Chapter 8
NADIR
Blyat. She saw the knife in Sergey’s hand, and now I have a very big problem.
Leon catches my eye across the table, and I shift my focus back to the meeting.
Sergey won’t need to worry about threatening these people into place with a knife. They look ready to kill themselves as this meeting draws to a close. They haven’t achieved anything they came here to do.
I keep my hands steepled and wait for the Kozhikov second-in-command at the other end of the table to say his piece and leave. If he drags this meeting out any longer, there will be consequences, and his blood will be all over this table before he has time to draw his next breath.
“Myself and Taro, along with the rest of the company, think a merger would be a brilliant idea.”
Yes, because then the Kozhikov empire will finally have money and power to become something. But a merger is defined as two companies becoming one, not one leaching off the other like a parasite.
I drop my hands and sigh. This Kozhikov spokesperson is even more insufferable than their leader, Taro.
The next time the syndicate calls for a meeting, I’ll ask them to meet us down at the harbor, where I can slit all of their throats, and not have to worry about business fronts getting in the way.
I adjust my tie to remind myself that consequences will follow for doing the throat slitting here at work, especially since Jess saw the knife. One throat will be okay, and I trust Sergey with that knife. He has more control than me, and won’t get carried away.
I’m the complete opposite. People have one square of chocolate, get hooked on the taste and want more. I’m the same when it comes to killing. You can never have just one.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Kozhikov. We will not be proceeding with a merger.” I rise from my seat and take pleasure in seeing all of their heads tilt back to meet my gaze. “This meeting is now over. My colleagues will see you out.”
I eye Sergey on my way out and subtly shake my head. There will be no killing the spokesperson today. Not after we’ve been caught.
I fly through the door and head over to Jess’s office.
I need to have a stern word with her.
She has already flown too close to the sun. And we’re only on day three.