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“You better keep your ass out of trouble, or I’ll put a bullet in it,” I say by way of greeting.
“Love you, too, Niko.”
“Nikolai.” Fucking Rush loves to push buttons. My buttons. He’s lucky he’s my cousin, or… I rub my eyes a moment. “How’s your ear to the ground?”
There’s music in the background, voices and sounds surrounding him. “Rumbly.”
“Whatever you do—”
“Fuck, dude, I’m an adult.”
That’sup for debate. My cousin’s young and a little gung-ho, but he’s the only family I have. I prefer him alive and in one piece.
I take a savage swallow of whiskey. “Rush.”
“Words about the usual names I shouldn’t be hearing,” he says. “Some Russians are looking into Queenstown properties.”
Tony knocks at my open door and comes in without an invitation. Our gazes meet, and I’m pretty fucking sure what he has to say isn’t about to float any boat of mine.
“Do the usual and be passive. Got it?”
“I can—”
“Got it, Rush?”
He waits a beat to answer. “Yeah.”
“Stick to the fucking plan. I’ll see you soon.” I disconnect the call before my gaze flicks to Tony. “Put a detail on him. Discreet.”
He nods as he shifts the tablet in his hand under his arm so he can send a text. “Done.”
“I’m a topic of discussion around New York.”
He doesn’t nod. “Spoke to Miller’s man.”
I almost snort. “Problematic little prick.”
“Seems some are a little swayed or unsure in their loyalties, because they feel marrying her is one thing, but giving her those precious Finnegan holdings is…” Tony swallows, looking a little uneasy at the edges.
“Weak?” I ask. Whoever the fuck’s stirring up trouble doesn’t know me, and they sure as shit don’t know my Rose.
Still, I’m not about to let her get her pretty toes near danger. At least, not if I can help it. I’ll burn things to the ground first.
“Boss.”
His tone makes my nerve endings prick, and I narrow my eyes. “Out with it, or so fucking help me, Tony…”
The smoothness of his expression pisses me the fuck off. I know what he’s worried about. Does everyone close to me think I’m suddenly unhinged?
“I’m not about to run off and murder everyone.” My words hang loud and heavy in the air as I take another sip of my drink. “Not until I have everything. There are lessons to be taught, holes to be plugged, names to be taken, and then moves to be made. No matter what.”
“Right now, we need Miller; he’s strategic,” he replies.
“No one’s about to die today. Well, no oneelse,” I amend. “Let me guess: someone’s thinking they see a weak spot. Maybe the Russians?”
“I know, Boss.” He hands me the tablet, and I swipe through the amassed info. “People are always interested in making moves. Popov’s small, but he has wanted an in with Queenstown for years. He’s in New York—contacts here—but the name’s been popping up in chatter—”
“Ivan Popov.” I refill my glass. He once tried to extort and turn a loyal affiliate. Murdered them and their family, and then disappeared when I took out one of his. Ivan got away, and I let him because I saw the bigger picture, and he did jobs for very powerful people.
