Page 125 of Desperate Crimes
Chapter Thirty-Two-Nico Jr
The doors shut with a dull thud, muting the rest of the house like a tomb sealed tight.
The office is just as I remember from when I was a boy—dark wood, black stone fireplace, heavy curtains that make the air thick.
It smells like smoke, leather, and dominance.
A shrine to power.
Adrik Volkov stands by the fireplace, glass of mineral water forgotten on the mantle.
My father takes the seat beside me, silent but ever watchful.
And me?
I remain standing.
Because I know what this is.
A test.
A warning.
A reckoning.
Adrik turns, folding his arms across his chest.“Let’s speak plainly.”
“I’d prefer that,” I say.
He eyes me, dark and razor-sharp.
“Just in glancing at the terms here I can see a lot, Junior.You bought Caas out from under us.Smart.Ruthless.Maybe even necessary.”
I nod, unapologetic.“He was never loyal.And he was stringing your people along.You need those mineral routes stabilized if you want to move anything out of Southeast Asia in the next five years.”
“Don’t tell me what I need,” he snaps, but there’s no real heat behind it.
Just edge.
My father cuts in smoothly.
“What Nico means is, we both knew Caas was a liability.But neither of us knew about his connection to Volkov Industries until yesterday.My son simply moved faster than expected.”
“Your son moved without consulting me,” Adrik says.
“I wasn’t aware I needed your permission to do business,” I reply, voice calm.
Controlled.But beneath the surface, my blood is boiling.
“I’m not talking about permission.”Adrik stalks toward his desk, leans on his knuckles.“I’m talking about trust.About respect.”
“You think this move was disrespectful?”I ask.
“I think it was strategic.”He narrows his eyes.“And maybe personal.”
The air thickens.
He wants to say it.
