hotel in the afternoon of the following day.”
Corinthians smiled. She knew that Buzios was a very nice and expensive resort area that jutted in the Atlantic on the Cabo Frio Peninsula. The community contained million-dollar villas that were nestled along one of the seventeen idyllic beaches set among sandy coves. She had seen photographs of the upscale resort area that had numerous fine shops and excellent restaurants. As far as she was concerned Mr. Thetas’s invitation for an overnight stay was a special treat, one she planned to take advantage of.
“Thanks, I’d love to attend the dinner party, and I’ll look forward to going to Buzios in the morning.”
The older man’s face beamed. “Wonderful. Just pack an overnight bag.” He then glanced over at Trevor. “What about you, Mr. Grant? Will you be joining us?”
Corinthians turned and looked at Trevor. A part of her hoped to heaven that he had other plans and would not be joining them. Evidently he read her thoughts because he gave her a smooth smile before saying, “I wouldn’t miss it. Please count me in.”
Armond Thetas nodded. “I’ll look forward to seeing you both tonight. Good day.”
After the man left, Corinthians turned back to Trevor and glared at him. Her anger flared when she saw the smile that lit his eyes. Clutching her briefcase more firmly in her hand, she headed for the door. She didn’t miss the sound of his deep chuckle as the door swung shut behind her.
Rasheed Valdemon stepped from behind his desk and faced the man who had delivered the bad news to him. He raised an arched, angry brow. “What do you mean you still don’t have Ms. Avery? I was counting on you, Santini. Now twice you and your people have disappointed me.”
Raul Santini came to his feet in defense of both himself and his men. “It’s not as easy as you think to snatch an American woman off the streets of Brazil. These things take time. Do you have any idea of the repercussions we’ll face if the North American government finds out about your plan and connects us to it?”
Rasheed looked long and hard at his old friend. During their teen years, the two of them had attended a private academy in France. Santini’s father was an ambassador from Argentina. “You agreed to help me, Santini.”
“And I will. At least I will try, Monty,” Santini replied, calling Valdemon by the name his friends had given him at the academy. “But just like you have to be careful to protect your country, I must do the same for mine, my friend. I can’t take any unnecessary chances.”
Rasheed sighed deeply and ran a hand over his face. “You have nothing to worry about. I told you that in the very beginning. American tourists disappear in foreign countries all the time, and the only people who make any noise about it are their families. They soon quiet down once they see their government won’t do anything. Some tourists have been missing for years. Americans traveling abroad are on their own.”
“But this isn’t just any American, Monty. Ms. Avery is the sister of a United States senator.”
“So what? As far as I am concerned, we’ll be doing Joshua Avery a favor. He can’t seem to handle her anyway. I’m sure that initially there may be some sort of an investigation, but in time, that, too, shall pass.”
He came and sat on the edge of his desk and faced his friend. “Remember that if I succeed in this, your country will be rewarded greatly. You know me well enough to know that I never forget my friends.”
Santini sighed, knowing that was true. Valdemon had secretly helped his country on a number of occasions. While at the academy several of them, all sons of important political figures from various nations, had formed a pact, a secret cartel. If there was anything one of them could do that would benefit the other’s homeland, then they would do it. He had called on his friends in the cartel several times. However, this was the first time one of them
Corinthians smiled. She knew that Buzios was a very nice and expensive resort area that jutted in the Atlantic on the Cabo Frio Peninsula. The community contained million-dollar villas that were nestled along one of the seventeen idyllic beaches set among sandy coves. She had seen photographs of the upscale resort area that had numerous fine shops and excellent restaurants. As far as she was concerned Mr. Thetas’s invitation for an overnight stay was a special treat, one she planned to take advantage of.
“Thanks, I’d love to attend the dinner party, and I’ll look forward to going to Buzios in the morning.”
The older man’s face beamed. “Wonderful. Just pack an overnight bag.” He then glanced over at Trevor. “What about you, Mr. Grant? Will you be joining us?”
Corinthians turned and looked at Trevor. A part of her hoped to heaven that he had other plans and would not be joining them. Evidently he read her thoughts because he gave her a smooth smile before saying, “I wouldn’t miss it. Please count me in.”
Armond Thetas nodded. “I’ll look forward to seeing you both tonight. Good day.”
After the man left, Corinthians turned back to Trevor and glared at him. Her anger flared when she saw the smile that lit his eyes. Clutching her briefcase more firmly in her hand, she headed for the door. She didn’t miss the sound of his deep chuckle as the door swung shut behind her.
Rasheed Valdemon stepped from behind his desk and faced the man who had delivered the bad news to him. He raised an arched, angry brow. “What do you mean you still don’t have Ms. Avery? I was counting on you, Santini. Now twice you and your people have disappointed me.”
Raul Santini came to his feet in defense of both himself and his men. “It’s not as easy as you think to snatch an American woman off the streets of Brazil. These things take time. Do you have any idea of the repercussions we’ll face if the North American government finds out about your plan and connects us to it?”
Rasheed looked long and hard at his old friend. During their teen years, the two of them had attended a private academy in France. Santini’s father was an ambassador from Argentina. “You agreed to help me, Santini.”
“And I will. At least I will try, Monty,” Santini replied, calling Valdemon by the name his friends had given him at the academy. “But just like you have to be careful to protect your country, I must do the same for mine, my friend. I can’t take any unnecessary chances.”
Rasheed sighed deeply and ran a hand over his face. “You have nothing to worry about. I told you that in the very beginning. American tourists disappear in foreign countries all the time, and the only people who make any noise about it are their families. They soon quiet down once they see their government won’t do anything. Some tourists have been missing for years. Americans traveling abroad are on their own.”
“But this isn’t just any American, Monty. Ms. Avery is the sister of a United States senator.”
“So what? As far as I am concerned, we’ll be doing Joshua Avery a favor. He can’t seem to handle her anyway. I’m sure that initially there may be some sort of an investigation, but in time, that, too, shall pass.”
He came and sat on the edge of his desk and faced his friend. “Remember that if I succeed in this, your country will be rewarded greatly. You know me well enough to know that I never forget my friends.”
Santini sighed, knowing that was true. Valdemon had secretly helped his country on a number of occasions. While at the academy several of them, all sons of important political figures from various nations, had formed a pact, a secret cartel. If there was anything one of them could do that would benefit the other’s homeland, then they would do it. He had called on his friends in the cartel several times. However, this was the first time one of them
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