Chapter 18 #3
A waitress whispers something in Alma’s ear and then rushes off. “Mr. Ashenheart, Mr. Orlov and Mr. Estrade just walked in,” Alma says.
Of course they did.
Kostya clocks me first; Dominic a heartbeat after.
“Cassius,” Kostya says, amused. “Nice room.”
Dominic tips two fingers. “You buy this place?”
“She did,” I correct. “Melinda, this is Kostya Orlov and Dominic Estrade. This is my wife, Melinda.”
Both men look at her, take measure. Respect shows or it doesn’t. With these two, it does. I smirk, happy I don’t have to kill them and obliterate the Accord. Leven would be pissed.
“You crazy fuck,” Dominic says. “You got married?”
Kostya takes Melinda’s hand. “Congratulations, Mrs. Ashenheart. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He eyes me briefly before continuing. “The Bratva is at your disposal at any time.”
Dominic finds his manners and picks his jaw up off the floor before saying, “Yes, congratulations to you both and Dead Man’s Hand is also here for you anytime.”
Melinda gives me a questioning look but doesn’t ask for an explanation in front of them. I take her hand from Kostya’s. “Why don’t we go find a table. I’m sure you two came here for a reason.”
The four of us walk up to the VIP section and from across the room Alma instructs a bartender to come take our drink orders. Once they’re set down and we’ve all taken a sip, Dominic says, “Caleb mentioned you purchased this place. That’s why we came. We need a new location.”
Heat crawls the back of my neck. “No.” I don’t raise my voice. I don’t need to. “You aren’t bringing her into that fight.”
Kostya lifts a shoulder. “I told you, Dom.”
“It’s my war,” I say. “Not hers.”
Melinda’s fingers find my sleeve. “I can help, Cassius,” she says, not knowing what she’s agreeing to. I look at her. She doesn’t blink. The part of me that kneels for her and the part that guts men alive both answer at once. “Conditions.”
Kostya and Dominic nod like they expected nothing less.
“No hand-offs anywhere near the customers. Only daytime or after closing. You have to give Melinda time to prep Alma and the other staff who may see the exchanges. If heat comes within two blocks, you bail. Cops or Spider, get the fuck away from here. You don’t use my wife’s name. Ever.”
“Melinda?” Dominic waits for her permission. He’s smarter than I give him credit for.
She doesn’t know what they’re asking her, so I lean over and press my mouth to her ear knowing that even if Dom and Kostya hear me, they’ll both pretend they didn’t. “They want to use Mirage to move trafficked women. They help them escape.”
“If any of them want a job here, want to stay, I’ll instruct Alma to find a place for them,” Melinda says, not looking my way. She’s making a call on her own and I couldn’t be prouder.
“Loop Adrian in,” I say. “He’ll need to add you to the camera feeds.
Melinda is on those as well.” I turn to her.
“Would you like us to handle the exchange information or do you want to do that?” I hate bringing her into this.
I never would’ve chosen this for her. I wanted Mirage to be her place, and within hours it’s already tied to my world.
She wants to help. That’s what I tell myself, but she has no real clue what that means.
What she’ll see. I won’t disrespect her by using her club and cutting her out of the decisions, but I wish these two never would’ve walked in here tonight.
I make a mental note to rip Caleb’s ass for telling them about this place.
“If they’re passing through, no reason for me to know that.
Alma and you all can handle that. I only need to be informed if they’ll be working here.
” She finally meets my eyes. “I’d feel better if Adrian or Mavik runs background on the ones who decide to stay.
They may have family or something they’d like to find, but it’s an added layer of protection for the staff already here if we find anything sketchy. ”
“You have your waypoint,” I say to the men. “You fuck around with my wife or her rules, and you’ll realize you’ve never seen the worst of me.”
“Understood,” Dominic and Kostya say together.
“Anyone working this route better also understand. I will not ask for permission to end any one of them if they disrespect her,” I say.
Melinda places a hand on my knee, squeezing lightly.
There are many alliances that work immunity into their treaties.
The Accord has no such obligation. I can kill any of Kostya’s or Dominic’s men at any time.
Not for nothing, unfortunately, but if I have cause, they won’t retaliate.
And unlike my brothers, I will kill their men if the occasion calls for it.
Melinda is an occasion that will always call for it and both these bastards now know it.
This is too much for her to take on. She must be overwhelmed. She’s a new owner of a busy club and now it’s also a front for the Accord. She doesn’t look worried, and I think that scares me more than if she were freaking out.