Page 119 of Dirty Grovel

My lip curls. “No. I want to see the light drain from his smug fucking face with my own two eyes. But even apart from that, it’d be a waste of a good tool. We can use Anton. The Martineks will do their utmost to protect their own. Even worthless pieces of shit like Anton. He’ll be counting on that, too.”

“We could pit them against one another,” Artem suggests. “The Martineks inspire about as much loyalty as a rattlesnake in a nursery.”

“Fitting, considering Anton is just about as loyal as a snake,” I grit out. “We’ll see how this plays out, shall we?” I rise to my feet.

Artem follows me to the door. “Where are you headed?”

“Meeting a viper for lunch today.”

“Ah.” Artem smiles. “Say hello to your mother for me.”

“He looks so small in that hospital bed,” Oksana murmurs, pushing her salad around her plate without taking a bite.

I lift a surprised eyebrow. “Do I detect sympathy?”

Scowling, she drops her fork down with a clatter. “I merely meant that I never thought I’d see Boris that helpless. It just underlines that no man is invincible.”

“Least of all Boris Pavlov.”

Oksana’s nostrils flare. “My point is that we’re all vulnerable, Oleg. The Martineks mean business. And right now, you’re the one in the weaker position.”

“Because of this attack?” I scoff. “Please. It’s clearly a setup. There have been no leads on Boris’s attacker and security footage has been conveniently wiped clean.”

“Still, you don’t have definitive proof. And without it, you look guilty.” She sips on her wine, ignoring her food altogether. “Power abhors a vacuum and right now, the vultures are circling lots of empty space.”

“I realize that the Martineks are not to be underestimated. And I also realize what’s at stake. But if collateral damage has to be paid, then I’m happy to sacrifice Boris.”

She studies my face carefully. “You’ve changed. Is it the girl?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Her answering smile is somewhat smug. “I might have been wrong about her.”

I nearly choke on the piece of food I’ve just put in my mouth. I have to bang on my chest with my first before it dislodges.

“I’m sorry—I’m not sure I heard that correctly. Say it again.”

Oksana rolls her eyes. “You’re being childish.”

“Entirely possible. I’m still going to need you to repeat that last statement.”

“She may not be from this world,” she says, “but she’s smart and scrappy. And she just might be strong enough to survive it.”

“She’s been through a lot.”

Oksana nods. “I’m aware. An absentee father who disappeared on her before she was born, a stripper mother who landed herself in jail, a sister who’s involved with a third-rate gangster from Las Vegas.”

“Wasinvolved,” I correct. “I put a bullet in her boyfriend’s face.”

“I’m still not thrilled about her pedigree. But there’s something to be said for character. She managed to turn out pretty well, considering where she comes from.”

“High praise coming from you.”

“I can admit when I’m wrong.”

For the second time in ten minutes, I find myself pounding on my chest, trying not to choke.

“If you’re going to keep saying shit like that, I’m gonna have to stop eating.”

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