Page 9 of Echoes of Sin

Brooke didn’t respond for so long I thought she might have hung up on me.

“You’ve had a week to set up my accounts and I’d like to make sure it’s all done right.” I expected the best from everyone who worked for me, and I didn’t accept excuses.

“If you think I’m incapable of handling your accounts, Mr. Kuznetsov, I suggest you take it up with Mr. Montrose.” With those words, she ended the call.

I couldn’t help but smile. The Brooke I remember wasn’t quite as feisty, but I always knew she had it in her. I called her back. Directly this time.

“This is Brooke.”

“Good morning, Brooke, I think we might have gotten cut off there. What I meant to say is that we need to set up a time to meet go over my accounts.”

There was a long silence that lasted well over a minute before she finally spoke, and when she did, her anger was barely concealed, but her professionalism was impressive. “I have an open slot from two until three today if that’s soon enough for you to come into the office.”

“And what, I wonder, is keeping you so busy that you don’t have time to meet with your only client?” I was being an asshole and I knew it but riling her up was surprisingly fun.

“It’s called work. You know, inputting purchases into the software and preparing for each of your business to start producing cash flow.”

“Excellent. You can tell me all about it over lunch.” I was eager to see her again after she ran from me the first time and ignored me the second time.

“Sorry, but I don’t take confidential company information out of the office. Bad for business.”

“Of course.” I understood and respected her response, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t get what I wanted. “Memorize what you have to so that you can explain it to me clearly. Over lunch. See you at Olivio’s at noon,” I responded, and ended the call before she could come up with another excuse to get out of having lunch with me.

As much as I loved verbally sparring with Brooke, there were other matters that required my attention before lunch. Club Envy was my first stop of the morning because it officially opens in just a few days. This nightclub was more high-end and exclusive than most, so it would do a steady business, but behind the club, or rather, underneath it, was the real money maker.

“These tables need to be closer.” I wanted everything to be perfect, exactly the way I pictured it in my head. “It’ll increase anxiety and encourage hopping to a hot table.” Gamblers were ridiculous, superstitious people, which always worked in the house’s favor.

The doors that lead to this part of the club were five inches thick and solid metal to make sure the players were safe from would-be thieves. The players would only be allowed down here through a personal invite and a password that changed nightly.

“Ilya, the booze isn’t here yet.” Dmitri’s brows furrowed into a dark frown. “The shipment was supposed to arrive this morning,” he said.

“I’ll take care of it.”

Dmitri shook his head. “I’ll come with you.”

“You think I can’t handle myself?”

“You handled Calhoun just fine, boss. Maybe I want in on some of the fun you’re having. And your safety is my top priority.”

“Fine. Let’s go stock this bar.”

Dmitri was my oldest friend and the only person I missed other than my father when I was in America the first time. Over the years, we fought side by side, killed for each other and walked through hell together. He was my brother in every way except blood.

“Stock this bar,” he repeated in an amused tone. “You sound like an American.”

I laughed. “The language is like riding a bike, as they say.”

“Or like shooting a gun,” Dmitri joked. “It comes back to you as soon as your hand wraps around the cold steel.”

“Exactly.” We arrived at the depot quickly. It was conveniently located, which meant there was no good reason the first shipment hadn’t arrived. My hands began to tingle as if they knew what came next.

Blood.

Lots and lots of blood.

After dealing with that particular problem, my knuckles were sore and swollen, but nothing a few painkillers won’t fix. It wasn’t how I wanted to meet Brooke for lunch, but business waited for no one.

Not even my first—and only—love.

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