Page 74 of A Pawn in the Game
“Sorry for not trusting your judgement. What happened with the shipment today?” Toma pokes another dig. He knows exactly what happened but wants to place the blame on me.
“It was interesting, really. Since pretty much no one knew where the drop off would happen.” My voice drips insinuation.
Trying to bring the conversation to safer ground, Leon says, “You said you needed to talk to us about something.”
I down another shot of rakia, and Toma extends a nervous glance. “I’ve come to let you know I’ve taken matters into my ownhands,” he says, pouring himself a shot. It’s another dig to let us know he finds us incompetent.
“How so?” Leon asks, while I roll my eyes in response.
“I found us an ‘in’ with the Russians.” This time, his glance is pure glee as he downs his glass.
“An‘in’?” Leon asks.
“Yes. As far as I’ve heard, they’re having a pretty big meeting in a few days. I’m just waiting for the last confirmation of the time and the place.”
It doesn’t seem real. But he is also too much of a pussy to make that up.
“That’s… good.” Leon’s voice is apprehensive. He’s obviously as surprised by it as I am.
“I’d say it’s brilliant.” Uncle scoffs. “You just hold still and wait until I let you know the time and place. Hopefully, you’ll be able to deal from there.”
I suppress a growl while he extracts his overweight body from the booth. He already acts like he’s the boss, positioning us as the enforcers.
“I will see you both soon.” With that, he’s gone.
Leon exhales a breath loudly enough to overpower the music. “Do you have to do this?”
I can barely believe the words coming out of his mouth. “Do what?” I turn to look him straight in the eyes, my tone conveying I’m not messing around.
“Taunt him. I’m trying to keep the peace…” His fingers pinch the bridge of his nose. “But you two are acting like children.”
I swallow down the urge to knock my brother straight out. “You can’t be serious.”
Once again, he sighs. “Do you have to be so difficult? Can’t you just let him have this while we handle the rest?”
I know what he means. He wants me to let him take over the club to distract him from the other shit. “Would you do the same thing with your casinos?”
“You know it’s not the same thing. My casinos are my business.”
“And what do you think this is for me? A hobby? Should I leave this to Toma and just start crocheting instead?” Tiny flames of rage dance on my skin. It’s one thing for Uncle to piss me off, it’s what I expect him to do. But Leon, Leon treats me like a kid.
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
“I don’t give ashitwhat you meant,” I bite out, pretty sure anyone close to us heard me. “Let me make myself clear. And trust me, this is the last time I’m doing that. This is my club, and I’m not turning it into a shady brothel. I don’t give a fuck what he or you think about it.” My palms slam on the table before I get up and head into the crowd.
A girl bumps into me, drunk out of her mind. I help her straighten and she barely looks at me before her hand snakes to my cock. I grab her wrist to stop her. Her mouth parts, but her eyes are a blur. Pressing my lips into a thin line, I move away, approaching Ivan, who sits at the bar.
“Should I confirm we’re moving along with the backroom?” he asks, clicking on his phone.
“Yes. And also, starting tomorrow, we’re implementing a two-drink maximum.” I raise two fingers, like my words weren’t clear enough.
Ivan follows me on the way to my office. “You sure that’s smart?”
I give him a pointed look. “Don’t tell me you agree with those two?” I gesture my head to where Uncle and Leon stood before and sit in my new chair. It’s more comfortable than I expected.
Ivan smirks while taking a seat in the chair across from me. “Hardly.”
“Good.” I slide a palm over the desk, feeling the texture.
