Red. (Den of Mercenaries #1)(82)

It had been far too easy on his part to ensure that it wasn’t Mishca taken by the Albanians, but Red instead.

It had been a coincidence that Uilleam caught sight of Mishca’s twin walking the streets of New York with the woman he fancied.

And it was then, with just a glance that an alternate plan formulated in his mind, one where he would have Mishca in his debt — he had grown rather skillful at manipulating the events that brought a person into his debt.

All it had taken was a phone call, one carefully orchestrated maneuver that got the Albanians in the right place at the right time.

The rest was child’s play.

Except…he never expected Red to live through it all, nor could he have anticipated just what Red had ultimately become, but all the same, after years in the making, he had exactly what he needed from both Volkov brothers.

Reconciliation.

Yes, he already had Red as a weapon, but now that he was aligned with the Volkov Bratva—an organization that Uilleam had already done a favor for in the past—their loyalty would be to him should he ever have need of it.

And no one was the wiser.

Uilleam didn’t look away from the stage as Red approached from his left, but could practically feel the mercenary’s gaze on him as he took a seat in the only other one available.

“Elias Harrington.”

Uilleam didn’t react to the name because though he wished otherwise, he had never heard of the man—and there were very few people that he had never come across, especially with the amount of power and influence this man clearly had.

Over two years ago, before this, before he had had a need to call in his debt from Zachariah—the previous owner of the Den—he had been content in the knowledge that he was at the top of the food chain. How quickly he learned otherwise when the one thing in his empty and lonely life that he cared for was taken away from him.

It had taken months to even piece together enough of the trail the man had left behind just to get to this point.

It had taken more than a year just to learn his name.

At least he was one step closer.

“Payment should be posted to your account within the hour. You’ve done good work.”

Unlike so many others that were too afraid to meet his eye, Red did so boldly, making it quite clear that he didn’t trust him.

Uilleam didn’t particularly care for the man’s trust he only needed his skills.

Perhaps the money he had invested in the team he had cultivated would be worth the money after all.

“I’m taking my leave,” Red said as he stood.

Uilleam didn’t blink. “Permanently?”

Indecision played on his face.

Uilleam could understand why. He had a girlfriend that was pregnant, a one-year-old nephew, and his mother was back in his life. He probably wanted to see them more instead of risking his life.

But sometimes the past had a way of clinging on…

“The next sixteen months, but under the provision that I come on if I’m requested.”

Meaning he would answer only if the order came from him...

Seemed the mercenary had turned over a new leaf.

“I’ll add it to the books.”

Nodding, Red’s eyes shifted to the chessboard that resets between Uilleam and the opposite chair. He probably wondered who Uilleam’s opposition was, but he much preferred to play the game alone, like seeing into his own mind.

No pieces had been moved, the board still untouched.

It only remained that way, however, until Red rounded the corner and disappeared.

One he was out of sight, Uilleam shifted forward in his seat, picking up one of the crystal pawns and moved it forward two spaces.

It was time.

The game was on.





Acknowledgments


First, I would like to thank you, the readers, for all the support and the love you show me with each book that I release. I can’t wait to delve deeper into the world of the mercenaries. The next book in the series will be Celt’s. Just wait until you see what that Irishman gets up to.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Bethany-Kris. Seriously, this book wouldn’t be finished without her. She’s one of the kindest, greatest, and one of the overall best people I know. If I could only ever have one friend, I would choose her, hands down.

H, not only did you make me your wife, but you didn’t get annoyed with me when I spent some of our honeymoon working on Red.—then again, you also knew who you were marrying. Lol. I love you with all of my heart!

I would also like to thank Marissa at Sizzling PR for the edits. I was between a rock and a hard place, and you came through. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.





About the Author


London Miller is the author of the Volkov Bratva series, as well as Red., the first book in the Den of Mercenaries series. After graduating college, she turned pen to paper, creating riveting fictional worlds where the bad guys are sometimes the good guys.

Currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two puppies, she spends her nights drinking far too much mountain dew while writing.