“It seemed necessary.” Konstantin lets out a hint of a smirk as he takes one of the empty sofas.
Aleksei and I sit with him while Anton chooses the wall, arms crossed, gaze moving over every inch of the room. He’s already counted exits and cameras, I’d bet my life on it.
“It certainly is,” Harlan says.
“Well, it seems to us there’s been a misunderstanding,” Konstantin goes on.
“What sort of misunderstanding?” Harlan’s gaze narrows.
“The kind that involves your family running guns on our turf, with our clients,” Aleksei cuts in, and I catch the exact second Konstantin’s jaw tics.
“I’m sure your intention was not to steal from us,” Konstantin adds, voice calm but edged.
The svolich laughs. “We all need a little competition in life. It makes things more fun, don’t you think?”
Konstantin doesn’t answer, just watches him, and Harlan mistakes the silence for invitation.
“Look, son?—”
“I am not your son.” Konstantin leans forward, his gaze lethal, tone vicious.
On the sofa, Cole damn near vibrates with the urge to start something, blue eyes sharpening as he edges closer to the front of his seat. I’d be happy to give him what he’s asking for.
Nash cuts him a hard stare, and he eases back, but barely.
“In any case…” Harlan adjusts like he’s trying to keep control of the room. “I respect you and your family as businessmen, but you have to respect us too. Our family has been in this business for generations, and we aren’t going anywhere. So instead of fighting about this, I say we work together.”
“We do not work well with others,” Aleksei throws in with wry smirk.
“You don’t say,” Greer scoffs, and Harlan shoots her a warning look that has her rolling her eyes.
“Fine, Daddy. I promise to be a good girl.” Her glare cuts to Aleksei, and he meets it head-on, just as savage.
“Look, you’re still new here in New Jersey,” Konstantin continues. “And maybe they do things differently down in Texas,but here, businessmen respect each other’s turfs. Those are our clients, and we don’t take kindly to people who poach them.”
“Oh, I very much do respect you, Mr. Marinov.” Harlan’s mouth curves like he’s trying to charm him. “Your reputation precedes you, and I know all about your family legacy, as I’m sure you know about mine. My father’s father was in this line of work, his father before that, and so on. We’re hardworking people and a family business, just like yours. I’m sure you can appreciate that we need to feed our families too.”
“You can feed whatever family you like.” Konstantin leans back. “Just not with our money.”
“Look,” Jace jumps in. “You’ve got a supply problem, and we’ve got a solution.”
His mouth pulls up in a smug half-smile, and I can see Konstantin’s patience wearing thin. Mine too, in fact. I’ve been itching for any reason to kill him just for touching Sloane.
Konstantin’s muscles go rigid, tension running through him even as he smiles. “We do not have a problem. Butyouwill if you don’t stop selling to our customers.”
Harlan sighs, like we’re being unreasonable. “Come on, now. This is business. You should understand this is not meant as disrespect.”
“You don’t belong here.” Konstantin’s hand curls at his side, knuckles pale.
“But we’re here anyway.” Harlan flips his hands in the air, leaning back in his chair. “And we aren’t going anywhere.”
My desire to see this entire family dead has turned into a priority.
“Now, we wanted this meeting as a goodwill gesture so we can talk like men,” Harlan adds, like he is the reasonable one in the room. “If we can’t do that, there’s nothin’ we need to discuss. My enterprise, everything my family built, isn’t goin’ anywhere, and I hope you can appreciate that, being who youare. Blackthorn is here to stay, and our roots may be in Texas, but we’ve put some down here too.”
He lifts his chin slightly as he continues. “And you should know, I help my friends. If that’s what we become, we can help each other. I’ve got contacts miles long, people from all walks of life who’d be willin’ to help you any way you want. Contracts, land, new ports, whatever you need. No messy red tape. All you need to do is accept that we’ll be supplying the people you can’t. At least for the time being. They need what you don’t have.”
“We have it,” Konstantin says, the lie effortless, not a trace of doubt in his voice.
