Read Freedom Does Matter (Mercenaries Book 2) for Free Online Page B

Hassan and the other man. Hassan waved his hand as if to say, go on, go on. She turned back to Beckie. “After yesterday, we expected that you would… lead our discussions. But—”
    “I deemed it better for Mr. Llorens to begin our work this morning. He and I have considered how well the session…” Beckie smiled internally at the three, exhibiting various degrees of disbelief. “… met our goals, and yours.” She allowed her smile to show. “When we continue, if the Sheikhs are willing, I will return to the head chair. Willie…” She eased him forward. “… will resume his advisory role with Amun effendi. Please confer. I will expect an answer when we reconvene.”
     
    By late afternoon, Beckie, now buttressed by both Willie and Hassan, had recovered the ground lost during Willie’s tenure; the negotiations stood at the point Ian had reached before being shot. She surveyed the room ready to begin the push into new ground when Ms Al Sahaf, after whispering to Al Hosni, suggested the evening break.
    “I will continue,” al-Kassis told her as he stood with his delegation.
     
    Hassan returned to the hotel with Beckie and the others, but shortly the lawyer departed for his home, gratefully, Beckie thought. Before leaving, he told them that by stepping aside in favor of Willie, Beckie had convinced both the sheikhs that her interest was in the success of the negotiations rather than her own perspective. “I do not wish to malign Mr. Llorens, but we agreed that your temperament and… your direct mode of speech are well suited to their problem.”
    Willie was the first to laugh at Hassan’s assessment. “I don’t mind, believe me.”
     In the suite, it took several minutes and a glass of wine before Beckie calmed sufficiently to sit on the chair. Kevin and Willie were with her; Derek and Dan were outside, making sure the quiet hotel stayed peaceful. Sue told her she’d need another suit, and had undertaken a shopping trip to acquire one.
    “If I was the one shot at Ian,” Willie said, “I’d be pissed that the negotiations are moving again.” He turned to Beckie. “I take it back, what I said before. You’re keeping them talking. Good job.” He made a face at her. “Lots better than me.”
    “Don’t worry about my screw-ups.” She paused to consider the afternoon meeting. “Yeah, with you and Hassan feeding me the info I need to catch each of them in their own inconsistencies, I can keep them going!”
    Kevin nodded. “But see if you can’t pull Hassan into the discussion with them. Don’t let him hold back. Since he’s, you know, one of them. It’ll make al-Kassis feel better, too.”
    Beckie leaned back in her chair and again replayed the meeting, focusing this time on who was participating. In a moment, she nodded. “Okay. I did kind of hog it all today, didn’t I?” She ran her hands down her body. “Maybe compensating for… for something,” she said with a grin.
    Kevin goggled at her before collapsing in laughter. “You’ve got nothing needs compensated for,” he finally gasped out. “Though, maybe…” He stopped when her fist struck his arm. “I meant—”
    “Don’t worry about it. You’re right.” She covered her head in fake embarrassment. “Hassan would be over the top if he knew. Two mistakes in one day!”
    “I’m just happy al-Kassis is with the program,” Willie added. “So far, anyway.”
    “Between the suit and scarf Sue bought me and my demeanor, swearing at them like they do, I think they’ve forgotten I’m female.”
    Kevin snorted in derision. “Al-Kassis hasn’t,” he told her, “though he’s trying to overlook it. I’m not sure about Al Hosni. We didn’t care much, before, but he seems more… pro-women’s rights.
    “In any event, we were all talking. I assume you want Willie to stay right with you at the table?” She nodded. “So, I want Dan and Derek to be in the hallway between the conference room and the elevator. I’ll be back