Page 53 of Bishop's Flight
Brigid was a happily married woman and even she was impressed.
“We protect what is ours,” Rose whispered. “Your men didn’t respect that.”
“And they paid the price.” Oleg kept his eyes on Rose. “How do you suggest we settle this?”
Agnes took over. “In the past, the more civilized of our kind settled disputes such as this with a simple transaction. What is your blood price for the one lost soldier and the damaged one?”
“Damaged?” Oleg looked amused again. “Your mate nearly ripped his head off.”
“He suggested a beagle.” Rose pursed her lips and stared at Oleg. “As a recompense for my child.”
Agnes continued, “The damaged vampire will heal in time. If you have no suggestion, I would offer one million for the dispatched individual and five hundred thousand for the other man’s inconvenience.”
“Ludicrous,” Oleg said. “The soldier was experienced. He was worth over five million in training alone.”
“Two million for both, and I would also offer that these two men were not speaking with… discretion.” Agnes nodded at Mika. “Your second met with Brigid Connor and informed her that you were keeping quiet about Lucas’s disappearance so we could conduct our investigation and set our city in order from the threat from your extended clan, yet these two vampires were joking about the matter openly and in our own casino. Were these your men or perhaps individuals in alliance with someone else?”
Brigid could see that the thought hadn’t occurred to Oleg.
He sat back in his chair, folded his hands in his lap, and considered the offer. Then he turned to Mika and murmured something in what Brigid guessed was Russian.
The two men exchanged a few quiet sentences, and then Oleg turned his attention back to Rose. “Miss Di Marco, as a father who has lost children, I deeply regret that my men’s words caused you pain.” He turned to Agnes. “As you set your city in order, it becomes evident that there might be some inconsistencies in my own ranks that could be seen to. I accept your offer of two million US dollars and look forward to working with you in the future. Perhaps on the new immortal development you and Rose are building next year.”
“We aren’t currently looking for investors, but an experienced collaborator might be a welcome consideration when these current distractions have been dealt with.”
“That is acceptable to me.” Oleg rose and buttoned his jacket. “Rose Di Marco, Agnes Wong, I will expect the blood price delivered in gold within the next forty-eight hours. Once that price has been paid, I will consider this matter settled.”
Agnes and Rose also came to their feet, and Agnes nodded. “Very well, Oleg Sokolov. I am satisfied that we have come to an agreement.” She turned to Brigid. “Brigid Connor, I thank you for your introduction tonight.”
She’d hardly done anything. “You’re most welcome. I’ll join my mate and meet you back at the casino.”
Agnes and Rose were shown the way out by the host, leaving Carwyn and Brigid with Mika and Oleg.
“Father.” Oleg nodded at Carwyn. “It’s never an unpleasant meeting when you are in attendance.”
“I’m flattered, but I’m not a priest anymore.” Carwyn put an arm around Brigid. “I’m a happily married man.”
“And a full measure of blessing to you both.” Oleg said something in Russian again. “I will never understand this Western insistence on priestly celibacy. In the East, we don’t expect our priests to offer wisdom when their balls are like shriveled apples.”
Brigid blinked. “What a poetic figure of speech.”
“Maybe it sounds better in Russian.” Oleg shrugged. “Either way, I got rid of two idiots and will have some gold in recompense.”
Carwyn frowned. “I thought the second man survived.”
“For now.” Oleg’s lip twisted, and Brigid got a glimpse of a thick, pure-white fang. “Agnes Wong was right. There was no reason for these two men to have known about their son’s situation or Zasha’s arrogance.” He glanced at Mika. “We will find out what he knows. If anything interesting happens to fall out of his mouth, Mika will call you.”
Brigid and Carwynreturned to their borrowed house to find Miguel and Lee nearly jumping up and down in front of the computers.
“There.” Miguel pointed to the screen. “I saw him texting that name too.”
“Texting?” Lee glanced at them. “Hey, boss. Hey, Carwyn.”
Carwyn murmured, “Well, good to finally have that confirmed.”
“Uh…” Miguel frowned. “Yeah, messaging. Whatever. On that Discord thing on his phone.”
Lee nodded and switched to another screen. “So this is another person he was likely chatting with.”
