Shattered Altar: Chapter 17

She sits silently in the back seat, but I still can’t ignore her. She does that to me—demands my attention, consumes it without even meaning to. It’s very fucking irritating.

“Will you stop?” I growl, glancing back at her over my shoulder.

“I’m nervous,” she hisses. Her leg keeps bouncing up and down like a piston as she picks at her fingernails.

“I noticed that. Try being nervous on the inside instead.”

She throws me a dirty look and glances towards the six men piled into the back of the jeep. There’s no one sitting beside her, but only because I ordered it.

“Why are there so many men?” she whispers.

“Are there?”

“I saw at least five other jeeps when we pulled out of the compound. How many men are you bringing to this meeting?”

“A few,” I say casually.

“Why?” she demands. “This is supposed to be a neutral face-to-face, right? It’s supposed to be about opening a dialogue. Having a conversation.”

Demyan throws me a glance from the front seat that’s half-amused and half-disbelieving.

“Yeah,” I chuckle. “I’m well-known for my conversational skills.”

Olivia blanches. “Are you planning on hurting him?”

“I’m planning on doing whatever I have to do.”

She unbuckles her seatbelt and climbs over the center to sit between me and Demyan up front.

“What are you doing?” Demyan asks.

“I’m trying to convince your evil boss that this is not the right way to go about things. If you walk in with an army at your back, Rob’s going to think you’re not serious about working through this.”

“‘Working through this?’” I repeat. “Jesus, we’re not lovers trying to solve our relationship issues. He’s the thorn in my side. I just need to remove him.”

“That’s why I’m here,” she insists. “I’ll convince him to leave you alone.”

“Is that right?” Demyan and I exchange a knowing look. She definitely doesn’t miss it, but she chooses to ignore it.

“Listen, Aleks, my brother is a man of his word. If he promises not to come after you, he won’t,” she says earnestly.

Demyan shakes his head. He’s gone from half-disbelieving to full-on incredulous. “Must be nice living in a fantasy world.”

She turns towards him so that all I can see is a head of silky, dark brown hair. “Who are you, the resident cynic? Did someone piss in your cornflakes this morning? Or were you just not hugged enough as a child?”

Demyan and I lock eyes. I know exactly what he’s thinking: She is more than I was expecting.

You and me both, I think.

“Well, funny you should mention not getting hugged,” Demyan replies casually. “The cynicism actually started with my dad. He killed my mother when I was seven and then abandoned my brother and me. Then my brother overdosed when he was fifteen. Then it was my wife, who left me for a ‘normal’ life and took my daughter with her. So I’d say the cynicism is pretty well-earned, actually. As for the cornflakes, I’m not really big on breakfast.”

Olivia is silent for a long moment. Then she turns to me.

“Was all that true?”

I shrug. “He forgot the part where he tracked down his old man and killed him in retribution. But otherwise, extremely factual.”

“Didn’t forget,” Demyan says irritably. “I was just building up to it. Proudest fucking moment of my life. Now, you’ve robbed me of the joy of dropping that bomb. Bastard.”

“I’m sure you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me.”

“Jesus Christ,” Olivia mutters. “You guys are serious.”

“Why would we joke about shit like that?” Demyan asks.

“You really killed your father?”

“He had it coming.”

“But… he was your father.”

“He killed my mother,” Demyan says. “What was I supposed to do, put him in timeout?”

“You should… shit, I don’t know, get the cops involved!” Olivia exclaims, flummoxed. “Have him arrested and put on trial. He would have gone to jail.”

“Jail?” Demyan scoffs. “Fuck that. I’ve done time. It ain’t no punishment if you know how the inside works.”

Olivia sits back against the seat and turns to me. “Have you done time?”

I snort with laughter. “I was born the son of the most powerful fucking don on the West coast.”

“Which means…?”

“Which means there isn’t a cop, attorney, or judge alive who would dare try to put me behind bars.”

“So you think you’re above the law?”

“Miles above.”

She shrugs. “I wouldn’t count on it.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Is that a challenge?”

“It’s a promise. If you kill me, my brother will make sure you pay for it.”

“I wouldn’t kill you,” I say.

She looks at me with a curious expression, probably thinking I’ve softened towards her after last night.

I decide to disabuse her of that notion immediately.

“Mostly because you’re not important enough to kill.”

She frowns. “Gee, thanks. I feel so safe now.”

She skulks back to her seat and buckles in. Seconds later, her knee starts bouncing again.

