But it would prove to be equally effective.
My cock throbbed at the thought.
* * *
I stared up at the mirrored building, my anger just as close to the surface as it had been the entire time I’d spent in the vehicle with Dimitre. There’d been no need for discussion. We knew what we were facing.
Alexei grinned as he lifted his sunglasses, staring at the entrance to the building. “This shouldn’t take long.”
We entered the building as any other group of professionals, moving silently toward the elevators. The union office was on the top floor, which didn’t surprise me. Those elected to hold the upper-level positions fashioned themselves to be above the law, enjoying the perks of their powerful status. They had the ability to halt every construction project in the city, thereby bringing the Big Apple to its knees in a matter of hours.
The shutdown of our operations wasn’t acceptable.
Fortunately for the two women sitting at the front desk, they didn’t bother to try to stop our advance into the posh suite. They’d been made aware of the established meeting. It would seem everyone in the set of office suites knew who we were, all scuttling behind closed doors as we walked by.
While Michael spent limited time in his office, the man usually found on a golf course, the fact he kept regular hours made it easier to handle corporate conversations. Besides, he’d called for the meeting days before.
As civilized people should conduct business, Alexei had mentioned more than once. In the old days when I was growing up, business was often handled in back rooms and cellars. Times had changed.
We burst in through the closed door, standing just inside. Michael remained behind his desk, two men I’d never seen before standing behind him. The scene was laughable, the scruffy dudes incapable of passing for enforcers. I glanced around the office, making certain we weren’t in for any additional surprises.
“Alexei,” Michael said after a full minute had passed.
“Michael. How good to see you.” He walked closer to the man’s desk, leaning over. “I’ll make this meeting short since I have several other more important meetings this afternoon. If you ever threaten any of my workers again under any circumstances, the wrath you will face will not only rock your family but the entire city as well. Do you understand me?” I knew why Alexei hadn’t mentioned the attack. We’d done everything we could to clean up the mess without other organizations learning of our mishap. That would also damage our reputation, something we couldn’t afford.
I noticed a slight twinge of fear, the same nervous tic Candy had displayed. However, Walsh regrouped quickly, moving to a standing position. “Oh, I understand, Kozlov, but what I don’t think you understand is how much power I control in this city. I suggest you consider another line of work.”
The man was either stupid or goading us. Either way, he would also learn a valuable lesson.
And I would be the one to teach it.