I banged the metal front, the sound echoing through the air.
Within a few minutes, Callum’s right-hand man, Jamie, stood there. He was about an inch shorter than me.
“Sebastian.” He nodded, then brushed back his sandy blonde hair and gave Logan a nod to acknowledge him.
He moved aside, allowing us to step in. The door rattled as he shut it behind him, and he set off walking. We followed closely, my eyes darting around the area. The only sound was the click of our shoes on the concrete. It had that new construction smell, as if something had just been plastered. However, this place was far from new. These lockups by the Thames had been here for years.
We reached a wooden door, and Jamie turned to me. “It’s just through here.”
I gave him a nod, and he opened it to a spacious area. The smell soon changed as it hit my nostrils. That damp mould with a hint of algae floated through the air. A table with six chairs sat around it. Callum sat in one of them, a few of his men standing watch.
“Sebastian,” Callum said, rising. “Brought someone with you, I see.” His eyes drifted over Logan.
I stalked over, looking at his men, then back to him. He held his hand out, and I shook it.
“What is it you want, Callum? I’m a busy man.”
He let out a silent laugh. “Yes, a busy CEO and all. Take a seat.” He gestured with his hand, and we both sat.
“Drink?” he offered, pouring a whisky.
“No.”
“Suit yourself.”
Callum picked up the glass and swirled it before taking a sip. The air was thick as we sat there for a moment. I glared at him, wondering what he was up to.
“I was serious when I said I wanted us to work together,” he said, breaking the silence.
“And Aria?”
“She’s very important to me. All I want is what’s best for her, and if she thinks that’s you, then I support that. I’m not here to cause trouble. I’d never do that to her.”
I scrubbed a hand over my stubble, pursing my lips.
“How do I know I can trust you?”
“Do any of us really trust anyone in this line of work?”
I snorted. I trusted my men with my life. That’s why we worked so well together.
“I’ll take that as a no.” I went to stand, but he placed his hand on my shoulder to stop me.
Logan was quick off the mark, pulling his Glock straight away and pointing it at Callum, followed by Jamie on him.
My eyes flicked to it, then to meet his as they widened, that fire starting to burn through my veins.
“Take your fucking hand off me,” I said through gritted teeth.
He removed it, holding it up, and took another sip of his drink and gestured to Jamie to lower his weapon. He did as he was told. I gave Logan a look, and he did the same. “Look, I brought you here tonight to let me show you that I’m serious.”
He gave the four men a nod. My pulse quickened, and my hand flinched to where my Glock was.
“Relax,” Callum said, amusement in his voice. “I’ve got a present for you.”
The men disappeared for a few moments, then returned, each dragging … a man behind them. They were bound at theirfeet and hands, with silver tape covering their mouths. As they reached us, they were pushed to their knees. They looked like they’d already gone a few rounds—their faces were sweaty, red, caked with dirt.
“Do you know who these men are?”
