Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 120165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Konstantin wrinkled his nose. “I admire your vision, but as an outsider, you don’t understand how we do things. A deal on that scale would make us too reliant on you. Every family must be able to stand on its own, it’s...tradition.” He shook his head and put his hands on the table, ready to stand.
“Actually,” I said, “I do understand. Because I’m an outsider. This tradition that’s so important to you, the blind obedience to The Eight, the deals done on trust...that’s exactly what got us into this mess.” I stabbed a finger on the table. “That phone call blindsided us because the Bratva don’t use technology in that way. The next generation of criminals are coming up and they’re lean and they’re hungry and they don’t care about family or truces or how you do things. If the Bratva wants to survive, it’s going to have to adapt!”
It went very quiet. I could hear myself panting. I’m standing up. When did I stand up? I stared at Konstantin, who was doing his inscrutable thing again. My stomach dropped. Did I just…lecture Konstantin Gulyev?
I held my breath.
“Good speech,” said Konstantin at last. He looked thoughtfully at me and then at Radimir, stroking his chin. At last, he said, “Maybe it is time to shake things up a little.”
Radimir and I let out silent sighs of relief. And for the next two hours, we thrashed out details and figures, with Radimir and Konstantin like two huge, heavy cogs that only grudgingly wanted to work together and Hailey and me subtle drops of soothing oil that helped them mesh. I caught Hailey’s eye a few times during the negotiations, and she nodded silently to me. It slowly dawned on me that maybe this is part of our job. Female cooperation to counteract all the male machismo. We went through two more pots of coffee and I wound up eating three of the pastries: in my defense, I hadn’t eaten the night before and the pastries were melt-in-your-mouth, buttery perfection topped with caramelized nuts.
When we were done, we walked out to our car, drunk on success and buzzing with caffeine. For the first time since our honeymoon, it felt like there was hope. Konstantin said he’d organize an escort for us to the airport and he and Radimir went to talk to Konstantin’s chief of security. That left Hailey and me alone for a moment.
“You know, you did really well in there,” Hailey told me softly. A cold breeze blew across us and she snugged her coat tighter around her shoulders.
I nodded in thanks, then looked around at the mansion. “I’m not sure I’m ever going to get used to this.”
Hailey smiled. “I remember that feeling.”
I looked sideways at her. Started to ask...and then bit my tongue. And then thought screw it and asked anyway. “I heard this story...about you and Konstantin.” I stared at her. Did she really used to look like someone else? Be someone else? “Is it true?”
Hailey opened her mouth to speak but at that moment, Radimir and Konstantin returned, followed by six of Konstantin’s security team. Hailey gave me a teasing smile, then hugged me goodbye. “Next time,” she promised. I hugged her back, grinning. I felt like I’d made a friend.
Radimir and I climbed into our hire car. Konstantin’s security guys got into a big black SUV that would follow behind us. I suddenly felt a lot better about the drive back to the airport. I pried the five-inch heels off my feet and stretched my throbbing, aching legs. The confidence boost had been worth it, but oww.
I looked up and found Radimir looking at me. “Thank you,” he said solemnly.
I eyed the heels ruefully. “Yeah, well, don’t expect me to wear those except for emergencies. And maybe in the bedroom.”
His eyes flared with lust. Then, “Not just for putting yourself through pain. For everything. For the plan. We have a chance, now.” He shook his head, gazing at me in wonder. “I used to think doing this job meant being on my own. I was wrong: I needed you by my side. And I used to think it was weak to feel things. Now, I can’t imagine not feeling the things I feel for you.”
That flame at the center of me, the one Nathan had snuffed out so completely? It flared and swelled, back to its full size, lighting me up from the inside. I bit my lip, feeling the emotion well up and choke any words. I threw my arms around him and kissed him instead.
Halfway to the airport, we stopped at an intersection. I saw a sign and suddenly put my hand on Radimir’s on the steering wheel. “Queens,” I said, pointing.
Radimir looked at me blankly. “So?”
“If we turn off now, we could be there in a few minutes. We have Konstantin’s men with us, we’ll be safe enough.” Radimir still looked blank. “Isn’t Queens where your old friend lives? Alexei?”