“As I said, I knew you would know I was here. It didn’t matter if you saw me at the table or not. You’re not the reason I checked in under a fake name, Kozlov.”
That got his attention. Egor Kozlov turned to look at me; his eyes took me in, and then he shifted his gaze to Bianca, who was standing close to my side, our hands threaded together. I could feel the heat of her body through the suit. I knew she was scared, despite Alek’s attempt to soothe her fear in the shop.
Egor Kozlov didn’t become the Pakhan of the Kozlov family by being a pushover. The man was intimidating to most, and I wasn’t dumb enough to think he wouldn’t kill me and Bianca if he thought we posed a threat to him or his business organization. I didn’t know what all he was into, but owning a luxury hotel and casino probably made it pretty easy to wash any dirty money he made. His organization was massive compared to the Morelli’s, and you didn’t get to that point without having the stones to back it up.
Egor was in his late fifties; his dark hair was sprinkled with gray and perfectly cut. He kept it short and slicked back. His goatee was trimmed, and the darkness of his hair made the bright blue of his eyes even brighter. Alek shared his eyes, as he was rumored to be Egor’s illegitimate son, but the eyes were where the likeness ended. Where Egor was dark-haired and thin with whipcord lean muscles, Alek was blond and built like a tank.
“Care to share why you checked into my hotel under a fake name, and why you’re here with one of the Morelli princesses?”
I stayed silent. The more people who knew what was happening, the bigger the chance word would get back to LucaMorelli or Antonio Arias that we were trying to interfere in their plans, so I said nothing to see how far he would push–and what all he knew.
“I don’t want trouble in my casino or with Morelli, Vitale. We’ve always co-existed in relative peace. I don’t want that to change.”
“Nor do I, Pakhan, but I can’t say why we’re here. We don’t want trouble with the bratva.”
I watched as he moved across the room to the small wet bar. “Do you want a drink?”
“Yes, thank you.” I accepted the drink since in Russian culture it would be seen as rude if I were to refuse.
I watched as he pulled out some vodka that had a label I’d never seen before. He poured two glasses and turned back to look at us again. “Miss Morelli, did you want a drink as well?”
I silently squeezed her hand. “Just water for her. She had a few too many mimosas while at the spa, so she needs to hydrate.”
Egor arched his brow and looked at me. “Is that right, Miss Morelli?” He didn’t remove his eyes from me while he confirmed what I said with Bianca.
“Yes. Water would be wonderful. Thank you.” She didn’t hesitate to agree, and I gently rubbed my thumb across the top of hers to show my approval.
“Very well. Have a seat.” He nodded toward the couch.
I gestured for Bianca to sit on the couch, leaving the two chairs for Alek and Egor. Egor seemed amused when I sat beside Bianca, placing some space between us, and she scooted closer to my side as soon as I was beside her. Alek didn’t move from his spot by the wall until Egor set the drinks onto the table in front of me and took his seat across the small coffee table.
“You wanted a word with me?” I started the conversation after taking a sip of the vodka. It was strong and not my drink of choice, but I didn’t want to offend the man.
He swirled his drink around in the tumbler a few times before taking a sip. “How long have you and Miss Morelli been seeing each other?”
“I’ve known her since we were kids,” I said evasively.
Egor smirked, “Not what I asked, Vitale.”
I hesitated, “I would prefer you stop trying to trick me into giving away information. If you want something confirmed, come out and ask it. Tell me what you really want because we have a dinner reservation, and I haven’t eaten since last night.”
“I believe I did ask. I asked why you were in my hotel under a fake name. You didn’t want to answer.” He shrugged. “You’re the one playing games, Vitale.”
I sighed. He was right. He did ask, and I refused to answer. “We’re getting married.”
“Ah, and Daddy doesn’t approve?” Egor’s smile wasn’t genuine. He looked like a cat playing with a mouse. “Or does this sudden move to marry have anything to do with the rumor that Antonio Arias is trying to unite with the Morellis?”
I stayed silent. “I would think Romeo would have taken over as head of the family by now since Luca Morelli is rumored to be dying.”
“Rumors. Can’t believe everything you hear.” I smirked. He was dead; he just didn’t know it yet. Luca Morelli would be dying soon. If not from his disease or Romeo, then I would put the bastard down myself.
“Rumors can sometimes be based in reality, even if they are slightly off. You know that, Vitale.” Egor took a sip of the vodka as he passed on his advice. “I’m surprised you’re still loyal to the man who killed your father.”
I didn’t outwardly react to the bombshell Egor dropped, but Bianca couldn’t hide her reaction. I felt her go rigid beside me, and I heard her sharp intake of breath as she reached for me instinctively.
“That’s one rumor I haven’t heard before., I said flatly, not giving anything away. “Where’d you hear that?”
Kozlov shrugged. “One hears a lot of things in a high-stakes poker room when things are off the books, and there are men in the Morelli organization who like to gamble. You may want to tell Romeo to change things up when he takes over.”
