Page 40 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“Alexei Petrov is the guy’s name.” Max stated.

“Russian?” Maddie replied.

Max shrugged. “Could be. Could be Ukrainian, Belarussian.”

“Why are we taking this on?” She asked.

“He’s paying big.”

“How big?” Maddie asked.

“Enough to cover the cost of those new wheels.” Max said.

“Why?” Maddie said feeling more suspicious. She didn’t like private cases at the best of times, because it always came down to money and usually the client wasn’t clean either. Not that she was moralistic or anything, each to their own but she preferred cases with victims who’d actually suffered, victims who actually needed justice and not just some precious jewels returned or some stolen painting hunted down.

“We’ve got a meeting room booked at the Dorchester in an hour to find out.” He replied.

“So you’ve not actually taken it on then?”

“I thought we could meet the guy, find out what the deal is and decide from there.” Max stated.

“Sounds like a plan.” Maddie said.

“How about you drive? You can show me what two hundred grands worth of car feels like.” He said with a grin and she rolled her eyes.

“Whatever.” She muttered putting her mug down and grabbing her bag.

They pulledinto the hotel and Maddie chucked the keys at the waiting man and ignored the smirk Max was giving her.

A man from the concierge led them to the room, informing them that their client was already there, waiting, even though they were ten minutes early.

Maddie frowned. It wasn’t unusual for clients to be early, to be keen to meet and get it over with but something in her gut made her uneasy.

Something set her on edge.

“Refreshments are in the room but if you need anything else please let us know.” The man said smiling and opening the door for them.

“Thank you.” Max said walking in.

“Thanks.” Maddie said following him into the room.

And then her heart literally stopped.

“What the fuck?” She said laying eyes on him as he sat there, like a god damn king.

Max turned staring at her in shock.

“Why are you here?” Maddie asked feeling the anger already boiling in her. The fucking audacity of the man.

“Sit down Maddison.” He said leaning back in his chair with a smug look on his face that she was so close to wiping right off him even if it meant launching herself across the table.

“Not a fucking chance.” Maddie snapped turning to go but one of the other suits blocked the door.

“You must be Max Ballard.” Her dad said standing up and holding his hand out for Max to take. Max frowned but reached out and shook it anyway looking between the pair of them.

“Maddie what is this?” Max asked her quietly and she realised she’d forgotten all about him, that he was even in the room, that anyone was.

Except for him.

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