15. Aleksandr
CHAPTER 15
Aleksandr
I clean up my knives, feeling rather disappointed. Harold Spencer, who is tied to the chair and gagged, gave up his information way too freely. Unfortunately, it checks out with everything I already know about Cinita’s last moves.
I’m not in the habit of leaving loose ends—the dead can’t talk, after all—but considering he’s also a client of our auctions, it’s good business to keep him around to continue filling our pockets. At least that’s what I’ll have him believe for now.
I remove his gag, doing my best not to touch his face.
“You know I hired her for only one night to dance. That’s it,” he says. I know this because he’s already told me as much. Cinita had performed for him two weeks ago, which means she’s most likely still in New York. “She can’t love anyone. That woman is empty. You believe me, right, Alek?” he says, breathlessly.
The sound of clicking heels makes its way toward me, and I turn to see Anya and River walking in. Her bodyguards, Clay and Vance, are only a few steps behind.
“Couldn’t choose a reasonable hour of the morning to conduct business?” she asks indignantly. But I know she has issues sleeping, just as I do. Or maybe that’s changed since River.
“Miss Ivanov?” Harold pales at the sight of her. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding with all of this.”
“Are there misunderstandings when it comes to late payments?” She raises a brow at him.
No, because we only understand money, blood, and business.
“Did you get all the information you needed from him?” she asks me, looking at her manicured nails.
I didn’t tell her what I really wanted to discuss with him, using the fact that he can’t make his payment because he’s drained his newfound fortune that he received from his father’s inheritance as an excuse to question him about Cinita.
He’s bleeding from a few gashes I’ve made, but they’re nothing life threatening. Yet. “Yes, I did. He doesn’t have the money.”
“Wait. What?” Harold says, hopping in his chair. “I can get it. I can get it.”
“You’ve had two weeks, Harold,” Anya says sweetly. “Also, it appears my husband has an issue with you personally.”
Harold turns a shade paler. River gets a crazed look in his eyes as he steps forward. “Did you try to sell photos of my wife? You see, she can be careless at times with her nudity.”
Anya rolls her eyes because, to her, it’s nothing. But River will kill tonight for her.
Things have changed since I’ve returned from Russia. Whereas it was once my role to kill for her, she now has a husband who is just as crazy as us.
I turn to take my leave, and my sister follows me. Harold’s screaming begins behind us. I know it’ll be quick, though. Unlike Anya and me, who have taken pleasure in torture, River just likes to get the job done.
“Do you want to tell me why you’re breaking a random man’s hand at a bar and calling me for cleanup duty in some shitty apartment block?” Anya asks as she walks beside me.
I’d rather not.
She steps in front of me, and I feel my jaw clench. “Alek, you don’t even go to bars. What the fuck is happening? Does this involve Cinita? Because I swear to God, I will hunt her down myself and slit her throat to end this shit.”
I clench my gloved fists. I love my sister. But her threats are as valid as mine. She will do it. “It’s not Cinita. I owe…” I don’t know how to finish that sentence.
“Owe? We don’t owe anyone shit,” she defiantly says.
“I misspoke.”
She pops her hip with her hand on it. “Oh no, you’re very intentional with your words, Alek. Who do you owe?”
I shake my head. “It’s not like that. But I do need you to do something for me.”
Her eyebrows raise in surprise.
I rarely ask my sister for anything, but even I know when I’m out of my depth.