It had been a long week for Agent Jane Bond, two assassinations thwarted in Cairo, a car chase through the streets of Istanbul, and now Monaco. The target: Valentina Rojas, billionaire heiress with delusions of planetary cleansing. Her weapon: a biochemical device auctioned to the highest bidder. Jane’s way in? The boyfriend.

The club pulsed like a heartbeat, low red lights washing over sequins, silk, and sin. Jane moved through the crowd like smoke in stilettos, every step calculated, every glance received. The diamond-studded earpiece crackled.

"Bond. He's here. Right side, velvet blazer. Heading towards the bar, intercept him."

Her eyes flicked across the room. There he was just drunk enough for her to use for her advantage. The model boyfriend of one of the most dangerous women on the continent, and she let him go out partying. Jane’s lips curved slightly.

She adjusted her cufflink and veered his way, bumping into him as if fate itself misstepped, but hard enough to catch his attention.

"Sorry..." she said smoothly, voice like a martini poured slow. Her fingers steadied his chest as their eyes met. She had to use some tricks that weren't exactly by the book to gain access to what she needed. "I didn't expect to run into such a fine gentleman here."