“It wasn’t about the drugs,” Edge said. “We didn’t even know about the drugs. It was about the women. Skye’s sister and her friend were in that compound. We got Callie out of Blancha Springs, but Henson forced her best friend to go with him to Chamaya. Family comes first. We had no choice but to go after her.”

Petrov said nothing, but something moved across his features.

“Here’s the deal,” Edge continued. “If you hire us, we can help you get back everything you lost because of Henson’s incompetence.”

“You think so, do you?”

“We know it,” Skye said.

Petrov leaned back in his chair. “You make it sound easy. We both know it isn’t.”

Edge shifted forward in his seat. “Pay us enough and it doesn’t matter if it’s easy or not.”

“I could kill you right now. You know that, right? I could have your dead bodies dragged out of here, and no one would ever know.”

Edge’s gaze zeroed in on Petrov’s face. “There’s a certain amount of risk involved in everything. You could kill us. Or you could take advantage of our skills.”

Petrov rolled the cigar back and forth. “How would I know I could trust you?”

“You can trust that we want to stay alive badly enough to obey your orders.”

Intrigued, one of Petrov’s black eyebrows inched up. He was clearly a businessman before anything else. Killing the two of them wouldn’t get him back the money he had lost.

“You’re right,” he said. “If I hire you and you make one move out of line, Dutch and his men will drive you and your lady friend out into the desert and make you disappear.”

Edge said nothing.

Neither did Petrov.

Edge took a chance and rose from his chair. “Why don’t you take some time to think it over.” He pulled out a Nighthawk business card with his cell number on it. “We’re staying at the Bellagio. You can reach us there.”

Skye rose to join him, and they started for the door. Dutch stepped in front of them, blocking their way. Edge turned back to Petrov. Black eyes locked with blue.

“Perhaps we might be able to do business,” the Russian said. “I will be in touch.”

Dutch stepped out of the way, and Skye walked past him out the door. Dutch returned Edge’s Beretta as he walked out behind her.

In front of the restaurant, Edge helped Skye into the first cab in line and followed her into the back seat. They didn’t speak until the taxi rolled off toward the Bellagio.

“You think Petrov will go for it?” Skye asked.

“From what I can tell, he’s a very practical guy. I’m thinking there’s a chance he might.”