Page 54 of Lake
With a jerk of his head, he accepted the offer knowing it was best not to offend Pyotr.
There was another glass brought forward. Pyotr took his time filling the two glasses before sliding one across the table to Iron.
“To our women,” Pyotr said as he held up his glass.
“Our women,” Iron said doing the same.
I had a feeling he wasn’t using his native tongue to make a point. I was glad Iron filled us in on the things we didn’t know.
Sure, I was a little irritated that he hadn’t told the table about it, but at the same time, I had trust in my Prez. And I knew things were crazy at the time. Though, I doubted he’d forgotten about it. I guess he was in the mindset that he wouldn’t worry us with it until it came to light—ifit came to light. After all, it sounded like it hadn’t been stated as anI owe youtype of thing.
“Think we have a good thing going here, no?” Pyotr asked with a raised brow.
“I’m not one for conversation. Not to be rude, but can we get to it. If there is a problem, I want it fixed as fast as possible.”
Pyotr chuckled and gave a nod.
“We brought your woman back. Now we want something. I have a fighter that comes in from south, brings in a lot of money. Problem is, he needs new blood to fight against,” Pyotr said with a shrug as his eyes flicked over to look at B-ry.
Iron said nothing.
“They call him The Monster.” Pyotr waved two fingers in the air and one of his men brought over a tablet, already lit up and ready to go. Once it was placed in front of Iron, we all leaned in to get a better look.
Shit.
No fucking thank you.
B-ry was a beast but this guy looked twice his size. And that scowl on his face was downright terrifying.
Iron’s jaw clenched.
“No,” Iron said calmly. “No-go. You want to use my man for this when in reality it was just luck that you happened to find Laurel first. Just so happened that your boy was fucking with the blinds open right next door. I appreciate that you got to her when you did, but this doesn’t seem like an even trade-off.”
“You asked for help. We helped.”
“Help was offered up.”
“You still took it.”
Iron grunted like there wasn’t really anything he could say to that.
“It seems your man has talent. Talent I could use only he hasn’t shown interest in my fights. The Monster brings a big crowd and there are people that follow him around. I like big crowds, I like money. Yuri says your man has skills. We will help him. Yuri and Andrei will train with him.”
Iron opened his mouth but B-ry stepped up and put a hand on his shoulder.
“I’ll do it.”
Pyotr looked at Iron waiting for him to say the word.
“Fine. One fight. Then we’re even.”
“One fight,” Pyotr responded with a nod. “Don’t let me down. I’m putting my money on you.”
And there was a flicker of surprise in B-ry’s eyes for a split second before he wiped his face clean.
I knew the Russians ran an underground fighting ring though I’d never been to any of them. It was really no secret even though it was illegal as hell, and I’d wondered how shady it was, you know, other than the fact that they were illegal fights and all. But it seemed Pyotr ran it as fair as one could. I was half waiting for him to drop the other shoe and tell B-ry that he had to throw the fight and lose.
“You have three weeks.”
