I turn my face away. I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. But with Dante’s reputation that’s all over the tabloids, I can’t help the ugly jealousy that twists me up inside.
Chapter
Thirty-Two
Dante
* * *
After lunch, I walk Lexi back to my building.
“Thanks.” She shoves her hands in the pockets of her coat. “I guess I’ll grab a cab.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
I take my phone from my pocket and call one of my men.
She tips her face up to me. “Will I see you later?”
“Tomorrow.”
She looks disappointed, but she nods.
“Lexi,” I say with warning, continuing when I have her full attention. “We shouldn’t rush things. My wife may need time. She may not like the idea.”
“I understand.”
“I warned you not to hope.”
“I’m a big girl, Dante. I know what I can and can’t expect from you.”
The driver pulls up. Once I’ve seated her in the back of the car and given him her address, I call my own driver.
He arrives with two men.
I tell the driver where to go.
We get to the lookout point a good hour later. Viktor Skripchenko is already there, leaning against the hood of a gotta-have-it-green Ford Mustang. Two men flank him. As agreed, we didn’t bring more guards.
I check the drone footage on my phone to ensure I’m not walking into a trap, but the infrared cameras show the surroundings are clear.
My driver parks a hundred yards from our welcoming party. I get out on the dirt road, scouting the deserted fields.
Skripchenko keeps his gaze on my face as I walk over. He hasn’t changed much since the last time I saw him. He still has baggy eyes and a double chin.
“Pakhan,” I say, stopping a few paces away from him.
He straightens. “Dante Morici.”
We don’t shake hands. We’re not enemies, but we’re not friends either. For the sake of unnecessary bloodshed, we merely tolerate each other.
“It’s been a while,” he drawls. “You’ve climbed the ladder in the hierarchy. I didn’t think you’d make it this far. On how many people did you have to step to get to the top?”
I let out a humorless laugh. “We’re not all like you. Some of us get there on our own merit.”
He makes a mocking sound. “Did you ask for this meeting to tell me you’re going to pay your brother-in-law’s debt?”
“You know my history with Teszner better than that.”
