Destiny Mine (Tormentor Mine #3)(19)

There’s surprisingly little our hackers have been able to learn about the man. He appeared ten years ago, seemingly out of nowhere, and has since built an illegal weapons empire in Eastern Europe, eliminating rivals with a speed and ruthlessness I’ve only seen once before—with Julian Esguerra, the man Novak wants us to kill.

The only arms dealer left whose criminal enterprise exceeds Novak’s own.

“So,” Novak says when I match his detached look with one of my own. “You’re Sokolov.”

I nod coolly, not allowing my expression to change, and I know the twins look just as calm. He’s not going to disconcert us with these games, and he might as well learn that.

“Sit.” He gestures at the two empty chairs remaining at his table.

I don’t move, and neither do Yan and Ilya. This is yet another little test, a way to see who’s the least important, least valuable on the team. Three of us, two chairs—the math doesn’t work, and he knows it. Someone is going to have to stand, be the odd man out, and I’m not going to allow that.

He’s not going to sow the seeds of discord among us. I won’t let him.

His unblinking eyes study me for a few long moments; then he motions at one of the thugs at the other table. “Victor. Another chair for our guests, please.”

I wait until Victor brings over the chair, and then I sit down. The twins follow my lead. Ilya’s face is stony, but Yan looks amused. He understands the importance of these little dominance games, knows the necessity of setting the right tone early on.

The teenage baristas come over to take our orders for drinks, but I decline to get anything. Ilya and Yan do the same.

“We’re not thirsty,” I say calmly, and Novak’s mouth curls again.

“I have no reason to poison you,” he says, and I shrug, dismissing his reassurance like the bullshit it is. There are many substances one can use, from mind-altering drugs to poisons so slow-acting the symptoms don’t manifest for weeks or months. He could easily slip something deadly into my drink, and I’d walk out of here not realizing that until after I do the job for him.

Until my usefulness to him is over.

“So,” Novak says when he sees that I’m not about to change my mind. “Esguerra.”

I cross my arms over my chest and look at him. Finally, we’re getting to the point of this meeting.

“You worked for him,” Novak continues as one of the baristas brings his drink—a high-end scotch, judging by the smell and color.

“I did,” I confirm. I expected him to know this, and he does. He’s clearly done his due diligence on me. “Is that a problem?”

“I don’t know. Is it?” His pale eyes bore into me.

“We didn’t part on the best of terms. In fact, he’s vowed to kill me if I ever cross his path again. But you know that, don’t you?” I give Novak a cold smile. “Isn’t that why you reached out to me in the first place? Because I’m in the unique position of having once been in Esguerra’s inner circle?”

Novak’s gaze remains unblinking. “Yes. Is that a mistake on my part? Is your team capable of what I’m asking?”

“That depends.” I uncross my arms and lean forward. “What are the assets in play that you mentioned? The ones that would help us get this job done?”

“Aside from you and your familiarity with Esguerra’s compound?” Novak’s eyes glint as he glances at the twins, who have stayed stoically silent so far. “I assume your men can be trusted?”

I look at him, not bothering to dignify that with a reply.

A smile stretches his thin lips again. “All right. I might have someone on the inside. You don’t need to know who that is yet. Suffice it to say, certain things could be arranged to happen at certain moments, enabling you to carry out your part.”

Irritation stabs at me. He’s not telling me anything I didn’t already suspect. Keeping my expression unchanged, I rise to my feet. “In that case, you are welcome to find another team,” I say as Yan and Ilya follow my lead.

I turn to head to the exit, only to be confronted by a wall of Novak’s goons, their weapons drawn and faces feral.

“Not so fast,” Novak says softly. “We still have much to discuss.”

I turn back to face him, ignoring the artillery at my back. “We have nothing to discuss,” I say evenly. “I don’t entrust my team’s safety to vague assurances of aid from unknown sources. If we are to take this job, we need to know everything, down to the smallest logistics. That’s how we operate; that’s why we’re as successful as we are. If you want our services, you tell us everything—or we walk and you get someone else to do this.”

His bland features tighten. “You’re making a mistake, Sokolov. I’m not someone you want to fuck with.”

I bare my teeth in a humorless smile. “Neither is Esguerra, yet here we are.”

He stares at me, then jerks his head to one side. “Let them pass,” he orders, and I turn to see the wall of goons parting, their weapons lowered but postures tense. He doesn’t want it to get ugly, and I’m glad. Anton’s sniper’s rifle would’ve probably taken out a good three or four of Novak’s men, and the three of us could’ve gotten another seven or eight, easy, but bullets flying is never a good thing. The ultrathin bulletproof vests we’re wearing under our clothes wouldn’t protect us from a head shot, and as skilled as we are, we’re not immune to lead.