Page 25 of Temptation and Tyranny

Personal requests in our line of work were rarely good news. “What kind of request?” I snapped.

A dangerous light played across Viktor’s features, stirring my unease. He moved closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. “I seem to recall that your old partner, Steele, has quite the talent for acquiring certain...artistic treasures.”

Steele. For a moment, I wished he was here beside me, dealing with Viktor. Just hearing his name brought back a flood of memories—late nights planning heists, the thrill of a job well done, the easy camaraderie we’d shared. The tales of our sexual conquests. But those days were long gone. “Steele’s out of the game,” I said flatly. “Has been for a while now.”

“Yes, yes, I know. Family man now, isn’t he?” Viktor’s tone was dismissive, but his eyes were sharp. “But surely he could be persuaded to come out of retirement for one last job? There’s a particular painting I’ve had my eye on. In a private collection, very heavilyguarded. The kind of job that requires a...special touch.”

I shook my head firmly, stamping down the small part of me that missed those days. The adrenaline rush, the challenge, the artistry of a perfect heist. “Not happening, Viktor. Steele’s done, and I’m not about to drag him back in.”

Viktor’s expression hardened, all pretense of friendliness vanishing. “Come now, Cooper. Surely you understand the value of maintaining good relationships in our line of work. This could be very lucrative for all involved.”

For a moment, I was tempted. Not by the money—god knows I had enough of that—but by the chance to work with Steele again. To feel that old sync, that perfect partnership. But then I thought of Ashlynn, of their baby on the way. Of the promise I’d made to keep Steele out of this life.

I stood my ground, meeting Viktor’s gaze. “I appreciate the offer, Viktor, but my answer stands. Steele’s out, and that’s final. If you need an art acquisition, I can put you in touch with other contacts. Devereux Bank, perhaps. But leave Steele out of it.”

“Well, I’ll have to take some kind of payment to ensure we get Laurent Rousseau off your back and mine.”

“I haven’t done anything to piss off Rousseau,” I said cautiously, my mouth dry. “And I don’t see how that’s my problem, or how it justifies you renegotiating our agreed payment.”

Viktor laughed, a harsh sound that echoed off the warehouse walls, gnawing at my nerves. “Oh, but it is your problem, Cooper. You see, Rousseau is not a man to be trifled with. He has connections that makeeven me...cautious. Consider my increase in the cut as a protection fee. Insurance, if you will, against Rousseau’s interest in your affairs.”

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as anger bubbled up inside me. The pain helped me focus, pushing back against the rage threatening to overwhelm me. “That’s bullshit, Viktor, and you know it. We had a deal.”

Viktor’s expression hardened. The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. “Careful, Cooper. You’re new to this level of the game. There are rules you don’t yet understand. Steele knew this. It’s why he was so respected. You’d do well to learn from his example.”

The continued mention of Steele stung more than I cared to admit, a reminder of all I had to prove. I took a deep breath, the musty air of the warehouse filling my lungs as I tried to calm myself. “Fine. Let’s say I accept your new deal. What assurances do I have that this ends here? That Rousseau won’t come after me directly?”

Viktor spread his hands in a gesture of mock helplessness. “Assurances? In our world? Come now, Cooper. You know better than that. But I can offer you some advice. Watch your back. And perhaps consider finding a new line of work. Arms dealing...it may not be for you after all.”

Rage boiled inside me, hot and sudden. The taste of iron filled my mouth as I bit the inside of my cheek. Before I could stop myself, I stepped forward, getting right in Viktor’s face. The scent of his cologne was overpowering at this distance, making my nostrils flare.

“Listen here, you arrogant prick. I’ve worked toohard to get where I am. I’m not about to let you or Rousseau or anyone else push me out of this business. You want to play games? Fine. But remember, I learned from the best. And I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve that even Steele doesn’t know about.”

For a moment, surprise flashed across Viktor’s face, quickly replaced by amusement. “Ah, there’s that famous Moreau fire. I was wondering when I’d see it.” He glanced at his men, who had tensed at my outburst. The subtle sound of weapons being readied made my heart race. “Stand down, boys. Mr. Moreau is just having a moment here.”

I stepped back, my adrenaline fading as quickly as it had come, leaving me feeling drained. Viktor’s men relaxed slightly, but their hands remained close to their weapons. The air was thick with tension, making it hard to focus.

Viktor let out an eerie laugh that seemed to echo in the cavernous space. “Now, Cooper, let’s not end this partnership on a sour note. Take the new deal. Consider my warnings. And we’ll see how things stand in a few weeks, yes?”

I wanted to argue further, to demand he stick to the original payment structure, but I knew it would be futile. And dangerous. I’d refused Colton’s offer of backing me up, and I didn’t want our men to know I’d messed up the arms deal, so I left them out of it. Even I knew when I was outnumbered.

I nodded stiffly, turning to open the door to the warehouse, trying to get Viktor off my property as soon as I could.

As my hand closed around the handle, a gunshot rang out, shattering the tense silence. The soundreverberated through the warehouse, deafening in its suddenness. Pain exploded in my shoulder, white-hot and searing. The metallic scent of blood filled my nostrils as I stumbled backwards, my leg giving out beneath me. As I fell, my head cracked against something hard, and stars burst behind my eyes. The taste of more blood filled my mouth, coppery and warm.

Through the haze of pain, I heard shouting, more gunshots. The chaos was overwhelming, each sound feeling like a physical blow to my already throbbing head. I rolled to my side, fumbling for my weapon with my good arm. Blood soaked my shirt, making my grip slippery. The fabric clung to my skin, wet and sticky.

“Cooper!” Viktor’s voice cut through the chaos, strained and urgent. “We’re under attack. Get out of here!”

I managed to get to my feet, swaying unsteadily. The warehouse had erupted into a war zone. Viktor and his men were exchanging fire with shadowy figures at the far end of the building. The muzzle flashes lit up the darkness in strobing bursts, momentarily blinding me. I had no idea who they were or why they were here, but I knew I couldn’t stay.

Clutching my wounded shoulder, I staggered towards the side exit. My head throbbed with each step, and I could feel blood trickling down my face, warm and sticky. I burst out into the cool night air, gulping it down in ragged breaths. The sudden change in temperature made me shiver, a stark contrast to the heated interior of the warehouse.

I needed to get somewhere safe, somewhere I could tend to my wounds without raising suspicion.The hospital was out—too many questions, too much risk of exposure. Steele was out of town with Ashlynn; he’d taken her to some renowned obstetrician in Germany. I couldn’t go home; if this was Rousseau’s doing, that’d be the first place they’d look for me. I had tons of security there, but I didn’t think I’d make it that far without them catching me. I couldn’t call Colton—I knew they’d be tracking cell data and I didn’t have a secure phone on me. My car was parked inside the bay of the warehouse—also not an option.

I was fucked.

As I stumbled down the dark street, trying to put as much distance between myself and the warehouse as possible, a name floated through my pain-addled mind.

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