“Russia,” Joseph answered. “I was in Moscow.”
“For what?” Crewe asked.
“Business,” Joseph said vaguely.
I knew Russia was a sore subject for Crewe. Any time it was mentioned, his mood got noticeably darker. “Anywhere else?”
“What kind of business?” Crewe pressed.
Joseph wore an expression that said he didn’t want to answer. “There’s a big deal going on among the Russia mafia with forty million on the line. I’m going to intercept it.”
“How do you know this?” Crewe pressed.
I didn’t get these men together to discuss work, but that’s exactly what happened.
“Bones,” Joseph replied. “Said he met with a Russian representative, but he didn’t give me any details.”
“Hmm…” Crewe’s jaw was tense like he was thinking. “Who’s exchanging the money?”
“I can’t say,” Joseph said.
That wasn’t the kind of answer Crewe accepted. “I’m not after cash. If it’s someone I’m interested in, I can help you.”
“You think I need help?” Joseph asked incredulously.
“Seeing how you pissed me off, yeah,” Crewe snapped.
“Hey, guys.” I raised both hands. “Let’s just take it down a notch.”
Crewe ignored me. “Write it down.” He pulled a pen from his pocket and pushed the napkin toward him. “Now.”
Joseph snatched the pen out of his hand then scribbled the names in tiny print. He folded it and pushed it back to Crewe.
Crewe glanced at it, narrowed his eyes, and then tore it up into pieces. “I want in.”
“I don’t need help,” Joseph said. “And I’m not giving you a cut.”
“I don’t want a cut,” Crewe said coldly. “I just want in.”
“Why?” Joseph asked.
“Because one of these fuckers crossed me,” Crewe whispered under his breath. “And I want to take something that means the world to him. The only thing he seems to give a damn about is money and pride. I’d like to destroy both of those things.”
Joseph watched him with suspicion, his eyes narrowed.
I wanted Joseph and Crewe to get along, but not in this way. But if this brought them closer together, I couldn’t object. Crewe was still haunted by what happened to his family. If this gave him closure, I couldn’t ask him not to do it. “Joseph, you can trust Crewe.”
“None of this makes sense,” Joseph asked. “Even if it is about revenge.”
“You don’t need to know details, Joseph,” I said quickly. “Crewe wants in, and I think he can help you.”
Crewe looked at me, and deep in his eyes was a look of gratitude that Joseph would never notice. His expression was difficult to read, probably on purpose, but I’d cracked the code a long time ago.
Joseph watched us both with hesitance. “I work with a particular team…”
“Which I don’t have a lot of faith in, considering the fact that you tried to fool me with counterfeit. Come on, Joseph.” When Crewe took the lead, he had more authority than all the world leaders put together. “I want this mission to be successful.”
Joseph looked at me as if he expected me to say something.
“I think it’s a good idea,” I said. “You have mutual interests. It’s perfect.”
Joseph shrugged in response. “Okay, fine. But if you cross me, I’ll kill you.”
Crewe smiled. “Ditto.”
“There will be no killing of any kind,” I said. “If you both love me, you’ll never lay a hand on each other.”
“I don’t love you that much,” Joseph said.
Crewe chuckled. “Like I’d ever believe that. You fucking shot me.”
“Well, you had it coming,” Joseph said. “If you thought I wasn’t going to do anything to save my sister, you’re an idiot.”
“If I had a sister, I would have done the same,” Crewe said.
Maybe this would work out, after all. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but it wasn’t horrendous either. Guns weren’t drawn, and bullets weren’t flying through the air. “So you forgive Joseph for shooting you?”
“I never apologized,” Joseph said quickly.
“Nor was I looking for an apology,” Crewe said. “The best we can do is leave the past where it belongs and move forward. That’s the best I can offer.”
“Agreed,” Joseph said. “Now where the hell is our food?”
It wasn’t perfect, but I would take it.
15
Crewe
When we walked into the bedroom, I was relieved the dinner with Joseph was over. It went better than I expected it to, and he was directly involved in conning one of the men I despised.
Of course, I wanted in.
London slipped her jacket off her shoulders and hung it on the armchair. “Thank you for tonight. It meant a lot to me.” She turned around and tucked her hair behind her ear, looking like the sexiest thing in the world without even trying.
When she looked at me like that, I would do anything for her—without question. “Looks like we can be civil to one another.”
“I know. You guys both really tried.” She pulled her shirt over her head, revealing the black bra underneath that pushed her tits together. Slowly, she peeled away the remainder of her clothes, getting her jeans off last until she stood in just her matching bra and panties. “I’d like to show my appreciation.”