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I huff and look at Renat. “Shall we call it a day?”
“If you say so, boss,” he says. He stands up and fixes his jacket. I put my jacket back on and leave the manager’s office after Renat. I walk up to the manager on duty, who is Granville tonight.
“I’m leaving. Make sure the cash-ups are done properly.”
Granville nods. “Yes, sir, will do.” He hurries back to his office, and I walk out of the casino. This is one of the cheaper and dirtier of the lot.
I walk to the car, and Renat opens the car door for me. I sit in the car, looking out the window. Asher didn’t even say goodbye this morning. She didn’t have breakfast. She just left without a word. I know she’s upset, but she can’t ignore me for the rest of our lives. We’re fucking married.
I went to shower this morning, and when I came out to speak to her, she’d done a complete disappearing act. I know she’s mad, but we can both be adults about this.
I can’t deny that I’m in love with her, and it’s breaking me that she doesn’t see that. I want her to know the love I have for her and to return that love for me. I want it to be mutual.
Maybe I can calm her down after work. We can have a glass of wine, soak in the hot tub, and have a talk about the future of our relationship.
I don’t only want us to see each other on occasion and not talk the rest of the time. We need to have a proper relationship. With meaning. I want there to be something between us. I know there’s something between us. She’s just in denial.
Since I already smell of smoke, I light a cigarette and open the window. I watch the traffic slowly move forward as we wait to merge lanes.
I sigh and glance at my phone as it rings.
Kervyn.
“Yeah?” I answer.
“The Black Cat Exchange deal is off the table. The Italians managed to get to our contact and negotiate better rates and pick-ups. They won’t deal with us at all.” There’s anger in Kervyn’s voice, but he’s not yelling. He means business.
“Someone betrayed us,” I growl. “I will find the fucker and end them.”
“See that you do because that deal was worth millions. I want to know who it is, and I want you to send a message to this Romano guy. He seems to be heading up this new challenge to our power. Check everyone, Danil. I don’t care who it is.”
“It’s a rat in the family, that much I know,” I say. “I think it’s someone we’re overlooking. Someone who blends in well.”
“Maybe try the Kilov brothers downtown. They always complain that they don’t get a big enough cut of the deals. Maybe they’re taking our business elsewhere for better prices.”
“I’ll send Wynter there as soon as I reach him. He’ll be able to wring an answer out of them.”
“Danil, I want this solved quickly. I don’t want dissent among the ranks because we’re losing out to another family. I mean it.” Kervyn hangs up without another word.
I shout and throw my phone across the car. Renat doesn’t even twitch. I put my hands on my head and rake my fingers through my hair. I can’t believe this is happening. Why the fuck is this happening?
Is it not bad enough that I’m having problems in my private life and now have to have issues in my work life? I spent weeks setting up that fucking deal, and all for it to fall through because someone gave up our contact.
I take two steadying breaths. “Get us home as quick as you can,” I say.
“Yes, sir,” Renat responds.
I lean down and grab my phone. I want to text Asher. I want something to be made right today, but at the same time, I can’t show weakness. She could exploit that. I feel like she’s led me on this entire time. I thought she cared about me. Maybe I was wrong about that. Maybe it’s all an act to keep the peace. That tears a whole deep inside of me. I don’t want this to be make-believe. I want this to be real.
We finally get home and I go inside while handing my jacket to Renat. “Get this dry-cleaned,” I order absentmindedly.
I pace the entrance hall and start by calling Wynter.
“Cousin,” he answers. “I heard. We still have no idea who it was, but rumors say it’s someone close to you four.” I hear shouting in the background. “But that is only rumors.”
“Wynter, check with the Kilov brothers if they perhaps had something to do with the deal going south,” I growl. “Kervyn wants answers, but you need to do this delicately. We can’t have people thinking we accuse everyone of being disloyal.”
“I understand. I know them well. They’ll answer me honestly.” Wynter shouts in Russian for the guy screaming to shut up. “I have my hands full, but as soon as I’m done here, I’ll go downtown and speak to them. Do not worry.”
