Page 72 of The Darkest Night

“I’m fine,” Mae said between gritted teeth. She eyeballed Vlad. “Don’t you think it’s about time you told us why we’re here?”

Chapter 34

I’m goingto kill this fucker.

Nikolai ground his teeth. He shot a heated look at Vlad before observing the group across the way.

They were in a private area, in the basement of the club. Seated at the tables beyond a corded-off section opposite them, hands busy stuffing dollar bills in the G-strings of the strippers performing on their stage, were members ofOniks.

The group numbered sixteen men. Their loud jeers and raucous laughter echoed around the underground room as they drank and smoked cigars, fingers merrily groping the entertainers dancing on their laps and the hostesses serving them.

Nikolai could tell the women were uncomfortable.

The security guy and waiters manning the floor were ignoring their subtle distress signals, their gazes skimming the rowdy gang as if they were invisible. Most other patrons had vacated the basement. The only parties remaining were Vlad’s,Oniks, and a group of drunk frat guys who seemed oblivious to the fear steeping the room.

Nikolai’s gaze strayed to a man with a scar running vertically down his right eye and cheek. He sat apart from the rest ofOniks, the space around him a buffer no one dared cross. He was the only one who looked stone sober, his disinterest in the women servicing the other men plain to see. The strippers all kept away from him and the hostesses averted their gazes from his chilly eyes.

The guy’s name was Emil Sobol. He was the secondOniksmember Vlad had been shadowing besides Antonovich and one of the gang’s most ruthless generals. Vlad suspected Sobol’s recent rise in the ranks was a direct result of working with the Dark Council.

The fact that they were in an enclosed space with people who could be harboring demons and sorcerers was making Nikolai twitchy. It didn’t help that Sobol had been openly staring at them for the last five minutes.

Shit. Does he know who we are?

Vlad and Mae were ignoring the guy, the pair sipping their drinks and whispering in each other’s ears like they were lovers, much to Nikolai’s ire. Miles and Violet were chatting to their hostess, Vlad’s bodyguards towering next to them. Despite their relaxed demeanor, he knew they were on edge too.

Alastair shifted on Nikolai’s shoulder, his eyes and those of the other familiars focused on the gang members opposite them. Animals could sense a lot more than humans and it was clear the familiars consideredOniksdangerous.

Movement to the left drew Nikolai’s gaze a moment later.

A man with a hulking physique had walked into the basement, an entourage of suited guys around him. They looked South American, the bulges under their armpits indicating they were carrying. Sobol’s gaze shifted to them.

The man smiled at theOniksgeneral, his snake-like eyes cool. He walked over and sat opposite Sobol, his escort falling back slightly. Some of Sobol’s men sobered and straightened in their chairs when they registered the other guards’ presence.

Nikolai frowned.

Not so drunk after all.

“That’s Vasco Gomez,” Vlad said in a low voice. “He’s the linchpin of theBacatá Carteloperations in the U.S.”

Nikolai’s stomach sank. TheBacatá Cartelwas one of the most vicious gangs in Colombia and the whole of South America. Their brutality was the stuff of horror stories and their gut-churning deeds had made headlines all over the world. It was patent they were aiming to be as influential as theMedelinandCali Cartels.

The faint frown Vlad sported made it clear he hadn’t been expecting the Colombian.

“You think they’re the ones providing slaves toOniks?” Mae asked.

“The deteriorating geopolitical situation in Colombia and the rest of South America means human trafficking is on the rise again. It’s now a prime money maker for the gangs that dominate the landscapes in those countries. TheBacatá Cartelwas the first to seize the opportunity when it arose and has been riding the high for a while. Securing a supply line withOnikswill not only be a notch on their bedpost that will solidify their position on the continent, it will also open up the doors for trade with other prominent gangs in Europe.”

He paused when he noticed their blank stares.

“So, you’re not just a pretty face, huh?” Violet said.

Their hostess had gone off to fetch more drinks.

Vlad smiled. “You don’t become the future heir to theChernyye D’Yavolyby batting your eyelashes at your enemies.”

Nikolai realized Gomez was looking at them over his shoulder. He stiffened. Sobol had just said something to theBacatá Cartelmobster. The Colombian rose and came over to their table, almost strutting in his arrogance.

“Vlad Vissarion?”

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