“The name is Esme Kovalyov,” she says instantly.
I shiver at the way she says that. My cock stiffens, too.
Yes, my wife has fire aplenty.
“How could I forget?” I say, unable to keep from grinning ear-to-ear.
She’s about to lean in and kiss me when a piercing cry carries through to us.
“Phoenix,” Esme says hurriedly. She darts into his room to check on him.
When she’s gone, Adrik looks at me with raised eyebrows, waiting for orders.
“Go round up our men,” I tell him. “We’re leaving in five.”
He nods and leaves the apartment, while I hang back. The moment the door shuts behind him, I move to the half open door and watch as Esme picks Phoenix up and rocks him gently from side to side.
“You’re okay, little bird,” she says. “You’re okay.”
“Esme?”
She turns to me.
“I’ll see you tonight.”
She nods solemnly. “You better.”
I give her a wink and head out the door.
The car’s waiting for me downstairs. The rest of my men will meet us on the road about a mile out from the Polish facilities.
And then, the games will begin.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, I see three black SUV’s fall into line behind us. My entourage is complete, and yet, something is missing. I realize with a painful jolt that something will always be missing.
Cillian.
He should be here, driving the car while I coordinate with the rest of the team.
I glance towards Adrik. He’s a loyal man and a strong fighter. So is Maxim. So are all the men who have pledged their loyalty to me.
But it doesn’t matter.
My history with them is surface deep when I compare it with the friendship I had with Cillian.
I wonder if that loss will ever stop hurting.
We park right in front of the safehouse, a surprisingly unimpressive building for a mafia faction that has been active and influential for a few decades now.
I’m the first person out of the car, but the rest of my crew quickly follows. We’re all packing heat—a show of strength is necessary—but I’ve purposefully limited the number of men I’ve brought with me to avoid the appearance of a direct assault.
But some fear may be necessary.
I just need to toe the line.
I’ve come here for a conversation, a possible alliance, not a fight. If I’d brought any more men, that’s the way our presence might be construed.