Chapter 35 Landon
LANDON
Idrum my fingers against the polished conference table, watching Xavier pace at the head of the room. The tension radiates from him in waves, his jaw clenched tight enough to crack teeth.
“This is the second time Orlov has hit our distribution network,” Xavier says. “First the warehouse in Eastside, now this.”
Vane leans forward. “Let me pay him a visit. I’ll bring back his fingers one by one until he understands whose territory he’s fucking with.”
“Always straight to broken bones with you,” Knox quips from across the table, spinning a pen between his fingers. “No foreplay whatsoever.”
I analyze the situation while they talk shit. Orlov’s Russian connections make him dangerous, but also valuable. This isn’t about vengeance; it’s about leverage.
“We need his supply chain intact,” I interject. “Killing him eliminates future opportunities.”
Xavier’s eyes meet mine, a flash of approval there before he masks it. “Landon’s right. We need Orlov alive.”
“Shocking. Landon and X agree again,” Vane mutters, drumming his fingers against the armrest of his chair.
“Jealous that no one agrees with your caveman tactics?” I counter.
Knox barks out a laugh. “He’s got you there, Vane. Your solution to everything is smash, kill, destroy.’”
Vane flips Knox off. “And your solution is what? Fuck the problem away?”
“Works more often than you’d think,” Knox grins.
I force a small smile, playing my part in this familiar dance of barbed words between brothers. The banter never comes naturally to me, but I’ve learned to mimic it convincingly enough. My brothers communicate through this verbal sparring; I simply adapt.
“Focus,” Xavier snaps. “Orlov’s crew hit the distribution center in Ravenwood Heights last night. Three of our men in the hospital, product stolen.”
“The question is whether this is a one-off or the beginning of a calculated territorial play,” I say, pulling up the security footage on my tablet. “Orlov isn’t stupid enough to think he can take us on directly.”
I swipe through the images, analyzing the precision of the attack. Four men, all masked, all carrying Heckler & Koch MP5s—not street weapons. This wasn’t an impulsive move.
“His men knew exactly where to go, which security protocols to bypass.” I turn the tablet to show my brothers. “Someone gave him inside information.”
Xavier’s eyes narrow. “The same breach Sadie found.”
The mention of her name sends a surge of electricity through my veins. Sadie. My Sadie. The way she dismantled our security systems so effortlessly still makes my pulse quicken. So much talent contained in the most beautiful fucking package.
“Yes,” I confirm. “And if Orlov has access to our digital infrastructure, we need to assume he knows about our other operations as well.”
Knox whistles low. “Do you reckon they know the handoff locations with the carnival?”
“Potentially everything,” I say.
Vane slams his fist on the table. “So we cut off his access. Find the mole and make an example of them.”
“We need to understand what he’s after,” Xavier says. “This isn’t just about product sales. Orlov wants something specific.”
I tap my finger against the table, my mind working through possibilities. “We need to set a trap. Feed him false information, see what he bites on.”
“And who’s going to design this trap?” Vane asks with a sneer.
I meet his gaze coolly. “Sadie and I will. Her skills combined with mine.”
Xavier studies me. “You trust her with this level of access to our operations?”
The question hovers in the air between us. Do I trust Sadie? The woman I’ve terrorized and claimed? The woman whose mind fascinates me as much as her body?
“I trust her,” I say, slowly. “I also trust my authority.”
Knox sneers. “Authority? You mean stalking her like a lost puppy?”
I meet his laugh with an icy glare. “Want a demonstration, little brother? I can arrange a very educational evening.”
Knox holds my gaze for a moment before looking away, his usual smirk fading.
“Enough,” Xavier cuts in. “If Landon says Sadie can help, we use her. But,” he points a finger at me, “she doesn’t get access to anything beyond what’s absolutely necessary for this operation.”
I nod once, not revealing that I already gave her access to a lot. “Agreed.”
“What about the club?” Vane asks. “If Orlov knows the significance of Purgatory—”
“We continue as normal,” Xavier interrupts. “Showing weakness now would only encourage further aggression.”
