Page 43 of Claiming Veronica

“Well, normally, I wouldn’t disagree,Havoc,” I said, injecting all the sarcasm I could into the statement. “But, unfortunately for you. The pakhan of the Volkov Bratva seems to have a beef with Spato.” I shrugged. “Seems like it’s your business now and mine.”

“Hmm …” he mumbled. “Well, what do you want to do then?”

“I wanted to talk to you before I told my cousin that Spato would be here in Phoenix or that he was part of your fight.” The butterflies started again. “I wasn’t sure what would happen if he knew it was connected. So far, he knows everything but that piece.”

“That’s a big piece, my little liar.” He leaned over and pulled me back onto his lap. “You’re hiding information to protect me now?”

“I’m not lying. I just didn’t mention it,” I said defensively, but he wasn’t wrong. It had been a lie.

“The fight is next Saturday. I’m sure Spato will be there. If Maxim has some kind of beef with him and wants him gone, I’ll make it so. Let’s call him and find out. Yeah?”

I eyed him as he peered back at me as if he hadn’t just casually said that he’d kill someone. He looked utterly unconcerned.

“Well, you need to put on some clothes,” I mumbled. “We both do.”

“Alright, but just to be clear. I’m not ashamed of what’s happening here,” he said pointedly. I nodded. I wasn’t either, but that didn’t mean that facing my cousin at one in the morning with sex hair was a great idea.

Doing a quick clean-up and dressing in one of my regular outfits, a sweatshirt and leggings, I brushed out my hair and put it in a sloppy ponytail. It was a standard look for me, so it wouldn’t raise any suspicions. I pulled the covers over the bed since I knew it showed up in the camera. There was no way I was stupid. Maxim would be mad, but I wasn’t giving him any reason to go off half-cocked or to send Luca or Enzo down here.

Eli took five minutes to pull on clothes from a duffle bag he brought. It had rocked me that he’d packed to stay with me. I’d never slept in the same bed with anyone. Did he intend to stay all night? The thought made me feel warm inside. I also thought for too many minutes about what he’d talked about. The deliciously dirty idea of him sliding into me while I was asleep.

“Ready?” he asked, startling me. “Best wipe that look off your face, little liar. You look guilty.” He smirked.

“I’m ready,” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Born ready.” I set up the video call, sat in the computer chair, and let the call go through. It connected immediately, and the screen filled with Maxim’s office.

“Ronnie, what’s up?” My cousin came into view as he walked around the desk, his dress shirt unbuttoned and the office door closing. I had an inkling that perhaps I’d interrupted something. Maxim was handsome and sought after, but mainly by those clingy women who sought power in the Bratva families. Graspy, money-hungry bitches. Natasha and I hated them.

“Hey, Max. Sorry to bother you.”

“Who the fuck is that.” His voice lowered to a growl as he sat forward in his chair and pointed at the camera. He’d obviously spotted Eli. “In your bedroom.”

“This is Pike’s brother Eli.” I could see Maxim’s jaw clench from here. “I’m calling with him here for a reason, so knock it off.”

“Let’s hear it. He’s still dead,” he said quietly, but the mike was sensitive. Eli didn’t flinch, though.

“I organize fight matches,” Eli said. “My friend Luther and I have been doing it for a while. “Exclusive high stakes betting only. Spato approached me several weeks ago to host one inPhoenix, and I agreed. He had some fighters, and I added some to the ticket. That’s the story.” Eli’s eyes shifted to mine. “I’m hearing that you have some kind of interest in Spato, so I’m giving you this information as a courtesy.”

“When is it?” Maxim ground out.

“Look. I don’t need a swarm of Bratva on this gig. This isn’t some tiny event. This is a multi-million dollar business. However, if you want him gone, I’ll arrange it.” I could see Maxim’s eyebrows raise.

“You’re offering to take him out for me if I wish?”

“Yes.”

“No questions asked?”

“None,” Eli said easily.

His face was stony, and I could see that Maxim was shocked. I wondered if it should bother me how quickly Eli slipped out that word but then decided it didn’t. There were things that I was okay with, and taking out someone who killed women and children was on that list.

“That’s generous of you, but I prefer to be there myself and handle it. You understand. I’ll come alone.” Maxim’s grin bordered what I would call sharkish with its angles and predatory anticipation. “You’re sure he’ll be there.”

“He wouldn’t miss it. The guy thinks he’s a big shot. The fight will be next Saturday. We don’t announce the actual location until the day of the fight, but it’ll be in Phoenix, and I can take you there in advance if you want to scope it out.”

“Alright. Sounds good.”

“Your brother is helping to run security, too. If that helps,” Eli added, and Maxim grinned.

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