9 It wasn’t just a long day; it was a damn long day. Maybe going for a run before he’d begun his shift hadn’t been his best idea. One look at Valentin and Alex knew that wasn’t the problem. Yes, in addition to a positive attitude, Russian bear dogs had incredible stamina. But that was an area where he and his dog usually matched. Valentin looked as if he’d gladly keep going—especially if Tanya was involved. She’d acted like a supercharger on Alex’s typically complacent companion. Alex would shoot himself if he had to do more. Assistant Foreign Minister Tanya Larina had turned into a whirling dervish. Breakfast was a bagel with cream cheese during her first business meeting with a Ukrainian attaché. Her second meeting was also over breakfast where she didn’t stint either, consuming b