Page 43 of Kings of Cruelty

I’m caught off guard. “You were? Why?”

“Well, I’ve been palling around with some Russians, but I figured, more connections couldn’t hurt.”

If he already wants something from me, then I have leverage. “I am open to connections,” I say, putting as much cheer into my voice as I can.

“Right, right.” Pavone goes quiet. “But you called first. Why’d he call, Damien?”

There’s another exasperated noise. “I don’t know, Giulio. You interrupted the call before we could speak.”

This is exactly the kind of dynamic I don’t want with my subordinates. It’s one thing to share a woman—to share Sierra—but I am not going to joke around in front of potential allies or let them get in the way of business.

“I’ve been thinking of entering a new business venture,” I say. “I have product that you might want.”

Now they’re both silent. I wait for them to process my offer.

“No,” Rossi says, at the same time as Pavone says, “Let’s go on a double date.”

It’s my turn to be speechless.

“A double date?” I ask, confused. “With who?”

“You are not going on a date,” Rossi says.

“It’ll be me, my wife, you, and whoever you want to bring. A woman, unless you’re like Cresci and are shacking up with a man. But Vanessa?—”

“Is not going on a date with you,” Rossi states, and his usual deadpan voice is angry now.

“She’s my wife! And you were saying she needs more friends.”

I can practically hear the smarmy grin on Pavone’s voice.

“Okay,” I answer. “I will bring my… ah, girlfriend.” I tense up, imagining Sierra meeting a man like Pavone. “But we do not discuss business in front of the women.”

“Duh, of course not. Vanessa wouldcryif we did that. But I want to get to know anybody I get in business with first.” Pavone bursts out laughing, like he told some great big joke.

I wonder about the relationship he has with his wife. He sounds so blase about the possibility of his wife crying.

I don’t think Sierra would cry if she found out what I was doing, though.

“I’m against this,” Rossi says. “But fine. I will arrange the meeting.”

“The date! You have to plan mydate.” Pavone laughs again. “Okay. My people will talk to your people, etc., etc. Nice talking to you, Voronkov.”

He hangs up, and I’m left dumbfounded. I’m unsure of what had happened, but I shouldn’t be ungrateful that something is going my way.

My phone buzzes. It’s a text from Roman, which reads,

Send me a present from A.

Ugh. Doesn’t he have enough women between his wife and his mistress?

I have to do this shit. Once my father is appeased, he’ll back off again.

With any luck, everything won’t fall apart in the process.

TWELVE

Sierra

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