back.
Edward Leshing had lost his cocky expression. He stared at me with stark gratitude. “Thank you for saving my life.”
“You're welcome.”
Alex led us upstairs and through the building as he made calls, already starting the process of getting us whatever we'd need to infiltrate the auction. He took us into an office, and I realized that it was his. Pictures of him with prominent politicians hung on the wall alongside diplomas of achievement. Alex slid behind his desk as he waved at the chairs and couch spread around the large room. I went to peruse the books on his shelves instead of taking a seat, and Malik took up a position by the door like a bodyguard.
Alex got off the phone and started working on his computer, “I'm having the photos of the supes put through our facial recognition databases. Hopefully, we'll have IDs on them soon.”
“Where is the next auction being held?” Cyprian asked.
“The same as the last. As smart as Leshing thinks they are, they're not smart enough to change their location.”
“They wouldn't have to if none of their customers know where the location is, beyond it being somewhere near Beijing,” Kyrian pointed out.
“Yes, but the fact that they keep holding it in the same place tells us that this is their base of operations,” Alex said as he typed. “I'm having a team look into any supe incidents in China.”
We often conducted a good portion of our own research, but Alex brought in human support teams when possible to save us for the more important work. The more dangerous work. Speaking of which...
“Braxis will be back by then,” I noted.
The room went silent.
“He might prove helpful,” I went on.
Alex looked around, gauging everyone's hesitation before saying, “Extra muscle is always a plus. As long as everyone is okay with him.”
“That fucking prick abducted—” Davorin started but was cut off by Leo's elbow in his gut. “What the fuck, Leo?”
“If Amara—the one who Braxis abducted—is okay with Braxis, maybe we should trust her judgment and accept the help,” Leo said slowly.
Davorin grimaced, crossed his arms, shook back his mahogany hair—it was getting shaggy, and pouted.
Lily glanced nervously at Davorin before saying, “I don't know, Amara. I'm not sure if I'd feel comfortable working with him.”
“After Braxis returns, I'll have you all over for dinner and you can make a decision after you've spent some time with him,” I suggested.
“Great, dinner with the dickhead,” Davorin grumbled.
“If we can put up with him, so can you,” Cyprian said sharply; his way of reminding Dav that he didn't have a claim on me.
Davorin cleared his throat. “Yeah, all right.”
“Amara, it might be a good idea to be seen with Leshing at least once before the mission,” Alex said.
Malik growled.
“It's undercover, darling.” I drew my hand down Mal's chest. “It won't mean anything.”
Mal clenched his jaw and exhaled through his teeth.
“We don't want them suspecting Amara when Leshing shows up with her on his arm,” Alex pointed out.
Malik nodded crisply.
“I'll set something up with Leshing,” Alex offered. “For now, keep your ears to the ground. Let me know if you hear anything about missing supes.”
“Missing?” Lily asked.
“You don't think they're willingly giving up their magic?” Alex countered.
“You never know,” Cyprian drawled. “Everything has its price. If a supe was desperate and was offered a lot of money for a portion of their power, I could imagine there would be quite a few takers.”
“Then put out your supe feelers,” Alex said. “See if anyone is offering.”
“I can do that.” Cyprian grinned.
Cyprian, with his closely monitored sex club and vast connections, had access to all sorts of secrets. He grinned wickedly at me. If there were offers like that being made to the supes in D.C., he'd know about it soon. Possibly in a few hours.
“I'll have someone take you back to the Supemarket,” Alex said as he reached for his phone.
“Someone with a large vehicle, please,” Lily added.
Chapter Six
“What shall we do for dinner?” I asked as the Rians, Mal, and I walked through our front door.
The men looked at each other, then Malik and Cyprian kissed me goodnight and walked away.
“Where are you going?” I called after them.
“I'd like to have dinner with you alone,” Kyrian explained. “Is that all right?”
“A date?” I grinned.
“Exactly.”
“Do I have time for a shower?”
“We'll be dining on the terrace so you have all the time you need.”
“Oh, thank goodness,” I said. “I didn't really want to go back into the city.”
Kyrian chuckled. “I'll be in the