“Our strongest yes,” Feliks replies, “but not our only. We will turn our focus onto the brothels, no longer a side gig but our main source of revenue. It’s not pretty but it is what we’re good at. I know such an offer sounds too good to be true but as an act of good faith, I have something for you.” He lifts the folder and offers it out and I have to commend him that he’s smart enough not to approach Dante directly.
Dante tilts his head and one of our guards moves forward to take the folder and bring it to him.
“Inside are the details and locations of four of our gun-running plants. They are yours to take. The men that work there have already vacated at my request so they stand ready to be claimed,” Feliks explains. “The rest, I will gladly hand over if… you help me kill the Pakhan.”
The balls on this guy!
Silence falls as Dante pours over the folder in his hands. His shoulders bunch but from the smoothness of his jaw I can tell that Feliks must be telling the truth. Interesting. This little grunt, barely a speck on the Pakhan’s radar, has risen up through the family, turning friendship into loyalty, and now stands to sweep in and take the lead for himself.
I’m almost impressed.
Almost.
Scratchiness tickles up my throat and I swallow hard, wincing faintly when the movement drives a sharpness against my throat. Another chill wraps around me and I glance over at Cain and Declan, curious if anyone else is feeling the cold here. They remain steadfast and their faces blank, it’s impossible to tell.
I’m just missing my leather jacket.
Just as Dante closes the folder, another tickle rises and this one I can’t fight. I have to cough and the noise escapes me like a bark. Dante turns to me, his eyes widening slightly and all other gazes burn into me as I clear my throat and hold up a hand in apology.
Must be the leftover chemicals irritating me.
“I will have this information checked,” Dante says.
Feliks nods.
“Feliks, we will consider your proposal and discuss it with the Irish. If it holds merit, we will be in touch.”
With that, the meeting is over. Feliks and his men linger for a moment, another sign of their inexperience before Feliks forces a smile and turns, leaving with his men. We all remain in position until the door at the opposite end closes and then Dante snaps into action.
“Cain, Declan; check our cars. I don’t trust him for a second,” Dante instructs. The Arco brothers nod, signaling to some of their men as they leave the building.
“Do you think he has what it takes?” Owen asks, stepping up to Dante as the air around us softens with everyone relaxing.
“It’s a tempting offer. Almost too tempting,” Dante states, rubbing his jaw.
“Aye, or an offer of desperation,” Owen points out. “If he really is trying to save his men, his family, then it’s the best way to secure it I’d say. When you’re facing down death there isn’t anything too big to offer.”
“Or it’s all a ruse for us to let our guard down,” I remark and another cough follows, catching me by surprise. Dante presses a hand to my back, patting me as an amused smirk crosses his lips.
“The Russians could give us the world and you would still speak sour,” he chuckles. “We must be careful. Feliks doesn’t seem to be cut from the same cloth. Owen, I need you to confirm what he said about the Russian brigadiers. If they really are dead, then maybe he is telling the truth.”
Owen nods, glancing at me as another cough escapes before he heads out of the warehouse with his men.
Dante and I follow a moment later, stepping out into the parking lot where we’re greeted by Cain.
“Cars look clean Boss, no one was out here,” he states and a strong shiver steals through my body as if erupting from the inside.
I actually just want to go home to Cara, if only she didn’t have dinner plans.
“Excellent,” Dante sighs and he casts another worried glance at me, one I wave off with a glare. “We have to take this back to Sienna, the next move is hers if Feliks is offering a business deal.”
As we head for the cars, an uncomfortable restless sensation swells within my limbs and I find myself huddling further into my seat as Dante settles in beside me.
He casts me another silent glance but I ignore it, turning my attention out of the window. The sooner this Russian business is over, the better.
15
CARA