Free Russian Mobster’s Revenge by Bella Rose

on-screen and matching them to the handwritten list. “There are at least thirty arcades here.”
    “Arcades are surprisingly lucrative.” He seemed defensive.
    “I can see why they would be.” She smiled at him. “And they’re also good locations for dealers.”
    “Exactly.”
    “I’m not going to give you my standard speech about the horrible effects of pushing drugs to kids. I think you probably already know.” Not that it made her feel any better. It was one reason why she wished Sergei would just drop the drug trade and go legit.
    “If I didn’t do it, someone else would,” Ivan reasoned. “The ones who want it are going to get it somewhere. Why can’t I make a buck off of their stupidity?”
    “I don’t know,” Emily said wearily. “Because as a society, we have a responsibility to try and lessen stupidity?”
    He smiled suddenly, his expression almost soft. “You always were an idealist.”
    “What does that mean?” She sat back in the chair, staring up at him and wondering why he would say that. “I tend to think of myself as a realist, not an idealist.”
    “You always believe the best of people, Emily.” He folded his arms over his chest, giving her the idea that he considered that a flaw of sorts.
    “Meaning that I should try to believe the worst of everyone?” She was getting tired of all the double-talk. “Like I should believe that my brother is a classist prick. And I should believe that you’re just sleeping with me because you know it will really piss him off. Is that what you’re referring to?”
    He muttered quite a list of Russian curse words beneath his breath before he seemed to regain control of himself. “Look. You told me just to shut up and take a compliment a minute ago. So now I’ll ask you to do the same.”
    With those words, he turned on his heel and started to leave the room. Emily felt a moment’s panic. “Where are you going?”
    “Out. I have a meeting and then I need to check with my supplier about the next shipment and a few other things as well.” His gaze got a little shifty, but maybe that was to be expected when his work was—by nature—shady.
    “Um, okay.” She glanced back at the computer. “I guess I’ll just…see you around then.”
    Ivan didn’t even speak another word. He just left.

Chapter Ten
    Ivan met Samantha for lunch at their usual spot on the sidewalk of a corner deli. Considering the fact that the two of them had been coming to this place since middle school, they figured they were safe enough from prying eyes.
    “I’m a little surprised that you texted me for lunch.” Samantha sat forward in her seat and braced her forearms on the table. “We just had breakfast a few hours ago.”
    “You know what I said about Yuri?”
    “About being loyal to him?” Samantha obviously wanted clarification. “You said you weren’t interested in my people helping you take his job.”
    “Yeah? Well I was wrong.” The words came out sharper than he had intended, and they were accompanied by a sick feeling. Ivan didn’t like the idea of supplanting Yuri. “Look,” Ivan said, searching for an explanation, “I owe Yuri a lot. He took a chance on me when a lot of other men wouldn’t have.”
    “And now?” Samantha picked up a paper napkin and began folding it into an accordion shape. She only did that when she was anxious.
    Ivan studied her face for a moment, wondering what had her feeling so jumpy. “What’s wrong?”
    “The agent in charge of the organized crime division has given the green light on a plan to take Yuri down,” Samantha admitted. It was several moments before she would lift her gaze to meet his. “Obviously your help is vital. But they were going to do it with or without your cooperation.”
    “Is that right?” Ivan mused. “You realize that’s just playing into my hands, right?”
    Samantha straightened. “How so? You’d wind up as collateral damage.”
    “No. I would know what was happening and could