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Chapter Twenty-Five

DEMYAN

“Set up a meeting,” I say to Ilya a few days later in my study.

Laughter comes through the open window and as much as I hate to do so, I go over and close it, shutting the curtain, too.

The sounds of Sasha having fun with his mom and aunt are something joyous, and when they’re outside, I keep the window open.

Not to eavesdrop—my study isn't situated close enough for that, and I can’t see them, either. I just like the sound when it drifts on a breeze.

But right now, I don’t need the distraction.

And Erin’s becoming just that. A distraction. She and my son both.

Ilya doesn’t look up from his computer. “Boss.”

“You can say yes like a normal person.”

“Da.”

I narrow my eyes. “Do it for next week.”

“And Niko? ”

This week we’ve sent people to the spots intel has led us, but Niko continues to not be there.

“The same,” I say. “Sergio’s intel’s the worst, but Niko’s keeping a highly public and low profile.”

It makes sense. Go to events and places where the traffic is high, attention higher, and stay low at usual haunts or places where it’s easy to get him.

That’s not what’s bothering me. That makes sense and is something I’d do if I was a coward.

No, it’s the fact he’s been meeting with Sergio and all the intel he’s given us has gone south.

“ Nam nuzhno eto prodvigat ,” Ilya mutters as he types something into his laptop.

I check my messages as my phone buzzes. It’s other business and it can wait. “I know we need to push this,” I say. “And I think I have an idea.”

“By arranging a meeting with Sergio?”

“We do this head-on.”

Ilya pauses what he’s doing and looks at me. “Head-on in what way?”

“You said push this, so we do. Head-on. Point-blank. Arrange that meeting, and then I think I’ll drop in unannounced tomorrow. He’s having drinks tonight?”

“It’s meant to be with the mayor’s man, a corrupt little fuck who must have something on the mayor, or else is operating under her radar.”

“Call in your contact now and find out who else will attend.”

While he does, I wait, taking care of the business that just came in.

“Boss? Niko is attending another drinks meeting tonight. At Bistro Alyer. Same time.”

Of course he is, and Niko and Sergio will bump into each other. I’ll get a call tomorrow or the next day. No time to push this thing. Meet it head-on .

“Are you sure you want to go in unannounced tomorrow?”

“Yes. Better than waiting.”

He sighs and nods.

“The more this spins out, which just might be the play, the longer it is since Niko committed his crimes against us. Against Max. My lack of retaliation strengthens any future case against us. Alliances change. Better sooner than later.”

“Agreed,” he says. “I’ll get on it. And Boss?”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t want you going in alone.”

Fucking Ilya. He knows me too well. I’d prefer to go in alone. There’s a look in playing at strength and then there’s strength.

So I have someone with me.

Not Ilya.

No matter what he says.

Pavel is a good choice. He looks more like a businessman than any kind of guard, but he’s also bloodthirsty, smart, and a sharpshooter. And he’s handpicked by Ilya.

As for the rest of the backup?

It’s there, but I’m going in with Pavel only, as Sergio won’t do a thing to me.

The small wine bar and art gallery Sergio launders some of his money through is fairly empty when we stride in. Pavel takes up position at the end of the bar.

Sergio’s wineglass stops midway to his mouth when he lays eyes on me. “I thought we had a meeting at my townhouse next Friday.”

One of his men reaches for his gun. Not to shoot, but for show .

I don’t need to glance back at Pavel to know he hasn’t moved an iota.

I just smile.

“We do. But I’m here about your double-crossing ways.”

The wineglass slams down and Sergio rises. “Watch your fucking mouth, Demyan.”

“You watch yours.” I tower over him and move into his space, too. Just enough to let him know I’m not intimidated at all. “I know where you were last night and who with.”

People are looking, well-heeled, rich fucks, the kind a man like Sergio likes to simper around and pretend he’s as respectable as them.

I came in with the air of a mobster. Deliberately so.

I look at his guy with the gun and grin.

He’s not pulling it in here. We all know that.

And seriously, it’s going to take more than a show of a gun; not when, if I want to, I could end Sergio with one hand and have his minions killed in moments flat.

And I really don’t give a fuck if there’s an audience in here. The small handful will stay quiet because they wouldn’t want to end up on my shitlist.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. “You and Niko are chummy.”

He sits, grabs his glass, and drains it.

“You forget yourself, Demyan. I’m a powerful man, too. If I run into someone, someone I’m helping you with, then you shouldn’t poke me. After all, you made me a promise.”

“Contingent on good intel.”

“It’s been good.”

“It’s been worth shit.” I curl my lip. “I could have gotten what you gave me—nothing—on my own.”

“I’m helping you. It’s not my problem if you don’t know what to do with what I’ve given you.”

“It’s no help,” I say, shifting the glass away from him as the bartender refills it .

“Yes, it is. After all, I’m helping, and have given you help, in exchange for marrying Stefina.”

I laugh and shake my head. “For good intel, perhaps. But you’ve voided that agreement by meeting with Niko behind my back.”

“Last night? I told you, I ran into him.”

