Page 53 of Lake
“You have any idea what this is about?” Knight asked.
Iron’s head bounced with a slow nod.
“Got an idea but I don’t want to walk in there thinking something. I don’t want us to get caught off guard.”
Made sense.
But I was still lost as fuck.
“You think it’s time?” B-ry asked, looking like he was about to slip right out of his chair he was sitting so close to the edge.
“I think we need to prepare ourselves for anything that might come our way and how we might handle it calmly.”
This was some shit.
There was a stare-off between Iron and B-ry. With a tiny nod, Iron turned his attention back to all of us.
“Back when Laurel was missing, Russians got wind of it and offered some help. We took it, but I kept that part wrapped up. While it wasn’t said outright that there would be a favor owed, I’m also not dumb.” Iron looked down and shook his head. “They just happened to get lucky in finding her.”
“And you think they are calling that favor in now?” Mouse asked though it clearly wasn’t a question.
“Why wait this long?” I asked because it had been months since we got Laurel back.
“Not sure,” Iron replied. “We go in, calm and collected. I talk, I handle it. You are back up. Understood?”
Every single one of us nodded in agreement. We were to stand there, keep our mouths zipped, and be on guard for anything that might happen.
Cable brought up the blueprints of the restaurant as well as any pictures he could find of the place, just to make sure nothing had been changed around. All exits were pointed out and taken in by each of us. As well as any areas that could be blind spots.
The upstairs was a big open room. One that they had set up for large groups or things like wedding receptions.
After we had a plan in place if shit went sideways, we rode out.
Strange as it was, I didn’t get that prickly feeling on the back of my neck. I tried my hardest not to listen to it and let my guard down. It’d be a cold day in hell when I let my brothers down like that.
Head in the game, we pulled around and walked our bikes back, leaving them in a nice row out front of the building. It was early enough in the day they weren’t open yet seeing as they only served dinner. That was good, at least there wouldn’t be any people to worry about getting caught in the crossfire. But fuck, I hoped there wouldn’t be any crossfire to begin with.
The door opened as we approached, Iron leading the pack. One of Pyotr’s men held the door open for us. I waited for the pat down, but oddly, it never came. Of course, all of us were carrying, we weren’t dumb. But we’d also not hesitate to give them up to keep the peace.
Something about that trust caused a calmness to settle inside of me.
Upstairs, Pyotr was already seated at a table in the middle, drinking glass half full in front of him with a bottle of vodka sitting next to it.
Andrei was standing right at his back and a few other big Russians were scattered around the room. The guy that had brought Laurel to us was in the back corner. I never could remember his name, but I’d seen him around a few times.
Pyotr rose, held out his hand, then sat back down after Iron gave him a firm shake.
“Thank you for coming.” His accent was thick and his voice was low. “I know I called this meeting fast, but I figured it best to make you aware as soon as possible.”
Come on, get to the point.
“We’re here,” Iron said bluntly. “Now let’s get to the why.”
Pyotr chuckled and took a healthy gulp of his drink.
“Vodka?” he asked tipping his glass in the direction of Iron.
I could feel Iron trying to contain his irritation from across the room.
