Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 43787 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43787 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Konstantin sits in the center of the room, feet up on a table, a glass of something dark in one hand, his other draped lazily over the back of the chair. He looks exactly how I expect—like a man who’s spent too many years thinking he’s untouchable. A man with a change in status.
His cold, calculating eyes flick up when we enter. A slow smile stretches across his lips, but it doesn’t reach those dead-ass eyes.
“Boys,” he greets, voice smooth as silk, dangerous as a blade. “Glad you could make it.”
His gaze softens looking to his granddaughter, “Ally.”
I squeeze her hand but keep her semi-tucked behind me. I don’t like the way Konstantin has conducted himself since the shooting. More worrisome is the fact that a full million dollars’ worth of uncut coke landed at her backdoor and he’s not put his own men on her. If it was my family, I wouldn’t trust anyone else with their care or safety.
Riot doesn’t respond, just crosses his arms over his chest. I take my time, scanning the room, counting the men in the shadows. Four, maybe five. Not enough to put us down before we could take a few with us, but enough to make this meeting a delicate dance.
I pull out a chair and sit, slouching like I don’t have a care in the world. “Let’s get to it. You wanted proof of life, you got it. Now, what the fuck do you want? You obviously know you can’t keep her safe since you haven’t even attempted to invade. I’m doing the protecting. Can’t say I mind.” I look to Alaina, “view is nice, company nicer. Asking me to give you proof of anything, though, it only pisses me off old man.”
Konstantin chuckles, swirling his drink. “Ah, Chux, always so eager to cut to the chase. No pleasantries? No small talk?”
I level him with a look. “Don’t got time for bullshit.”
His smile fades just a fraction, eyes sharpening. “Fair enough.” He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Why is Alaina present for this meeting? I asked for proof of life, I would imagine that a video or picture would come my way. I need to know you’ve kept her safe since you cut her off from everyone.”
I don’t flinch, don’t even let a muscle twitch. “Safe? The way I’m reading it. You want to play it safe and protect your precious granddaughter from the monster you are, huh? Because with me, she is secure and no one can get to her. That’s what an honorable man does when someone he cares about gets caught in a line of fire they aren’t remotely prepared for.”
Konstantin studies me slowly, his fingers tapping against his glass. “And you are an honorable man? I think we all know better than that.” But he doesn’t deny shielding Alaina from the monster he is. With every breath he has taken since the shootout, I question his allegiance more and more.
Riot steps forward, his presence a solid wall at my side. “I think everyone in this room knows exactly the dick size of every other man here. I promise you my brother’s is the biggest. Keep stalling and fuckin’ around Konstantin, and Ally’s gonna be the one to tell you how much she knows about my brother’s cock size.”
For the first time, something flickers in Konstantin’s gaze. Fear. But there is more.
He snarls, “The Kings of Anarchy, playing white knights. This is new.”
“It ain’t about being knights,” I say, leaning back. “It’s about making sure she ain’t a pawn in whatever game you’re playing. It’s about seeing something fuckin’ special and protectin’ it at all costs. You failed her, I won’t.”
Konstantin exhales sharply, a ghost of a laugh. “Chux, my dear boy, everything is a game. And everyone is a pawn. The only question is—do you know the rules?”
My jaw tightens. “You tell me.”
His smile returns, this time more genuine. “I need her back. I need her back to the bakery.”
“That ain’t happening.” I raise my eyebrows as now I see the answers clear as day. “You ran that pallet through her shop. Fucked up, Konni, crossing that line.” I fight to contain my rage that he would put her in this shit. “How long you been double crossing the Kings?”
He doesn’t answer, I keep going. “Come on, Konni boy, how long? I happened to be here the moment she called catching the pallet. But you weren’t surprised something was at her shop. You didn’t dare wade in or react. You let me step in and take her out of the picture. I called that meeting with you last minute over the shooting. A shooting you also didn’t seem surprised by. So how long you been a double crossing bitch?”
His fingers tighten around his glass. “You don’t know what you’re interfering with.”