“But that doesn’t mean it’s not a real contract or that someone isn’t going to snatch it up,” West countered, stealing his phone away.
“For one hundred K? Are you shitting me? No one in their right mind goes after royalty for that pittance. All high-ranking government officials and public figures go for a starting price of ten million and not a single cent less. But a prince?” Alexei leaned into Soren’s embrace, allowing the taller man to hold him up as he rubbed his chin in a thoughtful manner. “I’d have to ask my uncles, but I seriously think one wouldn’t go for less than fifteen. Probably more like twenty.”
West glanced down to find that the screen on his phone had gone dark, but he could still see the words of the contract in his mind along with Marilyn’s words of concern for the island kingdom of Gaoxing as well as the young prince.
“I did a quick scan of recent political articles about Gaoxing and its government,” West began in a low voice. “Still a monarchy and everything seems at least happy on the surface. Unfortunately, the emperor is gravely ill and not expected to live much longer.”
Charlie sighed and rubbed his forehead. “And this prince? Is he an only child?”
West shook his head. “No, he’s the oldest child. There’s a younger brother, but I’m not sure how he fits in the picture.”
“So, you could be looking at someone without a lot of money trying to make sure a horrible tyrant of a prince doesn’t ascend to the throne and become the next evil emperor of the world,” Alexei said, holding out one open hand in front of him.
“Or it’s a fucking nutcase putting out a cheap-ass contract on a not-so-bad future ruler and risking throwing the entire kingdom into turmoil right as they are poised to lose their emperor,” Soren added.
Charlie sat back in his chair and stared off into space for a second before giving West a small nod. “I’ve never been to Gaoxing, but it’s an island that sits right between China and Japan. Both countries have made plays to annex Gaoxing, and the ruling family has done a damn good job over the centuries of fending them off. This could end up being a hell of a bigger mess than simply losing an emperor and a prince.”
“I know,” West murmured.
A loud clap had West jerking his head up to see Alexei rubbing his hands together, a wide grin spread across his face. “This sound like the perfect crazy adventure for us. Soren and I can tag along to help clean this up.”
West smirked. He’d expected this. “I think you’ve got your hopes a little too high for this job. At most, this is likely to be just a scouting mission. Some light research. If this is nothing more than a nutcase, I can get Kairo to send an anonymous message to the royal family’s security team warning them about the contract. They’ll need to tighten their security. That’s it. Marilyn is already trying to track down the person behind the contract.”
Alexei’s slim shoulders dropped, and his bottom lip jutted out in an adorable pout that had no business being on the face of someone so lethal.
“Besides, I thought you were planning to head back to Colorado to see family. Marilyn mentioned that she couldn’t give this contract to your uncles. That they weren’t up for it.” West gave a halfhearted shrug of one shoulder. “Maybe one of them is sick or injured. This seems like their kind of thing.”
The assassin immediately perked up, his eyes going wide. “You think? Maybe I should head home to check on them.”
Over Alexei’s head, West caught sight of Soren soundlessly mouthing, You’re a fucking evil bastard.
He was. He truly was.
But he felt no remorse about this. He’d get the alone time he needed, and Alexei’d get the family visit he was truly longing for. Everyone would benefit.
Well, except for Soren. He was going to be tortured.
And that was okay with West, too.
“You promise to call us if this turns out to be much bigger than a quick thing?” Alexei checked.
“I promise,” West agreed easily. That was always his plan.
Not that he expected this to be a big problem.
He was just flying halfway around the world to either save an entire country from an evil would-be tyrant, or he was saving a prince from a lunatic.
No big deal.