“You do?” She turned to look at Smith. “Would it be all right?”
“I’m sure our new friend has better things to do with his time.” He stared at Komal.
Komal shook his head and said, “Not at all. I’d be honored, and the offer stands.” The next course was served, and through the rest of the dinner, she sent a couple of glances Komal’s way and nervously smiled when she caught his eye.
She’d set herself up as bait, but Smith had truly set the trap. Komal was everything his psychological profile said he was. After dessert, she and Nadia excused themselves. She helped Nadia to her quarters before returning to her cabin. As a routine, she swept the room and then got ready for bed with the earpiece in. She listened to Smithson as he called, folded, and raised. He didn’t engage in small talk, so the game must have become serious. The main lights outside the cabin had long ago dimmed when Smithson returned to the room. He smelled of cigars and scotch.
“You won,” she said into the darkness.
He chuckled. “I did. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“I wasn’t sleeping. How badly did Komal hate losing to you?”
“He was not pleased. Yet, he was bluffing. The cards to beat my hand had already been dealt. I went all in, forcing him to put up or shut up. He isn’t that good of a player. I think the others lost to him on purpose.”
She heard him take off his clothes and then feel his way to the small bed on the other side of the little aisle. “Your mother doesn’t like him. She called him a few select words and warned me to stay away from him when I escorted her to her room.”
“My mother is a miserable judge of character, but in this, I’d have to agree with her.” He yawned. “If I’d met him on the street, I would have avoided him. He’s dangerous.”
“So are his guards.”
He made a humming noise of agreement. “There are three I’ve seen. Sam, Blanton, and a man in a black shirt were in the game car. Mr. No Name lurks, and he’s someone to watch. I’ll point him out to you tomorrow.”
“We have two full days to get through. I suggest we avoid them by staying in our coach for tomorrow. Let him stew. The next day, we’ll reel in the fish.”
“How?”
“I’m not sure, but when it happens, we’ll know.” She sighed and turned on her side. “Three men. You’re good taking care of all of them?”
Smith was silent for a long time before he answered. “I have no problem killing. Their skillset could be better than mine, but I have my size and strength as an advantage.”
She nodded into the darkness. The car rocking against the rails of the track provided a repetitious and soothing tune. “You were magnificent in the dining car tonight.”
“And you were beyond beautiful. I wanted to dig out their eyes for how they lusted after you. Even my father was entranced.”
“And yet none of them can have me. Only you.” She sighed deeply. “Sleep well, Smith.”
“Good night, Val.” He moved, presumably to get more comfortable. She closed her eyes and listened to the wheels clacking against the rails. They’d set the trap, now to entice the rat.
* * *
Val stretchedand rolled into Smith’s chest. They’d spent the day finding inventive positions to have sex in the railway car. Turning down the service to put the beds away and not leaving the car to eat either breakfast or lunch had given them plenty of time to experiment. She glanced at the time on her cell phone. “We need to dress for dinner, and I’m hungry.” Still, she didn’t move, and his big hand on her back kept stroking the skin up and down her spine.
“What is the plan for tonight?” Smith’s voice rumbled under her ear.
“Let’s go early enough to get a table for two. I want to face Komal. We’ll eat, then go into the bar car for drinks. That should allow him to make contact.”
“How do you know he will?”
“I don’t. But if he follows character, he won’t be able to resist poking the bear.”
“I’m the bear.”
“My bear.” She patted his chest and nodded. “Just be above it, above him. Subtle, but above. You’ve already bested him at gambling and in a group conversation. Doing so again tonight will intensify his resolve to better you. Maybe a poker game after dinner tomorrow night? I’ll suggest he take me on a tour while you play.” She’d kill the bastard. The rail car stewards wouldn’t come to make up the room until morning. If she killed him in his quarters, they’d find him, but that’s when Harbinger and his team would switch the tracks and come aboard. Timing was everything.
“All right.” Smith agreed. She smiled against his chest. Any other person would have a hundred questions, work against doubt, and postulate what-if scenarios. Not Smithson. He was one in a million, and he was hers.
“We should get dressed,” he said after about five minutes.