going to have to toughen up and learn to control her responses if she is going to make it in this family. My phone ringing gives me the perfect opportunity to excuse myself. We quickly say our goodbyes so I can answer it.
Glazov
“You’re nosy!”
I growl into the phone, aggravated with my wife. What the fuck is she doing spying on Kodiak’s girlfriend?
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Liar! You know exactly what I’m talking about. I’m talking about you stalking Kodiak’s girlfriend.”
“How would you know I’m stalking her, unless you’re stalking me?”
“Because Kodiak called me, wanting to know why the fuck his mother was questioning his girlfriend.”
“I didn’t realize she was his girlfriend. I assumed she was just another poor victim being subjugated by the ridiculously dominant men in this family, just a pawn in the games they play.”
“I don’t fucking play games with you. You’re real bold on the phone, Ptichka. You need to watch your step.”
“I know, Glazov. You’re always watching. I have to go now. Bye.”
I push the button to hang up and toss my phone onto the desk. My wife has the ability to irritate me even more and even quicker than Antonio Wayne does.
Glazov
I eye Novak as we discuss business with the Ramirez brothers.
“So, Antonio doesn’t know you’ll be watching him via live feed, correct?”
“Antonio doesn’t need to know. You pack those guns up with that planted Intel device in our warehouse here. I’ll get a few Shestyorkas to pick them up and deliver them to New York. They’ll make sure everything is wired where we can see what’s going on. When the exchange goes down, we’ll be lurking in the shadows via a live video stream while he deals with Aedan O’Hara. I’d like to know why a member of the IRA chose to kidnap some unknown model. This will enable me to satisfy my curiosity, and it will give me insight into Antonio’s psyche.”
“Why didn’t you ask Antonio Wayne why he’s doing this favor for Damon D’Angelo? Wouldn’t that have been simpler?”
“Nothing is simple with Antonio Wayne. He’ll tell me what he wants me to know, which may or may not be the truth.”
“I have to be honest with you, cousin. I don’t like it. Letting that shipment of arms be used as a favor just isn’t like you.”
“If it was anybody but the Ramirez brothers, I wouldn’t be doing it. Look at it like this, Novak; it’s better for them to be indebted to us rather than angry with us.”
“I still don’t like it. If that fucker loses our guns…”
“Then he’ll pay for them. Antonio may be the type of man who likes stirring shit up, but when it comes to business, he and his brother are trustworthy. Like I said, better for them to owe us.”
“Okay, you’re the boss.”
We both look up to see our wives coming in, arms full of shopping bags and books.
“Well, it looks like you two ladies had fun.”
“We had a blast,” Kathleen laughs.
“I’m sure you did.”
I answer, cutting my eyes at her. I was already pissed about her stalking Kodiak’s woman, and then she had the audacity to hang up on me.
Novak gives me a knowing look.
“I have a feeling these two will be getting in a lot of trouble together.”
“And I have a feeling we’re going to be watching them very closely.”
Though I’m speaking to Novak, I never take my eyes off my wife.
Kathleen
I flail in my restraints. He has me tied spread eagle on the bed, and the hemp rope bites into my skin with the erratic movement. I know he has purposely left the binds with enough give just to watch me struggle. Glazov likes that—to see the hope of escape in my eyes, to watch me fight to get free—before he snatches all possibility away. He stands next to the bed, looking down on me; his stare is ominous and holds a wicked promise of how much he is going to relish his newfound control over me.
Everything about my husband is threatening, dangerous, and just
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