Page 12 of Temptation and Tyranny

Colton nodded and got to work, while I rummaged through the warehouse making sure nothing was accidentally left behind from the shipment. As Colton continued to pore over the records, I couldn’t help but think about how different this was from our childhood dreams. We’d always talked about working together, but I doubt either of us had imagined it would be like this—in a warehouse at midnight, trying to untangle a mess of illegal arms deals. It made me long for simpler times, back before our mother had died and our father had gotten sick.

After what felt like hours, Colton finally looked up from the paperwork. “Cooper, I think I found something.”

I leaned forward. “What is it?”

“The numbers don’t add up. According to our records, we shipped exactly what was ordered. But...” he hesitated.

“But what?” I prompted, impatience creeping into my voice.

“But the supplier’s invoice doesn’t match our order. They shorted us on some of the higher-end items and padded the numbers with cheaper alternatives.”

I slammed my fist on the desk, making Colton jump. “Goddammit! How did we miss this?”

Colton looked away, guilt written across his face. “I...I might have rushed through the inventory check. With final exams coming up, I’ve been stretched thin, and—”

I held up a hand, cutting him off. “Save it. We don’t have time for excuses.” I stood up, pacing the small office. My leg ached, a constant reminder of my own vulnerability. “We need to fix this, and fast.”

“What are you thinking?” Colton asked, worry evident in his voice.

I stopped pacing, an idea forming. “We need to make this right with the buyers. If word gets out that we can’t deliver, we’re finished.”

“But how? We can’t trust our suppliers anymore and we don’t have the right merchandise.”

A grimace spread across my face. “No, but I know someone who might. I’m thinking Viktor Petrov? He bought a sculpture from us a while back. Well, from Steele.”

Colton’s eyes widened. “Cooper, no. Viktor’s dangerous. You can’t trust him.”

“We don’t have a choice,” I snapped. “It’s either this or watch everything we’ve built come crashing down.”

Indecision etched itself into Colton’s expression. He was always the more cautious one, the voice ofreason. But right now, I couldn’t afford caution, not with my reputation on the line.

“Fine,” he said finally. “But I’m coming with you when you meet him.”

I shook my head. “No, I need you here. I’ll call Viktor first. You keep digging into our supplier. Find out if this was a one-time thing or if they’ve been screwing us over on other shipments, too. I need to know the full sum of their betrayal so I can address it properly.”

Colton looked like he wanted to argue, but he nodded reluctantly. “Just...be careful, okay? This isn’t like the old days with Steele. We’re in deeper waters now.”

I clapped him on the shoulder, trying to inject some confidence into my voice. “Don’t worry, brother. I’ve got this under control.”

As I left the warehouse, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was lying—to Colton and to myself. This weapons deal was supposed to be my big break, my chance to prove I could run things without Steele. Now it was threatening to ruin everything.

I climbed into my car, wincing as my bad leg protested at the movement. As I started the engine, Steele’s words from our last conversation echoed in my head: “You risk everything.”

I clenched my teeth, pushing the thought away. I didn’t want to admit it, but a nagging voice in the back of my mind whispered that maybe, just maybe, Steele had been right. This weapons deal was turning out to be more trouble than it was worth, and I was in over my head.

My mind was on autopilot and before I knew it, I was at my building. I parked my car in my secure garage,all the while trying to figure out if I really wanted to get involved with Viktor. He was a dangerous man, and I didn’t like to expand our circle. Steele and I had mostly worked on the high-stakes stuff alone. We’d had several guys on our payroll, but we hardly worked with people who weren’t under our direct control. After he left, I had to widen that circle, albeit reluctantly. But I was hesitant to open it even more, especially to someone I couldn’t control.

I opened the door to my building and rode up the elevator to the second floor. I owned the entire building, but really only used the second and third floors. It didn’t take me long to upgrade my living arrangements after Steele left the business. I had previously lived in a penthouse, but I felt that I needed more security if I was going to become the public face of my new business. This new building had it all in terms of security.

Walking towards the living room, I sat on the sofa, absentmindedly looking out at the Paris skyline, trying to summon my courage.

Finally, I pulled out my phone and dialed Viktor’s number. It rang three times before he picked up.

“Cooper Moreau,” his accented voice drawled. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

I took a deep breath, trying to hide my trepidation. “Viktor, I hope you’re doing well. I’ve got a business proposition for you.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line. When Viktor spoke again, I could hear the sly smile in his voice. “I’m listening.”

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