Page 76 of Shattered Altar (Makarova Bratva Duet)

“Talk about what?” I ask impatiently as he falls into step beside me.

“The fact that you apparently fucked her a second time last night.”

Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to bring that up in front of Demyan. I give him a careless shrug. “I was horny. She was around.”

Demyan cackles. “Who are you trying to bullshit? You forget I’ve known you for a long time, brother. You’ve never buried your cock in any woman you didn’t like just because you were horny. Discerning to a fault, in my experience.”

“She’s not unattractive.”

“She’s fucking beautiful,” he corrects. “Just the type you like.”

I frown. “She’s nothing like the type of woman I go for.”

“That’s because you go for the type of woman that you can discard like a used napkin. This one has staying power.”

“Will you stop?” I snap as I push through the open doors. “Aren’t you supposed to be running communications? Fuck off and do your job.”

There are boxes stacked everywhere. Nothing is organized. I turn and gesture to the six men trailing behind us. “Push the boxes aside and open up those windows. Clear some space in the middle for our little tête-à-tête.”

They set to work immediately after chorusing, “Yes, sir” in unison.

I turn back to Demyan. “What’s his ETA?”

“Approximately thirteen minutes,” he says. “He’s early.”

“I wouldn’t have expected any less.”

My men labor to do as I instructed while I walk around the space, giving the location a quick scan. In the corner of my eye, I can see Demyan watching me. He’s not done with this conversation. Stubborn son of a bitch.

“Jesus,” I say, rolling my eyes at him. “Drop it. You’re reading too much into this.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t think so. When’s the last time you fucked the same woman twice?”

“Allaynah.”

He scoffs. “She doesn’t count.”

“Why?”

“Because I—you know damn well why, you bastard.”

I laugh. “Stop trying to create a narrative that doesn’t exist.”

“Okay, I’m gonna pretend I believe you, if only because arguing with you is like arguing with a brick wall on both emotional and intellectual levels. But just for the record, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“You were on board this morning,” I point out.

“Sure, but that’s before I knew you fucked her again! And before I saw her,” he says. “This girl will complicate things if you go through with the backup plan.”

“Maybe I won’t need to.”

Demyan shakes his head in dismay like I’m stupid. “You and I both know you will.”

“It’s too late now. I’ve made my decision. Everything’s been set in motion.”

He sighs. “I’m guessing she doesn’t know what she’s in for today if things go south.”

“Of course not.”

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