Page 71 of Unruly

“Always, babe.”

Cross was already standing when Vlad Sokolov and his men entered the quiet restaurant. He stood to greet the Russian boss only because he figured the man had enough to be offended about without adding an Italian Don’s theatrics to the situation. Besides, Cross might be a boss, but he was not this man’s boss. He could not expect Vlad to show him any sort of respect by way of their traditions.

Each step Vlad took echoed in the mostly empty space. Cross had made sure the place was cleared of patrons for the day, to give them a bit of privacy. The small staff on hand had been told to stay scarce unless called for. He was sure they would appreciate the bonus on their check for this.

Only half of Cross’s attention was on this meeting, and that was his own fault. A week after realizing his wife was pregnant, and he figured his distraction was … well, appropriate, considering everything. Still, he shook off the thoughts keeping his attention split, and focused on the meeting at hand.

Two men flanked the Russian boss. Both were large in stature, expressionless, and dressed entirely in black. Neither of the two graced Cross with their attention, but Vlad didn’t once take his gaze away as he closed the space between them.

Cross didn’t bother to offer his hand to shake, instead waving at the open seats at the table. “Care to sit, Vlad?”

“Nyet.”

He was quite sure that meant no.

Cross ignored the unsettling sensation weighing heavily in his gut. Flanking him, Rick and Zeke cleared their throats as the silence stretched on.

“Where is my man’s daughter, boy?”

The thinly veiled insult was easy to brush off. In fact, Cross barely acknowledged the man had said anything at all. It was far too common for men in their kind of business to see younger men as children compared to them. Vlad looked as though he had a good twenty years on Cross, or more.

“I believe Katya is at home,” Cross lied.

Katya was nowhere near Zeke’s home at the moment. Her safety needed to be taken into account, and it would be dumb to leave her alone at a spot that was well known as Zeke’s private residence. Even leaving her with an enforcer was stupid.

“Home,” Vlad said, as though he could taste the word in his mouth. “Not her father’s home, no?”

“I meant her home.”

Vlad’s blank expression cracked with anger, darkening his weathered features. “It is true, then. The suka married the prick. I told her father that she was a whore.”

Zeke moved forward, but Cross saw his friend’s action coming. He held up a single hand, stopping Zeke from coming any further, or from speaking up.

It didn’t seem to matter.

He had gained attention.

Vlad’s gaze shifted slightly from Cross, to Zeke. “This is him, yes? Zeke. Stupid name for a stupid boy.”

Jesus.

Apparently, Cross should have just went all out with his own theatrics anyway. The risk of offense be damned. After all, Vlad had zero issue with poking at them with insults. He had anticipated this meeting would go one way, but he hoped for too damn much.

Clearly.

“Pay no attention to my men,” Cross said. “They didn’t ask you here to talk, Vlad. I did.”

Vlad’s gaze cut back to him instantly. “I will give you a piece of advice, Cross Donati. It would be wise for you to heed it.”

“I didn’t ask for advice. I asked for a meet to chat about—”

“Too bad. I will give it. You should not protect men who break the rules of our life. It puts a target on your back, boy, as I am sure you know.”

Cross refused to respond.

He already knew this.

What was done, was done.