Page 95 of Scarred Ruin

Sergei acted as if he was in full approval of my tactics. Thank God for having a team of computer experts who could find me any piece of information I desired.

I rose to my full height, allowing them to gather the full breadth of what I’d said to them.

Sergei did as well. He knew when I was intent on leaving.

This time before blood was spilled. They should consider themselves lucky.

“Now, you might ask what I want?” I buttoned my jacket and headed toward the door. “I want the zoning approval on my desk by the end of day. I also want to ensure that as the project goes forward, my architect isn’t presented with any additional difficulties. Once the plans have been internally approved, she will have full autonomy for the project as a whole. In other words. You will not give her any shit or you’ll face my wrath. I hope I’ve made myself clear.”

“May I also remind you of the letters of intent from the city. If you renege, we will see you in court.” Sergei was trying to keep the peace while I was eager to incite violence.

“You’ve chosen quite a formidable team, Mr. Aristov. I’ll give you that.”

Franklin’s comment caught me somewhat off guard. “Yes, I have.”

“Perhaps you don’t know how much. Ms. Dayne tracked me down a couple weeks ago when the first concerns arose about the zoning. She was quite… I’ll call it formidable in how she handled the situation, likely learned from her upbringing, but I daresay nurtured by the man she’s working for. I would almost consider her your protégé. However, I suggest you offer her a piece of advice.”

“Be careful, Franklin. I’m not nearly as forgiving as my protégé.” How interesting. My guardian angel was working behind the scenes as well and for the project.

A part of me was proud, even thrilled. Yet another knew what he was suggesting was correct. I knew what Stonewall and his men were capable of.

“Yes, well, you should warn her then she’s playing with the big boys and very much out of their league. That’s why this came up again.”

I turned to face the two of them one last time. “Ms. Dayne is not only a woman full of talent and integrity, she is also vital to the success of this project. Any attempt to discredit or otherwise place her career or her safety in harm’s way will be dealt with as I see appropriate. I highly recommend you relay that information to everyone involved.”

I waited for a few seconds to see if what I’d said would be disagreed with.

The two men were evidently intelligent enough to know when to keep their mouths shut.

When I walked out, I was fuming, so much so it took every ounce of control not to reduce the cheap state office to rubble.

I took long strides into the parking lot, the anger just below the surface.

“What the hell was that all about?” Sergei asked when he caught up with me.

“That was about Stonewall attempting to push the fear of God into the city. He wants the land and thinks he can bully his way into getting it.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about, Max, and you know it.”

I was at my vehicle before I stopped. “By all means say what’s on your mind.”

“They knew trying to intimidate you was a bad idea. They were likely reacting to whatever threat they received. I’m no real estate attorney, but if we took them to court given the land was zoned years ago, they wouldn’t have a leg to stand on. This was more of a fishing expedition.”

His suggestion was one I hadn’t thought about. “A possibility.”

“More than a possibility. Your feathers were ruffled. They witnessed it. Now they’ll report that back.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that having strong emotions about this project is one thing and certainly understandable because of what Mina went through. Mr. Abbott waited to drop Isabel’s name until the last minute. Thank God you didn’t explode, but the whole room, hell, the building could sense how you feel about her.”

As I started to tell him that his insinuations were bullshit, the words caught in my throat. I leaned against the car, thinking about what had just gone down. “He dropped a hint about her upbringing.”

“I know, but I’m more curious about what she said to him. She’s not exactly what I believed her to be.” Sergei adjusted his jacket.

“No, she is not. Abbott was right about one thing. She doesn’t know who she’s dealing with.”

“But information about her family has been purposely shadowed.”