Chapter 31
WAR
H ours later, we roll into a crumbling part of Foxgrove that’s under development. In another year, the area will be full of brand new condos, but at the moment, we have to drive around demolition rubble to the meeting spot.
Part of the exchange deal is that Ashling will be the one to hand over the drive with the evidence. The Crue could’ve fought the stipulation, but Ashling insisted on coming so there would be no delays.
Trick has cracked and cloned the drive, but so far hasn’t told either of us what he found on it. Not that there’s been much time to discuss things. Most of the focus was on planning the meet.
Ash drives one of the Crue SUVs with her brother in the passenger seat. Jamie, Killian, and I are in another with Killian driving. There’s a third truck full of Coynston Crue soldiers two car lengths back.
When we reach the camera-free lot, there are two black sedans, one truck, and a black limo awaiting us. Trick and Ash don’t emerge from their vehicle at first. As planned, the rest of us get out and take our positions with guns at the ready.
Russian Mafia enforcers emerge, and two stand guard next to the limo where I assume Ilya Petrov is waiting.
He’d better have J’s wife in there with him and in immaculate condition because there’s a bazooka launcher in the back of the second truck that will incinerate their cars if not.
Weapons are one of the Crue’s main illegal businesses, and no one’s got better artillery than us.
Trick has a scope and scans the surrounding area for snipers. Satisfied that all the highest points are too far for anyone to make a shot on our caravan, he gets out and signals for Ash to join him.
I move up to stand with them, too. It wasn’t part of the original plan, but there’s no fucking way I’m gonna hang back when my body will make a better shield for hers than anything else she’s got while standing outside the vehicle.
A back window of the limo is lowered to give us a view of Sawyer, who sits stiffly in her seat but looks none the worse for wear. The window rises again, and Petrov emerges from the other side.
He meets Ash and Trick in the center between the cars. I’m standing four feet from Ashling and move closer, folding my arms across my chest to show I’m not going for a weapon.
Petrov gives me a cursory look before turning his attention to Ashling. Her blond hair is in a messy knot held in place by a tortoise shell clip. Her outfit is head-to-toe black that wouldn’t be out of place on a Special Forces guy. As such, to me, it looks hilarious on her.
She holds out the drive, and Petrov takes it, looking it over. “This is all she gave you?” His accent is subtle, since he got to the States as a kid.
“That’s all,” Ash says.
“You looked inside?”
“No.”
He glances at Trick. “If you have copies and release them to anyone who then causes a problem for us, we will not be as kind to the next person from your organization who falls into our hands.”
Trick stares at him without offering either reassurance or answering threat.
Petrov leans down to speak more softly to Ash. My muscles tighten, and my fists clench.
In Russian, I say, “Don’t touch her.”
He looks up and locks eyes with me for a moment. His answer, when it comes, is in English. “By rights, I could touch her, since she was sold to me.”
The words are designed to cause the ripple of shock it does. Not that anyone reacts. This is not a Crue that gives away its thoughts.
“Who? Bergmann?” I demand. “He can’t sell what doesn’t belong to him.”
Petrov stares intently at Ash. “Well, the college boys had her for a time. And possession can become ownership.”
“You would know,” Trick says, his tone flat.
Petrov’s attention turns to Trick. “Yes, I would.”
These Russians engage in human trafficking. They lure unsuspecting girls to the country with promises of legitimate work, but once here, there’s no way for them to escape their Bratva captors. They end up working in strip clubs. Or worse.
Apparently, Petrov’s shameless on that account. Not surprising. Being a sociopath is a strength when running a criminal enterprise.
Petrov draws in a slow breath and exhales.
His shark’s eyes return to Ash’s face. “I don’t tell you this thing about the sale because I expect it to be honored.
I tell you so you’ll know how close you came.
So you’ll understand you shouldn’t care about the loss of people who were not truly your friends.
When pressed, the woman—Hearn—offered you up as well.
She was a viper who slept down the hall from you on many nights, I think. ”
Ash’s expression is as bland as her brother’s. “Speaking of friends of mine, it’s time for you to give back the one that’s in that car.” Her tone is calm but not cajoling.
He flashes a smile that’s been so brightened by tooth whiteners, he looks like a gameshow host. “Of course.” Petrov pockets the drive.
“I’m sorry we met under bad circumstances.
The next time you come to New York, I want you to be my guest for dinner.
Your brother can send bodyguards with you if you feel you need them.
I promise you the best food and night out to make up for this unfortunate first meeting. ”
Her expression softens a little, and I can tell it’s by design. My own scowl darkens, but I know she’s too smart to make any commitments, even vague ones.
“It’s a nice invitation, Mr. Petrov, but I’m with someone.”
“A mere soldier. Too young to have much to offer. I would buy you diamonds bigger than your thumb.”
I could smash him into a million pieces, but I wouldn’t make a run at him when she’s standing next to me with guns pointed in our direction. My eyes narrow, but I don’t move a muscle.
“My cousin Sawyer is nervous.” Ashling’s tone is the one she uses on men to get what she wants. “Be kind, Mr. Petrov. Don’t keep her waiting any longer.” Ash’s hand rises, and she’s inches from touching his arm. Her hand stops short.
He smiles again and tries to press her. “Will you say you’ll come to New York?”
“Sorry. No.”
Petrov nods and then glances at Trick. “My apologies for the abduction of your family member.” He waves a hand for the guard next to the limo to open the door. “Frustration sometimes causes rash decisions. I’ll send a gift to make amends.”
The door opens, and the enforcer beckons Sawyer out.
She emerges and hurries across the distance, squeezing Ash’s arm as she passes on her way straight to J’s waiting arms. A second later, she’s hustled inside a bullet-proof Crue truck.
“I hope to see you again soon, Ashling,” Petrov says, before turning and walking to his limo .
As they get in their cars, Trick signals for us to do the same.
I open the driver’s door to the lead car and put out a hand. Ash squeezes it as she climbs in. With a small smile, she whispers, “Thumb-sized diamonds, that was tempting.”
My answering voice is just as low. “Not more tempting that a foot-long cock, apparently.”
That causes her to laugh and push against my chest. “Go back to your own car, so we can get out of here.”
Trick opens the passenger door as I start to close hers. He studies me across the divide. “We’re gonna have lunch at the GU Crue house now. And then I’ve got some thoughts about loose ends that need tying off. You feeling ambitious?”
“I’ll take a piece of any action you wanna throw my way.”
Trick nods. “Tell Killian to roll out first. We’ll drop in at second position.”
“Done.”