Page 11 of Immoral (Park Avenue Kings #3)

DIMITRI

A SOFT VIbrATION coming from the alarm I’d set had me opening my eyes, but I was already awake anyway. Sleep never came easy, and certainly not with a meeting taking place in the early hours of the morning.

The room was nearly pitch black, and I could only just make out Benoit sleeping beside me.

His breathing was soft and steady, and for a moment I watched him, jealous of how peaceful he seemed.

Life seemed full of joy for him—he was able to indulge in men and drinking and dancing, whatever he wanted, to his heart’s content.

What would that be like? To sleep through the night or make my way in the world without the weight and the worry and the constant looking over my shoulder?

That was a luxury for softer men, but I wouldn’t begrudge Benoit for enjoying life’s pleasures.

After all, there was nothing soft about the body I’d used to its limit all night.

He’d been as insatiable as I was, and had my presence not been required at this ungodly hour, I would’ve been tempted to wake him with my mouth around his cock.

Fuck. I couldn’t think about that now. Couldn’t think about the chaos he could bring to my life over the next month or how intriguing it was to have him around. Right now I needed to focus on what was about to go down.

With my suit already pressed and in the closet, I dressed quietly in the en suite, making sure I looked the part of the menacing arms dealer.

Not that it was a difficult feat. I was barely forty-five and the lines between my brows were etched there permanently, whether I was scowling or not.

The scar that ran down my left cheek was a jagged, ugly thing, still red and raised, but it no doubt added a layer of intimidation to my appearance.

I flicked off the light and stepped out of the en suite, pausing for a moment to make sure Benoit was still asleep, and then slipped out into the hallway.

My team was already waiting in the foyer, all of them silent and dressed in black—the ones going with me in suits, the others in tactical gear.

I ran my eyes over each of them, counting them up, making sure we were all set. Omar moved in beside me and handed me a gun, and I pulled back the slide, checked the chamber was full of lead, and then slid the weapon into the holster beneath my jacket.

“Let’s go.”

They all filed out in silence behind me, snow crunching under our footsteps as each team member made their way to the waiting cars that would drop us off several blocks from our destination.

With our plans already set, nothing needed to be said outside of each person testing their mics as we traveled just outside the city center.

Though I’d heard Prague had a thriving nightlife, the scene obviously wasn’t happening on the side of town we were on. Everything was quiet as we exited the cars and started down the cobblestone streets.

Too quiet.

If I wasn’t here for business, I liked to think I would’ve taken more time to appreciate the medieval architecture and the beauty of the place, but if I were honest, we could’ve been anywhere.

If I’d seen one city, I’d seen them all, though I could confidently say I was partial to the ones that stayed over eighty degrees on the regular.

We continued down the winding roads, all senses on alert.

A block away from the flower shop, Hugo gave me a nod and then team two veered off to take up their positions at the back.

I glanced over my shoulder, making sure Omar, the bodyguards, and I were alone, then continued on, slipping my hands into my pockets to ward off the frigid bite in the air.

It was just coming up on three a.m. and I couldn’t help but think of the words of my mentor— There are only ever two kinds of people up at this time of the morning, Dimitri: cops and criminals.

I didn’t want any unexpected interruptions from either.

I’d be dealing with the latter soon enough, but on my terms, the way I liked it.

We reached the flower shop, and the door was shut. A Closed sign hung inside the glass, and the shades were drawn on the windows. But that was to be expected. This wasn’t where we’d be entering. Instead, we headed to the side alley where they received their deliveries.

Omar took the lead, checking for any hostile bystanders before giving me the all-clear. I made my way down to where a lone light shone over a thick wooden door. Omar took position, facing the street as I knocked. Seconds later, a slat slid open and narrow eyes met mine.

“Turn around, face the opposite wall,” he ordered me, his voice gruff, his accent thick.

I wasn’t one to usually follow orders, but if I were sitting inside a flower shop at three in the morning waiting to meet up with the most lethal weapons dealer in the world, I’d want to see his face too.

I pivoted and stared at the bricks opposite me, and it wasn’t until I looked closer at the mortar in line with my eyes that I saw it. A tiny camera, no doubt scanning my face.

Done playing exhibitionist, I turned back to face the door. “Either tell your boss I’m here and open the fucking door or tell them you let me leave and?—”

I didn’t even get to finish my threat before the sound of bolts echoed around us and the door yawned open. Apparently the idea of my leaving without seeing his boss would lead to consequences he clearly didn’t want to incur.

“Follow me,” he said. I stepped inside, Omar following, leaving the bodyguards outside to keep watch on the alley.

We made our way down a narrow hall, the old brick of the building’s facade having made its way to the interior as well. Then the gatekeeper opened a second bolted door and pulled it wide.

