Page 36 of Knights Game

I need more alcohol.

13

Luca

“It’s abandoned. I’ve gotno need for security,” Asher Black replies, folding his arms behind his head as he leans back on the large leather brown sofa in my office. “The report is the only information I have.”

“I could have got that from my contacts,” Roman mutters.

“But you’ve got it earlier from me, at least you know where to look now.”

“Your property,” Roman says.

Black shrugs, ignoring the underlying accusation.

“Check the area,” I say, “there will be security cameras in the vicinity, get Henry to track back to the night of the accident and whilst he does that, you can see if you can find any other leads.”

Roman nods and leaves me and Asher alone.

“Whiskey?” I ask.

“On the rocks.”

I pour two large glasses and pass him one before taking a seat next to him.

“So, for thirty minutes you’ve been grilling me, and I’ve answered every one whilst you’ve ignored my questions. Nowpay me the same courtesy, and answer me honestly, what’ve you got cooking?” Black’s trying to read me with his piercing blue eyes, but my mask is firmly in place.

“You know the plan.” I take a sip, relishing the burn.Who the fuck has property and no security?

I’m back to square one, and now I need to find out whether Andrews at Apex has any further insight into who tried to kill me. If that comes back empty, I’m going to have to call in the favour from Snow. Finding out who put a hit on me is not the thing I wanted to use it on, not with someone with her skill set.

“Come on, Luca. Don’t bullshit a bullshitter.”

“I always knew you had an active imagination.” I swill my drink, the ice clinking against the glass.

“I’m not naïve. I see that the Covenant is dead. I see that there is an opportunity, and I see you, a man who’s a lot more intelligent, ruthless, and cunning than anyone gives him credit for. Don’t think I haven’t been watching you build your own army. It’s only logical to see the opportunity.”

“If it’s so logical, why haven’t you used the opportunity yourself.”

“Who says I haven’t?”

We stare at each other.

I tilt my head. “Your property in Tilbury?” I’m showing him one of my cards.

“The property at Tilbury.” He nods. “Having a property at that freeport was a logical choice for expansion. You can imagine my surprise when I met with the Russians to hear that two years ago, you made a deal with them and are already supporting their operations and moving their guns. But you're missing real estate to truly leverage that relationship.”

“And you’ve got the solution.” There’s no point in trying to hide it, he’s done his homework. He knows to make anythingworthwhile I need property, and now he thinks it’s for the Russian gun trade. Not linked with my longer-term plan.

“My warehouse.”

“That you bought earlier this year,” I add, showing that I too have done my homework. “When did you see the cracks showing?”

“My father told me about what goes on behind closed doors between the four leaders. Relations are already strained between us and the Langleys, this past week's fuck up hasn’t helped, with our shipment being hit. Dad knows it’s only a matter of time before John and Levi make their move. He’s in support of what comes next.”

“And what’s that?”

“A new partnership.” He sips his drink and I do the same, watching him. Working through the angle. “There’s a changing of the guard. You know how ruthless John is, and Levi…He’s more intelligent than you give him credit for. He’s got ties in Soho. You know he’s fucking Duchess right. That puts the Langleys in their pocket.”

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