Page 62 of Knights Game

She’s watching us, aware and alert, but doesn’t move.

Holding my finger to my lips the little minx sinks down in her seat whilst sticking her middle finger up at me. Straw still in mouth.

If I ever have to take a finger from her, I know the one I’ll choose.

“Lovely,” Roman muses. “How many?”

“One.”

“Okay, you take left, I’ll go through the warehouse. Let’s see if we can cut them off.” Roman crouch-runs past me back the way we came. I stop at one of the windows and peek through the dusty panes. Grime stops me from making anything useful out, and I continue forward.

I stop at the corner and peer round. Seeing nothing, I move on and meet Roman at the other side.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing,” I agree and holster my gun.

“They’ve either gone or will make themselves known again in a minute.”

“Call Black, we’ll meet at the club.”

“What about the tunnels?”

I shrug.

“You’ve seen them, I trust you. We’re too exposed here and I don’t need anyone knowing that we’re meeting with Black. We have the perfect alibi to be here right now. The Audi. Speaking of which did you find anything?”

“Apart from the burnt-out husk, nothing helpful.”

“Fuck sake. I’ll send Layla to you. Run the errands and I’ll meet with Asher and start getting things in motion for this place.” My phone vibrates and I look down to see Sokolov’s name on the caller ID. “Looks like the Russians have another shipment for us, perfect opportunity to test things out.” I say holding my phone up.

“Okay.”

“Oh, and Roman,” I call over my shoulder at his retreating form, “she’s hanging out her arse and grumpy.”

“Christ, Luca.” Rome pinches the bridge of his nose, and I can’t stop myself from grinning like the fucking devil himself.

He hates playing babysitter.

I answer. “If it isn’t my favourite Russian.”

Vlads deep rumble fills the receiver. “You said the same thing to Alek last week.”

“A man can change his mind.”

“I need a favour.”

“A call that startsI need a favournever ends well with you, or your brother.”

He chuckles, “We have a new shipment, and authorities are sniffing around again. I need you to take it.”

“I wasn’t expecting to take another one for three months, I’m between properties right now.”

“Rumours have it you’ve secured a new property in the Thames. Need I remind you about our agreement? We would let you set up shop, but you help us when needed. I am being polite, Luca. This is not a favour, but part of our agreement.”

I open the car door, and climb in. The guttural sound of the engine roaring as I start it, the car connecting to the Bluetooth.

“When, and what?”

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