Chapter 64
SIXTY-FOUR
KADE
I walked into the Hive with my head held high. Regardless of the status of my relationship with Evelyn, we were dealing with a major security risk that needed to be dealt with.
The team sat in the lounge area of the Hive. Sitting in my usual plush armchair, I rested my forearms on my knees. My body buzzed with energy at its close proximity to Evelyn. I tried to keep my eyes focused on the team, however, I quickly realized I was losing the battle.
Evelyn looked more casual than she used to when she was undercover at RSS.
Her brown hair was pulled up in a high ponytail, and she wore an oversized cream-colored sweater, dark skinny jeans, and penguin-printed Snoozie slippers.
Regardless, she looked more beautiful than ever, and I wanted nothing more than to wrap her in my arms and tell her I made a mistake.
The need to comfort and protect reared its ugly head.
Instead, I dismissed my desire and couldn’t help but think about how easy it was for Stefanos to threaten the ones I loved and cared about.
Seeing her made me think about my interaction with Stefanos several weeks prior.
Although it went in my favor, I continued to keep my distance.
It wasn’t worth the risk, I told myself as I replayed the scene in my mind for the thousandth time.
I leaned on my black SUV with three of my men. Bodhi, my third in command, stood next to me as we waited for Stefanos to show.
A sleek blue Lamborghini rolled up onto the deserted street.
Stefanos got out of the car with an arrogant swagger.
He wore a gray suit and aviator glasses dangling from his dress shirt.
His dark eyes met mine. Normally we would have no issues, but this time was different.
He’d threatened what was mine and hurt my best friend!
“Ghost, it’s so good to see you!” He adjusted his lapels to his fitted suit. “Tell me, how is Machine doing?”
I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists so hard I thought I might break something. Eric, who stood next to me, lurched forward before reconsidering.
Stefanos raised an eyebrow at me. “Testy subject, I see.”
“I want this over with,” I growled out.
Stefanos put his hands in his pockets as if he were unaffected by my anger. “Then where’s my money?”
“I want to negotiate new terms,” I gritted out.
He let out a dry laugh. “Yeah, that’s not going to happen, Ghost. Twenty million or someone you care about dies.”
I took a step forward and l crossed my arms over my chest before inspecting my nails as if that were more important than Stefanos. “See, that’s not going to happen. Agree to the updated terms so things don't have to get ugly.” I kept my voice cold and without emotion.
Stefanos turned visibly red with anger and balled his hands into fists. “You don’t make the rules here, Kade,” he growled out.
I raised an eyebrow at him. “Is that so?”
Stefanos advanced toward me and abruptly stopped when a figure stepped out of the shadows accompanied by four heavily armed men.
“Miguel, I think you should listen to Mr. Romano.” Nikolas Mikolavich's Russian accent was unmistakable.
After Evelyn had left my penthouse, I couldn’t afford to allow myself to wallow in self-pity. Instead, I called an old ally that I hoped would come to my aid in my time of need and thankfully, he had accepted.
Fury like I’d never seen before lit up Stefanos’ face, telling me everything I needed to know. He knew he was caged in. Nikolas Mikolavich was a scary son of bitch, and not someone you wanted to be on the bad side of.
Stefanos pointed at Nikolas. “This doesn’t concern you, Nikolas! This is not Bratva business.”
I took several steps closer to Stefanos. “As you can see, Miguel, I now have a new ally. It would be a shame to see what would happen if you decided to go after myself, my business, or anyone I care about.”
One of Miguel’s men whispered into his ear. Whatever was said must have pissed him off because he whisper-yelled something in Spanish before running a hand through his black hair and chomping hard on a toothpick. “What are your new terms, Ghost?”
I gave him a big smile. “Help me find someone and I will pay you triple the original amount that you asked me for.”
Stefanos narrowed his eyes on me. “Who could possibly be worth that kind of money?”
I shrugged. “Agree to the terms and I will tell you.”
Stefanos looked at Nikolas. “And what do you get out of this deal?”
Nikolas gave him a sneer. “You, out of a business that you have no reason to be in.”
Nikolas’s father had sold the love of Nikolas’s life under his nose when he was in charge of the Bratva. From there he refused to associate himself with the skin trade nor would he condone such behavior from anyone. Even those in charge of dynasties.
Miguel scoffed. “This is fucking ridiculous. Neither of you can tell me what I can and cannot do with my business.”
I took out my pocketknife and began to play with it. The moon glinted off of the metal blade. “See, this is where you are wrong. You decided to make an enemy the minute you began actively working with Ricci.” My voice was cool yet collected.
Stefanos pointed at me. “Like you have room to talk, Ghost!” he yelled back.
Nikolas crossed his arms over his chest. “Ghost didn’t choose to do business with Ricci, but assumed him after his father died. If you are going to insist on arguing, at least have your facts straight.”
I heard Bohdi laugh behind me. Stefanos looked small next to the tall, broad frame of the Bratva leader. Before he could react, I jolted forward and wrapped my hand around Stefanos’ throat. His men were apprehended before they could react to what I was doing to their leader.
Nikolas came up behind Stefanos and took my knife from me and lightly dragged the blade down Stefanos’s cheek. “Do you agree to assist Ghost on his manhunt?”
“Ye-yes. Fine... who do I need to help you find?” Stefanos choked out as I squeezed my hand tighter around his throat.
I gave a cruel smile. “Ricci’s protégé, Sarah Myers.”
“What do we know?”
Jax was the first to speak up, bringing me back into the present.
“Master Sergeant Matthew Myers entered RSS at 0700 where he gave our security staff his credentials. Lewis from security says Myers stated he was interested in meeting with someone about adding himself to our portfolio and name-dropped Ricci.”
Lennie then added, “Our security team granted him access, but did not follow protocol for him signing in due to being related to a high-profile account along with his military ranking.” Lennie clicked a button on the remote that connected to the tv screens in the room.
Video footage of Evelyn’s brother came up on the screen.
The grainy footage showed Matthew walking in his military uniform toward a cubicle on the fourth floor.
From there he seemed to have small talk with one of the customer service representatives.
When the representative got up to get some paper they had printed to the copier, Matthew sprung into action and plugged a thumb drive into the computer. The damage had been done before the representative even had the chance to get back from the copier.
The footage paused and a voice that made my heart skip a beat spoke up. “Matthew is meeting me at my apartment this evening.” Evelyn cleared her throat. “Buddha and Chief will be accompanying me to interrogate him.”