“Yeah.Get rid of the problem with ruthlessness.Hit the major players.They wouldn’t expect that from you, not if you’re known for your integrity.It would be revenge for your father’s death.”
“A hit,” he said slowly, considering the idea now that his initial shock had subsided.Edwina was right.Smirnoff would never suspect him when he’d always avoided physical trouble.But could he live with himself afterward?That was the question.
He glanced at Edwina and found her watching him, much like a scientist regarded an interesting specimen.
“What do you think?”
“You’re a bloodthirsty wench, and it’s a turn-on.”The truth spilled from him since he was still grappling with his surprise.
“If you went that route, you could take over Smirnoff’s men and women and force them to go honest.I bet you’d give them a better, safer life than what they face now.”
Once again, surprise stabbed him, along with fascination.This young woman had intelligence and smarts far beyond what he expected from someone with her lack of life experience.
“Well?”Her brows rose in emphasis to her question.She held up her left hand and counted by tapping one forefinger against another.“One, you arrange a meeting and listen to what he wants.Two, you take me with you because I’ll look innocent and harmless, but I’m excellent at noticing things.Three, even if you don’t like his plan, tell him you’ll consider it to stall him to give yourself time to formulate a new strategy.Ask for his reasons and learn as much as you can about his operation.Search for weaknesses.”
“I’ve already done that.He’s bleeding money because his son and cronies are skimming.I’m unsure if Konstantine knows.”
“Would the son’s friends come into line if the son was no longer a factor?”
“I’m not sure.”Mikhail nodded, his mind busy now as he saw that, although radical, Edwina’s suggestion might work.“I’d intimate I’d take over, and if Konstantine’s son was out of the way before I did that, I might manage plausible deniability.”
“True, you’d need to plan carefully and keep innocents from the line of fire.Four, you’d arrange the hit and remove the key people presenting problems.I’m sure Smirnoff has other enemies who are eying his territory.Five, you leave Konstantine alive and take out his son and his friends.That way, people might not even consider you a suspect.Not if you’re in talks with Konstantine.Some might presume he had his son taken out.”Edwina counted the last points on her fingers, then grinned.“What do you think?I watch too many thriller movies?”
Mikhail placed a smacking kiss on her lips before pulling back to return her grin.“You’re a bloody genius.As much as I hate the idea of bloodshed, that might be the only way.”
“Someone tried to shoot me.They had no compunction about removing me from the equation to get what they wanted,” Edwina said.“You have a reputation for honesty, and you value hard work.It will be why your employees stay in their jobs and turn up for work each day.”
Pleasure seeped through Mikhail.Her praise, after his grandfather’s constant complaints, was a welcome change.He held out his arms.“We need more sleep,” he said, settling back under the covers.“I’ll finesse the plan later this morning.”
“Wewill refine the plan.This is my life, too.You dragged me into it, and now it is mine—at least for the next twelve months.I deserve the chance to fashion my life.I insist,” she added with a harsh tone in her voice.
“I don’t want to place you in danger.”
“Someone took potshots at me today.They might try again.I should stay close to you, Ivan, and Gregory, and if that means attending meetings, then so be it.”
Mikhail chuffed.This new wife kept one step ahead of him.He imagined chasing her when he was his grandfather’s age, and the idea didn’t repel him.Her solid core of determination, added to a brain that functioned at top speed, made her an asset.She’d already shown she refused to sit around and attend ladies’ luncheons.Music was her priority, but she also intended to participate in his world.
“You can attend our discussion, but I want you safe,” he added.“I’d like to keep you alive and learn more about my new wife.So far, each nugget I uncover intrigues me more.”
“That’s a good thing?”
He laughed again because he’d never relaxed with Clarice, not like this.“It is.Your grandmother might have maneuvered you, but I won big time.Go to sleep.I need your beautiful brain at full capacity if you’re attending my planning session.”
“A cup of coffee and toast, and I’ll be firing on all cylinders.”
“It’s a deal,” he said, drawing her closer.His tiger released a loud purr that echoed through his mind.Mikhail smiled against her neck, well-pleased with his wife.His mate.
Mikhail called Ivan and Gregory as soon as he and Edwina woke again.“We have a plan.”
“If you want to toss in breakfast, we can come now,” Gregory said.
“Done,” Mikhail said.
“Ten minutes,” Gregory said.“We’ve just finished in the gym.”
Mikhail hung up, absently accepting the cup of coffee Edwina pushed in his direction.“Thanks.”
“Are Ivan and Gregory together?”
