Page 69 of Alik

“And you want him dead?”

I stare at her a moment while I consider the question.

Do I want him dead?

No.

I don’t want to think of him. I’d rather no one had ever mentioned his release to me, that no one had ever said his name at all.

Do Inotwant him dead?

Also no.

“I have no desire to kill him, but I wouldn’t mind if he ceased to exist.”

She nods like she understands, and if it were Olive, maybe I would question it. But coming from this version, I think she just might.

“For the record, I find your eye sexy… But I’m sorry it happened to you.”

“I don’t need your sympathy.”

“I know that,” she says, her palms glued to my sweats swallowing her thighs. She looks like she’s forcing them to stay there, and it’s a relief to see she’s capable of some level of self-control.

We sit in uncomfortable silence for a minute before I stand. “I need a shower… Are there any cameras I should know about in my bathroom?”

I mean it as a dry joke—a dig, really. Her lips stay relaxed as she tilts her head. “I’ve seen you naked plenty of times. Unless you’re going to invite me in with you, a peep show isn’t quite as exciting as you’re imagining.”

I turn and walk from the room without another word, but when I shut the bathroom door behind me, my cool composure fissures with a shudder up my spine.

Despite the woman’s reassurances, I find myself turning the lock.

17

ALIK

The Irish and Italians are already at the abandoned factory when we arrive.

Sergey takes up the rear while I lead us through the first floor to the underground tunnel someone found ages ago. We use this spot for our meetings because the tunnel blocks wire signals and offers peace of mind for enemies with little trust. Plus, it’s mutual territory. At this point, it’s practically sacred. If anyone were to pull something while in a meeting here, it would breach an agreement that spans beyond the bosses’ generations. It’s telling how unusual it is that Nikita would be nervous here.

Finn Walsh, the Irish enforcer who’s proven to be useless to me, stands with his back leaned against a pole and his arms casually crossed. He gives me a toothy grin when he spots me but drops it a second later. Victor Stoll stands at his left looking bored. The families didn’t bring any other guards, so I can’t see them trying anything. But then again, both of their top assassins are here.

Soldiers aren’t allowed in the tunnel, so I step aside while Nikita goes to the ladder that leads him down. Standing on the top rung, he pins his stare on me. “You’re with me.”

My eyes narrow with confusion, but when Nikita tosses his cane down and descends the ladder, I follow. Victor and Finn exchange a look, like they’re unsure what they should do about this, but neither make a move.

I climb down the ladder and drop onto hard dirt that billows around my feet.

“What the fuck is this?”

It takes a moment to adjust to the bright bulbs hanging from strings along the top of the tunnel, stinging the backs of my eyes. But I don’t need to see to know it was Settimo who spoke. I suspected it’d be the Italian boss who was least happy about my presence.

Nikita picks up his cane and limps to stand in the circle the group of bosses and their right-hands have arranged. Nikita has no right-hand. He cut it off a while ago.

“What?” Nikita asks, not showing any sign of knowing what Settimo is talking about. I’m not even sure if I should hang back or stand in the circle, but I take up the space Nikita seems to leave for me at his side and clasp my hands in front of me.

“You know what,” Settimo snaps. “He isn’t welcome here.”

Nikita turns to me as if he’s just remembered my presence. “Don’t berude, Gruco. Alik has been promoted to my counsel. He’s as welcome here as yours.”

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