Page 34 of Emerald

My lust for this woman is so extreme, so overpowering, I can’t keep hold of it. I had to leave, before I lost control completely.

It’s strange. I’ve never left a woman without getting my own satisfaction. This is the first time in my life where a girl’s climax was more interesting to me than my own.

Watching the waves of pleasure rolling through Sloane’s body was more erotic than anything I’ve ever felt myself.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to unleash myself on her.

Quite the contrary.

Unfortunately, I have other business to attend to first.

Sloane has been occupying my mind since the moment she broke into my room. But I can’t forget that she’s only the weapon pointed at me by a much bigger threat.

Wherever Remizov is right now, he’s not allowing himself to be distracted by some girl. He’s focusing on me and my complete and utter destruction.

I get out of the shower, toweling myself off and pulling on a fresh set of clothes.

It’s 8:00 at night. I need a status report from my men.

I call Efrem, who’s on his way back from tracking down the guns. I tell him to hurry back, then I go down to the main level to wait for him in the war room.

While I’m waiting, I check my messages.

I see that Karol has been texting me. He’s been following Remizov from the diamond district to a restaurant on Avenue Liniya. His last message was at 5:20 p.m.:

I followed Remizov to the Abajour Cafe. He’s eating quiche and salad. Which is kind of a bitch meal. Maybe that’s his weakness—he likes girl food. We could lure him with chocolates and Cosmopolitans.

I can’t help letting out a snort. I should be harder on Karol—he’s reckless and hubristic, as all young people are. It’s hard to always be the heavy, though.

All my relationships are with subordinates. Even my own brother has to take orders. I don’t have anyone who’s an equal to me.

I laugh and joke with my men. Eat meals with them, box with them, watch movies with them.

But at the end of the day, I’m the boss.

It can be lonely.

I’ll have a talk with Karol when he gets back. Make sure he’s taking his work seriously, not taking any unnecessary risks.

For now, I simply text:

Where are you now?

I wait a moment, but I don’t see the three dots indicating that he’s about to respond.

Efrem comes into the war room, brushing the melting snow out of his hair. It must be coming down again—I haven’t even looked outside.

Dominik is with him. He looks tense and jumpy.

“We found the guns,” Efrem says at once. “They’re at a warehouse in Primorsky.”

“Good,” I say. “Let’s go get them back.”

“Alright,” Efrem says, but I can see the hesitation on his face. He glances over at Dominik.

“What is it?” I say.

“There were only two guards on the warehouse,” Dom says.