“They let any scum own a penthouse in New York City these days,” I remarked dryly as I walked through the threshold of the Konstantin penthouse. It was hard to guess which twin it belonged to, not that I fucking cared.
Maxim stood in front of the panorama windows, his back turned to me and his eyes focused on the skyline as he drank from a tumbler. There were no soft colors in this place. It was decorated with functionality in mind, gray, white, and black colors throughout the penthouse.
Maxim turned around slowly, sipping from his tumbler that probably housed something even stronger than vodka.
He’d gone downhill since that whole fiasco seven years ago.
“You better not be shitfaced tomorrow,” I growled.
Unfortunately, I had to cash in on the debt. The Konstantin brothers were the only ones that had no connection to Cassio’s gang nor the Brennans. And nobody knew about this debt but the three of us.
It’d be hard for anyone to connect the dots.
“Don’t worry,” Maxim replied, his voice clear. Apparently, he could hold his liquor. “You’ll get your woman. I’ll wait in front of that church, hoping you get caught. Let’s just pray that you don’t set that old establishment on fire by stepping foot into it.”
Fuck, I wished there was somebody else to use tomorrow. I wished even more that Branka would end this charade and call off the wedding.
“Did Ilias line up a plane?”
I’d ensure everything was in place with the Konstantins and then get some sleep. If that was possible while sleeping under the Konstantin’s roof. Staying in the hotel or my penthouse was out of the question. Nobody knew I was in New York City and nobody would until I snatched the bride.
Well, nobody except for the bride herself. But I knew she’d keep our little encounter between us.
“He did,” he confirmed. “Where in Russia are you going to stay?”
I eyed him coldly. He was being awfully nosy. “What are you? A fucking Nosey Nellie?”
He shrugged. “Just making conversation.”
“Don’t,” I said. “Besides, I thought you can dig up anything on anyone,” I remarked sarcastically. Although, I knew anything connected to Pakhan was off limits to him. Including his brother’s travel itinerary. Not even Nico could hack into Illias’ itinerary.
“Using Ilias’ or your place?” he questioned. “Probably yours since you have your own family home in Russia.” He was being an annoying bastard and my finger itched to just shoot him right now. End his miserable life. “Unless you’re worried that’ll be the first place they’ll look for you.”
“That is none of your business,” I growled, my tone dark and I observed him tense. Maxim might be smart but he was a chicken shit.
“I can drive you wherever you’re going,” Maxim offered. “Not sure why you need a motorcycle.”
“Just do what I say,” I snapped. “Once tomorrow is over, your debt will be paid.”
The day couldn’t come soon enough.
