144|The Old Guard—Part 3

Austin didn't know if he should be impressed or disturbed by how indifferent Winston was towards Navya and her father when they stepped into the Cigar Room moments later.

If Marybeth was in the same room with him, and Austin knew she was about to marry another man in a few months, there was no way he would have been able to remain calm. But Winston was clearly a professional at hiding his feelings. Nothing about his relaxed demeanour hinted at just how madly in love he was with Navya as they all sat at the bar and nursed their drinks while they feverishly discussed the role of the private sector in the country's energy crisis, with Blake leading the conversation.

At some point during the impassioned discussion, Tim leaned in and whispered for Austin's ears only, "I have mad respect for Win right now. How does he remain so…"

"Unbothered?"

"Yep, that's the word!"

"He's in denial," Austin said. "Give him a few weeks. He'll call. I won't be surprised if he thinks up a kidnapping plan the