Page 88 of Scarred Ruin

She didn’t fight me as I stayed closely behind, but I could easily tell she continued fuming. Why did I have a feeling I’d pay for my evil deed for the remainder of the night?

“That took a while,” Hope told her.

I shifted my gaze toward Sergei who appeared even more uncomfortable than normal.

“Let’s get another drink,” Isabel said while daring me with her eyes. She pressed her friend forward and I didn’t need to tell one of my men to follow closely behind.

When they’d left, I scooted in closer to the table, acting as if I was enjoying the drunks showing off their dance moves. “You can’t seem to keep your eyes off Isabel’s friend.”

“Don’t start with me, Pakhan.”

I laughed hearing the terseness in his voice. “You can’t fool me, Sergei. You never could. When you hunger for a woman, it’s evident.”

“She’s fucking nuts. Why would I be attracted to her?”

“Because apparently, she’s the type of woman who can handle you. That is truly saying something.”

“And you should talk. Sir.” His annoyance was highly unusual.

“I’m just suggesting you consider taking a night off.”

“That’s the last thing I can do. I’m required to keep you on track.”

“What’s wrong, Sergei?” I asked, turning toward him. “You weren’t thrilled with how I handled Hassan and Omar?”

He shook his head and I caught the irritation in his voice as he cursed me to the gods above in Russian. “You handled them just fine except they are actively slaughtering those they believe involved without so much as a shred of evidence.”

“And that’s my problem why?”

“Because there are a few who know exactly where the information came from, Maxsim. You placed another target on your back.”

“In this case, Sergei, I laid down a gauntlet in hopes someone would cross the line. That being the case, I will not allow anyone to fuck with my business. I don’t care who they are. I have no more of a right to tell the Saudis how to handle their business than they do with mine.”

“I’m suggesting you need to watch your back.”

I threw back the rest of my drink before answering. “Isn’t that what I’ve been doing?”

“Not tonight.”

“Isabel was and continues to be right. Hiding behind closed doors does nothing but make me appear weak.”

“She said that?”

“No, she told me I should live my life and that’s what I intend on doing. We pay attention. We comb the streets. We continue strengthening our security system. Other than that, we go about our business.”

He shook his head, hovering closer since the two women would soon return. “Something is brewing, Maxsim. I can feel it in my bones.”

“Then find out what that is so I can destroy it.”

“What did we miss?” Hope asked the question, shifting her gaze immediately toward my second in command.

Isabel offered me a look of her own, telling me even in silence not to interfere. Why should I? The man deserved a life as well.

Even with sharing in her thoughts, I scanned the bar while my instinct decided that we were being watched. I could either enjoy my time with Isabel or keep my distance in hopes she would be safe. I had no doubts Sergei was correct in that the situation was far from being over. However, no one would be so stupid as to attack us on foot in public.

That I’d bet on.

Besides, my choice was far too easy.