“Last night you were cozy buddies,” I say, leaning in. “But I’m talking about Friday and three other times I can give you times and dates for. And every single one of those you were drinking, smoking cigars, and being buddies with the scum.”

“Bullshit. You can’t prove it.”

I reach into my pocket and pull out the envelope and smack it on the bar. “Photographic proof.”

Sergio doesn’t move.

“Look,” I say. And I pull out the photos myself, slapping them on the bar. I point at the third one. “That’s my favorite. The two of you laughing over very expensive rum.”

He grits his teeth. “You’ve got it all wrong. I’m doing exactly what you asked of me. Getting close to Niko to bring him down. I want my piece of it all, too. You know that.”

I study him.

He could be lying. He could be telling the truth. Niko is the kind to slide out of exits and change his plans to protect himself. Sergio’s the kind to play both sides.

In times like this, I trust my gut. And my gut instinct says this man is full of shit.

So I leave the photos and turn, walking out.

Sergio calls out after me, “You’re making a big mistake. You backing out of our agreement will bring dire consequences down on you.”

I reach the car and it takes another minute for Pavel to join me.

“Fuck,” I mutter as the driver starts the engine. I look at Pavel “Anything interesting after I left? ”

He shrugs. “The man yelled a lot, then placated his patrons, but he was stopped making a call by the goon who flashed the gun. They made me, finally. Amateurs.”

We head back, Ilya’s car with the backup taking position a few cars behind us.

He likes to play overkill, I know. But this time, I think I agree.

“Tomorrow, can you get out there and see what you can learn from wherever and whatever?”

“Sir?” Pavel leans forward and looks out the window and then over at me. “I think we should play dirty. Start spreading these two are not to be trusted. That Niko broke certain rules by shooting up the wedding, killing a civilian.”

“Who was marrying my sister.”

“But they weren’t married yet. It’s a minor point, but…” He shrugs again.

“Doing all that is dangerous. It could start a war, make us look weak.”

“It would depend on how it’s done,” he says.

“I’ll take it under advisement.”

When we’re back, Erin takes one look at my face and frowns. I just gather her in my arms and kiss her hard, and then I play with Sasha. He’s starting to get tired because he’s getting whiny.

“Is everything okay?” she asks, a hand against her lips like they’re bruised.

“Everything’s fine.”

“Because—”

“Everything’s fine.” I stand right as she’s about to argue in the delicate way she has——as though she’s still feeling her way, as though she’s still afraid I’ll take our son from her. Words I wish I could take back.

But before she can say anything, Alina comes into the living room, and she takes one glance at my face and speaks. “Erin, let’s get Sasha ready for bed.”

“But—”

“Erin,” she whispers, “please.”

I’m the recipient of a hard, disgruntled look, but Erin nods and gathers Sasha and leaves without saying a word to me.

“Demyan?” Alina asks. “What happened?”

“Nothing I can’t handle. Keep her occupied.”

“You need to talk to her, explain your business. She guesses but doesn’t know. She’s like Max. Not one of us,” Alina says. “So you owe her. Maybe if I’d told him, he wouldn’t have jumped in front of a bullet. Or maybe he’d have decided not to marry me, and he’d still be alive.”

“Stop.” I hold up my hand. “Just stop. He’d have still protected you. He’d still have married you. And I’m working on bringing down the fuck who killed him. So keep her busy.”

She crosses her arms. “Tomorrow, we’re planning on the zoo and lunch with?—”

“None of you leave here. Not without me. Got it?”

Her lips thin. “Got it. But… talk to her. She’s not property or staff. She’s the woman you claim you want to marry.”

She turns and leaves the room and I head to my office to meet Ilya.

“I spoke with Pavel,” he says without preamble, “and his idea has merit. To a point. I’ll work something out that makes us look good.

But we can use lower-level grunts to see what they learn from other low-level grunts.

You’d be surprised how some of them talk without caring who to.

They don’t know much, but nuggets fall through. ”

My head snaps to face him. “Our grunts?”

“Know how to be loyal. And they understand what happens if they betray. ”

That makes me smile. For a moment. “I don’t fucking trust him.”

“Is now a good time to say I told you so?”

“Never is a good time, Ilya.” I sit and accept the drink he pours me. “I had to try.”

“I know.”

“We need more security. High alert. And the only person I trust with my family when I’m not here is you. I need you to move in.”

“Consider it done,” he says.

“Keep an eye on them when I’m not here. And stop them from being stupid and going out.”

He just smiles, but his eyes are flat and cold.

“Perhaps it might be in your best interest to send a message to Sergio,” he says as I fill him in on the conversation Pavel didn’t hear.

“A man like Sergio might not be the same level of coward Niko is, but he’s a coward.

And he’s hungry. I think we need to make sure he understands you’re not to be messed with. ”

I take a swallow of the vodka. “Call your police contact and arrange a raid on one of Sergio’s more profitable ventures.”

“He has the wine bar and gallery that works to launder money.”

“It’d hit him hard with pride, but it’s a small fry. No,” I say. “That strip club, the high-end one, the big one he runs the prostitution ring through, as well as the major money laundering operation. Bring it down.”

“Consider it done,” he says.