ANTON
I make him wait. The old fuck is severely overestimating how much I need him.
“Rodion is waiting for you in the bar room,” Yulian says as he approaches me from behind.
“Does this look like a friendly visit to you?”
Yulian sighs. “It doesn’t look good.”
“He forgets: he’s not my father-in-law anymore. What we once were means nothing to me.”
“Maybe it should,” he says in a small voice.
“You think I should bend over for him?” I turn on my brother so he can see the naked fury in my eyes.
“No, no, of course not. I’m just saying there’s no harm in giving him a little more leeway. Grief can do things to a man.”
“Only to a weak man.”
“He is Papa’s oldest friend,” Yulian says in a tone that suggests he knows exactly what he’s walking into. “That has to mean something, even now.”
“The fuck it does. Business and friendship don’t mix.”
“Papa had a plan—”
“And his plan was shot to hell the moment Marina and I got married. That wedding was the single worst mistake of my life.”
He sighs and drags a hand over his face. “Surely you had your moments with her?”
“Each one worse than the last,” I snarl. “I’m not interested in a lecture about peace and harmony, Yulian. That may be your vision, but it isn’t mine.”
“If you retaliate, it’ll get ugly.”
“I’ve got news for you: it already is. Now, let’s get this over with.”
“Wait. What about Jessa?”
“What about her?” I snap. In my head, though, I’ve already got her location marked. Nothing will harm her. I don’t think I’d be able to bear that kind of pain.
“Where is she?”
“Upstairs,” I say impatiently. “Resting.”
I push past Yulian, making sure he knows just how annoyed I am with him. When I get to the bar room, Lev is the only one of my men there.
Rodion is sitting on the sofa next to a man who looks vaguely familiar, though his name is a complete blank.
“Anton,” Rodion says without bothering to get up. “Thanks for having me on such short notice.”
I give him a tight smile. “Of course, Rodion. You know you’re always welcome.”
“Am I really?” he muses.
I sit down opposite him. Lev, of course, resumes his usual standing position just behind me. Yulian takes a seat between Rodion and me.
“Why would you even ask?”
“Because I got word about a deal that was made behind my back,” Rodion says. “At your behest.”