Page 43 of Weaponized

Luca shrugs one large shoulder while Victor replies, “I think my sons and I are struggling to understand what you are proposing, Nikolai. Why are we here?” His voice is smooth as silk.

“We would like access to your territory on the upper docks in exchange for providing you with the information we have gathered on how the Greeks have also been stealingyourproduct. I believe they are working against us both. I want us to deal with the problem. Permanently.”

“Theupperdocks?” Victor asks, eyebrows raised. He puts his napkin onto his plate. “I had received atinybit of intelligence that you may be interested in the lower docks and the nearby warehouses. Particularly their surveillance.”

Nikolai blanches. Squirms. “Yourintelligencemust be mistaken.”

“I see. That’s good. We have made a number oftinychanges to the lower docks recently. Very recently.” Victor is smiling again, but this smile scares me. There is a glint in his eye that is unsettling.The Russian notices it as well.

I can feel Luca shift next to me. “I suppose that is irrelevant to Mr. Tykova. He wouldn’t concern himself with any…product…on the lower docks. Isn’t that correct?” my boyfriend’s baritone voice challenges.

Nikolai has suddenly grown agitated. “Yes. I have already said this. Your support on this is not a lot to ask.”

“Why not just share what you have found?” Matteo pipes up. “After all, we have no issue working with others to annihilate our enemies.”

“Yes,” Victor states calmly. “We do not tolerate thieves. I would not consider theft atinyinfraction. In fact, our Family would rain hell onto anyone who crossed us.”

Nikolai pushes up from the table. “I think this evening may have been a mistake.”

“Oh?” Luca asks with a sneer. “You don’t want to discuss the matter further? You should stay, Mr. Tykova. I’m sure we’d all love to learn more about what you’ve uncovered.”

“We will go,” Nikolai Tykova barks. His entire side of the table stands. “You do not understand what opportunity you have turned away.”

“Nikolai,” Victor says calmly. “We have turned away nothing.”

“You want us to give you our information. For what? For no recompense? I did not come here to be made a fool, Victor!” The Russian is red-faced now. Shouting.

“Therecompense, as you put it, would be working together to snuff out a traitor. As I’ve made clear, we do not tolerate traitors, Nikolai. I would be glad to lend you my services to take down anyone who should be considered a common enemy.However, it is not on my agenda to grant access to any of my shipping lanes.”

“I see no reason why you wouldn’t tell us what you know,” Luca states in a menacing voice. His “Luca glare” is firmly in place. “In fact, give us the information, and we’ll handle the enemy for you. We may surprise you with how quickly we work.” His threat is clear. I shiver.

“Dostatochno!” Nikolai slams his fist on the table. “We will talk no more of this tonight!” He storms out of the dining room. The others follow him hastily through the door. I’m utterly confused. The ugly Russian seemed to want a reason to leave as soon as possible. There was no reason to cut the conversation that short. I’ve heard worse threats and deals were still made. He rendered the purpose of the dinner useless.

Once the room is empty, Matteo speaks. “What has Tiny done?” He looks ill. He obviously picked up on his father’s not-so-subtle insinuations this evening.

“He is at the barn,” Victor answers. He looks unruffled. Almost too calm. “We found some of Umberto’s equipment in his basement. Notes about dates and times. A burner phone.”

“Fuck,” is my boyfriend’s assessment. “They were trying to set up the Greeks?”

“Likely. And, turn our attention to the wrong area so they could continue to scavenge the south end. Pauly and his men are at the 12th Street warehouse now. One of the times that Tiny had written down was tonight, during this dinner, but there was no location. Gráinne’s translation provided that,” Victor shares, looking directly at me. “I suspect I’ll hear soon about some of Nikolai’s men breaking into the shipment that we locked up there about an hour ago.It would explain the hasty exit. He’d need to at least attempt to warn his men. Or, worst case, we’ll see some Greeks. Either way, we’ll have answers soon.”

My mouth has turned to cotton. I glance at Elizabeth and am shocked to find that she still doesn’t appear bothered. Simply interested. Hanging on every word.

“Should we head there now?” Luca asks his father and I want to jump out of my seat. Is he crazy? I don’t want him hurt. I revealed myself tonight to a man who just made it abundantly clear, repeatedly, how he handles traitors. I shared what I heard specifically to keep Lucaoutof danger.

“Not necessary tonight,” Victor responds, watching me. I exhale, and he smiles. This time, it seems genuine.

“Tomasso is at the barn with Tiny. Pauly has the warehouse with his men. Once we learn more, we can form our plan.”

“Who will tell Umberto?” Matteo asks roughly.

“Once we learn more, we can form our plan,” his father repeats. “Take your beautiful dates home. They deserve our appreciation for all the support they provided us tonight.”

As we head toward the exit, Victor touches my shoulder. When I look back at him, he hands me a thick, black business card. The only thing printed on it is a single phone number in silver foil.

“This is my private cell phone. Anything you need. Anytime you need it.”

My stomach turns. I need to talk to my brother. Explain what’s happened. Yet, my head swims with thoughts of how Ishouldcall my father. It’s what I know. What I’ve been trained to do. I have information on warehouses,ports, traitors, and failed alliances. I even have Victor’s private cell phone number. I swallow my anxiety. I know I won’t share any of this as I glance at my boyfriend’s face. I simply nod and slip the business card into my handbag.

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