Viktor’s eyes shifted ever so slightly. If she wasn’t paying attention, she would have missed it and if he hadn’t been leaning forward to set his glass down. “We’ve had occasional business dealings over the past few months. He tried moving on my territory, but I set him straight. Now we have mutual respect and a profitable relationship that benefits us both.”
And control of the entire east coast. If they merged with Maxim, they’d control part of the west. It wouldn’t be long before they moved on to the west coast. Controlling both sides. That was a thought made of nightmares.
“I don’t seem to recall you having a fondness for foreigners. Why the change?”
“Zoe,” Maxim said in a warning tone.
“It’s alright, Max. Zoe has always been the curious sort. It’s true, I’m not particularly fond of foreigners, but that’s the way of the world today. Diego is an influential man along the southeast, and it’s continuing to grow. I realized if I wanted to expand and not be taken over, a partnership would be the most beneficial.”
So Diego had threatened to unseat him from his throne and he’d formed an alliance to keep his crown. Better to make a deal with the devil than be in his path.
“And now you’re wanting to include Leo in this partnership.”
“Not just Leo, but Maxim as well.” Viktor made sure to include Maxim since he was still head of the organization. “It’s been very lucrative for me. I want to share that with my oldest and closest friend.” He turned to address Maxim. “This is the biggest business opportunity you’ll ever see.”
“But with Leo in charge.” Zoe wanted to make that distinction clear. Maxim was out of this and Leo was in.
Viktor turned his beady eyes on her. “Leo is the future of the business. He needs to learn to run these things. I figured this would be a good stepping stone.”
“A merge of three empires is a stepping stone?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Zoe, that is enough,” Maxim growled.
“My apologies, Maxim and Viktor,” she acknowledged each man. “I didn’t mean to overstep or insult you, Viktor.”
“There is nothing to forgive, my dear.” Viktor waved her off as he gulped down another shot of vodka. “You are still young and learning. Leave this kind of business to the men.”
Zoe felt her hands curl into fists. It took everything she had not to call him a pig or worse. Viktor didn’t seem to care or notice that he was close to her jumping across the table and wringing his scrawny little neck. Instead, she took a deep breath.
“This is an incredible opportunity for all of you, especially Leo. You couldn’t ask for better people to learn from.”
Leo’s chest seemed to puff up. “I will make my father proud.”
“You do, son,” Maxim assured him. “You will. If what Viktor proposes comes to pass and we can come to some sort of deal with Diego, we will proceed.”
That deflated Leo’s confidence. “And if you can’t?”
“There are still other ways to make your mark and show me you are ready to take over one day.”
“One day,” Leo repeated, his voice hollow.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Zoe spoke up. “Let’s enjoy Mrs. Krantz’s honey cake and then we can go to Maxim’s office and discuss the particulars.”
Viktor gave Maxim a side glance. “Salted cod, honey cake. One would think you are trying to bribe me with delicacies, Max.”
“Never, just showing you the comforts of home.”
“Now that I will drink to.” He chuckled, holding up his glass and tossing it back.
Zoe was ready to scream by the time Viktor all but licked the plate clean and finished the bottle of vodka by himself. He should be listing or at the very least slurring his words, but the man knew how to hold his liquor. Hopefully, his tongue would be looser.
Viktor sat back in his seat giving a deep sigh. “My compliments to the chef for a wonderful meal.”
“I’ll be sure to pass them along,” Maxim replied.
“Shall we?” Zoe suggested, ready to move things along. “There are cigars and brandy in Maxim’s office awaiting you.”
“I’ll pass on the brandy, but I could never say no to a good cigar. And Max always has the best.”