“You’ll have to look a little more like the terrified prisoner when we get there,” I tell her. “I don’t want your brother thinking I’ve been nice to you.”

She snorts. “No one would ever accuse you of being nice.”

“I’m glad my reputation is intact.”

I don’t turn around, but I can feel her eyes attempting to bore a hole in the back of my head. “You’re an asshole. Are you aware of that part of your reputation?”

“You didn’t think so last night.”

She stiffens instantly, and I know she doesn’t want to have this conversation in front of Demyan or the silent soldiers in the back. But she doesn’t want to lose face, either.

“I did what I thought you wanted,” she murmurs, cheeks flaming.

“No, you were just looking for an excuse to do what you wanted,” I retort. “As I keep telling you. But if we need a third party to settle this argument, I could always bring it up to your brother. See what he thinks.”

“You wouldn’t!”

“Don’t fucking try me,” I growl.

And for a change, she follows orders.

The rest of the ride is quiet until we arrive. The meeting site is an old storage building, but the surrounding trees provide cover should it become necessary.

I’m not worried, though. I live for the chaos of battle. That’s one of the perks of being don. You get to lead the charge. You get to be right in the fucking thick of it. It’s not just a duty—it’s a privilege.

“Where is he?” Olivia asks, craning her neck to try and catch a glimpse of her brother.

“He’ll show.”

“You came with a whole entourage! He takes one look at that and he’s not going to come.”

“I came with an entourage because he most definitely will do the same.”

She frowns. “He said he wouldn’t. He said it would be just him.”

I glance at her. “He was lying.”

“My brother doesn’t lie,” she says, with so much confidence that I feel bad for the disappointment that’s inevitably coming. “He’ll keep his word. If he said he’d be here without backup, he’ll be here without backup.”

Demyan rolls his eyes. “You think far too highly of him.”

Then the car comes to a halt. Demyan and the soldiers climb out, leaving Olivia and me behind in the jeep.

She raises her eyes to meet mine. “Please don’t hurt him, Aleks.”

She’s terrified of what’s about to happen. Unfortunately for her, I’m not the reassuring type.

“I’ll send someone for you when I need you,” I say, opening my door.

“What?!” she gasps. “You’re going to leave me here?”

In response, I slam the door closed. She reaches for the handle, but nothing happens.

“Child locks?” she rages, yanking uselessly on the handle. “Are you fucking kidding me?

“You’re not leaving this vehicle until I give the say-so,” I tell her through the glass. “So until then, sit tight. It could be a while.”

“No! You can’t just leave me in here! Aleks! Aleks!”

I suppress a smile. Apparently, she doesn’t have to moan my name for me to like the sound of it on her lips.

I turn to find Demyan right in my face.

“Well, I certainly see the appeal,” he remarks.

I shove him out of my way and start walking towards the building. It’s still in use, but it’s been neglected. Demyan came down early this morning and bribed the security on duty to disappear for the day.

“We’re not gonna talk about it?”

“Talk about what?” I ask impatiently as he falls into step beside me.

“The fact that you apparently fucked her a second time last night.”

Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to bring that up in front of Demyan. I give him a careless shrug. “I was horny. She was around.”

Demyan cackles. “Who are you trying to bullshit? You forget I’ve known you for a long time, brother. You’ve never buried your cock in any woman you didn’t like just because you were horny. Discerning to a fault, in my experience.”

“She’s not unattractive.”

“She’s fucking beautiful,” he corrects. “Just the type you like.”

I frown. “She’s nothing like the type of woman I go for.”

“That’s because you go for the type of woman that you can discard like a used napkin. This one has staying power.”

“Will you stop?” I snap as I push through the open doors. “Aren’t you supposed to be running communications? Fuck off and do your job.”

There are boxes stacked everywhere. Nothing is organized. I turn and gesture to the six men trailing behind us. “Push the boxes aside and open up those windows. Clear some space in the middle for our little tête-à-tête.”

They set to work immediately after chorusing, “Yes, sir” in unison.

I turn back to Demyan. “What’s his ETA?”

“Approximately thirteen minutes,” he says. “He’s early.”

“I wouldn’t have expected any less.”

My men labor to do as I instructed while I walk around the space, giving the location a quick scan. In the corner of my eye, I can see Demyan watching me. He’s not done with this conversation. Stubborn son of a bitch.

