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“Understood,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how many men you bring. We’re here to discuss terms.”
Vincent spread his hands. “Why don’t you begin.”
Hedeon took a deep breath and leaned forward, palms down on the tabletop. “The Volkovs are killing each other. Maksim’s number two and number three are at each other’s throats, and the whole crew is split in half. It’s causing a lot of problems on the street, not just for them, but for you as well.”
Vincent nodded. “Disrupting business. It’s not good for the trade.”
“Drug trade?” Reid asked.
“Any of the trades,” Dante said, grinning. “We’ve been trying to discuss things with the Volkovs, or what’s left of them anyway, but haven’t gotten anywhere. The new heads are a little…”
“Aggressive,” Vincent said.
Dante nodded. “They’re in a war, which means their reactions are all war-time reactions. They’re not thinking straight.”
“Which is where we come in,” I said. “We want to step in and solve your problem. We have the muscle, the money, and the will to take down both halves of the Volkovs, or at least make them submit.”
“And you’re here to ask permission.” Vincent smiled.
Hedeon laughed. “I don’t ask permission,” he said. “I killed Maksim. I did it because I wanted to. I didn’t ask permission.”
“Leo came to us, wanted to see if we’d help.” Dante nodded at me. “That sounded like he was asking for permission.”
“Leo went to you and bribed you to stay the fuck out of it,” Hedeon said. “And that worked.”
“Worked like a charm,” I said, grinning. “Got you idiots to keep your noses to ourselves while we took care of business. Left your supposed ally hanging out to dry.”
Vincent gave me a sour look. “I don’t think that was your intention.”
“Think what you want.”
Robin gave me a look and held up her hands. “Gentlemen. I understand things are tense, but wouldn’t it be better for everyone if the Volkov family had some stability?”
“Yes,” Vincent said, “I agree with that. Well put, Ms. Volkov.”
Robin gave him a tight smile.
“That’s what we are offering,” Hedeon said. “This time, we don’t want you to be neutral. We want you to back our play.”
“What can we do?” Dante asked.
“Men, guns, money. At the very least, information.”
“I thought you had all that already.” Dante leaned forward, eyebrows raised.
“We have the guns, the men, the money. But you know more about the Volkov operation than we do. If you help us, in exchange we will bring stability back to the city. We will be good business partners. Everyone will make money again.”
Vincent leaned back in his chair and watched Hedeon with a closed expression. I tried to read the man but couldn’t get a thing. I wanted to reach out and touch Robin’s leg but managed to keep myself tightly restrained.
“We will offer guns,” Vincent said. “And information. But nothing more than that.”
Hedeon spread his hands. “We won’t need more.”
“But in exchange, we want payment. Once the current Volkov operation’s been dismantled, we want half of whatever you find. Half their drugs, half their girls, half their territory, half their money.”
Hedeon laughed. “So we do all the work and you make out like kings?”
“More or less,” Dante said.
“No way,” Aldman said. “That’s bullshit.”
Hedeon held up a hand. “Half the money, girls, drugs. But I keep the territory.”
Dante looked at Vincent. Both men seemed to have a moment of silent communication before Vincent nodded and stood. “Let’s toast to the future of our city.”
Hedeon grinned, stood, and joined Vincent over at a small side table. Vincent poured a glass of whiskey for himself and for Hedeon, and the two men clinked glasses.
“To a good working relationship,” Hedeon said.
“To the future.”
They drank and shook hands.
“I feel like I should fucking clap,” Aldman said. “Except we just signed the death warrant for a lot of Volkov assholes.”
“Good riddance,” Reid said. He stood up. “We done here?”
“Relax, guys,” Dante said. “Hang around for a bit. We’ve got a game room with whatever you could want. Come with me.”
Reid hesitated then shrugged. He followed as Dante stood and walked to the door. Aldman went after them.
“Fuckers,” he said. “I’m not getting left behind.”
Dante laughed and led the two guys out into the hallway.
Robin turned to me and leaned close. “We did it,” she said. “How do you feel?”
“I feel tired. Like I just ran a marathon naked in frigid weather.”
She laughed. “Know how that feels?”
“Nope, and never want to.” I kissed her softly.
Hedeon barked my name. “Come here.”
I squeezed her knee and stood. My leg ached where I got shot. I knew that ache would be with me the rest of my life. I resisted the urge to rub at it.
“Vincent, from now on, you’ll address Leonid as my second in command,” Hedeon said.
I stared at him. “What?”
“Congrats on your promotion,” Vincent said with a laugh. “Now, me and your boss need to hammer out the details. Why don’t you take your lovely little Volkov prize and tour the manor? That’s not much around these days I’m afraid, but feel free to make yourself at home.”
