Page 28 of Croatia Collateral

She straightened and stuffed her running shoes into the backpack. “Worried about the man on the motorcycle?”

Dax shook his head. “A little. I’m more concerned about the upcoming meeting. We don’t know what role Evan Maas is supposed to be playing in this little get-together.”

“Let the others do the talking,” Giva said. “I wish I could be with you. I don’t like that you’ll be in there on your own with no backup.”

“Tell me about it.” Dax shook his head. “I’ll be all right. I just have to keep my head on straight and stay one step ahead.”

She snorted and snapped her fingers. “That should be a... how do you say...piece of cake.”

He barked out a short laugh. “Doubt it.”

Giva frowned. “I wonder who sponsored the sentries and who initiated the meeting? Do you think it was one of the Russians? The oligarchs are probably the most desperate. Having lost favor with their president, their companies aren’t getting the exclusive contracts like they had in the past.”

“I don’t know,” Dax said. “The US elections are this year. The man predicted to win is threatening to raise tariffs on imports. They might be scrambling to get something going before the new administration gets in place and starts making changes that will impact their cash flow.”

“Then why Evan Maas?” Giva asked. “He’s a naturalized citizen of the US.”

“With investments in foreign companies that could be impacted by the tariffs.” Dax’s brow furrowed. “Although, he’s been focused on space more than anything lately. The man has almost 7000 satellites in orbit.”

Giva stared out the vehicle’s window. “Is anyone monitoring what he’s sending into space?”

“Supposedly, NASA and US Space Command are tracking what goes up from the US. But they don’t necessarily know what’s launched from other countries.”

“And Maas has corporations in other countries,” Giva said. “He could have duplicate manufacturing complexes cranking out rockets and technology to send to space.”

Dax nodded. “I’d bet our computer gurus with the Brotherhood Protectors are looking at all angles on the internet and via the dark web. If they find anything of interest, they’ll let us know.”

“Hopefully, before you go into the meeting.” Giva glanced at her watch. “That’s not long from now.”

“I should get that text soon.” He looked up. “Here’s the hotel. Are you ready, Sasha?”

Giva nodded. “Ready.”

“Evan and Sasha have arrived.”

“Roger,” Dmytro’s voice sounded in Giva’s ear. “Systems are in place. Bodyguard on his way.”

Giva wished Peter hadn’t stayed behind to track where the German and Italian went. Though she knew it was the right thing to do, she didn’t like that only one bodyguard would escort Dax into Old Town. Her hands clenched into fists. She wouldn’t let Dax go into the old city with only one bodyguard. They didn’t know who was a true friend or foe to Evan Maas.

There was too much they didn’t know. Which was the reason they were there, to begin with.

When the vehicle pulled up to the swanky hotel entrance, Dax remained seated until the hotel valet opened the back door of the SUV.

Dax slid out and turned to hold out his hand for Giva.

She laid her hand in his, swung her stilettoed feet out first and stepped out as gracefully as she could, laughing up at Dax as if he’d just shared a funny story or joke.

He tugged her into his arms and kissed her soundly.

The feel of his lips on hers sent a ripple of desire throughout her body, making her want him to skip the meeting and spend the evening and night with her.

Dax slid an arm around her waist and walked with her into the hotel. He was met by a hotel representative who quickly guided him through check-in and handed him a keycard to a private penthouse suite.

Dax thanked the hotel clerk and guided Giva toward the elevator.

She leaned close, smiling up at him like a lover on her way to their room to spend time rumpling sheets on the king-sized bed.

The nearer they came to the time she and Dax would have to part ways, the less she liked the idea. He’d be entirely alone, with no way to communicate with his team outside the heavy stone of whatever thick-walled room the host had in mind.

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