Chapter 46

For his part, Rosen seemed shocked to see Steve and Gwen enter the room. He quickly made his feelings known.

“You two have no business here! This is a delicate situation between heads of state. It isn’t a football game or a movie. This is real!”

Gwen hesitated at the surprise outburst from the Secretary, but Steve showed no emotion as he continued to lead her into the room. Novokov approached Steve and Gwen with a smile. He took Gwen’s hand and kissed the back of it and then shook Steve’s.

“It’s interesting that the only person not wanting you two Americans in the room is your American Secretary of State,” observed Novokov in Russian. Steve simply nodded as he shook Novokov’s hand. Then he led Gwen to a chair and helped her be seated.

“Didn’t you understand me?” demanded Rosen. “You’re not a part of these talks and you need to leave.”

Steve remained calm as he surveyed the room. Translators were filling in the Ukrainian and Russian leaders on Rosen’s de