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Egor turned quiet, his annoyance simmering. After a while, he spoke. “My apologies.” His voice was restrained, like he was forcing himself to say the words even though it was the last thing he wanted to do. “My sister is very important to me, Carter. I understand you aren’t in the business anymore, but perhaps this could be your last job. I’m willing to pay you anything to make it happen.”
The highest amount I’d ever been paid was fifty million dollars, and that was a fluke. But that wasn’t enough to get me to change my mind. “I’m sorry, Egor. But it’s not going to happen. The Skull Kings are the kind of psychopaths you don’t want to cross.”
“You’ve been crossing them for years.”
“Yes. And I got out before it became a problem.”
“Then one more time won’t hurt.”
I chuckled. “Persistent, huh?”
“Carter, how does a hundred million sound?”
That was double the highest amount I’d been paid. Most people offered between ten and fifteen million. This was definitely the most lucrative offer I’d ever received. It was enough to get my attention.
“We have a deal?”
The money was enticing, especially since the payday was so easy. All I had to do was bid on her then hand her over. It was a simple transaction. But then my father’s words haunted me. I was close with my father, and I didn’t want to disappoint him. “I made a promise to someone that I would stay out of the game.”
“It’s only one time. No one will know.”
He was probably right, but was it worth the risk?
“One-fifty.”
A hundred and fifty million? “Your sister must be one hell of a woman.”
His smile was audible. “Yes. She is.”
Now, I was seriously tempted. I would get in, get out, and never show my face again. I wasn’t Conway Barsetti, but everyone in our circles knew how close we were. The Skull Kings would allow me inside, especially if I told them I was working on my cousin’s behalf. I could do it one time, and no one would ever know.
It would be the easiest fortune I’d ever made.
Egor’s voice burned through the phone. “So, you in?”
I still didn’t give my answer.
“Come on, Carter. It’s the easiest one-fifty you’ve ever made.”
I should turn him down and move on with my life. It wasn’t like I was pressed for cash. I had more money than I needed. Having more wouldn’t change my life that much. But turning down that much cash for only a day of work sounded stupid.
Even my father would understand that.
“Alright,” I said. “I’m in.”
“Good,” he said. “I knew you would come around. Before we finalize anything, there’s something else I need you to do.”
“I’m listening.”
“I need you to hold on to my sister for a while before you give her back to me.”
“That’s fine. That’s how it has to be anyway.” If I gave her back too soon, the Skull Kings would be on to me.
“Good. I’ll be in Saudi Arabia for business for a while. And I don’t trust my men with her.”
His men? Why would his sister be with his men?
“And I’m sure I don’t need to warn you to stay away from my sister, right?” The threat was obvious.
I never slept with the women I rescued from the Underground. “Rape isn’t my style, not when I already have more pussy than I can handle.”
“Just the answer I wanted to hear. As a thank you, I’ll wire the fee to your account up front.”
That would make babysitting his sister a lot more bearable. I wasn’t looking forward to sharing my space with some woman, to sacrificing my privacy. I would have to talk to her, make sure she had what she needed, and keep her hidden from the public eye. “Very kind of you.”
“Let me know when you have her.”
“Sure thing.”
He didn’t say goodbye before hanging up.
I tossed the phone on the surface and pondered the decision I’d just made. It was risky and stupid, but when I thought of the pile of money being dropped into my bank account at that very moment, I didn’t care about my stupidity.
It would go the way it always went, smooth and simple. The most difficult part would be keeping the woman entertained in my home. After everything she’d been through with the Skull Kings, she would probably be timid and quiet. She would want nothing to do with me, too afraid that I might do something to her too. Most of the time, Conway took the girls and circulated them through his model roster so I didn’t have to deal with this shit, but I could handle it one more time.
How hard could it be?
I got into the Underground without trouble, stepping in as Conway’s replacement. They all knew me there, recognized my face easily enough, and while they raised their eyebrows before they let me in, they didn’t ask any questions.