I study the security footage again. “These aren’t Orlov’s usual tactics. He typically avoids direct confrontation, preferring to operate in the shadows.”
“Maybe he’s found his balls,” Vane suggests.
“Or someone’s backing him,” I counter. “This level of organization suggests outside influence.”
Xavier drums his fingers against the table. “Find out. Use whatever resources you need.”
The meeting concludes with assignments distributed. As we stand to leave, Xavier catches my arm.
“A word,” he says, waiting until the others have left. “This thing with Sadie—”
“Is not up for discussion,” I cut him off.
“It is when it affects business,” he counters. “I need your head clear.”
“My head is perfectly clear.”
Xavier studies me with those cold, calculating eyes that miss nothing. “You’re different with her. The way you look at her—”
“How?” I challenge, feeling a surge of defensiveness I can’t entirely explain.
“Like she’s more than just another toy to break,” he says. “Be careful, Landon. People like you don’t do happy endings.”
I straighten my jacket, keeping my expression neutral despite the unexpected sting of his words. “I don’t believe in endings, happy or otherwise.”
Xavier’s laugh holds no humor. “Keep telling yourself that.”
I leave, Xavier’s words lingering in my mind. As I step into the hallway, Knox and Vane are waiting, their conversation cut short when I emerge.
“Well?” Knox asks, twirling his car keys around his finger. “What’s the verdict from our fearless leader?”
“We proceed as planned,” I say. “Set the trap, find the leak.”
Knox grins, slapping Vane on the shoulder. “Perfect timing for a celebratory drink. Let’s hit Purgatory for a few hours—blow off some steam before diving into this Orlov mess.”
I check my watch, calculating the time needed to return to the penthouse where Sadie is working on our security systems. “Pass. I have more pressing matters to attend to.”
Xavier steps out behind me, already shaking his head. “I’m heading home. The club can survive without us for one night.”
Vane’s eyes narrow, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. “Look at you two. What happened to the Blackwood brothers who practically lived at the club?”
“They grew up,” Xavier replies.
Knox laughs, the sound echoing down the corridor. “No, they got pussy whipped. X can’t stay away from Mira for more than a few hours, and Landon’s practically attached to his hacker by an invisible leash.”
I feel my jaw tighten, but maintain my neutral expression. “Crude as always, Knox.”
“But accurate,” Vane adds. “You used to be the coldest of us all, Landon. Now you’re rushing home to what—watch her type code?”
“When your intelligence exceeds that of a concussed goldfish, Vane, perhaps you’ll understand the value of someone like Sadie.”
Vane steps toward me. “You think you’re so superior. At least I know what I am.”
“And what’s that?” I adjust my cuffs, refusing to give him the satisfaction of visible irritation.
“A monster.” He bares his teeth in a feral smile. “I don’t pretend otherwise.”
Knox slides between us. “Save the psychoanalysis for therapy day, boys. Some of us have actual fun to attend to. Bianca is on her way to Purgatory.”
I check my watch again. Sadie should be finishing the initial system scan now. “Enjoy your drinking,” I say, turning away. “I’ll be doing something productive.”
Xavier gives me a look loaded with meaning. “Tomorrow. Nine sharp. I want updates on Orlov and a plan to flush out our leak.”
I nod once and walk toward the elevator, my mind already shifting to the security protocols Sadie might have uncovered. My phone vibrates with a text, and I slide it from my pocket.
Found something interesting in the backdoor code. Signature matches someone internal.
A smile tugs at my lips before I can suppress it. She’s remarkable.
“There it is,” Knox calls after me. “That little smile. You’re actually falling for her, aren’t you?”
I turn slowly, face wiped clean of expression. “I appreciate valuable assets. Something you might understand if you ever thought with your brain instead of your cock.”
Knox laughs. “I’ve never seen you rush home to an asset before.”
I step into the elevator without responding. My brothers’ taunts are irrelevant distractions. Sadie is a puzzle I’m still solving—a mind as brilliant as it is broken. What exists between us is far more complex than the simplistic emotions my brothers would understand.
The doors close on their knowing smirks, and I release a breath. Time to return to Sadie.