“But then we feel the very same way.” He smiled at her. “And we know what we’re facing, and just how to get around them. All it will take is a little dazzle.” He took her hand. “Ready?”

She smiled back at him. “You’re the dazzle expert. But give me a cue and I’ll try to follow you.” They’d reached the doors and he was swinging them open for her. “I did say that I wanted—” She broke off and inhaled sharply as she saw the man coming toward her. “But you’re in for a treat, Tanner. I don’t believe you’ve ever met my father.” She took a step inside and felt Tanner move closer to her. “How nice of you to come to greet us, Anton. I’ve told Tanner so much about you. But some of it was hard to believe.”

“You bitch.” His face was flushed with anger. His hands were grasping her shoulders and he was shaking her. “Do you know how much trouble you caused me with Volkov? I told you what to do and you didn’t do it, or Tanner would never have been able to get hold of you. Do you realize how Volkov’s been treating me? Wait until I get hold of Maria. You’ll be sorry that—”

“No, you’ll be sorry,” Tanner said coldly as he plucked Anton’s hands off Lara and shoved him against the wall. “Evidently you haven’t had the new orders from Volkov. Unless you want me to seriously damage you, there will be no putting your hands on her again. Do you understand me?”

Anton opened his lips to speak and then closed them again. His voice was surly as he said, “I understand. Volkov said that you were coming, Tanner. Some big game…That’s why I’m here, he said he wanted everything running smooth.” He added viciously, “But that doesn’t mean he won’t change his mind about Lara the minute he sees her. I wasn’t the only one who wanted to choke her when we found out she was gone.” He gestured to the door leading to the casino. “Go on inside. He’s waiting for you.” He glanced at Lara and his lips curled savagely. “I’ll see you later.”

“Yes, you will,” she said. “By all means, run and see if Volkov wants you to run any errands for him.” She heard him swear as she passed him and went toward the door.

Tanner caught up with her. “Did he hurt you?”

“No, and you shouldn’t have bothered with him. Anton is nothing. I’ve told you that before. Most of the time I could just avoid him.”

“It was hard for me to remember that when he was shaking you,” he said dryly. “It made me want to make him truly ‘nothing.’”