Page 16 of Knights Game

“We give them their only foothold to the UK market, they need the Covenant to do business with, not start a war.”

“They would still have the Covenant. They don’t need me to continue to work with Levi and John. Or the rest of them for that matter. Killing me would send the message they need.”

“Hmm.”

“What’s on your mind?”

“It just feels too easy to blame them.”

He’s not wrong there, but I’ve not pissed anyone off recently to warrant what happened tonight. Well, no more than usual. “What of the girl?”

“She’s at home. Went straight there. Lives in South Kensington with a flatmate. She’s fiery, good senses to her, she knew I was there without seeing me—I hid in the cupboard like a Peeping Tom, so she didn’t whack me with a baseball bat.”

“And…?”

“Twenty-five, single from what I can tell, grandfather lives in a care home, she doesn’t have a lot. No real material possessions, one family photo, but that’s about it.”

“Paperwork?”

“Bills and a lot of them.”

I rub my top lip. “So, Layla is in financial trouble.”

“She could come in useful.” Roman takes another sip. “For what comes next.”

“Find her Achilles heel.”

“I think I’ve found it but I’m sure I can find more,” Roman mutters. “Have you called your uncle?”

I snort, and lean forward, wincing as the stitches pull. “I’m undecided.” I take a swig. “We need to meet with the Colombians. The sooner I can start to set up our own supply chain, the better.”

“We still haven’t secured real estate by the freeport on the Thames, Henry is coming up empty.”

“We’ll sort it, we just need to find somewhere with potential and then find the right leverage. My main priority is the Colombians.”

“You think they will meet you after the fuckups in Liverpool? They would have heard rumours, I’m sure.”

“Get me Steven’s head. We’ll send it to them, so they know I’m a man who takes care of business, and we aren’t scared to get our hands dirty. I need them to understand our ambition. And when I put forward my plan to them, it will be too good to turn down. I only want our guys on this. No one who has ties with the Covenant, or my family gets wind. Understood?”

“One problem.”

“Only one,” I say smirking, and he grins back.

“Steven’s head,”

I frown remembering what I did to it earlier, and the fact that Steven no longer has a head to send, or at least not a recognisable one. I grin sardonically. “Oh, yeah. An arm then.”

Roman nods and takes a sip of his drink. “The girl?”

“Keep a tab on her.Look, Roman,” I say pointing, “but don’t fucking touch her.” His hazel eyes meet mine.

“And how long am I looking?”

“Long enough to make sure she doesn’t go to the police, and if she’s someone we could rely on. Oh, and I’ve been thinking. I want to up our legitimate business ventures.”

“For?”

“Laundering.”

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