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“Make it clean,” I tell him. “No theatrics.” I hand him a stainless silver case, which he opens, revealing a new gun—a Glock similar to the one I own. It’s an obvious sign of favoritism after he saved Dmitri’s life.
His stoic face finally shows emotion as his lips curve into a grin. “Consider it done, my pakhan.”
The shouting starts as the glasses are lifted into the air in honor of Viktor. But Dmitri and I head upstairs to the main floor to discuss business in the dining room. The first floor is empty except for guards and a skeleton staff. A table is set for us, but I doubt we will eat much. Well, I won’t, but Dmitri orders a porterhouse steak. He pulls off his sling again to eat with both hands.
I raise an eyebrow at him as he swallows a mouthful of wine.
“I wear the sling to gain sympathy from Natasha.” He explains.
“Are you getting any?” I ask.
“Not a bit.” He shrugs. “I think she wants my other arm to match this one.”
“What else have you found out about Cynthia Reyes’s case?”
“Your wife’s cousin, Officer Kenney Grant. He won’t ease up. He’s keeping the murder from turning into a cold case.” Dmitri talks between bites of his steak. “And now he’s threatening the Bratvas … all of us. If we continue to interfere in a police investigation, he’ll rally enough support to come after us.”
I laugh. “He’sthreateningus?”
Dmitri wipes his mouth on his cloth napkin. “He knows who we are, and he has eyes on you.”
“They didn’t spend much time investigating Oleg’s death at the Reyes house.”
“My guess is that there’s nothing of value there,” replies Dmitri. “Kenney Grant has a nasty reputation on the streets. He’s stonewalling this and won’t back down.”
I make a fist just to give my hand something to do. “He may try to use Paige as a pawn.”
Dmitri says nothing as he gives me a look.
I understand the look he gives me. Paige is a pawn—was a pawn—inmyplan. I told him that boldly. That was all she would be to me. But Dmitri knows better, especially now that she’s pregnant. He knows I will protect Paige, even if it’s just to protect my child. I don’t confide in him how I feel now. It’s my job to protect her, even if that means keeping my feelings a secret.
“Maybe I should deal with him the way Vasily would have.”
“The police aren’t a rival Bratva we can threaten.” Dmitri shakes his head. “We have to own them. You know that.”
I sip some wine, but it tastes like sawdust in my mouth. “Bullets would be simpler.”
“You’re starting to sound like your old man.” Dmitri raises his glass to me.
I give him a sharp look.
“It’s a good thing, Andrei Vasilyevich,” he hurries to explain. “The Bratva could use another Vasily right now.”
“Careful, Dmitri.”
“I’ve been careful, Andrei Vasilyevich.” He pushes his plate away. “We’veallbeen careful. A little too careful. And it may not be paying off. Your wife’s father is dying, and we are no closer than the day you married her.”
I stand up, tired of his unwanted advice. “What are you suggesting, Dima?”
“Maybe you need a new pawn.” Dmitri smiles, but it’s the glint in his eyes that catches my attention. “Someone who can be bought.”
Chapter 40
Paige
“We could race them in this car.” Emma watches the passenger side mirror, looking at the Rover following us in my new Mercedes coupe.
It arrived the day after I said I wanted one. A slick white two-seater, all shiny, new, and mine. The beige leather interior is like warm butter to the touch, and the new car smell welcomes me whenever I open the door. The fob has an attached monogram key ring—a metal P in a fancy script on a beige leather tab that matches the interior color.
