CHAPTER 40
C HAPTER 40
W hich was why, when Ajeet and his minions arrived less than five minutes later, he found them all on the back patio. A happy, sweaty, filthy bunch. Laughing and chattering and all of them talking at once. Amiya and Curtis molded together in a joyous new union.
Kurien forced himself to his feet, ignoring Ajeet’s sheet-white astonished fury. “You’re just in time! Come celebrate my daughter’s betrothal to this fine young man!”
The only sign their group even noticed his speechless rage was how Holden took a single step forward, watching not Ajeet but his security. Ready.
Ajeet wheeled about and stormed back through the house, roaring invectives in a language Rae didn’t need to understand.
Only when his guards followed did Rae notice the two men in suits. She walked over and asked, “Can I help you?”
The older gentleman said, “Carl Waters, partner in Waters and Stewart.”
Rae knew the name, of course. A megafirm based in DC with satellite offices in half-a-dozen cities around the world. She started to apologize for her filthy state, decided it didn’t matter. “Rae Alden. I represent the Morais Group in all matters relevant to your presence here.”
Waters and his younger minion took in her appearance, the joyous crew ignoring them entirely, the empty space where their client had previously stood. “I see. Or rather, I don’t.”
Rae chose her words carefully. “Whatever spurious case you might have helped put in place, I respectfully suggest you withdraw your support.”
The senior attorney continued studying the happy group. “That is an interesting word you chose. ‘Spurious.’ ”
“If you’ll give me a few hours, I’ll supply you with further details as to why you should remove your firm from these proceedings,” Rae replied, hoping desperately she was right.
He started to respond, but something he saw on the back porch made him keep his comments unspoken. “In that case, perhaps you’d be so kind as to arrange transport to the hotel.”
His legal minion offered, “Fortunate Harbor.”
Rae signaled to the ever-observant Holden. “No problem.”
She and Jiyan and Holden and a crew member walked them out. Jiyan and Holden’s crew held open the Rover’s doors and ushered them inside. Polite, courteous, utterly at odds with Rae’s state. She stood there until the Rover vanished around a bend in the road, then told Holden, “You were right. This day is amazing.”
When she returned to the patio, Curtis asked, “Who were those two?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Which was valid only if their impossible hopes and wishes were about to come true. “You need to come with us.”
“What, now?”
Amiya disengaged herself. Stepped back and took hold of his hand. “Yes, my love. Right this very instant.”