“This girl was down in the basement for a while before being brought up. She has a good insight into how many men they are using and how many women they are moving. Either way tonight was just the first step to cutting the Volkov brothers at the knees. We either do it the violent way. Take this to the streets and get innocent people killed in the process or be smart. Use our wits and erase them from the game another way.”
“Understood.”
“Now cut the party short and get out on the streets. Put your ears to the ground. See what you catch. They had a lot of buyers there this evening. But no way in hell they sold their entire catalog. Find out what their next plan is by any means.”
Everyone stands except Rage.
The evening is dragging but we still have another half hour or so before my purchase is set to arrive. “Any word from Dragon?”
No one has anything, which I half expected. “He’ll check in soon, Prez,” Devil offers half shrugging.
I appreciate his attempt at easing my mind over our brother still out in the field. “Devil, get to Asylum and watch who comes and goes. Keep me in the loop.” Our high-end bar pulls in some high rollers. Someone from the auction is bound to be there. It took a few years to establish the reputation of a safe zone where the authorities never step foot. And a lot of money. Anyone can be bought. It’s a hard fact of life.
“On it.”
With that Rage and I are left alone in the basement nursing the remainder of the vodka.
“Now spill it. What the fuck are you not saying in front of the other men? I know you. The real you. Now tell me or I walk.”
I crank an eyebrow up and peg Rage with a look that screamsfuck you.
Hisdon’t give a shitattitude dies along with his playful attitude and I see the man from years of walking beside me emerge.
He plants his palms on the table and anchors himself in. “I’m not risking my life for lies. We started this with one solid rule between us. The truth or nothing, man. Don’t pull this prez shit on me either. I told you when you patched me in as your second—”
“For God’s sake are you going to shut up long enough for me to talk or just keep mouthing off and crying all over good vodka?”
“Depends on what you have to say next.”
No one ever gets over pain or grief. They just learn to live with the oppressive weight on their chest. I carry mine as a reminder of why I’m walking this earth. It’s also in my veins. “The Volkov brothers know. They’re baiting me. Seeing how long I’ll play to keep my secret.”
“Jesus Christ. That’s not good.” He slides his weight into his chair and props an ankle over a knee. “How long before you think the shit hits the fans?”
I shrug. “Volkovs are working an angle by not outing me at the auction.” I pause around another mouthful of vodka. “The new prospects and our crew won’t trust me if they find out I’ve been lying to them this whole time. We’ve all built this club on the backbone of honesty and taking down people like my family. What will they do when they find out I’m one of them?”
Rage stands and clasps me on the shoulder. “It’s really fucked we don’t get to pick our family. You’re an Antonov, Ares. Bratva blood through and through. Doesn’t mean you have to belikean Antonov. Maybe it’s time you just tell them. The men will either stay or go.”
“We need them. Our club will die if we don’t get more blood in and soon. We’re getting weaker while the Volkovs are amassing a hell of a lot of muscle.”
Fergie, in all her leather glory, floats down the stairs, her customary Red hanging from her lips completely unaware of the lead sitting in the pit of my stomach.
We both turn to her. “She’s here, Ares.”
I join Rage in standing and take one last swallow. “Let’s deal with one problem at a time, brother.”
Five
Ares
I’m out of the basement and at the foot of the stairs in a few strides. I watch my men and Fergie shuffle my new bride up the stairs. It’s hard to believe the level of arrogance the Volkov brothers possess by delivering my bought bride straight to my door like a freaking package, yet there she is. All her raging, ruffled glory. Even with a bag over her head. I swear to God she’s more beautiful with clothes on than standing naked in the middle of a room.
The men and I’ve been planning this moment for a couple of months now. Not the purchasing a bride part. But getting Nova on our side.
The way I envisioned having Nova Masters in my home went something like convenience or pressure her into offering her hacker services, pay her off and then go our separate ways.
Not me buying her at a fucking auction.
Turns out, I wasn’t the only one with eyes on the same woman. And I’m not too sure the Volkov brothers are smart enough to realize who they had in their possession.