have been making demands.”
I gritted my teeth. “What do they want?”
“Giorgio believes the bedding is not clean enough. He also wasn’t impressed with the thread count. Meanwhile, Jean-Pierre didn’t like his meal. Apparently, he’s not a fan of borscht.”
“Well, then take care of their demands immediately.” I smiled. “I want them to get the best of everything.”
Pavel quirked his brows. “Are you serious?”
“No! Tell David’s men, if they say something else, I’ll kill Giorgio. I only need Jean-Pierre for now anyway.”
Pavel shook his head. “Do you need my men to watch the French? This could be a big job for David.”
“King David has been dealing with the French longer than we have. He’s the right man for the job.”
And I don’t trust anybody else at the moment. Not even you, cousin.
Emily strolled onto the balcony.
Pavel and I turned her way.
Wicked little mouse.
Emily had done more than carry out a quick change. She’d dress for seduction. Her hair was down and curled around her shoulders. She wore a tight red dress with low cleavage and a high skirt. The diamond mouse lay between those full breasts. And diamonds hung from her ears. She had a small pocketbook with her.
Pavel ruined the mood. “You look lovely, Emily. Your hair is—”
“Pavel, we’re done.” I rose from the table. “We can talk later.”
Pavel grinned and left.
Emily turned to me. “I love Pavel. He’s so cool.”
I sneered. “You’re in trouble.”
She raised her brows. “Am I?”
“You are, and that sexy little red dress won’t save you.”
“Let’s go.” She turned around and walked away. “Let me be in trouble on the way to my surprise.”
She twisted those hips as she left causing her ass to jiggle under the dress.
My cock jerked in my pants.
Calm down. We’re not falling for this. Get control of yourself.
I headed in her direction.
She twisted those hips some more and strolled forward.
I see what you’re doing. It won’t work.
Boris opened the door.
She sashayed out. The ass jiggled some more. My hands yearned to cup it.
Angry and turned-on, I followed.
When we arrived at the elevator, the doors opened.
I looked at Boris and her men. “Stay here and take the next one down.”
She got on.
I did too.
The elevator doors closed.
I tenderly took her arm, spun her my way, and pulled that sexy body to me. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.” She rose on her toes to give me a kiss.
“No.” I moved away. “You put yourself in danger today.”
“I didn’t. I had a bulletproof vest on. My men did all the heavy lifting and—”
“You shot your gun. You started a war without talking to me.”
“Kaz, you said in the meeting that small disputes remained between the—”
“Not when it comes to you!”
“So, you’re going to treat me differently than everyone else?”
“Yes.”
“Every time Kapotnya has a problem, you’re going to rush down and solve it?”
“Yes.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
The elevator lowered.
I punched the emergency button.
Sighing, she edged away and backed up into the wall.
I closed the distance and put both my hands against the wall above her head.
Silence filled the space.
She looked up. “Kaz, I’m sorry. The drug house shooting wasn’t planned. It all just played out that way.”
“I worry about you and our baby. Kapotnya was supposed to be a pet project to keep you out of trouble.”
“You are aware that Kapotnya is one of the worst areas here—”
“You already started homeless shelters. I thought you would clean it up or—”
“Kaz, I’m a killer, not a social counselor. At some point, somebody was going to catch a bullet.”
I couldn’t help it. I had to smile. “My men told me about Abram’s brothel.”
“So, you know what I’m thinking?”
“I don’t.”
“I’m going to shut it down.” She tried to move away.
I pulled her back to me and tightened my grip on her wrists. A growl built in my throat. “That’s a conversation that we should have first.”
“It’s my district, Kaz.”
“It’s my fucking country.” My jaw clenched. “My world. You don’t move unless I say so.”
“This isn’t your world. If it was, the brothel wouldn’t have been there in the first place.” She left my grip, moved, and disengaged the emergency button. “Abram is pimping out underaged girls. You support that?”
The elevator lowered.
I frowned. “Of course I don’t support it.”
“Then, let me kill him.”
“I will handle that, mysh.”
“You can’t do everything and if you’re going to handle it, then just take control of Kapotnya on your own. Don’t give me a district, if you’re going to second guess everything and come to my rescue for every little incident.”
Fury rose in my chest.