Page 78 of Blind Devotion

“You’ll only suffocate her.”

I grunted noncommittally. My lack of presence and protection was exactly what allowed her to be trafficked. “So the contract?”

“Yeah, yeah, of course, man. I’ll handle it.”

I glared at him, not a fan of his choice words. He smirked.

“Too soon?”

I led him into the private billiard room attached to my office and tossed him a cue stick. We discussed various parts of the business, both legal and side businesses, including what different gangs were bringing in, what they were up to, and what the latest was on international interests.

I lined up my latest shot, irritated we were still matched in score, not thrilled with the smug look on Erel’s face.

“Feelers are saying FinTech’s pulling out. He refused our deal. Won’t part with his shares.”

I missed, shit. Erel did that on purpose. I glared at him.

“Then he dies once someone picks up that contract, and we buy out his successor.”

“The business rival was found dead. The contract’s closed.”

“Huh, didn’t think someone as straightlaced as him had it in him.”

“People do all kinds of shit to survive.”

“What’s his reason this time for pulling out?”

“He’s had two more offers. One has bankruptcy written all over it, but it’s not gone public yet. Easy enough to deal with. The second’s got Barrot’s name on it.”

The cue creaked under my tightening grip.

“Darts?” I’d had enough of this game. Hearing that name only darkened my mood. First, he outed Persetta’s presence to the Russians. Now he messed with my business. I was going to rip that mama’s boy a new asshole.

“Sore loser.”

I tossed him my cue, then opened up the darts game that hid a plywood board instead of the standard game. We used throwing knives instead of feeble darts.

“Elder or junior?” I threw the first knife, dead center, right where I imagined the younger’s head to be.

“Barrot Junior. Rumor is he doesn’t want to invest in shipping lanes like his father.”

“Nah, he’s just trying to fuck with us.”

Erel’s knife thunked in, only a finger’s width from mine. “Why’s that?” I gave Erel that knowing look. “Ah, petty jealousy then. Daddy didn’t give him enough?”

I took up a new knife and tossed, enjoying the solid thunk it landed. “Leontyev knows Tessa’s alive because of him.”

“Surprised he’s still breathing.”

“Working on it. I wanted to toy with him first. He’s nothing without his money.”

“You cleared him out?”

My turn again. “Yep. But Barrot Senior bailed him out.” I threw three in quick succession. “We’ll need to keep a close eye on Senior once I pay Junior a final visit. I’m going to skin him.”

Erel whistled.

“I’m almost certain he visitedKulmi. Whether as a buyer or a patron, I don’t care. I’ll gut him for it.”