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Pontrelli’s hand is steady, his finger resting on the trigger. “All I see are the benefits to having you out of the way. I get to keep my arrangement with Kozlov, someone more agreeable will rise up to take over your company, and my daughter will be safe.”
The chuckle that rises from my chest is dark and devoid of humor. “You’re only overlooking one thing. I have a life insurance policy with Blake Baron.”
Dropping the Black Baron’s name alone is enough to make Pontrelli pale. A visible tremor overtakes his hand.
“You’re lying.”
Slowly, I shake my head. “I’m not. Baron and I go way back. We’re good friends. Whoever puts a bullet in me will face the wrath of Baron, and we all know he can topple empires—even one as thriving as yours. Look what he did to the Marino family. And they were even more powerful than you are today.” I cock my head to one side. “So, think hard. Do you really want to kill me?”
Pontrelli thinks about it for all of two seconds before he lowers the gun. The defeat written across his face warms my cold heart.
“Good decision. Now, shall we talk terms?”
He lowers himself into his chair, looking much older than his fifty odd years. Truth be told, I didn’t expect he’d be this reluctant to give up his daughter. Unless of course it’s breaking the agreement with Kozlov that he’s so upset about. That makes more sense.
“What do you want?” he asks, pouring himself another scotch. When he offers me the bottle, I wave it away.
“It’s simple. You’ll tell your daughter that she has a new fiancé. The wedding plans can remain the same, she’ll simply be walking down the aisle toward me instead of him.” If we even make it to the altar. Ideally, I’d like to have this mess over and done with before enduring that insufferable public display of lifelong commitment that’s ultimately meaningless.
“This will hurt my family’s reputation. We may not recover from it. The Kozlovs will see it as an insult, and they could go so far as to start a war over this. We just came to an agreement with the Irish, we can’t anger the Russians now.”
“Leave the Kozlovs to me.” Soon enough every one of them will be turning their backs on Nikolai, then he’ll be alone, and right where I want him. With absolutelynothing. “As for your reputation, once we show the world how unworthy Nikolai Kozlov is for your family, once his own turn their back on him, no one will question your decision to break off the engagement.”
“How are you going to do all of that?” He clearly underestimates me. What a fool.
“Why, with the help of Blake Baron, of course. Who else has the power to tear apart the Kozlov Bratva?”
He visibly swallows. “I see. In that case, I will inform my daughter of this change in plans.”
“Good.” I stand up and adjust my cufflinks. “Do it tonight. I don’t want Kozlov around her for a second longer than necessary.”
With that in mind, I go in search of my fake fiancée. She’s a temporary means to an end, nothing more. I can’t wait to see the look on Kozlov’s face when I tell him that she’s nowmine.That I’ve stolen her away from him and there’s nothing he can do about it. Little does he know, this is only the beginning of his end.
I’m practically giddy as I rejoin the party. Step one of my master plan is almost complete. I can practically taste the sweetness of victory. The next few months are going to be wonderful. I’ve waitedsix yearsfor this moment, and I’m going to savor every moment of what’s to come.
Starting now.
I search the main room, but neither the girl nor Kozlov seem to be in here anymore. Where could they have gone? It’s too cold to be outside, so they must be somewhere else in the house.
Moving from room to room, I scan the crowds. Though I see many familiar faces, none are the ones I’m looking for right now. A couple of acquaintances try to stop me for conversation, but I side-step them and mutter incoherently about urgent business.
I enter the last public space on the ground level, my search fruitless. Where the fuck did they go? Somewhere private? Are they lovers?
I wouldn’t be surprised. They’ve been dating for the better part of a year.
That very thought has me grinding my teeth. Though if they actually have feelings for each other, then my plan will be doubly hurtful. As it stands, I doubt Kozlov cares for the girl at all. Me stealing her away from him is nothing more than a slap in the face. The first of many things in his life he won’t be able to control any longer.
However, if they are lovers, if he does care for her, then I’ll further enjoy watching them both suffer the loss of the other. They can spend the last of Kozlov’s days pining for each other. Or perhaps I can think of something worse.
By association with that wretch, the girl is my enemy as well. If she’s fallen for Kozlov I will happily ruin her and send her back to him, broken beyond repair.
Yes, that’s perfect. Now all I need to do is find her so that I can figure out if she’s in love with her ex-fiancé.
I’m about to double back, when I spot Kozlov’s goons hanging around the perimeter of the smaller room. Another sweep of the space shows Kozlov’s not here, but he must be nearby. That’s when I notice the short hallway.
A commotion caused by some drunk partygoer catches the goons’ attention long enough for me to slip past them and into the darkened corridor. It’s quieter here. There are two doors on either side and one at the end of the hall.
Quickly, I make my way to the far end and press my ear to the solid wooden door. Sure enough, from inside I hear a deep baritone followed by a higher pitched wail.
