Page 54 of Surrogate for the Bratva
“We need to go,” he replied to my unspoken question.
After another round of hugs and a promise to keep me updated, I followed Maxim out of the hospital. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Igor has business to deal with and it’s best for us to be at the compound right now.”
I nodded and tried to keep pace with his longer, faster strides. “Okay.”
“He was sorry that he couldn’t stay,” he began and shook his head.
“He’s not and it’s fine, Maxim. The baby is fine and that’s what matters.”
Maxim stopped and looked at me. “Igor asked me to make sure you knew—”
I cut him off again. “It’s not my business what he does Maxim. He’s made it clear that I am an employee and sometimes fuck buddy, neither of those means I need to know anything about him. Right?”
He wanted to argue, I could see it in the set of his jaw, but he didn’t know what to say.
So I put him out of his misery. “I’ll pretend you delivered the message, okay? Let’s just go back to the compound.”
“Sounds good.”
I slid into the back seat and watched the world go by around me, feeling sad and scared and unsure about every damn thing.
Chapter Thirty
Igor
“Careful Igor or I might start thinking that you actually like my Black ass.” Darius laughed as he removed his biker gloves and folded his arms, legs in a wide stance while he studied me.
“I like you just fine,” I assured him even though I knew exactly what he meant. “I have a proposition and this time it benefits you more than me.” At least on the surface it did.
“Well shit now I’m intrigued.” He shoved the gloves in his back pocket and stroked the stubble that grew along his jawline. “You always come through when you say you will so I’m listening.”
I knew he would. “I have come across a product for which I have no need. It’s not part of my business model and it is unlikely to ever become part of said plan.”
Darius’ gaze narrowed. “Is it me or are you being even more vague than usual?”
I grinned and his own grin joined shortly after. “Not vague, merely careful.”
“Okay so this product is something that you know I can use?”
I nodded. “I am certain of it.”
“All right. Do I want to know how you happened upon this product?” At this point Darius was more than intrigued and I’dbet money that the source of the product would make him want them even more.
I shrugged. “Let’s just say that it came from someone who no longer had a need for it.” That was factually accurate.
Darius tossed his head back and barked out a laugh. “Cut the shit, Igor. Where’d you get these bricks?” Darius looked like a biker thug, but he was an astute man and effective businessman.
“Some of Dmitry’s men who are no longer with us were skimming product to sell behind his back. I happened upon them in the immediate aftermath of their demise and figured the Road Kings would appreciate increasing profits.” I shrugged my shoulders as if it was no big deal to me because it wasn’t. “If not I’m sure the Angry Rebels or the Mexican Brotherhood would be more appreciative.”
“Settle down, brother.” Darius shook his head, still smiling. “What is the likelihood of this deal coming back on my MC?”
“As long as you change the tacky packaging, zero likelihood.”
“Now I’m curious to see how much you have since word on the street is that Dmitry is having one hell of a bad luck streak.”
“That’s the nature of this life and this business. Good luck lasts only as long as it lasts.”
