Dmitry
William-fucking-Carter.
There was no one else I hated more in the world.
This man had been a constant thorn in my side ever since I opened Maslow Architecture. I had been searching for a reason to take Carter and his business out for years because the motherfucker was as crooked as they come.
“Dmitry,” Carter sneered. “So good to see you. I was just getting to know your lovely companion here. Quite the beauty you’ve managed to find yourself.”
“Indeed, I’m very fortunate.”
Lightning crackled between us, and Winter shrank into my side, seeking shelter from the swirling storm. The rivalry between Carter and m
yself was infamous and stretched back years, ever since I had opened my firm and become the first competitor Carter couldn’t bully or buy out of business. Maslow Architecture quickly grew in reputation across the city, and clientele began abandoning Carter Architect and Design for the higher quality and fairer prices I delivered.
“I was actually hoping to see you here tonight,” I said, my tone even, but still ice cold.
“Oh?” He tilted his head, feigning curiosity. “Why is that?”
“To tell you to that it’s over.” I paused, waiting to see Carter’s reaction. The fucker appeared genuinely baffled.
That’s right, you bastard. Try to keep up.
“What the hell are you talking about, Maslow? What’s over?”
I smirked. “You are. You and your business are done. I finally have the ammunition I need to shut you the fuck up for good.”
Winter tensed next to me, and I squeezed her closer
Just trust me, krasavitsa. I’ve got this under control.
“Have you lost your senses, Dmitry?” Carter scoffed. “What could you possibly think you have that could hurt me?”
“Economic espionage, for one.”
Carter paled as Winter released a squeak of shock.
“Mr. Maslow…” she whimpered, but I patted her hip to silence her.
“Wh-what the fuck are you talking about, Maslow?” Carter stammered. His cool exterior was slipping right before my eyes, and it was so fucking satisfying.
“I know everything, Carter. I know you’ve been spying on my firm, attempting to steal my plans for the McAllister project. I must say, it took balls to think you could get away with it.”
His mouth opened and closed like a fish as he tried to come up with a response. “I … I don’t know … you can’t just …”
“You made one fatal mistake, however,” I continued, ignoring my rival’s stuttering attempts at speech. “You sent in someone I could trace back to you. Sure, my HR’s regular background checks didn’t catch it at first, but few things escape the notice of the Russian mafia.”
Carter’s eyes bulged. “The … the Russian mafia?”
I jerked my chin, signaling Ivan, who stood off to the side. I’d asked the man to come and assist in cleaning up the mess Carter had created. Ivan was a giant of a man, with broad shoulders and tree-trunk arms. His ice-blue eyes narrowed in on Carter, who gaped up at him in horror.
Winter was breathing heavily next to me. I glanced down to see she was on the verge of a panic attack, her face deathly pale, and her eyes wide with alarm as she stared up at me.
I needed to wrap this up and get her out of here.
Turning back to Carter, I coldly continued, “Luckily for you, I don’t wish to involve the authorities as you wouldn’t be the only one to suffer the consequences of your idiotic mistakes. My colleague will be negotiating the terms of your retirement, and I’m sure the two of you can come up with an arrangement that is beneficial to us all.”
Ivan laid a heavy hand on Carter’s shoulder. “I would very much suggest you come quietly,” he said in his low, rumbling voice. “It will prove less painful for you in the end.”