Page 112 of Beautiful Scar

“It’s not Philly, but Baltimore’s got charm.”

I give him a withering look. “Coming from you, that’s such a fucking compliment.”

He laughs, ignoring the scowl I keep pinned on him, and keeps on strutting along.

Dasha’s brother annoys the hell out of me. We’re two very different people. I’m quiet and brooding while he’s outgoing and charming. Or at least hethinkshe’s charming. I find him annoying for the most part.

But he’s been trying to get along with me ever since that dinner two weeks ago.

Since Dasha asked me to do the same, I haven’t killed him.

Yet. There’s still time.

I give him the tour of the McGrath neighborhood. We’re doing it on foot because it gives him a better feel for the place. I stay to more crowded blocks away from the center of their power, but we stray closer than we should. I’ll hand it to him, Evan doesn’t seem bothered at all.

Meanwhile, Alexan’s shadowing us, along with several of his trusted men.

“We’ve come up with a plan,” I tell him as we slow our pace and pause at a street crossing. It’s a nice day, and families are out at a nearby park playground. “Seamus isn’t stupid. He knows he can’t show his face right now. But we’re sure he’s still in the city, only in hiding.”

“The McGraths are still selling your drugs,” Evan says, squinting at me.

“We recovered most of our product, but yes, they’re still selling some.” That’s a sticking point for Arsen. It’s one thing if Seamus is going off books and fighting a war his brother doesn’t want. But clearly, Liam McGrath is blessing this if the foot soldiers are still passing off our goods.

The war’s simmering right now. There have been targeted beatings, a couple of gunfights, but few actual bodies to this point. That won’t last much longer, however.

When I kill Seamus, all hell will break loose.

We can defeat the Irish. There’s no doubt in my mind. But now with Evan and his men, the message to all the other families and organizations in the area will be clear.

Now is the time of Armenian and Russian dominance.

I fill him in on the high-level concept. It’s something I cooked up with Sona over a few long nights. I can tell Evan doesn’t like it, though.

“Is this necessary?” he asks softly, his face going serious. That’s rare for him. “I don’t like involving her.”

“She will be safe. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Still, I don’t know. It’s a risk if something goes wrong.”

Fucking prick. I try not to let my frustration show. “Trust me on this. We’ve been going over it a dozen different times, and the plan will work. We just have to follow it.”

Evan nods and shades his eyes. “I’ll do whatever you need. You know that. I want to punish that piece of fucking shitmudakSeamus as much as you do.”

I give him a vicious smile. “I doubt that, but maybe close. At least we have one thing in common.”

He smirks right back, and in that moment, I almost like him.

Almost. Not really.

“We’re seeding the rumors already.” We start walking again. “All I need is for you to play along.”

“I’ll have my men drunkenly spill their guts to a few ladies over the next couple of weeks.”

I nod my approval. “Very smart.” My phone starts ringing. I frown at the screen and answer it. “Yes, Grigor?” He’s on Dasha duty, and he knows damn well not to call unless there’s an emergency.

“Sir, I don’t mean to bother you?—”

“Tell me what’s going on.”

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