“Good, now get in. I don’t like to be late.”
Knowing she didn’t have a choice, Zoe got in the car. Viktor walked around and got in the opposite side.
“I’m surprised Leo could tear himself away from you. You seemed close today.”
“He’s a good kid. Very bright. Maxim should be proud. Very inquisitive and great ideas.”
“Do you think he’s ready for this step?”
“Don’t you?” he questioned back. “After all, it was you who agreed to the meet. Made the arrangements.”
“I agreed to a meet, nothing more. As long as it’s in the best interest of Maxim’s business, I’m sure a deal can be made.”
Viktor’s eyes turned to slits. He didn’t like her answer. “Maxim can’t stop Leo from branching out. This is his deal to make.” And Viktor would be the one to help push it. She still didn’t know why. To control Leo? To run things for him, but to what end? Everyone was very closed-lipped about what this deal even was.
Zoe looked out the window, not sure how to diplomatically answer his question without sounding like a cop instead of the head of operations, when she noticed something.
“Where are we going? This isn’t the way to the meet spot.” Zoe turned her head to Viktor in alarm as they headed further into town instead of heading outside of town.
“Change of plans,” Viktor said casually as he watched ahead.
“This isn’t what we agreed to. Pull over.”
Viktor chuckled as if she had said something humorous. “You are in no position to give orders.”
Zoe would not give in to fear. “You agreed to my meet place of choice.”
“What’s so special about that place, Zoe?” Viktor looked her over with a critical eye.
Shit. He knew. He knew it was a setup. “Nothing. I just don’t like when plans change without my consult,” she replied crisply. “Especially when it was agreed upon.”
“Why go out of town when we can do things civilized right here in town?”
Zoe looked out the window again when they came to a stop and knew exactly where they were. “The funeral parlor?”
“What better place for a business meeting? Peaceful, quiet.” And no one would ever find a body because it was already in a casket and shipped off to who knew where.
Zoe felt a shudder run down her spine. No one knew they were here. She had no backup. It was her, a knife, and a gun against who knew how many men.
“Are you coming?” Viktor asked, already out of the car and bending over to look at her.
Zoe got out and noted several of Viktor’s guards standing around along with a few she didn’t recognize. “Is Diego already here?”
Viktor didn’t answer as he headed inside. Zoe waited for Maxim and Leo to join, and for the second time in a matter of moments, she felt her heart stop when she saw Aleksei holding the car door open. She had told Maxim to leave him back at the mansion.
Aleksei gave her a sheepish shrug. She wanted to warn him. Give him some signal to stay back, but she never got the chance because Boris came around the side and placed a hand on Aleksei’s back, urging him forward.
“Why is Aleksei here?” she asked Maxim when he was close enough to whisper to.
Maxim looked caught off guard at her question then looked back at Aleksei as if seeing him for the first time.
“Boris wanted him here. I thought you would be happy. You two are always together.”
“I am, thank you. I was only shocked since I haven’t seen him in a few days.”
“You saw him this morning,” Boris pointed out.
“Yes, after I had to track him down to the kitchen. It’s as if we were being kept apart.” She gave Boris a pointed look because she knew he was the cause of that.
