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Marek and I both looked at Dimitri, but Marek had the sense to continue playing nice. “I’m sorry, what? I didn’t quite catch that.”
“Have you even looked at his prior employment?” Dimitri ignored him, turning his gaze to Sergei. “He’s not reliable. He leaves jobs at a moment’s notice. History says he’ll leave you high and dry too. One unreliable man wasn’t enough for you? You’re allowing Misha to bring in another?”
“This isn’t about Sasha,” I said through my teeth, pointedly staying in English and keeping my gaze locked firmly on Dimitri. “This is about someone who will keep Sergei’s interests in mind as he goes about his business. Marek’s already gone out of his way to protect the girls. He could have easily reported it to the police. He didn’t. He handled it.”
The tablecloth started bouncing again. I nudged Marek’s foot with mine but didn’t dare look at him. He got the hint and stopped fidgeting.
Sergei chuckled and rubbed his hands together, his gold rings flashing. “Dimitri, why don’t you go get a drink.” It wasn’t a questionora suggestion. It was an order.
A smirk ghosted over my lips, watching Dimitri rise from the table and drift away to languish in exile at the bar.
“Is he always such an asshole?” Marek blurted out, looking at Sergei for the answer. I’m sure he knew what I would have said.
From Marek’s tone alone, I knew he wasn’t trying to be funny, but Sergei laughed regardless and threw his thumb toward Marek. “I like him. He’s got balls.”
“‘Him’ appreciates the compliment,” Marek said, sounding as cocky as ever despite whatever lingering nervousness there might have been. I had no doubt he knew how to talk to men of differing social classes but there was a fine line with Sergei before one accidentally struck a nerve. Thankfully, it looked like Marek had enough experience to know when to turn the charm back on. “Any other questions, boss? I know this was supposed to be a lunch, but I’m afraid I really can’t stay. There’s a delivery coming in and I need to be there to make sure no boxes fall off the truck this time around.”
“What do you mean?” Sergei’s gray brows furrowed, the mirth vanishing from his face. “What boxes? Fall where?”
“Oh.” Marek blinked and stole a glance at me. I motioned his attention back to Sergei. “Um. It’s a saying, I guess, for stolen goods. Like, ‘Where’d you get that flat screen?’ ‘Oh, it fell off a truck.’ I thought you knew about the problem?”
Sergei’s gaze darkened with each word out of Marek’s mouth. “Know what? What problem?”
“Every once in a while a case or two goes missing. Depends on who’s delivering. I found it when I was going over the last couple of orders. Based on the revenue, there’s no way we should need that many shipments that close together. I checked our cameras; they don’t always unload the number of crates we ordered.”
Sergei’s head swiveled toward me. “Didyouknow?”
“It’s being handled,” I replied evenly.
“Good. Deal with it and find a new service. I don’t care if it costs double. I want those thieves driven into the ground as a warning that it better not happen again, especially when we’re building another club on the north side.”
I inclined my head. “Maxim is already on it.”
“Good.” Sergei smiled and held his hand out to Marek. “Go protect my business, yes?”
Marek stood and shook it. “Yes, sir.”
“I’ll meet you at the car,” I said to Marek, standing as well and buttoning my suit jacket.
He nodded and walked away, glancing over his shoulder, like he wasn’t entirely certain he should leave without me.
“How did you miss all of that?” Sergei asked as soon as Marek was out of earshot.
“I didn’t. I had my suspicions and I was waiting until there was either more proof or a pattern. Management changed hands before that could happen. You should know that Marek found that on his own. I didn’t tip him off.”
Sergei grunted in annoyance before adding, “You’re awfully protective of him.”
“He’s young but he’s smart. He doesn’t need Dimitri hounding him, especially if you want to keep him around long-term. If you listen to any of my advice, boss, keep your spy away from him. A blind man can see Dimitri hates him already. Marek shouldn’t be blamed for any association he has with me. I didn’t give him many choices when I hired him.”
“You’re that desperate to get back on the streets full-time?”
“I’m that desperate to bring you answers.”
Sergei considered it for a moment. “I remember you spoke of Sasha with such fierceness too when we discovered what he was. But I’ve always wondered, what is it about him that made you so quick to pledge your life for his? So sure that saving him was the right call? You could have saved dozens of lives over the years. Why washeso important to you?”
“He was one of the finest weapons we’d ever had working for us. It would have been a shame to kill him while Viktor lied to your face and stole from you. Despite what Dimitri told you, being with Roan only made him stronger.”
“Yes. Another queer you protected.”
