Page 39 of King’s Promise

He gives me a worried look, opens his mouth as if to disagree and closes it. He falls back and I see him on his phone.

He returns. “Your fiancé demands your presence at dinner.”

“Tell him if he respected me, he would respect the fact I have to work late, and I’ll eat later.” I shoo him away with my hand. He can deal with Nikolay. Better him than me.

In the back of my mind, I know I’ll catch hell for this. But after his hurtful words last night, I don’t give a fuck.

15

Nikolay

Alex’s text about Anya’s refusal to leave her study group has my blood boiling. I thought after last night she’d be wrapped around my finger.

I text her,‘Come home. Now.’

‘My school and career are important to me. I’ll be there when I’m finished,’she texts back with lightning speed.

‘A heads up would have been nice,’I all but yell in my reply. I don’t want her to know I enjoy our dinners. I’ve had years of eating with random women and eating alone. We were building a friendship. How could I have misjudged this?

“Pavel,” I bark.

“Yes, boss?” He comes from another room, concern in his eyes.

“Sit, no sense in this going to waste,” I grumble as I pour vodka and we fill our plates.

“Good eating, thanks.” Pavel is also single and married to the Bratva.

“What is happening with Konstantin?”

“All is going as planned. George is having issues; we knew of this. Liev is collecting funds, and your brother, Dmitry, is laundering them through businesses here and with Crypto. He’s got mad computer skills, that brother of yours.”

“Yes, he has the mind for crime. I’m glad he’s on our side,” I agree without hesitation. We all found our skill set early in life. I’m wired for leadership; Dmitry, finances; and Roman, special ops and hits. Roman is a great utility man, filling in where we need him. Out of the three of us, he covers the most bases.

“I have been wondering about Igor’s death. Who would have had inside information on his schedule?”

“I suppose that’s why his bodyguard was murdered. No?”

“Maybe. I wonder if we’re missing something. George alluded to the Irish wanting to shake us down over betting at the horse track. He wants a larger presence in gambling.”

“That will be a cold day in hell. We’re in bed with the Chechens on that.”

“Still, I think we need to talk to Konstantin; he’s been here longer. Let’s see what he thinks.”

“Good idea, we’ll talk to him tonight.” I drop my fork, finished with the Brit food.

“I thought dinners were reserved for Anya.” He digs for dirt. “Trouble in paradise?”

“I don’t want to talk about it. Have you found Darci?”

“No luck there. We’re reached a dead end. Fake identification and records are a dime a dozen these days, you know that. She’s in the wind.” Pavel slugs down a vodka and pours another.

“But whomever sent her our way is not.”

I’m frustrated. We’re usually on top of this in Russia. This job is turning out to be more than a full-time gig, and I’m busier than I thought.

“We need to make sure the wedding happens without any interruptions. I want our best team on security. What would someone want with Anya?”

“She’s the crown jewel, no? Someone wants you to step down, it never changes. Greed is the root of all evil is what I believe. Who stands to gain the most?” He shrugs and shovels bangers and mash in his mouth like he hasn’t eaten all week.

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