None of us say a thing. He pulls out a chair and sits, his guy taking the empty spot next to him. For a few long seconds no one says anything, the four of us stare at the sleezy piece of shit, waiting for him to break.
And break he does, “I don’t know where he is.” Richard starts, “He bailed after your man broke his damn face.”
“Why was he in your employ in the first place, Richard?” Malakai asks, “Since his history is with me, it begs the question of what you were hoping to achieve by taking him in.”
Richard looks toward his bodyguard before he faces Malakai again, “I thought he had intel.”
I scoff, “On us?”
“Yes.”
“But he didn’t,” Killian leans back in his chair and reaches for his glass, except it’s already empty and a frown crosses his face. He withdraws his hand and continues. “So now what? You’re throwing him to us?”
“He clearly has bad blood with you and quite frankly, I don’t want to be on your bad side.”
“Smart,” I tip my head.
“I do not know where Christian went after Sebastian put him in the hospital, nor do I care. I made it clear he wasn’t welcome back in my organization.”
“And how do I know this isn’t a trick?” Malakai spins his glass, “You could be lying in the hopes we don’t go looking for him within your walls.”
“What can I do?” Richard goes on.
“What did he tell you?” I ask.
“Nothing.” Richard turns to me, “He was, however, very vocal about his hatred for you. He only wanted my resources to get to you.”
Running my thumb across my bottom lip, I cock my head as I assess the man ahead of me, “And what did you tell him?”
“What is there to tell?”
“I am going to be blunt here, Richard,” Malakai says, “I don’t believe you.”
Richard’s face goes white. It doesn’t matter that he has shit on me, that it’ll be released upon his death because I think he knows, deep down, it doesn’t matter. I’d go down for my organization, but it would never come to that. Granted, it’s not one hundred percent foolproof, more like ninety-nine, but we’re notwilling to play with chances. For the right cause, however, we will, and I’ll take that risk.
Something twists in my stomach at the thought. That one percent chance could end the future I’ve only just let myself start believing in.
“As a show of good faith,” Richard rambles quickly, “To prove I want no bad blood between us, I will release the footage I have on Mr. Levine to you.”
“You want us to believe that?” Malakai laughs, “How many copies do you have?”
“Forty-seven.” Richard replies instantly. “On forty-seven separate drives.”
“That’s a little obsessive,” I scoff, “Don’t you think?”
“You cannot blame me for having collateral,” Richard addresses me directly.
“Which is why I don’t believe you when you say you’ll give it up so willingly.”
“To keep the peace between us,” He says, “I will.”
I purse my lips and scan his face, but the neutral expression doesn’t help me in figuring out if he’s telling the truth.
“You have the drives?” Malakai asks.
“I do.” Richard confirms.
“If I find out you’re lying, Richard,” Malakai says,his tone deepening, his role as head of the deadliest organization seeping into his tone, “I will kill you. And your family. Do you understand me?”
