Page 79 of For Your Eyes Only

“Gregory, good of you to join us.” His greeting is cordial enough, if it weren’t for the lack of emotion on his face and the fact Grish was ordered to appear. “You’ve gotten into some trouble, it seems.”

Grish tugs on the front of his dark brown suit coat before sitting on the edge of the booth. Grish is slim with blond hair and eyes black as coal. His smile reveals a few too many teeth, and the combination gives him the appearance of evil.

Some say he’s sneaky, but I know Greg Peters doesn’t need to sneak. He has thugs right where he needs them at all times. He might not be up to this guy’s level, but he’s working hard to get there.

“I did nothing wrong.” My friend’s voice is flat, but his cadence is slightly faster than usual. “It was the vet your men chose. I didn’t approve him. I’d never worked with him before, and he used the wrong dosage.”

“He has paid for his mistake. You, however, have not.”

I’ve never seen Grish sweat. I’ve never seen him be anything but steely calm. Unlike me, his demeanor is based on menace. I prefer to have a little fun, laugh at the bullies. It pisses them off when I smile instead of fighting or cowering, but it also loosens them up.

Trust me, being underestimated is extremely useful when you run with criminals.

“I’ve managed your businesses for five years, and I’ve made them profitable. I’ve been a loyal soldier.” Grish’s tone is barely restrained rage. “This is the thanks I get? One strike, and I’m out?”

The smile that curls Simon Petrovich’s mouth makes his thin lips disappear. It makes me want to fade into the thick velvet surrounding the table. I know the hidden rooms in this place, and it feels like a good time to hide.

“Are you attempting to tell me what to do?”

“I’m asking why loyalty isn’t valued anymore.”

“Loyalty. Perhaps you simply need a reminder not to get too cocky. Nothing you have cannot be taken from you. Including your life.” His eyes slide from Grish to me to the big guy sitting beside him in the booth. “Luckily for you, you still have use to me.”

“Is that a threat?” Greg’s jaw is clenched as he says the words, and his hand moves from the table to his lap.

Every muscle in my body tenses. He doesn’t usually carry a gun, but considering our errand tonight, that practice might have changed. Simon doesn’t even flinch.

His cold eyes instead move to me. “Who is this? I don’t recall saying you could bring a friend.”

My shoulders relax, and I smile. “Mr. Petrovich, I’m William Alexander the third. Call me Trip.” Holding out a hand, I lean forward to shake.

His eyes briefly drop to my gesture before returning to mine. I straighten, sliding my unshaken hand down the front of my dark gray suit coat.

“Perhaps you would be more comfortable at the bar while we finish here.” It’s not a request.

I give an easy nod. “I’m a bit parched now that you mention it. See you in a minute, Grish.”

I’ll get the full story from him later, and I actually would like to go to the bar. I’ve got some business with Andre, who’s still watching us with that stupid smirk and glittering brown eyes.

“Vodka, neat.” The bartender immediately sets to work on my order, and I turn to Andre. “Funny seeing you here.”

“We come when we’re called, don’t we, Mr. Alexander?” His accent is thick, and his voice is deeper now, unlike in Palm Beach.

Now I’m wondering if all the shit he pulled at The Rhino was an act, but why? Was he trying to send me a message? Was he trying to show I couldn’t stop him from touching what was mine, even with all the security we used? I don’t like it.

I also don’t like his implication that I’m on Simon’s call list.

“The only person who called me was Greg Peters, and the only reason he called is because he’s apparently on the hook for a lot of money.”

“Too bad. The boss invested millions in Shadow of the Moon, and he lost it all. Not to mention, the horse can’t run or breed now. He’s worthless.”

I lift the vodka and take a drink. “Put him out to pasture.”

“We’re making what we can on dog food and glue.”

My stomach turns. These people have no souls. They use animals the same way they use people, and when their usefulness is done, they cut up the corpse and sell it for parts.

“I told you in Florida, you’re fired. I’m not on Petrovich’s payroll. Why are you keeping tabs on me?”