“Yeah?” I cast a sidelong glance at the girl. “Fuck.”
Every year, Amaranov’s wife holds her gala in the ball room of the Bolshoi Theater. Only the wealthiest, most influential couples in Russia attend, and there’s a waiting list one hundred deep.
“The Thieves are in America, and can’t attend. If you go…” his voice trails off. We have an opportunity to form an alliance in the absence of our rivals. We know what this means. If I go, I get firsthand access to Amaranov. I can forge a pact that could solidify our connections in Russia for decades.
“You got me in?”
“I got you in.”
“How?”
He snorts. “I’m not exactly sure, but I think Amaranov’s wife has a thing for you. Your blond hair and blue eyes, man.”
“Shut the fuck up.”
He sobers. “I’m not joking. This is his third wife, younger than the other two. Beautiful. Conniving. She wants you there, and you’ll see when you go. She specifically asked for you, so I worked that angle. Paid in full. But I needed to call to be sure you got the girl, because you’ll need her.”
Amaranov’s wife. Christ.
I finish up the call with him and hang up the phone. She’s sits quietly, picking at her fingernails.
“Stop that,” I order.
She freezes. “Stop what?” she bites out.
She’ll lose that edge to her responses when I get her alone.
“Picking at your nails. It’s a disgusting habit.” I watch the way her jaw firms and her eyes narrow, but she doesn’t respond. Her hands sit in her lap, stilled, but after a moment she twitches a bit and her foot begins to tap. I don’t pay attention at first, as I’m thinking about the possibilities that lie ahead.
I’ll have to go to the gala.
“Stop that, too.”
Maksym’s found an in, and I need to take it, but I know what this gala is like. She’ll be expected to present herself like royalty and act the part.
I turn to face her. “A ty govorish' po russki?” I ask her, marking her response.
Do you speak Russian?
When she looks at me and worries her lip, I have my response. I nod. She’s either lying or really doesn’t speak Russian, but this will do.
I’ll bring her, and make sure to spread the word she’s come from America and speaks no Russian. Having her by my side and mute is likely best. But, God, if she’s what they say she is… the girl could become unglued in public. Her behavior might be erratic and unpredictable.
But I have my methods of training before we go. If she values her life, she’ll do as she’s told.
I know now I did the right thing taking her for myself.
When I saw her, saw with my own eyes the fire that burns deep within her, I knew a simple kidnapping wouldn’t suffice.
No.
She’s stolen tens of thousands of dollars in what she must have thought was a smart maneuver. Money is our business, and we don’t take too kindly to meddlers. Her life is forfeit for her deception, and anyone who knows us will know this to be fact.
Now that she’s quiet and momentarily obedient, I think about my plan to form an alliance politically.
We drive in silence for ten minutes, and I know she wants to ask questions but she’s biding her time. I offer her nothing. Soon, when I have her alone, I will tell her what my expectations are.
In my line of work, there is no time for the softer pleasures life has to offer, so I don’t spend time with women the traditional way. I take what I want, when I want it and appease my conscience by paying amply. I have a ring of beautiful women who service me when I wish. It’s easier that way. No strings attached.
Maksym and Kazimir were fools for falling for their women. It’s weakened them, and that angers me.
They shouldn’t have let themselves be manipulated. If Kazimir hadn’t fallen for Sadie, he’d be the leader of our brotherhood, not me.
But I saw how he did things last year when we were under Dimitri. I watched. And I know where he went wrong.
Kazimir was far too easy on his girl. He allowed himself to feel compassion for her. If he’d trained her properly from the beginning, he never would have fallen victim to Cupid’s arrow.
I scowl at the road in front of me. So. Fucking. Stupid.
Maksym is slightly better. At least he hasn’t gone on to have fucking offspring.
I would never take a family into my circle, never take anyone I truly cared about anywhere near the men I work with.
However… this might be an opportunity of sorts.
Before Kazimir left, he married Sadie as a display of public goodwill and let it be with a clear public message: here is a man who takes a bride, and only good men do so. We have so many political and influential people in our circle, we sometimes need to pander to politics.