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I glance over at the boy he arrived with. He’s sitting quietly in the corner, sketching into a black notepad.
“My son, Edier,” he says, following my gaze, with the first hint of warmth in his voice I’ve heard all day.
“Does he hold a gun as well as a pencil?”
He considers my question for a moment. “Not yet, but he will.”
“How old?”
“Fifteen.”
Similar age to Alex.
“Viper’s kid should be around here, too…” I trail off with a frown, realizing I haven’t been sassed out with attitude all afternoon. Swinging my gaze to Viper, he jerks his head at my office next door.
“Family.” Santiago folds on a twenty-three and this word. “You can have all the power, all the money…but in the end, they’re just a bunch of zeros.Familyis the only number in your life. The only one that counts. Certain members excluded, of course.” He flashes that vicious smile again, conscious that I know he killed his own father and brother. “Aren’t you going to ask why eradicating sex trafficking means more to me that my cartel?”
“Altruism is alive and well in the Republic of Colombia?”
His good humour vanishes. “My daughter was taken. She’s safe now, but the scars remain…Family.” He finishes on that word again, drumming his fingers against the felt. “Men like us live to right the wrongs done to them. That’s why when I leave on Saturday, my men and Lebedov will remain. My soldiers will stay for as long as it takes for you and Viper to establish your new order and destroy the old. They’ll be under your command until your revenge is satisfied.”
“Why him?” I tip my drink at the silent Russian sitting on the other side of Grayson. “Last time he fired a decent shot, the Soviet Union still existed.”
Lebedev chuckles at this. “My wife has expressed an interest in returning to the UK for medical treatment. I am not interested in making moves on your city, Frankie. All I want is to wipe out Semenov’s Bratva cell. We have, how you say,historybetween us. My sister has a daughter in St. Petersburg. Thanks to Semenov, her innocence ended the night of her thirteenth birthday party.”
Once the game is over, I follow Viper out to the main floor. The place is teeming with suits and skirts. London is a curious city and new high-end establishments will always attract interest. I’ll be adding two more casinos to our portfolio soon. Sideshows like bars and clubs will fall into our lap once the Red Compass is crushed. Legitimate businesses make hiding the prohibited ones so much easier.
When we reach the main bar, he turns to say something to me, then hesitates.
“Are you going to give me a clue, or do I have to punch it out of you?” I click my fingers at the bartender for two whiskeys, but Viper’s already pushing past me.
“I’ll see you later.”
“Wait.” I grab his arm. “This is the meeting we’ve been waiting for. You heard what Santiago said in there. The deal is on. We’re this close to—”
“I know.Fuck, I know.” He looks angry suddenly, but it burns out twice as quick. “I just need some fucking air.”
“Then go stand under an air conditioning unit. Is this about me pulling a gun on him?”
“No, but you might want to explain that to my heart-attack. Look, Frankie,”—he stops and glances behind him—“your man is here. I’ll catch you later.”
Shrugging me off, he nods at Silas as they pass.
“Silas,” I greet.
“Lastra.”
We shake hands briefly, and he glances round the busy casino. “Is there somewhere else we can talk?”
“My office. Follow me.”
When I open the door, Bambi shoots out like a trapped animal. Head down. Pink-hair obscured by a black hoodie. She’s dragging her backpack behind her and sniffing like she’s been crying. As I go to catch her, her head jerks back, and I can see that her eyes are red too.
“Let go of me!”
“Jesus Christ. What the hell is wrong with everyone tonight?”
She stares up at me and bites her lip. “I did something, and Viper’s pissed about it.”
