His men mutter agreements in thick accents. They’re eager, hungry for the chaos to come. But Ivanov? His eyes are cold and calculating. This is chess, not checkers.
“Thanks to you, we have their supply routes. The rest will follow.” Lev’s hands gesture, painting pictures of a city free from rivals, a throne waiting for a new king. “It will be simple.” Simple for him, maybe. A man who doesn’t flinch at the thought of blood staining his manicured hands.
I lean back, arms folded, feeling the weight of every decision, every alliance forged in fire and necessity. The Russians might be our guests today, but tomorrow? Who knows which way the gun will be pointing?
Creed’s chair scrapes the wooden floor, a harsh sound that cuts through the tense air. He leans in, tattoos on his forearms twisting with the movement.
“Lev,” he says, his voice low and gritty. “The Diablos are dug in deep. Not just some rats we can smoke out.”
Ivanov’s lip curls up ever so slightly, a predator baring teeth to a lesser beast. “The Diablo Cartel is strong…” he concedes, tapping a finger on the table, “… but not invincible.”
“I need to keep my club safe,” Creed pushes, his eyes locked on the Russian. “That’s the deal. We don’t need another war on our doorstep.”
“Da, of course,” Lev replies. “Your safety is paramount.” But his eyes flicker with something else. Ambition, maybe? Or is it contempt?
“Timeline,” I cut in. “We need specifics. Intel. When do we move?”
“Swiftly.” Ivanov stands, commanding the space as if he owns it, which he damn well doesn’t. “Two days. No more. Gather what you need. Prepare your men.”
“Two days?” Creed’s surprise mirrors my own, but there’s no time for doubt. Our window is narrow, closing fast.
“Time is blood, gentlemen.” Lev’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “And blood? It waits for no one.”
Lev Ivanov places his hands on the back of his chair, the ghost of a smirk playing on his lips. I watch him, trying to read between the lines.
“Diablos…” he begins, rolling the word off his tongue like it’s personal, “… they’re no street gang. They’ve got reach. Power.” He pauses, eyeing each of us in turn. “But they bleed like the rest. A predator knows the strength of its prey.”
“Prey implies you’re going to eat them alive,” Creed says.
“Exactly,” Lev agrees, his confidence a palpable force in the room.
“Your plan?” I prod because we’re all thinking it. If Lev’s so sure, he’s got to have an ace up his sleeve.
“Simple,” Lev holds his arms wide as if embracing the challenge. “We strike at their heart… Camilla and her father, Mateo. Without them, the Diablos crumble.”
“Her brother, Gabriel?” I throw in, skeptical. There’s always a wild card, and blood ties run deep.
Lev laughs, sharp and cold. “The brother? Please. He doesn’t have the balls to lead, let alone fill his sister’s shoes.” His gaze is steely, confident. “Another will rise, but by then, they’ll be limping. Market share gone, their reputation in tatters.”
“Easy pickings for you,” I conclude, the plan unfolding in my mind. It’s bold and brash, but it just might work.
“Da,” Lev confirms, the hint of a Russian lilt coloring the word. “They won’t even see us coming until it’s too late.”
I exchange a look with Creed. This is big. Dangerous. But if we pull it off, we could change the game for good.
Creed stands, and I notice he’s not wearing the sling. He holds out his hand to Lev, and they shake. For us and our world, this isall the guarantee we need—a simple handshake to seal the deal.
“A deal between the Royal Bastards and the Ivanovs,” Creed says as they shake.
“Indeed. We’ll let you know how it plays out.”
With that, the Russians file out, the low rumble of their engines a fading growl outside.
I turn to Creed, his voice is low. “Keep your eyes on them. Can’t trust a damn word they say.”
“Will do,” I grunt, already at the door.
I scan the room, the tension still hanging in the air. But it’s her I’m looking for—Lyric. She’s the one who’s got me hooked bad. I find her at the edge of the crowd, her hair cascading down her back. Our eyes lock, and something electric zips through me, fierce and protective.
