I don’t see any guards around, and no one stops me as I walk in.
The bar is dark and cold, cigar smoke hangs in the air along with the low hum of mingling conversations. I take a seat in a leather booth in the back and order a drink. Anticipation has my blood humming. I need a distraction.
I’m scrolling through my phone when Milo arrives. He’s got two guards with him. Instead of following him in, they take up posts by the door.
I quickly shoot a text to the group.
“Sandro.” He’s eyeing me suspiciously as he slides into the seat across from me. One dark wave has escaped his hair product and hangs over his tanned forehead. His casual, Hawaiian patterned, short-sleeved shirt is straining against the bulky muscle in his chest and arms. He flexes as he leans forward to glare at me.
The corner of my lip twitches in amusement as I return his stare. This is going to be fun.
The waitress hurries over with a glass of bourbon, places it in front of him and scurries away.
He lifts the glass, his eyes dark with suspicion. “What shall we toast to?”
I lift my own glass. “How about to new alliances?”
He runs his tongue across his teeth. “All right then. To new alliances.” He clinks my glass and we drink, our eyes locked. After he swallows, he tilts his head. “So, what’s this business proposition?”
I glance over at the door as four Russian women walk in. Perfect timing. I make a show of raking my gaze over them. “Maybe pleasure before business.”
He peers over his shoulder and smirks. “You’re full of surprises tonight, Sandro.” He whistles and motions the girls over. They sashay across the bar to our table and stand obediently in front of us. A familiar face watches me. “Take your pick.”
I reach out and grab Brenda’s hand and pull her into the seat beside me. Wrapping her hair around my fist, I stare at her cleavage. “She’ll do.”
Milo chuckles darkly as he motions for a redhead to join him. As she settles in beside him, he watches me stroke Brenda’s arm. “Does this mean you’re no longer pining for the Kelly girl?”
“Who?” I give him a devious smirk back.
He nods and finally leans back in the booth and relaxes. “About fucking time. Your little crush was kind of pathetic. Made you look weak. Well, not just look weak, right? Actually made you vulnerable. Heard the Russians took advantage of it.”
The Beast stirs. I simply nod and change the subject to get him to talk about himself. He forgets all about why we’re here as he drains his glass. The waitress brings him a second glass of bourbon and then a third.
An hour later he excuses himself to use the restroom, and I turn to Brenda.
“It’s time.”
She glances at me, uncertainty pooling in her blue eyes.
I give her an encouraging nod.
Dipping her hand into her tiny, jeweled purse, she pulls out a small clear vial. She uncorks the bottle, leans over to pour its contents into Milo’s drink, swirls the glass, and then sits back, eyes wide.
The redhead’s eyes flare with anxiety, and her lips purse as she stares at the drink. Then she straightens her shoulders and gives Brenda a trembling half-smile and nod of solidarity.
Brenda blows out a breath as she slips the empty vial into my outstretched hand.
I wasn’t sure if Milo would be suspicious enough to have me frisked at the door, so Gunnar gave Brenda the vial to bring to the table. He filled her in on our plan and her part in it. She was more than happy to help bring down Milo.
Milo returns to the table, and we resume the conversation. When his drink is almost gone and I notice a sheen of sweat begin to form on his forehead, I say casually, “We know it was you who made a deal with the Russians to allow their skin trade for a cut of the profit.”
Milo’s smile slowly fades as he stares at me and blinks. “Excuse me?”
I just stare back, feeling the change in the air as he processes what I said.
He picks up a napkin and wipes at his forehead. “What the fuck are you going on about, Sandro?”
“I believe it’s called treason. Going behind the Don’s back, behind New York’s back to make deals with the enemy. To line your own pockets.” I click my tongue in disappointment.
