Page 24 of Deadly Legacy
Grigorii nodded slowly. “And if Wallace becomes more of a problem?”
Grigorii’s question demanded an answer. Nikon’s fingers dug into his palms, leaving crescent marks against the skin. “Then we do what’s necessary.”
The door hissed open again, and Reuben stepped into the room. His throat worked as he swallowed. The animation that usually colored his words had vanished.
Alexei shifted uncomfortably against the wall. “I had to tell him, Nikon. He noticed something was off during our budget meeting.”
Nikon’s eyes narrowed at his brother, but Reuben spoke before he could respond.
“So it’s definitely true.” His voice was flat, hollow.
“Yes.” Nikon gestured for the technician to leave, waiting until the door closed behind him. “Your father met with Roman right after having dinner with you. The money trail leads straight to Dmitrii.”
Reuben approached the table, his fingers hovering over the tablet without touching it. “I want to see it all.”
For the next twenty minutes, Nikon laid out the evidence methodically—surveillance footage, financial records, patterns of communication Alexei had tracked between Wallace’s office and known Dmitrii associates.
Throughout the presentation, Reuben remained silent, a poker player’s mask perfected through necessity. Only the tight line of his mouth and the slight flare of his nostrils betrayed the turmoil beneath.
When Nikon finished, Alexei straightened from his position against the wall. “I think we should tip off the feds about the money laundering. It would kill Wallace’s bid for Quantize Guard without us getting our hands dirty.”
Reuben’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing. “Absolutely not.”
“It makes the most sense,” Alexei insisted, spreading his hands. “Clean, simple, effective.”
“And it could start investigations that could spread to Matthew Capital’s investors.” Reuben’s voice grew stronger with each word. “We don’t need to go nuclear. Our bid is better, our team is stronger. But bringing in the feds could shine a spotlight on your operations, too.”
Alexei shook his head, frowning. “This isn’t some friendly corporate competition, Reuben.” Alexei gestured toward the screens where Roman’s image remained frozen mid-conversation. “Dmitrii—”
“Is after technology that could expose us all,” Reuben cut him off, standing straighter. “I know. And I get how dangerous this is. But we still have options besides bringing down the whole house.”
Alexei exchanged a glance with Grigorii, who nodded once and pushed away from the table. “We’ll leave you to discuss this. Call if you need us.”
The two brothers left the room, leaving Nikon alone with Reuben. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken tensions.
“Do you trust me?” Reuben finally asked, his voice quiet in the humming room.
“This isn’t about trust.”
“It isexactlyabout trust.” Reuben stepped closer, challenging Nikon with his proximity. “Do you trust me to know what I’m doing with Quantize Guard?”
Nikon turned back to the screens, Wallace’s frozen image still displayed. “I trust your business acumen.” Nikon’s shoulders tensed as the ventilation system cycled on again, sending chilled air against his neck. The sensation reminded him of the warningprickle before an ambush. “What I don’t trust is Dmitrii playing by your rules.”
The security room—twenty square feet with reinforced walls and no windows—suddenly felt like a cell. Nikon’s nostrils filled with the metallic scent of electronics and the faint coffee-and-cologne signature that was uniquely Reuben.
Nikon began to pace, his leather soles tapping a deliberate rhythm against the concrete floor. Five steps, turn. Five steps, turn.
Reuben watched him pace, tracking his movements with those perceptive green eyes that missed nothing. “You’ve been wound tight since we discovered my father’s involvement,” he said, stepping directly into Nikon’s path. “But this isn’t just about Dmitrii, is it?”
The direct challenge slipped beneath Nikon’s armor like a blade, finding the gap between ribs. Heat crawled up his neck and spread across his face as he stared down at Reuben.
Their bodies stood inches apart now, close enough that he could see the flecks of amber in Reuben’s green eyes, could feel the warmth radiating between them.
“You’re underestimating the danger.” His voice emerged as a harsh whisper, each word scraping his throat raw. “Dmitrii doesn’t play by corporate rules.”
“And you’re underestimating me.” Reuben didn’t back down, standing his ground with a confidence that had been hard-won over the past eight months. “We’ve always been strongest when we combine your strategic mind with my analytical skills. Right now, you’re not letting us use both weapons in our arsenal.”
The accuracy of that observation left him momentarily speechless, his carefully constructed arguments crumbling. Nikon turned away, hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.
