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“Don’t we all?” My retort was laced with the same animosity as his, my patience already wearing thin. After meeting with Kirill, I’d been unable to find out a single useful detail regarding the assassin’s possible identity. Putting the fear of God into several informants had provided nothing useful. Even my father had acted as if he had no idea who could be striking out in retaliation.
Kostya slowly turned his head, the anger we both shared evident by the tension in the air. “I have made inquiries as you asked.”
“And?”
“No one is talking.”
“Not good enough.”
Sighing, he took a sip of his drink, his jaw clenched as he thought about how to answer me. I was surprised at his heightened level of rage, something rarely seen in the man. He was as emotionless as they came, a cold-blooded killer who would put a bullet in his own mouth to prevent being caged like an animal.
Although I’d long suspected he’d endured such torture more than once in his life.
“I’ve found many times, Alexei, that one needs to look within to find the answers worth seeking.”
His answer made me laugh. “Since when did you decide to become philosophical?”
He stared into his glass as if the dark liquid could provide him with answers. Then he tossed back every drop. “You know nothing about my world. I would remain concerned with your own.”
“I need answers, Kostya. You’re the only man who can find them but do so quietly.” I slipped my hand into my jacket pocket, tugging a folded piece of paper into my hand. Since learning about the cases Stephanie had either worked as second chair or handling herself, five men had proven to be of interest, all with indirect connections to one mafia organization or another; one I had the most interest in for several reasons. The fact the perpetrator had been locked away for years didn’t preclude the possibility he had connections, although from what little I’d learned about the man, he’d been acting alone. I’d found it interesting my father hadn’t mentioned the bastard as a possibility.
My instinct told me that one of the five either had or would seek retaliation for their forced incarceration or other difficult situations caused by my family. Four of the men had been released and all had disappeared. Kostya was the single man who could find them.
No matter the obstacles. And without regard to the level of bloodshed needed.
He yanked the paper from my hand, peering at the photographs as well as their names. As he studied them, memorizing every line of their faces, I glanced over his shoulder.
My cock immediately twitched. The sight of Stephanie standing on the shore was an unexpected pleasure. I hadn’t anticipated her arrival for at least another hour.
“These photographs mean nothing, which indicates they are nothing,” he huffed, balling the paper into his hands.
He’d memorized them, enough to be able to recognize their faces even under a disguise.
“Maybe not, but it would seem necessary to ensure the organization isn’t facing a situation.”
He laughed at my choice of words. “I will determine if they are a threat. And if they are?”
I’d watched as Stephanie returned to the bar and within seconds, she was in what appeared to be a conversation with another man. He was touching her, prodding her. Her voluptuous breasts were barely contained by the tight material of the bodice, almost every inch of her long, shapely legs showing given the length of the damn dress. I took a deep frosty breath, holding it in as my anger swelled.
She was mine even if she had no idea as of yet what that meant.
More than a small part of me wanted to smash the man’s face with my fist, snapping his neck with my fingers. I was certainly capable of ending a man’s life within seconds. As I took deep breaths, I fisted my hand, unable to think clearly. The woman had no understanding of what she was doing. There wasn’t a man in close proximity who wasn’t trying to determine a way to get her in the sheets, forcing a torrid affair. That wasn’t going to happen.
My reaction shocked the hell out of me, enough so I wiped several beads of sweat from my face as my anger turned to rage. Violent rage.
As she continued chatting with the asshole, it became painfully apparent that she needed to learn her behavior wouldn’t be tolerated.
“Alexei,” Kostya snarled.
Fuck. What the hell was I thinking? Even though I gave the mercenary a single glare, all I could think about was jerking her over my knee, ripping away her panties, and providing the discipline she clearly needed. Then I’d toss her onto the bed, enjoying every second of watching her lovely face as I fucked her long and hard.
Kostya noticed my attention had been pulled away, turning enough to follow my gaze. “I’d wondered the reason for meeting at this location. Now, I know. The great Alexei Kozlov has a weakness.”
Bristling, I moved closer until he could feel the heat resonating from my body. We stood eye to eye, his initial reaction to fist his hand around the glass. “To use your phrase, Kostya. You know nothing about me.”
He took a few seconds before responding. It would serve no purpose to fuel the obvious dislike we had for each other. “Very well, Alexei. However, heed my word of caution. If there is someone out to destroy your family, do not make it easy.”
“I have no intentions of doing so.”
