Chapter 25 #2
Elana’s expression lightens, but she gives one more narrowed look at her brother before turning away. “I need to pee before we go.”
“I’ll go with you.” Megan propels herself forward, flashing a soft smile over her shoulder at Alexander as the two of them make their way through the last of the crowd toward the restrooms.
“Kaz has ruined her,” Alexander grumbles when we’re alone.
“Kaz?” I laugh.
“He gives into every demand she makes.”
“If he didn’t, do you think Elana would stay here? Or would she leave town, not tell you where she was, and go live a quiet life away from the Volkov name?” It’s the same concern I’ve had for my own sister. Pushing her too hard could push her away completely.
“It’s too late for her to slip away into a quiet life now. She’s been a Volkov too long.” Alexander checks his phone. “Ivan is planning on coming home next week.”
“Did you expect him to keep Vee in hiding forever?”
“It’s been too quiet. I don’t trust it.” He grimaces. “I’m getting more pressure from Moscow to end the feud. Even my mother called. She’s threatening to come for a visit.”
“Your mother?” Lilia Volkov hasn’t stepped foot in the states since her husband sent her away years ago.
“She’s been living well in Russia, still being pampered with the name Volkov attached to her. So, when there’s a ripple here, she grows worried her life there will get less comfortable.”
“She’s a smart woman. As a widow, there is only so much protection she can enjoy. Especially if her son is causing problems.”
Anger flashes in Alexander’s eyes. “I’m not the one who started this war.”
“No,” I agree. “And it’s been coming for some time. The DeAngelos are a disgusting family. But if the stress between the two families is starting to leak back home, a truce may be needed.”
“Would you?”
“Call a truce?”
“If Marco DeAngelos had his men put hands on Maxine…put her life at risk…would you be so easily persuaded to call off your revenge?”
I glance over at Maxine, standing patiently behind the author as he speaks to a customer. She lifts her gaze, catching me looking at her and a soft pink blush blooms on her cheeks. Her smile—a professional, public-facing gesture—sweetens.
“I’d have his head.”
“If I could find the fucker, I would. But he’s dug himself so far underground, even my best hunters aren’t able to get a hold of him.” He lets out a heavy sigh. “On another front, the Armenians? What’s happening there?”
“I’m meeting with them tomorrow,” I inform him.
“You want company?” His eyebrows raise.
“Why? Do you think I need handholding?”
He laughs. “Fuck no. If anyone can handle those assholes, it’s you. Are you going to make him an offer? He’s not going to want to just walk away. And to be honest, there’s a market for his shit.”
I lift a shoulder. “I’m considering it. You’re right about the market. I don’t have any interest in the little shit he peddles. The money is in the large weaponry. It might be a good idea to collect a fee and let him run his crap.”
Alexander laughs. “His crap is capable of taking out a dozen or more men with one clip.”
“It’s still shit. But it would be good business to let him have his distribution so long as we get a cut,” I say as Megan and Elana make their way back to us. “You said getting Michael out of hiding is giving you trouble.”
“Yeah, but he has to come up for air sometime.”
“What about the brother?” I turn my full attention on Alexander.
“Michael? I’ve promised him to Rurik.”
“No. The youngest. Use him to drag out the other two.”
“Tony?” Elana’s voice hitches, as though there’s a slight panic underlining it. “I thought you said Tony has nothing to do with the DeAngelo family stuff. Why would you go after him?”
Alexander narrows his eyes. “Why would it matter? If using him to get his brothers out of the shadows would work, why wouldn’t I try it? No worse than what they’ve done to Megan and Mira.”
Elana’s eyes flash. “If he’s innocent you should leave him alone.”
“I thought you wanted nothing to do with the family business?” Alexander squares off with his sister.
“Why don’t we leave this conversation for home?” Megan raises a hand. “You know, where no one else will hear?” She sweeps her arm out, reminding them there’s a still at least half a dozen people nearby who might overhear.
“Then let’s get home.” Alexander holds out Megan’s coat for her. Without further argument, she slides her arms in the sleeves. Elana already has her coat on and stands with her arms folded over her chest.
“Please let Max know Megan will text her in the morning with the details for tomorrow,” Elana says to me.
“I will.” I agree.
Dmitri opens the door for them when they reach him, then makes his way to me.
“It was a good turn out.”
“It was.” I nod, glancing at the line. The author is on the last customer; then Maxine will be able to get him out of here, and we can go home.
“She was worried no one would show,” Dmitri tells me.
“She told you?” I arch a brow at him.
I left him with her to watch over her, not to start getting involved with her.
“Not me, no. I heard her talking to Serafina earlier.”
“She shouldn’t have worried. She’s good at this.” I puff up my chest, watching her talking with the author as the last customer makes her way from the store.
Feeling his eyes on me, I look at him. “What?”
He makes a sound, something between a disbelieving huff and a laugh with a small shake of his head.
“Nothing.”
“If you have something you want to say—"
“Nah. Nothing that needs saying. At least by me.” He walks around the counter to where he stored his coat. “If you have her, I’m going home.”
“Yeah.” I move my gaze back to Max. She’s laughing at something Dante Woods said while he and his team are packing up the leftover books.
“I have her.”
And I’m never fucking letting her go.