But I play nice, allowing his guards to escort me to his office.
The guy's tense, hand near his weapon. They're on high alert.
Excellent.
Adrian is behind his desk when I enter, Luca standing by the window. Both look like they haven't slept. Leo is probably patrolling.
"Saint." Adrian doesn't offer his hand. "Thanks for coming on short notice."
"You say jump, we ask how high?”
Her narrows his eyes. “Someone broke into our gallery last night. Killed one of my guards Opened the vault but didn't take anything."
I arrange my face into concern. "Any idea who?"
"That's what we're trying to figure out." Luca steps forward, slides a photo across the desk.
It's the Morozov crest. Painted in blood. My handiwork.
I study it, then look up. "The Russians?"
"That's what it looks like." Adrian's jaw is tight. "But something feels off."
Interesting. He's suspicious. Good instincts, even if they won't help him here.
"Off how?"
"The Morozovs are bold, but they're not usually this theatrical. They take what they want and move on. This feels... pointed. Like a message."
“Alexei isn’t theatrical?” I snort, throwing the photo back. “The fucker once crucified someone.”
“True,” Adrian admits. “But he enjoys carnage. This is tame. Silly.”
I feel a bit miffed. I rather liked the art I left. Felt poetic.
But I keep my mouth shut and my face neutral.
"I think someone wants us at each other’s throats. There are still some players on the board from what happened with Sera.” He meets my eyes.
Ah yes, his wife. The one with the stupid ass brother.
"I need to know if the Marinis are seeing similar activity."
"Not recently. But I can increase surveillance, see if there's chatter." I lean back, casual. "Could be they're testing you. Seeing how you respond before they make a real move."
He runs a hand through his hair. "I'm going to need to increase security at all our locations. Which means reallocating resources. Pulling men from other operations."
This is my opening.
"If you need additional manpower, the Marinis could help. For the right compensation."
Adrian's eyes narrow. "What kind of compensation?"
"Nothing major. Just...consideration. When territory disputes come up. When deals are negotiated. A seat at the table as equals.” Antonio has played second fiddle to these fuckers for decades. They won’t find the same compliance in me.
Equal power or destruction. Adrian doesn’t know it but those are his choices.
And he handed me a nuclear weapon.
