Lydia and Jeffrey sat stiffly but unbound on an overstuffed red velvet sofa. Once they were inside, they were treated like guests, except for the armed men in black ski masks and body armor blocking any potential exit from the posh sitting room. Lydia could see Jeffrey scanning the room and counting men, assessing their options. His face was stony, but she could feel the tension coming off him in waves.A sophisticated older woman with salt-and-pepper hair styled in a neat bob entered the room on quick, quiet feet. She was dressed in a simple black long-sleeved sheath and was carrying a tray with a teapot and cups, cream and sugar, and a plate of cookies. She didn’t look at them at all as she placed the tray on a table before them and then moved quickly from the room.“How civilized,” commented Lydia, wisecracking to manage the fear rising in her belly.“There’s no reason not to be civilized,” said Sasa, entering and sitting opposite them. He threw one leg over the arm of the overstuffed chair and touched his fingertips together.
