Page 103 of Scarlet Secrets

“Call in your contact now and find out who else will attend.”

While he does, I wait, taking care of the business that just came in.

“Boss? Niko is attending another drinks meeting tonight. At Bistro Alyer. Same time.”

Of course he is, and Niko and Sergio will bump into each other. I’ll get a call tomorrow or the next day. No time to push this thing. Meet it head-on.

“Are you sure you want to go in unannounced tomorrow?”

“Yes. Better than waiting.”

He sighs and nods.

“The more this spins out, which just might be the play, the longer it is since Niko committed his crimes against us. Against Max. My lack of retaliation strengthens any future case against us. Alliances change. Better sooner than later.”

“Agreed,” he says. “I’ll get on it. And Boss?”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t want you going in alone.”

Fucking Ilya.He knows me too well. I’d prefer to go in alone. There’s a look in playing at strength and then there’s strength.

So I have someone with me.

Not Ilya.

No matter what he says.

Pavel is a good choice. He looks more like a businessman than any kind of guard, but he’s also bloodthirsty, smart, and a sharpshooter. And he’s handpicked by Ilya.

As for the rest of the backup?

It’s there, but I’m going in with Pavel only, as Sergio won’t do a thing to me.

The small wine bar and art gallery Sergio launders some of his money through is fairly empty when we stride in. Pavel takes up position at the end of the bar.

Sergio’s wineglass stops midway to his mouth when he lays eyes on me. “I thought we had a meeting at my townhouse next Friday.”

One of his men reaches for his gun. Not to shoot, but for show.

I don’t need to glance back at Pavel to know he hasn’t moved an iota.

I just smile.

“We do. But I’m here about your double-crossing ways.”

The wineglass slams down and Sergio rises. “Watch your fucking mouth, Demyan.”

“You watch yours.” I tower over him and move into his space, too. Just enough to let him know I’m not intimidated at all. “I know where you were last night and who with.”

People are looking, well-heeled, rich fucks, the kind a man like Sergio likes to simper around and pretend he’s as respectable as them.

I came in with the air of a mobster. Deliberately so. I look at his guy with the gun and grin. He’s not pulling it in here. We all know that. And seriously, it’s going to take more than a show of a gun; not when, if I want to, I could end Sergio with one hand and have his minions killed in moments flat.

And I really don’t give a fuck if there’s an audience in here. The small handful will stay quiet because they wouldn’t want to end up on my shitlist.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. “You and Niko are chummy.”

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