“Ruth.” I slide into the chair opposite her, keeping my hands visible.
“So,” she says, her posture poised and professional. “You called this meeting. What’s the occasion?”
“I’m here to regulate our interests. Keep the peace. Let the people who rely on us know they can look forward to another year of safety and payment.”
She tilts her head to the side. “Interesting words for a man who was, only a short time ago, ready to throw our alliance on the fire for the crime of a few insults toward an employee.”
“You came into my territory and insulted my woman. You think that didn’t require some pushback? Not a chance in hell I’m going to let you pull a stunt like that, alliance or not.”
“And what’s the reason for the change of heart? We haven’t talked since then.”
“You tested me, I pushed back, you didn’t amplify matters. Seems like we’re back to status quo.”
She arches an eyebrow. “Is that what you think? Word on the street is you’re planning some moves that might get you on Peter’s bad side. Hisverybad side.”
It’s not ideal that word of the merger is making the rounds through Chicago. But this was to be expected. Part of the plan was solidifying the merger before the news officially broke.
“So,” she continues, “it sounds to me like you now wantmeon your side, in case Peter decides to escalate.”
“If my plans go through, I’ll be the only game in town. And you can be a part of that. Your choice is this—be a thorn in my side or work with me and get even richer.”
She lifts her drink, taking a single small sip. “Word on the street is that your priorities might not be all business anymore.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning you knocked up your chubby little assistant.”
I narrow my eyes. “You won’t speak of her that way.”
“Or what?”
Part of me wants to tell her to fuck right off. I push that urge to the side. If this merger goes through, Ruth will be forced to either work with me or be so diminished that I won’t even have to think about her. No sense in blowing our relationship up just yet.
“I’m here with peaceful intentions,” I say. “But if you continue to insult her…”
“Fine, fine.” She sips her whiskey, then sets it down in a prim, composed manner that suggests she feels she’s got me right where she wants me. “Here’s the deal, Orlov. I’m not interested in any pact. There’s too much heat around you right now, not to mention the fact that your decision-making abilities are questionable.”
“Questionable?” The word comes out in a growl.
“That’s right. You’re telling me you’re going to be in a position to make the cool-headed decisions you’ll need to make when you’ve got a little pregnant wife, or girlfriend, or whatever the hell she is, back at that penthouse of yours?” She leans forward. “Not a chance. You’ll melt the second she whimpers.”
I want to tear into her, tell her she’s full of shit. But I don’t.
“Peter’s going to be making some moves. I can feel it. And who knows? Maybe he’ll show why he’s managed to survive in this world of ours for so long.”
“So you’re going to sit on the sidelines and wait to see which of us looks like the stronger horse to back.”
She shrugs. “Can you blame me? I’ve got an organization to look after. People count on me, you know.”
I snort. “You think I’ll want to work with you after that kind of display?”
Ruth smiles, as if that were just what she’d been waiting for me to say. “You’re not going to have a choice, love. If the Morozovs go down, that’s a huge vacuum that needs to be filled. And you’re not going to get it all. Even if my family controls only 30 percent of the illicit goings-on of this city, that’s more than enough for you to come to the table. Maytake you a while, but you’ll swallow your pride and sit down with me.”
“So after everything’s said and done, you’re nothing more than a profiteer.”
“Call it whatever you like, darling. But I intend to still be standing when this war ends. And even richer than I already am.”
I’ve heard enough. I stand. Ruth stays seated, looking up like a queen in her throne.
