Beast I Can’t Tame by L.K. Shaw

Chapter 24

Giovanni

Pierce,Jacob, and I slide into the back of the town car, and Aurelio closes the door. I glance around, trying not to be obvious that I’m taking it in. It’s surreal being on this side of the glass divider.

“Don’t tell me you’ve never once sat in the backseat just to see what it feels like?” Jacob asks.

My cheeks actually heat. I guess I hadn’t hid my interest well enough. “I was always worried about getting caught,” I confess sheepishly.

He chuckles, and even Pierce cracks a tiny grin. Jacob reaches into the dry bar and pulls out a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. He pours two fingers into the first one and passes it to me before filling his own.

“Cheers,” he says and clinks it against mine.

I glance in Pierce’s direction. I’m sure I’ve seen him with a glass in his hand at some point.

“I don’t drink before a meeting,” is all he says.

Keeping my questions to myself, I turn back to Jacob who’s sipping his. “What exactly is the plan?” I ask him.

“Petrosyan has agreed to meet to discuss his arrangement with Wójcik. I’ll lay out our demands and the consequences for ignoring them. It’s then up to him to decide what choice he’ll make,” he explains.

“And if he makes the wrong choice?”

“Then we show him the error of his ways.” This comes from Pierce with a growl.

“Any word on the Irish and how they’re handling the Polish?”

“Donnelly is keeping tight-lipped. He accepted the initial plan, but his strategies are only known to those close to him. He doesn’t share information with anyone outside his immediate circle, which certainly rules us out,” Jacob says with a hint of amusement. “I’m sure Cormac and his sons know, but they respect, and probably fear, the elder Donnelly enough that they’re not saying anything either. If they need anything from us, they only have to ask. Although, the stubborn bastard would probably rather die first.”

The remainder of the ride is quiet. Jacob and I finish our drinks while his cousin sits back in his seat. An emotionless mask slips over his face that only gets more blank the closer we get to our destination. It’s an eerie sight, because I would have said he didn’t exhibit any expression on a normal day. But this is the face of a cold-blooded killer.

Pierce is one of the most feared men in the entire organization, as well as outside it. Stories have circulated about him and the death he brings to those who cross him. He’s Jacob’s quasi bodyguard and enforcer for a reason. I, for one, am glad he’s on our side.

Finally, we arrive in front of the restaurant on a busy street. Crowds of people walk the streets. Apparently, the Armenians aren’t taking any chances. They want witnesses. As if they’ll save him if shit goes south. Jacob doesn’t seem concerned.

The back door opens and he steps out first into the blazing hot afternoon sun. He pauses a moment, glancing around while he buttons his suit jacket with a leisurely pace and then tugs down his shirt sleeves. Finally, he moves away from the vehicle a few paces, and Pierce follows behind. He takes two steps to the side, and it’s my turn.

I mimic Jacob’s movements, no doubt a poor imitation, even with the damn cast finally off. I’d found a cheap pair of cufflinks at some big box store that looked a little like his. It had taken me an hour to figure out how they worked.

The three of us scan the area and wait, while two other men exit the town car behind ours. Once assembled, the five of us enter through the front door. Inside, it’s cool, the scent of pepper and cinnamon permeating the air around us. The interior is crowded with patrons scattered at various tables. I have no idea who we’re looking for, but I assume Jacob does, because he immediately heads for a table near the middle of the restaurant.

Seated at it is two suit-clad men who glance up at our arrival. The one who appears to be the elder of the two rises.

“Mr. Ricci, I’m sorry to hear about your father’s death. He was well-respected in our business,” the man greets Jacob with a handshake.

“Thank you. He is missed.”

“Please,” he gestures to the chair opposite his. “Have a seat and tell me how I can help you.”

The two of them sit while the rest of us remain standing in a close horseshoe shape behind Jacob. Pierce is tense next to me. I can almost feel the rigidity pulsating off him.

“I understand you are in the business of buying and selling of a particular type of property from Casimir Wójcik,” Jacob says, laying it right out in the open.

“We dabble in a variety of capital ventures,” the Armenian leader says coyly.

“As do we. However, this is a specific commodity directly from the Polish, as you well know what I’m referring to.”

The other man’s expression remains blank. “I understand you made an agreement to stay out of the Polish’s business matters.”

Jacob raises a single finger from where he’d folded them on the table in front of him. “I agreed to remain neutral with the Polish. You and I have no such agreement.”

“I believe that is what you Americans call splitting hairs,” he says, a note of anger entering his voice.

“Perhaps. But it doesn’t change the fact the I’m here with a proposition for you.”

The Armenian leans back in his chair with a scowl. His colleague remains nearly as rigid as Pierce, but doesn’t evoke the same deathly stillness.

“And what proposition is that?”

“I propose that you cease any purchases of this particular commodity and spend your money elsewhere.” Jacob pauses. “Today.”

“Or?” he asks.

Being at his back, I can only imagine the expression on my brother’s face. But he does unfold his hands and briefly show his palms in an almost helpless gesture. “I’m sure you’ll understand that we will have no choice but to engage in more…drastic measures in hopes of changing your mind.”

The man’s jaw tightens and he glares. “I see,” he says. “I will need a few days to consult with my colleagues.”

“Unfortunately, this deal has a twelve hour expiration date.”

Hatred continues to burn from the Armenian leader’s eyes. His nostrils flare, and I almost expect his teeth to crack next. “You’ll have an answer in ten,” he snaps.

Jacob nods succinctly. “Excellent. You know how to reach me.” He rises from his seat. “Have a pleasant afternoon, gentleman.”

The four of us part, providing a gap for him to pass through. I keep my eyes locked onto the two men and slowly back away before turning and following behind Jacob. Our two soldiers fall in line behind me while Pierce takes up the rear. We climb back into the town car, and I heave out a breath. That had been intense.

I turn to Jacob. “Do you think he’ll comply with your demands?”

He cocks his head. “Who knows? My gut says he’s willing to take us on in the hopes they can outmaneuver us. Because they certainly don’t outnumber us. But he also has to consider that we’ve managed to take out nearly the entire Russian organization in a few short months.”

“If he ignores your warning? Then what?” I ask.

“War,” Pierce says with steel in his voice.