Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 84544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
“How the fuck am I supposed to do that? This is the first time I’ve met Panopoulos. Do I look like the type of guy he went to private school with? Or his frat buddy from his university days? No. We’re from completely different circles. Why should he trust me?”
“It doesn’t need to be that complicated. Just reassure him that as soon as you get done, he and his sister can go home. Show him that it’s in his best interest to help you. And helping you means staying out of trouble.” The rat bastard managed to say that without batting an eye or flinching. There was zero doubt in Kairo’s mind that Vanko planned to kill Isidore and Athena. Probably him as well.
Kairo rubbed his bearded chin and jaw for a second. “Fine. If he thinks I’m on his side, he’ll provide me information, but you need to let the siblings spend time together. At least just an hour a day. It keeps them both calm. Besides, what if it was your sister in a house full of armed men? Would you really be all that calm?”
Vanko gave an eye roll. “Yeah, yeah. Her door stays locked, and I’ve got my two most trusted men on her. No one is touching the princess.”
“But visits will keep them both in line. I don’t need the extra bullshit if you want this hack done in a somewhat timely manner. The more time I have to waste babysitting, the longer this takes.”
With a dismissive wave, Vanko finally conceded. “Fine. I’ll give them an hour in the afternoons. When can you get started on the work? How long will this take?”
“Give me paper and a pen. I’ll make a list of things for you to fetch. It will take me at least a day to build and prepare the computer. From there, a week, maybe two.”
Vanko was half out of his chair on that announcement. “Two weeks?”
Kairo shrugged. “It depends on their security setup. I’ll only know once I dig around in there. I move too fast, and they catch me. I move too slow, and they catch me. You want this done right, you let me do the work without any fucking interference.”
He was beginning to wonder how Soren had managed to do this for years. The former CIA field agent turned cat burglar could bullshit his way through any scenario. Kairo had watched him do it hundreds of times from a remote location while providing backup. His friend had made it look so easy, as if nothing could ever ruffle his feathers. Kairo was now beginning to realize that Soren had been comfortable because he’d always had backup in place to support him.
Right now, Kairo was flying completely solo, and it sucked. He missed his team. He missed Charlie’s calm, cool confidence leading the way. He missed knowing that Ed was an immovable force on his six, ready to snatch him away to safety if it was needed. And he even missed Westin’s grumbly snark and his icy stare through the sniper’s scope.
“Fast is better, but okay,” Vanko snarled. “The longer we have the Panopouloses, the more trouble we face.”
“Got it.” Kairo shoved to his feet. “Just get the items I need, and we should be in business soon. I don’t like being locked up here.”
“You know, if this works out well, I could have another job for you,” Vanko floated with a smirk as Kairo tried to turn away.
Kairo paused and lifted one eyebrow at the man in question. “Can you afford me? Let’s see how this job goes, and then we can talk. Without the fucking kidnapping.”
Vanko’s deep laugh followed Kairo out of the room as he called out. “You succeed at this job, and I’ll have no trouble affording you.”
A cold chill ran down Kairo’s spine as he slipped from the study and was immediately met by one of Vanko’s bodyguards to escort him up to his temporary prison cell at the top of the house. The meeting had been easy, and he’d bought them some much-needed time. It also looked like Vanko would be open to more meetings between them, which could help in planning his escape.
All of it was good. Better than good.
So why was he so on edge?
Everything within him was screaming to get back to Isidore. The man had been out of his sight for less than twenty minutes, but his heart was racing with worry. Twenty minutes was more than enough time for Isidore to do something dangerous. Or for the guards to harass the man. It had been on the tip of his tongue to demand that Vanko and his men not lay another finger on Isidore, but he’d been afraid that it would raise too many questions. For now, it had to be enough that Vanko was leaving Isidore and Athena in his hands.