The meeting point was a neutral location—an upscale hotel bar where they were unlikely to run into anyone from their mutual circle. Adrian arrived early and chose a table in the corner, away from the main crowd. He was careful, watching for any sign of an ambush.
Victoria arrived twenty minutes later, and Adrian barely recognized her. She looked exhausted, her makeup unable to hide the dark circles under her eyes. She was dressed in a simple black dress, nothing like the power suits she usually wore. She looked frightened.
"Thank you for coming," Victoria said, sitting down across from him. She ordered a drink but didn't touch it when it arrived.
"Why did you want to see me?" Adrian asked, keeping his voice neutral.
"Because I've made a terrible mistake," Victoria said quietly. She loo
