Page 24 of Cruel Promise

“You know, doing that doesn’t help make it look better.”

I frown even deeper. “Dimitri, I’m not here for you to mock my appearance. I’m here to discuss expansion ideas. I’m having a little issue with The Knights.”

“The motorcycle club?”

“Yes. And I would rather not cut deals with them any longer. I want to expand into other territories of the city. Seeing as you have a growing hold on Brooklyn, I thought we could discuss the idea of working together.”

“Mmm. What would this entail? Because I heard you worked with The Knights and then fucked them over.”

“They’re bikers,” I say dismissively.

“True. I hate them, too. But how do I know you won’t fuck me over as well?”

I stare him down hard. He’s what I’d call a “pretty boy.” Handsome in a rich, playboy sort of way. I’m the opposite. My scar makes me ugly to many people, but I’ve used that to my advantage. Fear is a great motivator.

Dimitri doesn’t seem fazed by my look. He just smirks and takes another sip of his drink.

“I’m not the kind of man you mess with,” I warn him. “I have a lot more power than you do in this city.”

He shrugs. “Not for long.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Just an observation.”

A waitress in a slinky black cocktail dress comes over and smiles down at Dimitri. He smiles back in a cocky way that grates on my nerves. The waitress glances over at me and doesn’t look long before she turns back to Dimitri.

“Can I get you boys anything else?” she asks.

“I’m good,” Dimitri says. “But I’m missing one thing. Your number.”

She giggles and writes it down on a napkin and then walks away without waiting for my reply. I don’t take it personally.Most women are terrified of me. Even my own fucking wife is scared of me.

I’ve gotten used to it. That doesn’t stop me from doing my job.

“Are you done?” I ask him.

Dimitri sets the napkin aside. “Fine. I’ll admit, teaming up with you would be good for business. I’m struggling to get more guns through the border with my connection in New Mexico. It means I can’t sell as much anywhere and am losing out on money. I know you don’t have a problem with that.”

“I don’t. My connection at the border is secure. It’s never let me down. So, I can offer you a cut of it if we agree to be allies. Your growing territory will also be mine.”

“I have people who work for me all throughout the city. What happens to them?”

“They still report to you. You’ll still be in charge of your own piece of the pie. We’ll just share in the rewards. And same goes for my territory and money I bring in.”

“Huh.” He sits back in his seat, swirling the scotch around. “I do like the sound of that. More money is always a win in my book. All right. If we can stick to splitting things equally, then I’m game.”

“Good.” I don’t bother shaking on it. A handshake is an honorable thing for many people, but for me, it’s bullshit. The only thing that works is results.

I start to stand when Dimitri says, “So, I heard you got married.”

“I did.”

“Who’s the unlucky girl?”

I grit my teeth together and avoid snapping at him. “None of your concern. My private life does not intersect with my business life.”

“Is she pretty? I’m guessing she is. A man like you wouldn’t settle for an ugly bride.”

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