Page 94 of Her Selfless Warrior (Omega Sky)
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“I am so goingwith you. You can’t just send me on some made-up exercise with Jase.” Kostya could feel frustration and even anger coming off Ryker in waves.
“This is not made up. This is important, and you know it. Jase is the best tracker we have on the team. We did okay while we were in Russia, but we could have done better. Out of everybody, I think you’re the man who could match Jase if he trained you.”
Ryker’s eyes were still sparking.
“There’s some bad juju going on with this investigation Lark is pursuing you and I both know it. You need backup. I’m already up to speed, you need me.”
“You’re right, I do need you. I need you to train with Jase.” Kostya was done trying to convince Ryker; this time it was an order, and Ryker knew it.
“Absolutely, Lieutenant. When and where do I need to report, Lieutenant?” He might be saying the right things, but he was letting Kostya know that he was royally pissed off.
I don’t give a shit. Going to a bar with me was one thing, going out of state to help me out? No way.
Kostya told Ryker exactly what he expected, then left his office to go pick up Lark. He knew that he likely had another fight on his hands. Fine, he intended to win that one as well.
* * *
“First class?I thought you were mad at me,” Kostya said as he looked down at his boarding pass.
“I am mad at you. And what are you talking about?” Lark looked down at the ticket that she’d just been handed. She handed it back to the ticket agent. “There must be some kind of a mistake. I didn’t book a first-class ticket.”
The man behind the ticket counter smiled at her. “You’re one of our premier mileage members, you’re automatically upgraded whenever there are seats available,” he explained.
“And him?” Lark tilted her head toward Kostya.
The agent looked down at his screen. “Mr. Barona has even more miles than you do, Ms. Sorensen.” He looked up at Kostya with an awed look. “It’s not often I meet someone who does this much flying with our airline. It’s a pleasure to be able to serve you.”
Lark saw Kostya catch himself before he argued. Instead, he just gave the man a smooth smile. “What’s your name again?”
“Manish Nadella, at your service.”
“Manish, I’ll let corporate know what a great job you’re doing. Thanks again for the upgrade.” Kostya grabbed Lark’s elbow in a gentle grasp and hurried her along toward security.
“What in the hell was that all about?” Lark demanded to know.
“At first I thought it was you,” Kostya admitted. “After all, your mother has more money than God.”
“My mom does, not me,” Lark laughed. “I told her to leave it to Taja and Nazy, and whichever charity needs it. God knows what will happen.”
They stopped at the end of the security line and turned to look at one another. “So, since you know it wasn’t me, can you tell me how we’re now premiere flyers?”
Kostya pulled out his phone and pressed Gideon Smith’s number, but the man didn’t answer.
“Who are you calling?” Lark asked.
“My second-in-command. I’m pretty sure you’ve met him before, Gideon Smith?”
“African American?” Kostya nodded.
“He’s your computer expert, right?”
Kostya nodded again.
“I met him once over Zoom, when Kane McNamara from Night Storm was helping me out on a little problem. Kane thinks that Gideon is the cat’s meow.”
Kostya’s lip twitched. “Cat’s meow, huh?”
