference room prepared, sir?"
"Cancel it," Lokan said, turning toward the guy, his voice and expression conveying the same measured calm he'd perfected over centuries. "In fact, cancel everything for the rest of the week."
"Sir?" The guy's eyes turned round.
"I just received word that Moda Devula, our largest buyer in Milan, is canceling their order for next year's spring collection. I have to go there and try to save the situation. Carol and I need to fly out immediately."
Everyone in the office knew that his power of persuasion was unmatched, but it was only effective in person. They assumed it was his charm, and Lokan wanted to believe that it played a part, but mostly it was his compulsion power that did the heavy lifting.
His thralling and compulsion abilities had been growing stronger since he'd mated Carol, and unlike before, he could now manipulate the minds of some immortals in addition to those of humans.
It was just one more benefit of having the most amazing, courageous female in the world as his mate, and given who his aunt was, that was saying something.
Right now, his legendary persuasion powers were an excellent pretext for picking up and leaving on a moment's notice. Later, they might save him and Carol from getting caught by his father's goons.
His assistant wrung his hands. "I understand, sir, but the consortium meeting has been planned for months. Mr. Zhang will be furious."
Lokan put his hand on the guy's slim shoulder. "Apologize profusely and offer to reschedule. I trust you to explain the emergency."
Even though Hai was a spy for the CCP, he was a good guy, and Lokan felt guilty about him finding himself without a job once he realized that his boss was not coming back, and also having to explain to his superiors how he hadn't known his boss was leaving for good.
"Please book two first-class tickets to Milan on the next available flight for me and Carol. And two economy tickets for Samir and Gandel."
He couldn't leave his bodyguards behind without it looking suspicious, but he planned on getting rid of them the same way he'd done many times before when he'd needed to slip away.
"Yes, sir." Hai dipped his head. "Should I arrange the usual hotel?"
"The Principe di Savoia. The penthouse, if it's available." Details mattered. A panicked flight looked like running. A business trip to a familiar hotel seemed more routine. "Also, call the garage. Have them prepare the Mercedes."
As his assistant hurried to comply, Lokan used the landline to call Carol, knowing it was monitored.
"Darling," her voice carried the perfect blend of professional courtesy and intimate suggestion that marked their public relationship. "I was just about to call you."
She'd left the office right after receiving the emoji from Kian, with the excuse of having to prepare for the gala, when in fact she had gone to pack.
"I'm afraid I have bad news about the Moda Devula order," he said, knowing she'd respond appropriately. "They are throwing atantrum and threatening to cancel the order. We need to fly out tonight to save the situation."
"Tonight? But we have the charity gala to attend—" She broke off with a perfectly timed sigh. "I guess business has to come before pleasure, although the gala is also business."
He chuckled. "In the high fashion world, they often come together. Can you clear the rest of your schedule?"
"Of course, darling. For how many days do I need to pack?"
"A week should do it, but just in case Francesca plays hardball, pack for two."
Hopefully, Carol could fit everything she couldn't part with inside one suitcase and a carry-on.
They wouldn't be returning to Beijing.
