Dino drew to a halt outside the glass-fronted entrance and left the car, coming around to Leander’s door where he waited for Leander’s signal before opening it.
At the same time, a nondescript man in a dark suit emerged from the lobby. He had a hand to his ear as he spoke through an earpiece to some unseen party.
“You ordered an escort into the building?” Code yellow explained. Leander scanned an alert gaze up and down the block. “Are you concerned Midas will confront you here?”
“He’ll send Hercules first. Maybe Odessa.” She clamped both hands over the top of her clutch. “I don’t know if you realize what you have unleashed, Leander. Don’t let his name fool you. Midas turns everything he touches to poison, not gold.”
“I know.” His chest tightened as his mind conjured his last glimpse of his father. “Is that why you sided with me? You consider me the lesser of two evils?”
She ran restless hands over the smooth patent leather of her bag, seeming to choose her words carefully.
“With respect, I sided with myself. As long as my father was alive, and Pagonis International owned a piece of my company, I was forced to maintain positive relations with Midas. Today, you offered me a way to sever ties. I took it. I will take it.” Her eyes were hollow caves, her cheekbones like tent poles beneath gaunt drapes. “I’m under no illusion that you won’t cut me loose if it serves your purpose. I’m prepared to do the same if it comes down to a choice between you or me.”
“We continue to prove how well suited we are,” he drawled.
“Will you let me out, please? People are waiting for me.”
Leander knocked on the window and Dino opened the door. Leander rose and helped Ilona from the car. Her hand was pure ice in his.
He held on to it for an extra second, preventing her from walking away, forcing her to glance questioningly at him.
“I’ll collect you for dinner at seven.”
“If you’d like,” she said in the tone that said she picked her battles and had no desire to engage in this one. “I’ll see you then.”