Page 36 of Filthy Desire

Gio thought about his own operation and the missing money. The cashier, Danny, had paused when Gio had asked him if there were any more employees stealing. Was it possible that Vincent was somehow involved? Would he betray Gio that way?

Gio picked up his phone and sent a text to Roman. Then Gio motioned at Vincent to come over.

Vincent stepped up to the table. Gio had to give him credit. There was no trace of nerves on his face or body language. Vincent nodded at Alek.

“Mr. Vasiliev tells me that your brother stole from him and then disappeared. Do you know anything about this?”

Vincent shrugged his shoulders and cocked his head. “I don’t control my brother. He moved to Chicago a year ago. What he does, I don’t know about.”

Steady eye contact. No flinching. Hardly a drop of sweat.

If he was lying, Vincent was good.

Gio should give him the benefit of the doubt, but Alek wasn’t a stupid man and he wasn’t here for no reason. And Gio didn’t believe in coincidences.

“That’s a lovely watch you’re wearing, Vincent. Cartier’s newest release. It must have cost you a fortune,” Kara murmured.

Gio looked at the watch, then Vincent’s face.

Unmistakable panic flashed in his eyes. It was brief but Gio caught it.

Alek and Gio both pulled their guns as Vincent bolted for the door.

“Get down,” Gio ordered and pushed Kara to the floor.

This was insanity. There were patrons walking around everywhere and neither Gio nor Alek were stupid enough to shoot in a crowded room. Screams erupted as people took cover under their tables and behind the bar.

Roman blocked the front entrance, his weapon drawn. Vincent pulled out his own Glock and now it was a stand-off between the former colleagues.

Gio shook his head. Were they really going to do this in the middle of a busy fucking restaurant? This wasn’t a deserted eatery, it was full of witnesses.

Fuck.

“Your man is stupid,” Alek muttered calmly as he got up and drew closer to Vincent.

Vincent wavered back and forth, swinging his gun at Roman then Alek.

“Are you okay?” Gio turned to Kara.

“I’m fine. But you better get Vincent outside because people are calling 911 already.”

She pointed to the nearby table.

“Fuck. There’s a back entrance. Go. Now.”

Gio turned away from Kara and followed Alek, his gun drawn. “You’re surrounded, Vincent. Ain’t no way out of this one. Put down your gun and let’s walk out of here.”

“No way. I’m a dead man out there. And you’re not gonna do anything in here. Too many fucking people, Gio.”

“Where is my goddamn money?” Alek yelled.

“Fuck you, Vasiliev.”

“You’re not getting out of this alive. But I might give your idiot brother some mercy if you tell me where my money is.”

Vincent shook his head.

“It’s three against one, Vincent. You know how this ends.”

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