Page 20 of His Forbidden Obsession

Rafe shook his head. “That’s fucking sick.”

“Everything about this goddamn business is sick,” Dante said. “That’s why we should all have gotten out of it long ago.”

“It’s not an option. I have people to protect and no other way to do it.”

“This isn’t like you,” Dante said.

Rafe frowned. “This is exactly like him. He always gives a speech about how he’s responsible, blah, blah, blah.”

“Don’t push me,” I said.

“That’s not what I meant. It’s not like Renzo to give in to anything he wants. He’s been punishing himself to work nonstop and basically living like an ascetic since he got out of prison.”

“What’s an ascetic? Do you mean like aesthetic, like making the place look good?” Rafe asked.

Dante sighed. “Ascetic means abstaining from pleasure. He’s not let himself have any fun.”

“But Renzo’s fucked guys since he’s been out. No one can stay celibate that long.”

Dante rolled his eyes. “I didn’t say he hadn’t taken care of basic physical needs. He’s eaten too, but he won’t do anything for himself because all he wants to do is blame himself for something he didn’t cause.”

I was done with listening to them talk about me like I wasn’t there. “I’ve had a long night. Don’t make me say or do something I’ll regret. Just go home.”

“Have you let Remington know?” Dante asked.

“About the deal?”

Dante nodded. “I sure as fuck didn’t mean about Nikolai.”

“I don’t think I’d tell him that,” Rafe said.

“I’m not fucking stupid, and no, I haven’t had a chance to talk to him because I’ve been arguing with the two of you.”

Rafe held up his hands in a surrender posture. “Wow, you’re fucking grouchy. I would think good sex would’ve made you a little bit more mellow.”

“The negotiation happened after the sex, and there wasn’t anything relaxing about this night. So go home and leave me alone.”

When I finally closed the door behind the two of them, I stepped into the kitchen, filled a highball glass nearly fucking full of my favorite bourbon, then sat on the couch. What a hell of a night.

Now that I was alone, I let myself think about Nikolai. He was so beautiful, so responsive, and they were right. He didn’t deserve to be where he was. I wanted to get him out, but that wasn’t going to happen. I just put him in danger, as well as my family. Everyone who worked for us in our allies. Maybe there would be time to see him again later. Right now, I had to put him out of my mind and focus on the family business. I had more negotiating to do this week, and I needed to call my cousin Remington. I needed to report in my success and figure out exactly how he wanted me to receive the shipment.

I let my head drop back and held my glass on my knee, the crystal cool to the touch.

Was Dante right? Could I have found a way to get us out of this business? I told him Remington wouldn’t let us go, that there was no way out, but I knew that wasn’t true. It wouldn’t be easy, and it wouldn’t be fast, but it was possible. But I didn’t want to leave. This lifestyle was what I knew, and I wasn’t willing to give up the benefits it gave me.

I took a deep breath and called my cousin.

He answered almost immediately. “Did you accomplish everything I assigned you?”

No “hello,” just straight to the point. “Yes. He offered me eighty percent of the weapons I’d asked for at the price I offered.”

“And we would have spent twice that much. Good work.” That made me smile. Remington didn’t give compliments easily, and if he knew about the rest of my night, he would not be congratulatory. I’d be lucky if he let me live. “What did you learn about the Russians consolidating power?”

“They’ve made arrangements for an alliance. Dimitri announced that his son, Nikolai, is engaged to Alina Ivanov. The wedding will take place next week.”

“Dimitri must have gotten Ivanov to pay a hell of a lot, or he wouldn’t have made the deal. Nikolai is the best asset he has aside from the weapons he sells.”

Hot anger burned in my chest. I didn’t want anyone thinking of Niko as an asset. Remington was right though, and for now, I needed to play along. “You and I both know Ivanov wouldn’t pay that much just for a groom for his youngest daughter. He’s been public about how useless he finds her.”