He's insane. He has to be.
I'm a fucking psychopath, clinically, and I wouldn't be ready to dance after having just painted the walls red with blood.
But his men are already moving. Turning lights back on. Setting up tables that got knocked over. Someone starts music. Loud. Thumping bass.
Within minutes, it's like nothing happened. Except for the blood on the floor. The bullet holes in the walls.
Gemma is shaking, as I pull her to her feet. I look around, trying to find Marcello. Is he one of the bodies?
Our eyes meet across the room.
No. Thank fucking God.
"Mr. Marini." Artem's voice. He opens his arms. "Let us talk."
Gemma's hands are on me, gripping me. Artem isn't looking at her. The dismissal is clear.
Good. I don't want her anywhere near this.
"Go to Marcello," I say.
She shakes her head, her fingers digging into my skin. I slowly detach her. Marcello is already making his way over. "Take her."
"Saint, don't." She reaches for me.
"Nothing will happen to your husband," Artem says, stepping next to me. "We simply need to discuss this transition."
Gemma stares at Artem, impressively defiant. Her silver eyes are full of defiance. "You just murdered?—"
"My enemies," he interjects. "Saint is not my enemy. We are equals. And while I admire you, this is men's talk."
Wrong thing to say. Gemma's cheeks pinken, and I sense a fight. "Go," I bark. "Now." There's a warning in my voice, and immediately, Gemma's back straightens. Her eyes turn molten, and I know I'm in for some shit later.
But we agreed to certain things, and this is one of them.
She nods, turns, and walks out with Marcello.
"Shall I have my men frisk you," he asks, leading me to a back room. An office.
"I'm unarmed."
Artem smiles. "No weapon? Smart. I'd hate for there to be a misunderstanding."
He takes a seat. I do as well. There's no desk between us. We are just two men, powerful ones, discussing what comes next.
"Now. We have business to discuss. You and me. Man to man."
"What do you need to say? You've consolidated power. Would you like a congratulations?"
He laughs. "Wouldn't be unwarranted."
I remain silent.
"Let's talk about your wife."
I try not to flinch. Gemma is a weakness, and Artem has already clocked it. There's no use in hiding it, but I'm not looking to give him any extra ammunition. "What about her?"
"She's impressive. Smart. Strategic. That plan, backing Igor, creating legitimacy, using political pressure, it was excellent. I assume it was hers?"
