“Don’t you think it’s taking more time than it should?”
“It is.”
“It’s natural, though.”
“Natural, how?”
“You and the Irish were always on bad terms.”
“How do you know that?”
“I might have heard tales.”
“What kind of tales?”
“The interesting kind.”
Ugh. He’ll keep dragging me along before he finally divulges it. “Care to elaborate?”
“Let’s say that you were friends once upon a time.”
“We…were?” The brotherhood and the Irish have always been at each other’s throats for as long as I can remember. Damien’s dispute is only the straw that broke the camel’s back.
“Yes. Nikolai never mentioned that?”
“Not really. I know our Bratva counterparts in Russia, Boston, and Chicago can get along with the Irish, but that was never the case for us.”
Kai’s eyes twinkle as he takes a steady sip of his tea. “You got along with them a long time ago.”
“How long are we talking about?”
“Decades.”
“How would you know? You couldn’t have been present at the time.”
“No. But I have birds.”
A bird is Kai’s word for a spy. He has lots of them. Birds.
“And what did your birds tell you?”
“Birds talk a lot and make so much noise, so I don’t always take their word for granted.”
“You wouldn’t have mentioned it if you didn’t already suspect something.”
“This is why I like you.” He snaps his fingers. “You’re quick-witted and understand the situation just like that.”
“Does the compliment mean you’ll tell me?”
His lips move in a soft smile, which completely contradicts the tales I’ve heard about how he mutilates his opponents with his sword. He takes his love for kendo to another level that I’m sure isn’t instilled in the noble form of the Japanese martial arts.
“What if I told you there are some illegitimate ties?”
“Illegitimate ties?” I repeat.
“As you said, I wasn’t present. I’ve only heard passing birds talk about things that might not be true.”
“What type of things?”
“Things that include secret alliances and meetings in the dark.”
“Between who and who?”
“Someone Irish and someone Russian, and by someone, I mean they held—or hold—some importance in both organizations.”
“And I guess you’re not going to divulge the names?”
“I’m afraid my birds aren’t that talkative.”
More like he is not that talkative. He’s keeping his cards to himself and won’t reveal them unless he deems it necessary. “Why are you telling me this?”
“You seem quite stressed about this situation, and I don’t like my partners stressed. See, that takes away from their efficiency.”
I raise a brow. “Am I supposed to take that as a jab or a compliment?”
“I prefer the latter. I don’t mean to offend you.”
“Then there’s no offense taken.”
“Good, good.” He savors his tea. “Now to the reason I’m here.”
I place one leg over the other, getting comfortable. “Pray tell.”
“Are you going to sell me more shares at a price fit for partners?”
The clever jerk. Kai knows V Corp’s net profit will keep on rising, and he’s one hundred percent behind profit. He will keep his octopus hands around us as long as it keeps doubling and tripling his initial investment.
“I would love to, but I Igor mentioned that you’re not very sure about our partnership. I heard the meeting with Abe didn’t go so well.”
“Yes, that. He came to ask us for help, but we don’t offer help. We believe partners benefit each other. In a partnership, you give as much as you take.”
“Does this mean if I give you a profitable price, you will send your men over?”
He takes a sip of his tea before his sharp, dark eyes meet mine. “This means it’ll be a good start of a partnership.”
“And you’ll personally see to it?”
“Definitely.”
That’s a good sign, because even though Abe, the head of the Yakuza, isn’t open-minded, he listens to Kai. Not only is he the second man in command, he’s also quite cunning.
“In that case.” I raise my coffee mug. “I’ll ask my secretary to send you some drafts.”
“I will be waiting.”
The door opens and I grit my teeth. The only people who would barge in like that are either one of the elite group or Sergei. Since my granduncle has an appointment with a doctor today, my options are narrowed down.
Sure enough, Vlad saunters in, eyes flaming and face tightened in a permanent scowl. Of course. It was only a matter of time before he followed.
Kai smiles at him. “Vladimir, long time no see.”
“Kai.” Vlad greets back, barely tipping his head in the Japanese’s direction.
He looks like a man on a mission and in no mood for small talk. Not that he ever is.
Kai’s smile remains in place as he stands up and buttons his jacket, then shakes my hand. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Looking forward to it.”
His hand remains in mine for a second too long. “Before I go, may I give you a piece of advice?”
“Yes, of course.”
“History does repeat itself, so you might want to look closely at that.”