“She’s waiting for you downstairs.”

I eyed the stone steps that seemed to lead into a black void, then Omar moved ahead of me and we began our descent. Three steps down and the door shut behind us, and had I not been accustomed to such clandestine meetings, I might’ve thought something nefarious was about to take place.

As it was, a flickering torch blazed to life at the bottom of the stairs and Josefina Nováková appeared.

“ Zdravím vás, pane Stavrosi. I trust you found my little flower shop easy enough.”

Her thick, chestnut-colored hair cascaded in waves over delicate shoulders as she angled her flawless face up toward us. She had a slender build but was taller than average for a woman, at around five eleven.

But what Josefina might lack in physical strength, she made up for with smart, cunning defenses. Something that came in handy when one’s field was political espionage.

“I did. Though I have to say, the greeting was much cooler than I expected.”

She laughed as we reached the bottom of the stairs, her painted lips curving into a crimson smile. “Why? Because I’m a woman?”

“No.” I stepped around Omar and leaned down over her, my face drawn tight. “Because you want something only I can get you.”

She shrugged a shoulder, trying for nonchalance, but I didn’t miss the way she swallowed or glanced at my scar.

“I can’t risk my cover being blown. Not even for you, Mr. Stavros. But if you don’t want my money?—”

Quick as a lightning bolt—and just as deadly—I snatched the torch from her hand and grabbed her wrist with the other, yanking her in close.

I held it up by the side of her beautiful face, and as the shadows of the flames flickered over the sharp angles of her smooth skin, I said, “Then what? I don’t usually like to start my meetings off with threats, but if that’s the tone you’d like to set, I’m happy to play. ”

I shifted the torch a little closer and she reared back, clenching her teeth.

“Nothing to add?” I asked.

When she shook her head, I released her with a gentle shove and handed the torch to Omar.

Straightening her shoulders, she led us into the small, circular room that was barely big enough for the five of us—which included both male and female guards standing behind a table for two.

Josefina gestured for me to take a seat before doing the same, and I could feel Omar’s tensed form beside me.

It was a dangerous situation to put ourselves in without knowing ever-changing motivations and loyalty.

Trust wasn’t something you could give in this line of work, not even to those around you.

“What can I do for you?” I said, keeping my gaze steady on her, giving her all my attention and ignoring her backup. I didn’t give a shit about the guards. Omar would be trained on them, and giving even a glance in their direction would make me look like I was worried.Fuck that.

“You are aware that I don’t know you.”

It was a bold way for her to start the conversation, especially when we’d met before. I wasn’t going to bring that up, though, not when I’d been an inconsequential second-in-command.

“You’ve had a long working relationship with my mentor, Giorgos. There’s no reason we can’t continue to be of service to each other.”

She scoffed. “You say that and yet you have my building surrounded.”

I glanced pointedly up at her guards. “Safety precautions are necessary, don’t you agree?” When she didn’t answer, just continued to stare at me, I added,“So again I’ll ask, what can I do for you?”

I hadn’t come all this way not to make a deal, but if she wanted to sit here and have a staring contest before putting in an order, I wouldn’t blink.

“Guns,” she finally said, drumming her long red fingernails on the table. “I want the latest and greatest. Combat knives. Chemical and explosive grenades.”

I nodded, took the tablet Omar offered, and flicked through until a selection of grenades came up, then handed it over. “Take a look at the inventory, make a selection, and I’ll get it for you.”

Josefina took the tablet. “Just like that?”

“Yes. After you transfer the funds, of course.”

“Of course. You have something of everything in stock, then?”

“I have ways of getting something of everything.” I slipped my hands into my pockets. “You want to test me? Go ahead. I’m not going to stop you from buying one of everything.”

She grunted but then shifted her attention to the tablet, punching in the quantities she wanted before flipping through to the next section—semiautomatic rifles and pistols. It was your one-stop online shop for black market weapons. Click and add to cart—it was that easy.

“There, you get those to me within the month and you can consider my business yours.”

“You get me your money by the end of the week and I might consider keeping you on the books.”

Josefina gave a clipped nod. “Fair enough. But you fuck with me, I won’t take it lying down.”

I scoffed and gave her a slow once-over. “Don’t worry, Miss Nováková, you’re not my type.”

She bristled under my intense gaze, probably used to seducing men into doing whatever she wanted. But unfortunately for her, my interests lay warm and naked back in my bed.

A place I was ready to return to—now.

“If we’re done here, I have some other pressing matters I must attend to tonight.”

She gestured to the stairs. “I trust you won’t be offended if I don’t see you out?”

“Not at all.” I headed toward the stone steps, Omar following, his gun still trained on the three at the table in case anyone got any stupid ideas. Before we disappeared out the door at the top, I called back, “I’ll be in touch.”