“Glad to hear it,” Luca concludes, raising his glass. “Another toast then. To fruitful new ventures and our enemies coming only close enough to lick our boots.”
Once we’ve clinked our glasses together, the topic falls back to less pressing business prospects. My eyes wander over to where the women are sitting and chatting.
The chandelier dapples Natalia’s dress and highlights her cheekbones. When she tips her head back and laughs, I stand without a firm idea of where I’m going.
All four ladies look expectantly at me as I approach, but I only have eyes for one. “Natalia, can I borrow you for a moment?”
“Of course.” She reaches for the arm of the chair, but I offer my hand instead. She flushes. “Where are you taking me?”
I make eye contact with Olaf as we close in on the ladies’ restroo
