Page 29 of Toxic Attraction
"You're wrong." Her voice breaks. "You're insane."
"Maybe." I smile, and watch her pupils dilate. "But you're still here. Still letting me touch you. Still wondering what happens if you stop running."
I release her and step back, picking up my vodka.
"Goodnight, Valerie. Sweet dreams."
I leave her there, shaking and confused and aroused, and head back to my office.
The mouse is starting to crack.
Soon, I'll see the viper again.
And when I do, I'll decide if she lives or dies.
Business pulls me away from my surveillance for two days.
Arms deal with the Chechens. They want American weapons—M4s, grenades, enough firepower to start a small war. I don't care what they do with it as long as the price is right.
The meet is in a warehouse in Red Hook. Neutral territory. My men, their men, product sample in the middle. Standard procedure.
Except Ruslan, their negotiator, thinks I'm stupid.
"I hear that price has decreased," he says in Russian, arms crossed. Behind him, six Chechen enforcers try to look intimidating. "Market conditions. Supply issues. You must be aware of this."
The only thing I’m aware of is that he's trying to shortchange me by two million dollars.
"We agreed on a price." My voice stays calm. Mikhail shifts beside me, hand moving toward his weapon. "That price hasn't change."
"It changed." Ruslan shrugs. "I’ll pay the new price or we walk."
They won't walk. They need these weapons too badly. This is a test. Seeing if I'm weak enough to be pushed.
I'm not.
“I want us to talk privately.” He says, moving his hand subtly, but I notice the glint inside his sleeves.
"Mikhail." I don't take my eyes off Ruslan. "Clear the room."
My men file out immediately. Ruslan's men hesitate, looking to him for direction. He nods once, confident he can handle me alone.
Stupid.
Now it's just us.
"So, you want to renegotiate?" I ask conversationally.
“Yes, and I need to leave with the products tonight.” His eyes gleam greedily. “Did you say the rest are outside?”
It’s obvious he is just fishing.
“Yes, in crates, secured in the trucks outside.”
“Well, it was a pleasure doing business with you.” He smiles before pulling out his concealed weapon.
But I am faster and prepared for his stupid move.
I hit him before he finishes. Fast, brutal, my fist connecting with his jaw hard enough to send him stumbling back into the crates behind him.
