Page 22

22

Luca

“What took you so long?” Roman calls over as I climb out of the Range Rover, leaving Layla in the car, happier since drinking and eating her fill.

“Had to take a detour.”

Rome looks over my shoulder. “You’re sure about this?”

“Yup.” I pop the p . “Tell me what you found.”

“Warehouse is empty but has running water and electrics. Basement is large, and the door to the tunnels is well hidden. Took me 20 minutes to find it, and if Black hadn’t told us they were there, they’d be impossible to find.” Ah the tunnels, the sweetener that Asher Black knew would be too good to turn down. The hidden tunnels, that show up on no plans, the tunnels that make the perfect mechanism to move the product from this warehouse to another distribution warehouse. This location will have a fully legitimate business working from it, with the exception that some of the produce will contain cocaine, that we will ship out via said tunnels.

We fall into step and start towards the main warehouse, run down and dirty, but even with the dusty windows, peeling paint, and rusting, it’s structurally sound. “Black’s on his way.”

Nodding, I peer up at the three-story building, and then around at the surrounding area. It’s embedded in with the other buildings in the industrial complex. This is the most rundown in the vicinity, but with some work it will look just like the others. “Are you going to have time to go to the club before the dinner?”

“Unlikely. Layla needs to run some errands.”

“You’re needed at the club—I’ll take her.”

“Dress shopping for tonight?” I raise an eyebrow.

“Fuck’s sake,” he says, and I let out a laugh.

“She also needs to go back to hers to pack a bag. Then bring her back to the apartment in the Clock Tower.”

“You’re moving her in?”

I pull out a cigarette lighting it up with my zippo lighter. “You’re full of questions this morning.” I puff out the smoke and offer him a fag.

“I’m trying to understand the play here, Luca.”

“The play is, Levi is watching us, we need to lead him off the track and Layla is the perfect solution.”

“Another perfect solution,” he mutters, and I take another drag, the smoke calming me.

“I know you don’t like this—” Something catches my attention, and I pause. “You search the perimeter?” Roman looks at me like I’ve just kicked his puppy. Stupid question. “We’ve got company 12 o’clock.”

I pull out the gun tucked in my trousers and hidden by my suit jacket and cock the weapon with a satisfying click.

Roman follows suit and we drop in closer to the building. We skirt along the edge continuously scanning our surroundings. I take in the Range Rover and Layla who has the straw sticking out her mouth.

She’s watching us, aware and alert, but doesn’t move.

Holding my finger to my lips the little minx sinks down in her seat whilst sticking her middle finger up at me. Straw still in mouth.

If I ever have to take a finger from her, I know the one I’ll choose.

“Lovely,” Roman muses. “How many?”

“One.”

“Okay, you take left, I’ll go through the warehouse. Let’s see if we can cut them off.” Roman crouch-runs past me back the way we came. I stop at one of the windows and peek through the dusty panes. Grime stops me from making anything useful out, and I continue forward.

I stop at the corner and peer round. Seeing nothing, I move on and meet Roman at the other side.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing,” I agree and holster my gun.

“They’ve either gone or will make themselves known again in a minute.”

“Call Black, we’ll meet at the club.”

“What about the tunnels?”

I shrug.

“You’ve seen them, I trust you. We’re too exposed here and I don’t need anyone knowing that we’re meeting with Black. We have the perfect alibi to be here right now. The Audi. Speaking of which did you find anything?”

“Apart from the burnt-out husk, nothing helpful.”

“Fuck sake. I’ll send Layla to you. Run the errands and I’ll meet with Asher and start getting things in motion for this place.” My phone vibrates and I look down to see Sokolov’s name on the caller ID. “Looks like the Russians have another shipment for us, perfect opportunity to test things out.” I say holding my phone up.

“Okay.”

“Oh, and Roman,” I call over my shoulder at his retreating form, “she’s hanging out her arse and grumpy.”

“Christ, Luca.” Rome pinches the bridge of his nose, and I can’t stop myself from grinning like the fucking devil himself.

He hates playing babysitter.

I answer. “If it isn’t my favourite Russian.”

Vlads deep rumble fills the receiver. “You said the same thing to Alek last week.”

“A man can change his mind.”

“I need a favour.”

“A call that starts I need a favour never ends well with you, or your brother.”

He chuckles, “We have a new shipment, and authorities are sniffing around again. I need you to take it.”

“I wasn’t expecting to take another one for three months, I’m between properties right now.”

“Rumours have it you’ve secured a new property in the Thames. Need I remind you about our agreement? We would let you set up shop, but you help us when needed. I am being polite, Luca. This is not a favour, but part of our agreement.”

I open the car door, and climb in. The guttural sound of the engine roaring as I start it, the car connecting to the Bluetooth.

“When, and what?”

“Two weeks. Usual merchandise.”

“Cut.”

“You’re helping us in a bind we will give you 80/20.”

“60/40,” I reply. “Your rumour mill is correct, but we aren’t going to be ready in two weeks unless I put more into it. I need to cover my costs.”

“80/20, Luca, and we continue to turn a blind eye to whatever you’re currently doing. I’ll even give you a crate to help you with your future endeavours.”

“I’m not in the business of guns.”

“Come now Luca, that may not be your trade but even you could make use of some guns.”

“I think I can make something work.” Fuck sake. Two weeks is going to take pulling a fucking miracle out my arse.

“Fantastic. Alek will be in touch with the final details. I shall see you at the dinner tonight? It's so nice that your uncle still finds time to support good causes.”

“Now now Vlad, lets not think this business deal stretches to small talk. I’ll wait for Alek’s call.”

His deep laugh comes over the speakers. “Touché Luca, touché.”

The line goes dead.

Brilliant, not only have I got the Colombians first shipment due in five weeks, which was already cutting it tight, I now have the Russians calling in a favour.

Time to pull off a miracle.