AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I didn’t say that. But I’m a businessman at heart. I understand the need for every member of the organization to feel appreciated. Whatever it is you most desire, I’m willing to consider it,” Lyon said.
“You’re willing to consider it?” Musa looked down at the gun still in his hands, then returned his gaze to Lyon. “Why would I come to you like a beggar, asking for scraps, when I can take it all?”
Lyon calmly studied him. “Can you take it all?”
“I can. I can claim the power of pakhan. I can take all the holdings I want and yours too. I can take your fancy apartment — yes, I’ve heard about that — and all the money your father left you. I’ve heard about that too. I can take your life.” Musa leaned in, his features suddenly illuminated by one of the street lights, until his face was only inches from Lyon’s. “Maybe I’ll even take your new wife, the one you bought and paid for, show her the difference between a Russian and a Chechen.”
Lyon wasn’t aware of making the decision to punch Musa in the face. He simply heard the crunch of Musa’s nose, felt the bones give way under his fist.
Musa’s hands reflexively went up to his face, forcing him to drop the gun.
Lyon grabbed it and held it to the other man’s cheek. Fury ran hot and wild in his veins, the kind of fury he’d worked to control over the years, the kind that had gotten him into trouble when he was younger and less disciplined. “Listen to me, you disrespectful motherfucker: if you ever speak of my wife again, I’ll kill you, rules be damned.”
He was only dimly aware that he was making a mistake, letting his emotions get the better of him, putting his hands on another brigadier, a man technically still his peer.
It wasn’t done.
“I won’t kiss your ring,” Musa said, blood running from his nose. “Now or ever. You might as well put a bullet in my brain, because if you don’t, if you let me leave here alive, there will be war.”
Lyon’s finger itched to pull the trigger. He couldn’t afford to think about the reason he’d lost his cool, about the fact that it was Musa’s mention of Kira, the thought of her in Musa’s hands, that had sent him over the edge.
That line of thinking was too treacherous, even for him.
“Then let there be war.” Lyon set the gun on the Tahoe’s console and got out of the car just as Arman exited the bar.
Lyon had disappeared before he was halfway across the street.
