Page 24 of Nikolai Petrov

“I’ll keep the bed warm for you.” When she rolls over, she pushes her bare ass up and wiggles it, glancing over her shoulder at me.

“You’ll be the death of me.” I sting my palm on one of her perfect orbs and walk away happy that my handprint will be proof of ownership on that beautiful cheek.

The melody of her giggle follows me into the bathroom as I struggle to dampen my cock enough to aim it down.

His bushy gray brows are furrowed as he pours whiskey into his coffee before taking a grimacing swallow.

“Are you sure you don’t want some food? Or going straight for rotgut this early?” It’s only since Natalia has been here that I have been eating it myself. She has a way of working up my appetite.

“No, thanks. It’s about my daughter.” Ivanov’s hands shake as he twists the cup on the oak table. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this pale.

“Ah, I was curious if you’ve found her. Off partying in Miami?” One last bite of sausage and eggs, and I’m stuffed. Sitting back in my chair, I watch his reaction closely without belying my scrutiny.

“No. I wish.” He trails his thumb over the rim of the cup before taking another large drink. I watch his eyes dart over my shoulder to my two bodyguards standing just behind me.

I wanted to be ready. It’s a good habit to be in, including them in all of my dealings. Makes it less conspicuous on the times I really need them there.

“She was found, but lost again. In the south side.” His dark eyes look up and meet mine. They look sunken since last I’ve seen him. “I need to find her. It’s very important. And, I was wondering if I could ask the favor of looking for her.” The tightening in his cheeks and the paling of his skin tells me how much it pains him to ask.

Favors come with a heavy price in our line of work.

My fingers steeple in front of me as I sit back in my chair. “Girls her age go crazy. She will likely come back with time. Why is it so important?”

“Well, um.” His lips thin and he shifts in his seat. “I may have promised her.”

There it is.

I let my face show surprise. “Promised her? To who?”

“It doesn’t really matter, boss. I just need—”

Leaning forward, I let my voice drop. “Who, Ivanov? It does matter.” I know I’m leaving him little option but to reveal himself now.

“Tosya Koskovich.” His eyes drop and his shoulders slump. He looks like a whipped dog.

My hands ball into fists and I let them. “What the fuck is wrong with you? What did they promise you?”

“I did it for you, boss!” He throws his hands up and falls back. “They offered to move more product, and I just thought it would help us to maybe set up a bigger reach in Moscow.” His hands fall over the arms of the chair. “They even offered me a chance to move there and head up distribution.”

The fucker. They’re offering him a prime option to lead his own business.

Now I know where all of my missing merchandise is going. He’s funneling the shit to Russia for himself.

“I never asked for that.”

It takes everything in me not to put a bullet in his brain right now. Maybe I’ll strangle him with my bare hands.

I muse how I’m going to kill him for several minutes as he squirms beneath my neutral stare.

“Bring Tosya to our next meeting, and I’ll find the girl for you.” I’m not sure if I kept the edge out of my voice, but I’m sure he’s expecting some level of irritability from me.

“Th-thank you, boss.” Fuck, he must know that either I’m going to kill him, or the Koskovich’s will.

I don’t feel sorry for him as I watch him leave.

He did this to himself.

Furtive glances amongst my men bely the tension in the air. Subdued chuckles, more drinks, frequent shifting in their chairs, all tell me they know something is going to happen tonight.

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