6. Max

Iwas so busy watching the girl that I almost missed the call from Sasha. I'm hoping it's about the mayor. He's a massive thorn in my side and I hate the bastard, but right now, he's useful to me. Or he will be once he stops fucking me around.

We have plans for a large casino development on a plot of wasteland near the city center. The money is all in place but some of the permits are outstanding. Without them, we can't push ahead and break ground. The longer this bullshit takes, the more restless my investors get.

None of them are a threat to me, but delays for no good reason undermine my reputation and make it harder for me to keep control of the city.

The mayor knows this. He's the asshole who has the final say on construction projects. He's stalling and we both know it, but I'm not sure why. My guess is he wants more money, but so far, all he's done is procrastinate.

I've been pushing for a meeting all week. Each time I call his PA, the mayor is ‘busy'. My patience is running out and I'm on the verge of paying him a little house visit, a quick reminder of who he's dealing with. Perhaps that will crystallize his thinking.

It's much too busy to take a call in the bar, so I push my way outside. Artem is parked a block away, as stoic as ever. He's listening to some audiobook when I open the passenger door, but he turns it off when I take a seat and hit call on Sasha.

"You took your time," he grumbles. "Thought maybe you were getting laid for once."

My mind takes me back to the bar and replays the delicious visual of the sexy brunette's ass gyrating to the music.

Bad idea.

Now I'm hard.

Thankfully it's dark and Artem is looking the other way.

"Nope. Just a quick drink. What you got for me?"

Sasha chuckles. He knows me too well. "I can send Alina over if you need her?"

Fucking Alina is always entertaining, but I'm not in the mood for her particular brand of crazy tonight.

"Sasha, get the fuck on with it. I have shit to do."

"OK," he sighs. "The mayor is spooked. He made a call to one of his buddies. He's gotten wind a journalist is digging into his shady dealings and now he's panicking that something might stick enough to fuck things up for him."

"Is he right?"

"Yeah. Some woman from the Daily Journal."

"Fuck. This could cause us problems. We need the development signed off before anything happens to him." Sasha is quiet but I can hear the clacking of keys in the background.

"What is he planning to do?"

"He wants her gone."

I don't know this woman, so the thought of the mayor doing anything to her shouldn't bother me, but it does. Killing innocents never sits well with me. Sure, people get hurt in the crossfire sometimes; it's inevitable. But to willfully murder someone for doing their job is wrong. I may be a Bratva pakhan, but I'm not a complete monster.

Sasha fills me in on some more of our business dealings and then the call ends.

Artem drives me back to the apartment I use when I stay in the city. It's comfortable - luxurious even - but it's not home. I shed my jacket, pour a glass of vodka, and then step out onto the terrace.

The city spreads out below like a blanket of stars. The night is warm and humid. Sounds drift up from the street far below: music and laughter. I idly wonder if she's still in the club, dancing.

I know she saw me.

Did she remember?

Part of me hopes not. It would be a bad idea to entertain any notion of pursuing her right now. I have too many problems to deal with, and the last thing I need is a woman stealing my focus, even if she's the most attractive woman I've met in a long time.

This problem with the mayor is dragging on too long. He needs to approve the permits. I can't afford to be caught up in whatever shit storm is in his future.

Although I have many friends in high places and I'm not afraid of a journalist investigating the mayor's many crimes, I'd rather not have too much light shed on my business dealings. The Bratva operates best in the shadows.

Once again my mind spins back to the woman from earlier, despite my best intentions. I haven't forgotten her tears or how she looked up at me that night, eyes cloudy with pain.

The guy she was with left the city a few hours after I beat the shit out of him.

My threat obviously sank in.