Page 195 of Darling Wildfire
“Fuck, really?” he cursed quietly. “What happened?”
“Demetrius…” Lachlan muttered, lifting his head briefly but unable to finish the sentence.
Fucking Demetrius. We thought he was our friend, our ally. Sure, the whole plan was for him to turn North over to Vetticus but killing Nyx was definitely not part of it. I thought back to the conversation I’d been privy to.
“Come on, T,” Demetrius said with a knowing smile. “I know the only reason you took over as my supplier all those years ago was for this moment. Hell, I’m positive that’s why you saved my brothers in Syria if we want to go back that far.”
North smirked. “It worked didn’t it?”
“You’re lucky you’ve grown on me,” Demetrius said fondly. “Well, go ahead—let me hear it.”
North barked out a laugh. “Demetrius, I’m calling in my favor.”
The mafia boss chuckled. “I thought you’d never ask. I have to say, ten years is a long time to owe someone. I’m ready to even the score.”
“After this I’ll probably owe you,” North admitted.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “So what’s the plan?”
“The plan is to take down Vetticus piece by piece. Provoke him into action. He’s been in hiding for awhile and the only way to get to him is to draw him out. We took down the board members, we have plans to take down the architects of the maps, disrupt his supply lines and finally lure Albatron into showing his face. He’s the other big player.”
“Where do I come in?” Demetrius asked.
“I need you to betray me.”
Demetrius’ eyebrows shot up. He leaned forward in his chair, steepling his fingers in front of him.
“Go on.”
“Vetticus has only ever wanted one thing: Me. He won’t be able to resist if you dangle me in front of him. I need you to turn me over to Vetticus—tell him where I’ll be—pull him into making the first move. It’s the only way we can get to him. Have him give you an Atrox team—then we can take him down during the next game. Knowing him like I do, he’ll want the rest of my team too. If everything goes to plan, we’ll all be on the inside for the next game and can take it all down.”
“It wasn’t part of the plan…” I muttered.
We were supposed to be taken, sure, but not killed. Vetticus had told Demetrius he was going to use us in his upcoming game. I’d heard the phone conversation shortly after the fight with Kaelin. North and I had gone to see Demetrius again.
“You’re a hard man to get a hold of,” Demetrius said.
“Well, when the Russian pakhan wants to get a hold of me, I make an exception,” Vetticus said. “What can I do for you?”
“I saw the calling card you left at Elysium,” Demetrius said. “I don’t want to get caught up in a long standing feud. Bad for business you understand.”
“Perfectly,” Vetticus said. “But anyone associated with Kraven is bound to get burned eventually. I can’t be held responsible for anyone caught in thecrossfire.”
Demetrius paused and looked over the desk at me and North who sat listening quietly.
“What if I told you I could give you North?”
Vetticus was silent for a beat.
“I’m listening,” he said.
“Like I said—I don’t like things interfering with my business,” Demetrius explained.
“I was under the impression you two were—friends,” Vetticus said. “This would be a pretty big betrayal.”
“We were. And it will. But I have to do what’s right for me in the end and our partnership has…let’s just say it’s nearly run its course. I’m looking to explore other avenues.”
“Let’s hear the price then,” Vetticus chuckled.
