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Sophia rolled her eyes. “Because, sweetie, your digital presence sucks.”
That sucked the air out of my lungs. It seemed to have the same effect on Viktor. And not a muscle moved in the CEO’s body.
“And you’re going to fix that, are you?” Jakob drawled, in a tone that warned he didn’t suffer fools lightly.
“Yep, sure am!” she chirped.
Heaven have mercy.A glance at Talia showed that she wasn’t the least bit worried.
“Well, I’m here so my little spitfire of a sister doesn’t get herself into any more trouble by running her mouth.” Viktor slid his hands into his jean pockets and rocked back on his heels. He looked fit for a biker bar, rather than a leader in a top criminal organization.
“Please, do come in,” the CEO damn near purred. It was a challenge, and the little Bratva heiress rose to meet it.
Trailing after them, I bent to catch Talia’s ear. “What’s going on, love?” I whispered.
Talia smirked. “Sophia’s obsessed with beating this tycoon at his own game. It’s pretty harmless, I believe.”
The others were across the atrium now, and the elevator had been summoned. I growled softly so that only she could hear, “Jakob is not a man to be trifled with.”
“None of you underworld monsters are, and yet here we are.” Talia laced her fingers through mine, stretched to peck my cheek, and then tried to pull away.
This time, my growl echoed in the corporate space. “Your situation is different. You came in trying to end me. You’re my equal, TaliaDrakos.” I wrenched Talia to my side and tipped her back. My mouth claimed hers with a brutal kiss. She whimpered against my lips before submitting. The contact alone, and with her smell wafting off her throat, had something dark and primal rising to the surface.Dammit, I want her.I was close to excusing us and dragging her to a back room. But instead, reluctantly, I pulled away. Talia’s eyes opened slowly and the look she gave me told me that she knew how close I’d been to ravishing her.
“Later,” I promised.
“I’ll be waiting,” she agreed, voice husky with need.
A quick glance told me that we were alone. That meant I had a whole elevator ride with her. Except...Jakob would have cameras in there. And while I didn’t think he was a depraved individual, I didn’t want to give him a peepshow.
When we arrived upstairs, the others were helping themselves to the refreshments arranged on the conference table. Talia opened a bottle of wine and poured a glass for herself and Sophia.
“Thanks, babe,” the Bratva princess chirped, taking the glass before setting a small, plastic stick down on the table.
“No, stop right there!” Jakob barked.
Again, unease trickled down my spine. “What is it?” I asked, finding the position of negotiator an odd place to stand.
“It’s just an USB; is this guy for real?” Sophia gave Talia a sarcastic look.
“I knowwhatit is. I’m asking what’s on it.” The CEO marched to the opposite side of the table, his fists braced on the polished surface as he leaned over it.
I felt sympathy for Jakob; this tiny Slavic pixie was irritating.
“Just access codes to backup drives and servers,” Sophia explained, as if we were dense.
“No.” Jakob pushed off the table and folded his arms over his chest. “You’re not letting that thing within a foot of my systems.”
“Your systems? The ones that couldn’t find one stupid French boy?” Sophia’s grin was too pleasant, holding a malicious bite.
“Control her,” Jakob spat to Viktor. I’d never seen him lose it like this before. It was fascinating to watch this woman get under his skin.
Viktor shrugged nonchalantly. “She’s her own person. I don’t subscribe to many of the antiquated mob policies in regard to subduing the female sex.”
“Can we please just get to the plan?” Talia interrupted.
Sophia dramatically rolled her eyes but pocketed the tiny flash stick. “So, you want to do what now?” she gazed up at my wife with genuine concern.
“Yes, what is this new madness, Constantine?” Jakob turned to face me, while keeping at an angle to observe Sophia.