“Jesus,” I say, rolling my eyes at him. “Drop it. You’re reading too much into this.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t think so. When’s the last time you fucked the same woman twice?”

“Allaynah.”

He scoffs. “She doesn’t count.”

“Why?”

“Because I—you know damn well why, you bastard.”

I laugh. “Stop trying to create a narrative that doesn’t exist.”

“Okay, I’m gonna pretend I believe you, if only because arguing with you is like arguing with a brick wall on both emotional and intellectual levels. But just for the record, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“You were on board this morning,” I point out.

“Sure, but that’s before I knew you fucked her again! And before I saw her,” he says. “This girl will complicate things if you go through with the backup plan.”

“Maybe I won’t need to.”

Demyan shakes his head in dismay like I’m stupid. “You and I both know you will.”

“It’s too late now. I’ve made my decision. Everything’s been set in motion.”

He sighs. “I’m guessing she doesn’t know what she’s in for today if things go south.”

“Of course not.”

“She’ll fight you.”

“Good,” I smirk. “I like her fight. It’s very entertaining.”

“See?” Demyan says. “Dangerous.”

“Miranda really did a number on you.”

The smile drops dead on his face. “This has nothing to do with Miranda.”

“The fuck it doesn’t. You loved the woman and she left you,” I snap. I know I’m being hard on him, but he can take it. “So you decide to be down on all women because you anticipate the heartbreak they’re going to leave in their wake.”

“Way to make me sound like a pussy. Have you been watching Dr. Phil again?”

I smile. “Am I wrong?”

“Fine, maybe I’m bitter. But it’s only because I changed who I was for her. I was loyal to her the entire time, and it still wasn’t enough.” He grimaces. “My point is, that girl in there? She’s no different from Miranda. She’s a normal girl who is used to a normal life. She’s never going to be content with our world.”

“I hear you, sobrat. But I have no intention of having her be part of our world. Like I’ve said before, she’s nothing more than a means to an end.”

Demyan holds his hand up to his earpiece as new intel comes in. “He’s almost here.”

“Got it,” I nod, putting on my own earpiece. “Disappear, all of you.”

My men leave immediately. Demyan is the last one to go. “We’ll survey the perimeter, make sure they can’t close in on us.”

I nod. “No one gets near that jeep, understood? I’m not done with her yet.”

“Yeah,” he sighs, “that’s what I’m worried about.” Then he disappears through the back door.

Half a minute later, I hear an engine stop right outside.

Showtime.

Olivia’s brother walks in with a menacing swagger that makes an impression, even if it doesn’t wholly impress. The wound I left on his forehead has now turned into a faint scar.

“Robert,” I say, greeting him like an old friend. “Nice of you to join me.”

“You’re early,” he mutters with a scowl.

“As are you.”

“Where is my sister?”

“Safe,” I tell him. “For now.”

“I want to speak to her.”

“If you play your cards right, I’ll do you one better: I’ll let you see her.”

He moves into the room, but stops several feet in front of me. I can tell he has a gun on him. Which is fine. I’ve got two on me.

But even if I wasn’t armed, I’ve won bigger battles with a lot less.

“Have you hurt her?”

“Define ‘hurt.’”

His fists tighten at his sides. “If you’ve laid one hand on her, I’m going to—”

“You’re going to do what? You’re the whole reason she’s with me in the first place.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “You abducted her.”

“Because you refused to see sense. And according to my sources, that’s still very much the case.”

He tenses. “I did what you asked. I dropped the case. No one at the FBI is investigating your Bratva anymore.”

I arch my eyebrows. “Is that right?”

He raises his arms. “I’m here alone, aren’t I? I wouldn’t do that unless I’d done what you asked. I just want my sister back.”

“You’re like your sister,” I scoff. “Neither one of you knows how to lie. You still believe I killed your woman.”

“My fiancée,” he spits. “And I don’t think you killed her, as a matter of fact. I believe you still have her held captive.”

I exhale wearily. “Tell me why I would go to all that trouble.”

“I don’t know what sick plans you have in the works,” he continues. “But you did take my sister, so—”

“Because you offended me.”

“And maybe some family member of Isabella’s offended you, too,” he counters.

“Not many people are stupid enough to offend me. You’re the rare exception.”

The mistrust and loathing are etched into every line of his face. It makes playing this game all the more entertaining.

Trouble is, he’s too far gone to be easily intimidated. I’m starting to realize that my backup plan isn’t a backup at all.

It’s the only option I have left.