Page 132 of Shattered Altar (Makarova Bratva Duet)

“And that course didn’t come with any additional, sexy little perks or anything…”

I roll my eyes. “Agent Lawrence has the power to end this investigation because he started it. It didn’t have any traction before he took the reins. The buck stops with him and I have his balls in a noose at present. Killing him would serve no purpose.”

“And just to be clear, it has nothing to do with the fact that it would upset your pretty little wife?”

“Are we back to this shit?”

He smirks. “Okay, okay. I’ll drop it.”

“Thank God.”

“I just hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Don’t I always?”

It’s a rhetorical question. Demyan doesn’t bother answering. He just stretches out and looks longingly towards the bar. “Too early for a drink?”

“Do what you like.”

“Such a good boss,” he says, walking over to the bar to pour himself a whiskey. “Very hospitable working environment.”

“While you’re over there, pour me one, too.”

He rolls his eyes. “Knew there was a catch.”

He pours out two glasses of whiskey and brings them over to where I’m sitting at the table. He’s only just sat down when there’s a sharp knock on the door.

“What now?” he mutters impatiently, as though we’ve had to suffer interruptions all morning.

“Enter,” I call out. The door opens and Pyotr walks in. “What is it, Pyotr?”

“Ms. Jennifer is here, sir.”

Demyan gives me a wicked grin. “Ooh, this is gonna get real interesting.”

“Send her in.”

Pyotr nods and disappears.

“Did you expect a visit from Jen today?”

“No,” I say, teeth clenched. “Which means she’s come to tell me something, and it’s not good.”

“How do you know?”

“She’s a big believer in delivering bad news in person.”

“Classy chick.”

I narrow my eyes. “Easy.”

“What? A man can admire.”

“Not this one,” I say firmly. “Not Jen.”

“Dude, chill out. You already have a wife.”

“She’s my best girl on the inside. The woman can charm the stripes off a fucking tiger. She’s an asset I don’t want messed with or distracted.”

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