Page 68 of Lord of Justice

And how to work around it,I think.

"This indifference concerns me that you've taken the bench with other motivations in mind."

"I'm glad you realize, Sinclair, howimportantit is to understand the concept of following the rule of law." I sound indifferent, but I've giventhis sleazy fuck enough attention. "Youcanindicate your belief in this project, of course. But like every other Supreme Court Justice, I am required to sit through the legal arguments before coming up with any conclusions. Thank you for sharing your concern."

There's a short silence, and the clink of ice cubes as he drains his glass in one noisy swallow. "You are going to beveryunhappy if you choose to disappoint me, Morozov."

Any oozing charm he had is completely gone, and now he's just a man who's furious, drunk, and I suspect edging toward terrified.

"Is there someone pressuring you?" I ask solicitously. "Do you want to talk about it? Sometimes it helps just getting the words out."

Nikandr's face is almost purple. I know he's trying to hold in his laughter to make sure that our esteemed senator doesn't hear it.

"We'll talk soon," Carlisle promises grimly and hangs up.

"It looks like Senator Sinclair is calling in favors with you already," Nikandr observes.

"He's a bag of pus," I say, slipping my phone back into my pocket. "But he's also scared. Someone's pushing him."

"From what you've told me, he has a lot togain from this data center, doesn't he?" Iris asks. “There are companies that have already won the bid for a project that's not been approved yet."

Kissing the tip of her nose, I smile down at her fondly. I've been doing a surprising amount of smiling and kissing with Iris. It's not natural to me, yet it seems to be happening all the time. "Exactly, my clever girl. The good senator is sweating because whoever owns him on this deal is beginning to suspect it's not quite as in the bag as he must have promised them it is."

"How bad is this data center deal?" Caroline asks.

"It's a nightmare," I say, walking over to the bar and pouring myself a glass of scotch. I glance at Iris, and she shakes her head.

Nikandr holds up his hand. "I'd like a drink."

"Get it yourself." I settle back down with my wife. "The environmental impact study is sloppy, it’s even worse than the faulty data they used. The data center is a catastrophe. It will require five years to finish and fifty-eight billion dollars to build. Sinclair is already pressuring Governor Stone for across-the-board tax breaks for this piece of shit."

"Wow, it sounds like a winner," Caroline says dryly.

"The case won't be coming before the bench for acouple of months," I say. "I have other things to attend to."

"Yes," Nikandr agrees. "Like making sure that the Moscow Six families think we love them best. I have the pleasure of renegotiating our weapons deal with the Vasiliev Bratva, Benedikt is, unsurprisingly, being a bastard about it."

My hand goes up to rub my neck and I find Iris's fingers there first, loosening the tight tendons. "There's two key choke points on outside shipments that we can implement if he's stubborn about it. Cut out his other supplier and he'll be much more open to negotiation. It's going to be a busy five days."

"I was hoping we might get a little free time," Iris whispers. "It would be nice if you had a chance to show me a couple of your favorite places. I know you spent most of your time in St. Petersburg when you were younger, but I'm sure there's some places in Moscow that mean a lot to you."

My wife isn't asking for the luxury shopping tour. She just wants a couple of hours of my time to show her places that have mattered to me. "You are too sweet, darling. Do you know that?"

"Only because I'm on my best behavior now." She smiles, batting her eyelashes. "That's why I'm wearing this somewhat uncomfortable suit, with socially appropriate heels." She makeslittle displaying motions with her hands at the red suit she's wearing. She looks delicious. "You know, like the wife of afearsomeBratva overlord."

Caroline covers her mouth, stifling a snort. "I got a few wardrobe suggestions when I married Nikandr, too. It's not likewecare how we look for a long-ass flight. If I had my way, I'd be wearing my Vans and a sweatshirt. It is all about building upyourimage." She smiles sweetly at an amused Nikandr, who laces her fingers with his. "You're so going to owe me for that, babe."

"I can only imagine,plokhoy kot," he sighs.

***

Plokhoy Kot- Russian for "bad car," Nikandr's nickname for Caroline

Chapter Thirty-Two

In which there are sinister machinations, vile human traffickers and a shit ton of vodka.

Andrey…