Page 59 of Fixate

“What I'm trying to say, Boss, is that Ricardo is good for you. You deserve to be happy, especially after all the hell you've been through lately. No one would judge you for it.”

I tilted my head, my expression giving him a, ‘Are you fucking kidding me?’ look.

He waved his hand in the air.

"Okay, so a lot of people would judge you. I get it. This is a homophobic bunch. You're the boss. You're in charge. Do whatever you want. Let the rest of them twiddle their thumbs and hire hookers."

I took another sip of my drink as I pondered over his words. He was right. I was the boss, and I could do whatever I wanted.

And what I wanted to do was Ricardo.

A few days later,I was headed upstairs to meet Ricardo for dinner when my phone rang. I answered blindly, my focus on the climbing numbers of the elevator.

“Lyon,” a heavily accented Russian voice said.

My body tensed. “Vlad. Why are you calling?"

It was Stacey's uncle. I hadn't heard from him since we talked about her body and what needed to be done for the funeral. Of course, I hadn't attended because I had no desire to go and watch people talk about how amazing that woman was.

Not after what she'd done.

"You know why I am calling," he said. "Where is he?"

I hummed like I was thinking through what he said.

"Who is he? Is there someone I should know about? Is it a mutual friend that you're looking for? I'd love to help."

My sarcasm did not amuse him.

He barked out a slew of words in Russian, only a few of which I understood. Stasi was known to change languages when she was upset, so I had learned a bit over the years.

Even so, I knew that his anger would only increase the longer I played the game out.

“He is long gone, Vlad. There's nothing left of him, and it is as it should be. When did you put him in my ranks? Or was it my wife who thought to have him close?”

There was this distinct sound of him spitting, then he grunted, "I put him there. He is my man, and I want him back."

I whistled as the doors to the elevator opened. Ricardo was waiting for me in the foyer with a smile. It quickly turned to a frown when he saw the expression I wore and my tight shoulders.

“I understand that you want him, Vlad. However, he does not exist anymore. When I tell you that there's nothing left, I mean it. He is but dust for the earth. I make sure that that is what happens to people who betray me. Rats do not last in my world.”

There was more yelling in Russian, then I heard him take a deep breath.

“You have put us in a tough position, Lyon. There are things we need to discuss, things that are important.”

I was close enough now that Ricardo could hear what was being said. I put it on speaker just to add to make sure.

“What do you suggest we do then? It's not like we can just sit around and have dinner and catch up like old friends.”

“Why can't we?” he replied. “I think that that makes perfect sense given we were family. Or have you already forgotten? Have you moved on?”

“I have not moved on, nor did I need to. When someone stabs you in the back, you pull the knife out, you heal, and you don't repeat the mistakes.” Tension bled through my tone.

There was no mistaking how angry I was. No question as to the fury that moved through me.

Ricardo watched it all with a keen gaze. He was cataloging this. I knew he would have questions when we were done, and I hoped I had answers for him.

I also hoped that it had not ruined our evening because I desperately wanted to relax with him.