AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Fuck you. Of course you want to call security on me. It’s the only way you would ever be able to personally escort me from the premises. You sure as hell aren’t capable of doing it yourself. You couldn’t move me an inch to the left if your miserable fucking life depended on it.”
Manuel adjusts the cuff of his shirt. “I don’t want to call security, but if you are here to fuck up this event, then—”
“Then what?” I snap, turning to tower over Manuel. “I’ll no longer be CEO? You saw to that already. And you’ll live to regret it. You’ll live to regret interrupting me now, too. Because one day, I’ll be back on top, and you’ll still be a barnacle clinging to the underside of my boat for dear fucking life. If you’re not careful, I’ll scrape you off and let you float into the abyss.”
Before Manuel can say anything else, I walk through the front doors into the lobby.
The main party is in the convention hall to the left, but the lobby is clogged with people. They are gathered around the coat check and taking pictures in front of the photo booth set up next to the receptionist’s desk.
What’s the point in attending a party full of rich men looking to get richer if you can’t brag about it online while wearing a feather boa?
I weed through the slush in search of the only person who matters. I have no idea what Kreshnik has planned, but if he’s willing to show up at this gala to unveil it, it can’t be good.
I’m almost to the back of the lobby, ready to shift into the convention center to continue my search, when I hear my name.
“Timofey.”
It takes me a second to spot the open door. It’s the same wood paneling as the rest of the wall, clearly a come and go for the building’s employees.
And standing in the crack is my father.
I walk towards him, hoping not to draw much attention. The last thing I need on top of Kreshnik crashing the party is Sergey showing up.
“You survived,” I growl. His midsection looks lumpy. Probably bandages under his shirt.
“What have I always told you? Be decisive. Stabbing me in the stomach was a wishy-washy attempt.”
“Noted. Next time, I’ll go for the heart.”
He shifts back further into the shadows. “‘Next time’ will have to wait. I have something to talk to you about.”
“Not now. I’m busy.”
“Looking for Kreshnik?” I stare at him, eyes narrowed, but he only shrugs. “I may not run the Bratva, but I still hear the rumors. He is here tonight.”
“Tell me where.”
“If I knew where he was, would I be lurking in a butler’s closet?” He looks past me, eyes sweeping over the room. “But I am here to help you. If you’ll let me.”
“I’m not going to sell my soul to the devil to—”
“We’ve all sold our souls to something,” he interrupts. “But this isn’t about the partnership. I’m smart enough to know a lost cause when I see one. This is about avoiding a second knife to the stomach.”
“Since when are you afraid of a fight?”
“Since I realized I’m not in fighting shape anymore.” He gingerly pats his abdomen. “My value lies in my wisdom now. And I think you’re going to want to hear what I have to say.”
I have no interest in doing any business with Sergey, but I have no clue where Kreshnik is or what he has planned. If Sergey knows something, then I’d be stupid to refuse the information.
Plus, I can always kill him if the information doesn’t pan out.
I nod, and he shifts aside to let me through. I step into the passageway and the door closes behind me.
“These secondary hallways were installed for the janitorial staff to travel through the building without being detected,” he says.
Sergey trained me in this building—I was CEO for years—but I never knew these hallways existed. I’m sure Sergey did that on purpose.
“God forbid anyone catch sight of a mop and think the building gets cleaned.”
