Page 75 of For Your Eyes Only

“Possibly never. I forgot how relaxing Palm Beach is. Did you know it’s sea turtle nesting season here?”

Grish’s cynical laugh rolls through the line, and I remember why I like this guy. As pissed as he is at me, he can still manage to laugh. Because he knows as well as I do, in the end, it’s all bullshit.

The fact he’s freaked out, however, has me on edge.

“I can just see it now.” The hint of a Russian accent laces his words. He’s been in the states a while, but he’ll never lose that accent. “The ice-cold asshole melted by baby sea turtles trying to escape the big, bad hawks. Did you find a heart tumbling in the surf?”

“Nah, I’ll leave that for the tourists.” Sliding my hand along the leather steering wheel, I cruise up the beach highway. “I’m just here for the party, remember?”

All levity leaves his tone. “Simon Petrovich is coming to town. Do you know who that is?”

“I do not.” My tone is indifferent.

“He’s someone you never,neverwant to fuck with. He’s an oligarch. Tell me you know what that is.”

“I know it’s someone with enough money he shouldn't care about us.”

“He cares about anyone who threatens his power. He cares about his money and who owes him, which means he’s coming for Hana.”

The mention of Hana cramps my stomach. Still… “What does this have to do with me? I have no dealings with this man.”

“Only because I shielded you.”

“More like you used me.” Don’t get me wrong. I like Grish, but I have no illusions about our friendship. “By the way, who the fuck is Andre Bertonelli, and why do you have him shadowing me?”

Silence fills the car, and when he answers, he sounds genuinely confused. “I don’t know anyone named Andre. Why would you think that?”

“He said he was keeping tabs on me for you. You’re saying he was lying?”

“I’m saying I don’t know anyone by that name.” He exhales a laugh. “And I don’t like you enough to keep tabs on you.”

“Why am I having trouble believing you?”

“Probably because you’ve been out of town too long.”

My brow furrows, and I think about him lurking in the shadows at The Rhino, touching Gia. Touching what’s mine.

“Why would he lie about something I could disprove so easily?

“Maybe he didn’t think you’d ask me. Maybe he didn’t think you’d believe me if I said it was a lie.” Impatience enters his tone. “Is that where we are now?”

My jaw tightens, and I consider this. Grish is a major-league criminal and a cold-hearted asshole. He says we’re the same, but he’s the champion of the freeze. Still, he’s always been straight with me. I’ve always known I can trust him. There’s no honor among thieves, but we’re not thieves. We’re survivors.

“No.”

“Good.” He hesitates, thinking. “He’s probably one of Simon’s men.”

“Why would a Russian oligarch I’ve never heard of have someone shadowing me?”

“Because you’re a mystery? Because you’re enmeshed in the Manhattan elite, and he’s searching for a weakness?”

Shock flashes in my chest, and I momentarily lose track of what he’s saying. All I can think about is my beautiful Gia.

“...I need you back here yesterday. Simon is calling everyone to New York for a meeting. I need you there at my side.”

“I don’t work for Simon Petrovich. I have no reason to meet him.”

“Remember the deal we did with Shadow of the Moon?”

---