I crawl to the corner. Make myself as small as possible. Press my hands over my ears.
But I can still hear it.
The gunshots.
The screaming.
The sound of my entire world falling apart.
Again.
CHAPTER 15
Adrian
The door to Alexei's office isn't locked.
Arrogant bastard. He runs one of the most dangerous operations in Brooklyn and leaves his office wide open like he's invincible.
Or like he wants people to think he is.
I don't wait for permission. Just push through.
Alexei sits behind his desk, vodka in hand, utterly unsurprised to see me.
"Adrian." He doesn't even bother to stand. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
The fact that he's not worried tells me everything. He either has security I can't see, or he's confident I won't kill him here.
He's right about the second part. For now.
"You've been moving on my shipments." I plant my hands on his desk and lean forward. "Red Hook. Williamsburg. Three of my routes in the last week."
"Have I?" He smiles that infuriating, smug smile that makes me want to put my fist through his face. "Perhaps your security is just lacking."
"My security is fine. Your ambition is the problem."
"Ambition." He pours himself more vodka. Doesn't offer me any. "Is that what we're calling it now?"
"What would you call it?"
"Taking what's mine." He leans back in his chair, studying me. "Or rather, taking back what was stolen from me."
I straighten. "I haven't stolen anything from you." I snort. "You've got nothing I want."
"No?" He tilts his head. "Then perhaps we should discuss your new wife's brother."
My jaw tightens. Of course this comes back to Gabriel. I fucking knew he'd bring him up. My instincts told me there was more to this situation than a simple gambling debt.
"I told you. I'll settle his debt. Name your price."
Alexei laughs. Actually laughs. The sound echoes in the too-small office, bouncing off exposed brick walls and expensive art that doesn't belong in a nightclub.
"You think this is about fifty thousand dollars?" He stands, coming around the desk. "You think I give a fuck about gambling debts?"
"Then what do you give a fuck about?" I hold up a hand. "And don't give me any spy bullshit. I looked into it. Gabriel is barely fucking competent. My guys wouldn't let him hold their dicks to take a piss. You didn't get anything useful from him."
Alexei doesn't crack a smile, and I know I'm right. So there's something else.
