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I could sense he was weighing the odds that he could shoot me for breaking into his house before I had a chance to grab my weapon. Fortunately, he had the common sense to follow my orders, placing his gun on the counter then walking closer.
“Grab a cup of coffee. I think you’re going to need it.” I wasn’t making a request and he knew it. After taking another sip, I returned my attention to the window, surprised at the number of butterflies in his garden.
After a few additional seconds of hesitation, he moved away, yanking a mug from his cabinet. I stared down at mine, chuckling under my breath as I read the saying on the exterior.
My level of sarcasm depends on your level of stupidity.
I had to admit the words gave me a smile.
I could smell his anger as well as the appropriate amount of fear as he jerked out the chair, sitting down with a hard thud.
“I’m going to ask you one more time,” he started again. “What the fuck are you doing in my goddamn house?”
After taking one more sip, I realized the taste had turned bitter in my mouth. I jerked my feet off the table, swinging around to face him then shoving the mug across the table with enough force it almost toppled off in his lap.
He glared at it, shaking his head. I studied him, noticing how hard he was trying to hide the nervous tic on the side of his mouth.
“To answer your question, Rian. I thought talking in private would be a much better choice than me threatening you then you acting like you’ll come after me on a fucking construction site. Here’s my answer. You fucked with the wrong man.” I pulled my weapon into my hand, yanking the ammunition clip out by several inches then slamming it back in. I was delighted to see there was a single bead of sweat rolling down the side of his face.
“I don’t like you any more than you like me, Russian, but that tells me shit.”
“Well, we could start by the fact you’ve become your father’s lackey. Didn’t he tell you that making threats to anyone of Russian descent wasn’t in your best interest?” I kept my eyes on him, able to keep a smirk on my face.
He snorted as if insulted. “I did my father a favor and nothing more. However, I agree with his assessment of what the Kozlov family is doing should be stopped. You’re using your own labor. That goes against everything the union stands for and all we’ve tried to help facilitate over the years. You know that unions were created to keep workers from being abused by unscrupulous employers. I can only imagine what you or your family experienced in Russia. I’ve heard the work environment there is reprehensible.”
I wanted to rip the man’s throat out for just assuming he had any clue what kind of life people were forced to endure, but I held off, rubbing my fingers across the barrel of my Sig Sauer instead. I did lean forward before answering. “I appreciate your commitment to ensuring workers have a decent wage, benefits and are treated well, but that only matters if the organization they’re working for had any scruples left after being forced to pay hefty union dues. As far as life in Russia, anyone involved in a business similar to an organized union would be captured and killed after they were tortured for information including the names of every member.”
It was obvious he had no idea what to say to me. I hated the fact the fucker had managed to get under my skin. I wasn’t in the mood to play word games about how much better our employees’ lives could be by conforming to their bullshit.
“Then your site will continue to have problems.”
The man had balls. That was something. “I don’t think you’re really in the position to threaten me, Rian. It’s not in your best interest unless you’re ready to leave this world.”
He half laughed, looking away then shoving his mug against mine. “My family will crush the Bratva.”
Sighing, I rubbed my jaw. I had other business to attend to. “I’m going to make the purpose of my visit very clear for you. Candy Lancaster is no longer your concern.”
Rian snapped his head in my direction, jerking up from his chair so quickly that the force almost toppled the table. His face was the shade of sun dwellers who’d forgotten to wear sunscreen on a bright, cloudless day. As he sputtered, his body shaking yet so tense his actions were almost comical, it was easy to confirm that he had no idea that Candy had been attacked. I’d use that to my advantage, pushing him even further.
“If you dare touch her… I’ll…” Saliva oozed from his mouth, which wasn’t a good look on him. However, it was further evidence that he’d been warning her against the sins of the Bratva more in its entirety than knowing I’d touched her in a carnal manner. There was no reason to lie to the man. It would serve no purpose.
“Not only have I touched her, Rian, but as of now, your cousin belongs to me. However, I’m not here to discuss her living or employment status, although she will not work another day in your seedy bar. What I am here to discuss is the fact she was kidnapped last night by three frequent flyers in your establishment.”
There was real shock in his eyes, the second round of anger just as genuine. He’d had no knowledge of what had occurred.
“I suggest you sit. The. Fuck. Down.” Hissing, I picked up my weapon, aiming it directly at the center of his chest.
Swallowing hard, he did as I demanded, his body shaking from rage. “What do you mean?”
“It’s simple. Three customers tossed her in the trunk of their car. Fortunately, I was in close proximity, able to take her to safety. However, they won’t be the only ones that attempt to harm her. The question is why?”
Rian seemed befuddled at first then closed his eyes, taking a full twenty seconds to calm down. “I had nothing to do with that, Kirill.”
Interesting. Now I was more than just a disgusting Russian. “Then who did?”
“I don’t know. I have no idea. Why would anyone want to hurt Candy?” His question hung in the air. Then he smirked. “Unless this has to do with you.”
I ignored his jab. It would serve no purpose to become irritated over something holding no merit. “What my instinct tells me is that you are behind the attack, whether for personal controlling reasons or to use her as your father’s pawn in his greed and desire to obtain more power. However, if you believe those assholes had any intention of letting her go after your little game was finished, you’re dead wrong.” This time, I pointed the barrel of my Sig in between his eyes as I rose to my feet.
