Page 43 of Climbing Everest
My dad turns his attention to Kato. “You think because you killed Christos you’re some big, bad leader? You’re nothing but a kid playing dress up. I’ve heard how your men are turning on you, how they’re stealing from you.”
I frown a little, but don’t show any more reaction. I hadn’t heard that anyone was stealing from Kato or the Antoniou syndicate, but I sure as fuck don’t want my dad to know I’m being left out of business conversations.
Kato takes a step closer, and my father’s men mirror him, moving closer to their boss’s back.
“You haven’t garnered the loyalty you think you have.
We’re fully aware you’re behind it. But I’m curious,” Kato says, scraping the back of his thumbnail against his bottom lip.
“Is your Pakhan aware of your extracurricular activities? Has he been made aware of why his daughter’s childhood friend went missing? ”
Father scoffs. “You think he gives a shit what I do or don’t do with my own daughter? You think he gives a shit whether I steal from the fucking enemy?”
I tilt my head and study the man I will never again think of as my father. This is the first time I realized he has a tell. The smallest tick in his jaw and rapid blinking.
He’s nervous. Kato has him scared.
Glancing at the men at his back, I can’t help but wonder whether they would continue to have their boss’s back if the Pakhan himself were to order his execution.
“I think you haven’t bothered telling Pakhan Yegorov anything,” I say, my smirk returning. “I mean, he’s right there. Watching us. Why don’t we invite him and Flora over for a chat?”
You know those moments in your life that feel as though they’ve been both slowed down and sped up at the same time? Yeah. This is one of those moments.
Dima blurts out some insult I don’t hear as he lunges at me. Brix intercepts him, a big hand wrapping around Dima’s throat and shoving him back.
My father’s men immediately move forward, as do the Greek guards standing around us in a semi-circle.
I suppose this would be one of those all hell breaks loose moments, and it absolutely could have been, had Flora not sprinted toward me with Kat right on her heels.
Flora…she either doesn’t understand she’s tiny, or simply thinks she’s invincible because of the people in her life, but she actually rushes me as though to guard me with her own body.
With Flora comes the Pakhan’s guards…and Pakhan Roman Yegorov himself.
“Enough!” Roman bellows.
It takes a second or two, but eventually everyone backs off and Brix releases his hold on Dima while glaring daggers down at him.
Growing up, my father had always seemed so big to me, so strong and powerful. Seeing him standing toe to toe with my six-foot-seven lover makes him seem so small and frail. And not only because Brix is the size of a damn linebacker.
No. He’s weak. Weak minded. His heart is dark and shriveled. Hell, his heart might never have beat for another person in his life.
“If one of you goes anywhere near my daughter, it will be the last move you make.” The Pakhan moved to the States in his twenties and his accent reflects that. Rumor has it he didn’t even speak English when he first came here to work for the previous Bratva leader.
“No one is touching your daughter. It’s your fucking employee who attempted to murder my fiancée,” Kato grounds out.
Roman, the man I’ve known my entire life, barely flits a look at me, then Dima, before returning his full attention to Kato.
“This is not the time nor place for this discussion.” He doesn’t need to elaborate, considering that nearly every single person is now watching us. Closely.
There are cameras aimed in our direction, phones pointed right at us feeding every single moment to the internet.
I soften the expression on my face and smile at the Pakhan. “I think our two families need to have a formal sit down.”
Definitely not my place to call for a meeting between two warring factions, but I have to diffuse the situation. Especially since I’m officially the cause of said situation.
“You are now part of the Greek Family?” Roman says, looking down at me as his daughter stays by my side.
Poor Kat doesn’t look as though she knows where to stand. She’d been hired by my fiancé and is Greek, but she’d been sitting with the Russian leader.
“I’m part of the Antoniou family, but there is far more to discuss.
” Switching to Russian, I say, “I am still loyal to you, Pakhan, but my heart belongs to Kato.” I don’t bother mentioning Brix or Madd.
Because, apparently, we hadn’t kept our secret polyamorous relationship nearly as secret as we thought we had.
Turning to Kato, Roman nods. “I’ll be expecting your call. Dima.” That one word and my father turns on his heel and follows his boss through the crowd, who immediately part to make room for their departure.
“I’m staying with Everest, Daddy,” Flora calls after him.
He turns and nods, then nods at the guards who constantly shadow Flora. Looks like a few Russians will stay behind. As long as they remain respectful, there shouldn’t be an issue.
Maddox wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me to his side, pressing a kiss to my temple. “You were fucking amazing,” he mutters against my skin.
“You spoke on behalf of your Don,” Kato admonishes.
I roll my eyes instead of responding, because he’s not my Don. He’s my lover. My boyfriend. My fiancé.
And soon, my legal husband.
Yeah, I overstepped and I’m sure there will be words – or a full-blown screaming match – when we get home. But for now, we’ll enjoy the party I spent so much time and money planning.
Starting with grabbing Kat and Flora and dragging them to the open bar. I need alcohol, and lots of it.