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“Maybe you’re an excellent negotiator.” He chuckled and ripped at the gloves, almost immediately returning to the gym floor. After grabbing a bottle of water and cracking it, he poured some over his head before taking a gulp.
I took my time removing the bulbous leather gloves, jumping off and tossing them in the container. “The truth is, I’m surprised he didn’t put up more of a fight. It was his wedding day.”
Coughing, water flew from his mouth. “Jesus, Alexei. You’re one cold fuck.”
“The woman didn’t deserve to marry a prick like that.” I grabbed a bottle then returned to the ring, leaning against the ropes.
“Interesting. I haven’t heard that tone before. I’m curious. How did you break it to his fiancée?”
“I didn’t have to. She figured it out all on her own.”
“Ah. Which means you made certain he didn’t make it to the church on time.”
“Something like that.” I took a few sips of water before turning my head in his direction. “What’s so urgent?”
He walked closer, his jaw clenching. “I heard a rumor. You know how I feel about that shit, but I checked it out with a few sources. Word on the street is that an assassin is coming for the family, finishing some business from a few years ago?”
His statement ended in a question. He was well aware of every enemy we’d faced or had heard had plans of assassination. His surprise at not knowing troubled me.
“I take it that means you don’t have an idea who this fucker is.”
After shaking his head, he grabbed a towel, wiping his face. “No, and I pushed hard to find out a name. Nothing. However, given members of the Russian community had heard about his imminent arrival, I think you can surmise it’s someone from the old country. And from your family’s past.”
“Fuck. That could be anyone. My father made enemies even before dragging us here.”
“Then I suggest you ask your father.”
Sighing, I thought about what I knew of the past. While it was possible it was someone coming from Russia, that would surprise me given the length of time we’d lived in the United States. In addition, my older brother Viktor would have provided the news since he’d remained stationed there handling various arms deals.
“If this is another player and one coming from another country, why announce it?”
Kirill chuckled. “That’s what you need to find out, my friend.”
“Perhaps I’ll give Kostya a call. If this is an international hit, he would know.” My father had always kept a close eye on every employee over the years, something he’d instilled in all three of his living sons, but he also had hired a mercenary years before. Kostya Baranov was known as the Phantom. He was a man who had no past, no living family members, and only a single way to contact him. Even the family wasn’t privy to where he lived, although it was rumored that he owned several estates throughout the world.
Not only did he handle our international assassinations, he proctored arms deals when necessary. All for a hefty price. While he wasn’t considered exclusive, my father had assured me that his loyalty was to our family alone. To this day, I’d had no reason to challenge it.
“That is true. I’ll have my men keep their eyes and ears open, but you should warn your father and brother.”
“Yeah, I will.” I continued to try to think about any assassination attempts that had possibly gone without retaliation. Maybe it happened prior to taking part in my father’s business.
Kirill eyed me carefully, the twinkle in his eyes unexpected.
“Is there something else?” My question was more of a demand.
“This woman, who is she?”
He knew I was a private man, never sharing any information about what few women I’d ever allowed into my life. The fact he’d been able to detect that I continued to crave her didn’t bode well. She could become a weakness that could have the ability to destroy everything I’d achieved, especially since the new casino was about ready to open, the facility almost derailed too many times over the course of the last year.
By the fucking Irish unions, another thorn in my side.
The timing was interesting given the grand opening was one week away. Nothing in my world was coincidental, including the fact Gregory had left with his tail between his legs. I would need to double check everything going on with the final stages to ensure there were no additional hiccups.
“A prosecutor in the same office as Gregory.”
After narrowing his eyes, he walked closer. “You do enjoy playing with fire.”
I’d been called reckless more times that I could count; however, I was more calculating than most people knew. “She’s nobody at this point.”
