“Ilya gave the throne to his son because he wanted to,” Gary said, answering Drew’s question first because he was a kiss-ass that way. “SILA was his legacy, something he’d built so that his family would never starve, and he’d always recognized that at a certain point, his son wouldn’t be willing to take orders anymore. He retired to Florida, if you can believe it. Tampa… or something.” Gary shook his head. “He stays out of his son’s affairs completely - cut ties to everyone in the organization, specifically to prevent anyone from using him to usurp Alexei’spower.”
He turned to Bas, and his eyes were cold and serious. “As to the name of the lieutenant who wanted to breach protocol? I have no idea, and frankly I wouldn’t tell you even if I did. That’s the kind of information that gets peoplekilled.”
“That’s the kind of information that couldsavelives,” Bas argued, jaw clenched. “If someone could use it to compromise them from theinside.”
“And is that your goal, Mr. Seaver?” Garydemanded.
Bas sat back and glared at him stonily, and Garysmiled.
“Fine. Keep your secrets. But trust me when I tell you, a man could be shot for betrayal just for taking my call. And I won’t have more deaths on myconscience.”
“Must be nice to have the option to save your ownass.”
Gary downed his drink in a single gulp and glared at Bas. “The reason I know all that I know about SILA is that I don’t name names.Ever. Not to the authorities, and sure ashellnot to spoiled, rich men who are looking to make deals. Alexei wants people to be scared because he thinks they’ll keep their mouths shut. But when they’ve been threatened with losing too much, when their family members have been raped and beaten, when they live in fear every day, they’ve gone beyond that. They get to a place where they’re too scared to stay silent anymore, because they don’t believe their silence will protect them. In exchange for their stories, I’ve helped some of them find resources, ways to start over in places outside of Alexei’s influence.” He shook his head once, quickly. “That’s howIhelp savelives.”
Bas pushed down an uncomfortable niggling sense of shame as Gary stood and tossed a few bills on the table. He took a card from his pocket and handed it toDrew.
“If you need any more information,” he said, and Bas was almost positive he wasn’t imagining the emphasis on theyou, “reach out. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have, maybe over dinnersometime.”
Drew smiled and gave Bas a pointed look. “That would be nice. To…talk.”
“Or,” Gary said, his tiny hamster eyes glinting as he leered at Drew. “We could just not talk atall.”
He tossed Drew a wink, gave Bas a brisk nod, and walkedaway.
Bas barely had time to catch his breath before Drew rounded on him. “What. The. Fuck. Wasthat?”
“I know! That guy.Jesus. Made my skincrawl.”
“Not Gary!You! That…thingyou were just doing.” Drew waved his hand above the table, his eyes sparkling with fury. “Be friendly, you said. He’s not a hostile witness, you said. Jesus, Sebastian. What thefuck?”
“I was fine when we came in!” Bas defended, folding his arms across his chest. “I just refuse to hear him talking about Ilya Stornovich like…like…”
“Like he’s a human being? With a history and a past? With reasons for doing the shitty things he does, just likeyou?”
“Like he’s ahero.”
Drew blew out a breath. “He was not talking about him like a hero, Bas. He wasn’t. He was saying that he’s better than his son, and I believe that. Remember what Cain told us about his talk with his father? Senator Shaw said that when Seaver Tech took startup money from the Russians, he and your dad originally made their deal with Ilya, and shit didn’t start to go bad until later, when Alexei tookover.”
“So?”
“So, it makes sense that Gary appreciates the concept of honor among thieves. Motivematters.”
Bas rolled his eyes, aware that he was behaving like a child, but unable to stop himself. “Yeah, it sure as helldoes.”
“What doesthatmean?”
“It means,” Bas said snidely. “I think you’re a little bit biased when it comes to Gary.Oh, Gary, take me to dinner. Oh, Gary, callme.”
Drew’s face flushed a deep scarlet. “I said no such thing. Fuck you,Sebastian.”
“Wouldn’t you rather fuck Gary?” The second the words were out of his mouth, Bas knew he’d gone too far. Drew shook his head, disgust written on his face, and stood up from thetable.
Bas grabbed his coat and followed Drew through the bar. “Hey, wait!” He paused when the sandy-haired man turned in his seat to watch them leave. “Andyou, keep your eyes in your fucking head.” The man’s eyes widened and he held up his hands insurrender.
Drew didn’t acknowledge Bas, and he didn’t slow down. He pushed his way through the crowded bar and threw open the front door, nearly hitting Bas in the face. He stormed down theblock.
“Drew! Jesus,” Bas said, jogging to catch up to him and grabbing his arm as they reached Drew’s car. “You’re angry? Fine, whatever. But don’t just walk away fromme.”
