Page 41 of Double Edged Hearts
Chapter Twelve
Alex
I keep my head down and work on my new bike.
The guys are all here in the garage tonight. The four of us. Claudius and Dante are arguing over engine parts, and Gio is playing mediator while I watch and lose myself in my thoughts.
The others are good at different things. I do stunts, so I’m always thinking up some shit to do to woo the crowd. There’s a race later, and I’m supposed to be taking part. The place is already packed with tonight’s crowd.
I’ve been here since earlier because I can’t deal with the female attention tonight. I don’t want it on me because the one woman I desperately want doesn’t want me. I’m not going to be a prick and fuck to forget her. I can’t do that. Not with her.
I’m worried about Cora. I hate what’s happening and that she’s caught up in it. That fucker Zack is up to something and it’s not good.
“Alex, are you nervous?” Dante asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
I lift my head and give him an incredulous glare. “Nervous? No way man, I’m not—”
My voice cuts when the door opens and men with guns pour in.
Before they can even get inside, I join Claudius, Dante, and Gio, guns at the ready.
It’s five meatheads who look like they want death. Then who comes through the door next makes shock slam through me.
Matvey.
He’s tall, burly, and the shit-eating grin plastered on his face is a big tell that he doesn’t give a shit who we are.
“You better state your fucking business right the fuck now, or I will end you,” Claudius roars.
Matvey looks to me then back to Claudius.
“Claudius Morientz, this is a social call. Believe me, if we wanted death, you could tell by the part about you all being dead already,” he answers in a heavy Russian accent.
Fuck.I hate dealing with these guys. I can never tell what they’ll do next.
“Matvey, I would really love to see you try and kill me and mine,” Claudius sneers, but Matvey just laughs.
“It would be very interesting, Chicago Boss. I’m like a sleeping giant though. I don’t fuck with you unless you fuck withme and mine. Rest assured I will surely fuck with you if your capo continues to help his fed.”
Jesus Christ.I’m being watched, and so is Cora. This guy has the same vibe as Zack.
Claudius tenses, and I know he wants to look at me, but he’s stopping himself.
“This is a warning to stay the fuck away. I believe there’s a code among us criminals. At least there is where I come from. We certainly don’t help feds, even if they’re just for fucking.”
I cock my gun, ready to kill his ass but Gio holds on to my hand and tightens his grip, shaking his head at me. Matvey walks to me and chuckles.
“Pretty little thing she is. If you fuck with me, I’ll kill you, and I’ll take her and make sure I fuck her six ways to Sunday before I put a bullet in her head,” he taunts.
Both Dante and Gio have to hold me back now as I growl and lunge for Matvey, who turns back to Claudius. He looks at all of us and smiles wide with his arms extended on either side.
“Your numbers are few compared to the army we have. Your pretty little dolls and your children will all suffer. Here endeth the lesson. Stay. The. Fuck. Away.” He backs away and walks through the door. His men lower their guns and follow, leaving like they were never here.
When Claudius looks at me, I already know what he’s going to do before he does it. So I’m not surprised when he lands a fist in my face.
One fist, and then another. Dante stops the third from coming.
I know I slipped up, so I’m not going to get into a fight with him that would be blow for blow until we killed each other.
