Page 17 of Lord of Ruin
“Why would they do that?” My voice had suddenly gotten too loud. I crouched down, looking away immediately. He’d already moved up to the front of the line. If I could keep from looking at him, maybe he’d walk right past me and out the door.
A girl could hope for miracles.
“What is going on with you? You look like you just saw a ghost.” Charlotte must have realized I’d seen someone, narrowing her eyes as she glanced slyly toward the counter.
“Don’t. Don’t do it.”
“Why is that man staring at our table? I mean, he’s hot as shit but why?”
Swallowing, I slowly turned my head, trying to keep from moaning outright. My gorgeous mystery man, the one I was both attracted to and terrified of was standing with a steaming cup of coffee in his hand, his eyes locking on mine.
And for the next full minute, maybe longer, there was nothing and no one else in the shop. As soon as he started to walk closer, every muscle tensed, the sharp cry of electric current rushing through me even stronger than it had been the night before. I was in awe as well as trembling with fear, and the way his nostrils flared as he finally allowed his gaze to fall from my face to the colorful scrubs I was wearing complete with matching fuchsia tennis shoes told me in no uncertain terms the man was undressing me with his eyes.
But just like that, he walked out without saying a word. But I could have sworn I heard a growl.
“What. Was. That?” Charlotte asked.
I took a sip of lukewarm coffee, suddenly hating the bitter taste. “A firestorm.”
Stavros
“What the fuck did you think you were doing gunning down four of my best men?” Viktor barked the moment I answered the call.
“You were five minutes late, Marku. I do not like tardiness. And you obviously overestimated my abilities. I’m flattered.” Maybe someone else had taken advantage of the fact I’d hunted down two of his men. What a shame.
“Fuck you. Answer my goddamn question.”
I controlled my fury, even managing to laugh, but the man should know you didn’t want to rile a Greek. “I will when you cease approaching any of the Diamondis Corporation’s customers. You know damn good and well before you made that mistake it wouldn’t be tolerated. I’m going to give you one warning. There will not be a second. If you dare attempt anything like that again, we will bring more than just the wrath of God down on you. Do you hear me? Fucking stay out of Philly. Shit that stinks doesn’t belong there.”
He laughed as if he didn’t have a care in the world, which for some reason was more disconcerting than usual. Men at our level of power never showed fear. Not even the moment we faced death. It wasn’t good for the reputation of the entire organization. Plus, I was pissed how the events had gone down, furious that it felt like I’d lost control. That wasn’t like me. And what the hell had happened with the basic rules of honor the entire New York clan of syndicates was supposed to be following?
“Now, I’ll give you a piece of advice, Diamondis. Be careful. If there’s one thing I’m very good at, it’s finding weakness and I assure you that you have one. As a matter of fact, I know you do. Be mindful of your back, Greek pig.”
With that he hung up. I wasn’t certain if he really thought that shit was going to scare me. It didn’t in the least. The man was nothing but a blowhard.
I slipped my phone into my jacket pocket, immediately heading to the bed to zip my suitcase. When I heard a knock on my door, I grabbed the case and brought it with me, immediately reaching for my weapon just in case the asshole had been standing outside.
When I opened the door, Christos could tell I was tense.
“Whoa, boss man. Are you okay?”
“Just dandy. Let’s get the hell out New York City.”
Before I littered the streets with more Albanian bodies.
“Okay, but I think there’s something you need to see,” Christos said. “Something you’re not going to like.”
CHAPTER 6
Jenna
Stalked.
The term hadn’t really entered my mind my entire life. Maybe that’s because I’d been born and raised in Missouri, living in a small town where everybody knew everybody’s name and family, even their dirty little secrets. Sure, there was crime and bullies just like in big cities, but I’d never felt threatened or as if I was being watched everywhere I went.
When I’d gone to college, I’d had an awakening about people and rudeness, callous actions and brazen attitudes, but you adjusted or moved back to a cave. When I’d come to New York for the first time, Charlotte and her family my tour guide, I’d been like a kid in a candy store, squealing at the beautiful surroundings and tall buildings, hungry every few minutes just because there were so many restaurants and little food corners, the marvelous scents filling the air everywhere we’d walked. I’d been in heaven eating pizza for the first time, the flavor and consistency unlike anything I’d ever had before. I’d loved the street in front of Broadway, acting as if one day I’d be a star.
I’d swooned from seeing the Empire State building, Rockefeller Center, and the twinkling lights of Fifth Avenue. When I’d returned at Christmas time, forget about it. It was as if I’d been placed in the perfect Christmas card, including snow falling as if on cue. We’d ice skated, although I’d fallen more than skated. We’d gone Christmas shopping and eaten bagels, going to see a show on Broadway for the first time and even staying in the Plaza Hotel, a treat from her parents for the girls’ weekend out.