Dangerous Liaisons (Crimson Legion MC #1)

1. CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER ONE

“ T ake him!”

“No, Isabella, you must-”

“Take Mikhail!” She screamed, shoving her son into Kira’s arms. “I must find Niko. Please take him!”

Face riddled with pain and anguish; Kira clutched the small boy to her chest. “I will return for you.”

“No, you will keep him safe!”

Isabella didn’t wait for the response and took off running through the corridor, the heat from the walls almost enveloping her as they melted from the flames. “Niko!” She turned the corner where she last saw him, and time slowed. Pain erupted throughout her entire body.

“No!”

She stumbled, hands clutching her stomach, and fell to her knees. She gasped for breath, her eyes locking with Nikolai’s as he was forced to his knees. His face was bloody, lip busted, as he stared at her.

Another shot rang out, his body crumbling, and she couldn’t help the scream that exploded from her lips.

“You have not touched your plate.”

Shaking free from her thoughts, Isabella glanced at her salad, reached for her tea, and wrinkled her nose at the cold liquid that touched her lips.

Her dark-haired Russian companion signaled with a small raise of her hand, and a waiter approached. “Her tea is cold. Bring a new one.”

Pursing her lips together, she shook her head. “Can you reheat this, please?”

“Of course, ma’am.”

She waited until the man departed before speaking again. “You know, Kira, it doesn’t hurt to ask nicely.” With a sigh, she picked up her fork and stabbed a few pieces of kale. “I ate breakfast. I'm not hungry.”

“Coffee is not breakfast. You eat like a bird. Mikhail will follow your lead if you are not careful, and he is a growing boy.” She looked around, satisfied, as Isabella took a bite of her food. “Sergei called?”

She swallowed and wiped her mouth before placing the napkin on her lap. “Mikhail is doing well and enjoying his classes. I told him I would video him later in the day,” she sighed. “The plane ride exhausted me more this time than I would like to admit.”

“You did not have to come. I could have handled this for you.”

“This situation deserves some diplomacy, and while you can handle things, you have a way of directness most people don’t appreciate.” She took another bite of the salad and was thankful when the server returned with a fresh cup, the liquid hot. “As I’ve told you before, I desire to handle interactions with these men personally.”

“I do not agree with meeting them in this capacity.”

“Outside, you mean?” She lowered her fork and sipped her tea. “As I’ve told you many times-”

“I am aware you will do as you please, but I do not agree with recklessness. You are in the open.”

“It does not matter if I was in the open or not, our enemies don’t care.” She lowered her teacup. “I am not concerned with Diego Martinez now. He has his own problems to deal with concerning the Crimson Legion MC. He doesn’t look at me as a threat.”

“He is an idiot.”

“I don’t disagree.”

“Good looking, but an idiot.”

Isabella chuckled, readjusting her own sunglasses against the glare of the sun. “Duly noted.”

“Hunter Collins is good looking and not as slow.”

She paused as she retrieved her fork. “We both know the dangers that lie there should you approach that in any manner.”

The Russian’s smirk was amusing due to it being so rare that the woman expressed any emotion besides irritation. “Maybe we can make a different arrangement. It has been some time since you have allowed anyone to-”

“That is enough.” Her hand failed to move from its firm grip on the utensil, her gaze not moving from her friend. “Am I clear?”

Kira scoffed, but did not respond. Satisfied, Isabella ate a few more bites before lowering the fork onto the plate and pushing it aside. She didn’t have to look away to know their guests had arrived, the Russian bodyguard rising to her feet. She moved to stand over Isabella’s right shoulder, the other two bodyguards that lingered in the background now more noticeable. As instructed, they maintained a safe distance from the small table.

Isabella continued to sip her tea as the president of the Crimson Legion MC, followed by two other members, pulled up to the curb. The rumbling of engines cut off as they parked. The other patrons took notice, some beginning to finish their meals as if the motorcycle club’s arrival was a signal to exit. It amused her.

When she had married Nikolai Romanov, she never imagined being involved in his business, even though she had been aware of his life and the dangers it entailed. His murder at the hands of a rival cartel and the betrayal from his own second in command, his own brother, had altered her life. It left her with no other choice but to continue as head of their family, the front of their business to protect the life she grew to cherish and that of the son they lovingly created together. Not a day went by that she didn’t miss him, but she forever remained thankful her son hadn’t been with her husband that day.

It had taken years for her to gain the respect of the members and their business associates. She was an outsider to them. Respect had not come easily despite the blood and violence it took to stay in power. Looking back, she would have never assumed herself capable of anything so dark, much less being able to take a life, but she had for the sake of survival.

“Mrs. Romanov.”

“Mr. Collins.” Her eyes flitted over the other two members standing with him. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting your associates.”

“This is my VP, Xavier Wilson.” He motioned at the taller of the two before pointing to the spiky-blonde haired man on his left. “Eddie, our sergeant of arms.”

The blonde grinned, but he kept his eyes on Kira. Isabella’s gaze lingered on the tall man he had called his vice president. He was handsome, with dark hair pulled into a bun and a long-trimmed beard. As Isabella looked around, she realized he was staring at her and stiffened.

She looked away. “Please have a seat.” She motioned to the chair across from her. “This is Kira.”

Nodding, Hunter sat down. Xavier slapped Eddie on the shoulder, motioning with his head, and the two men sat at the table next to them. Kira remained standing, and with a jerk of her head, the other two bodyguards blended into the background.

“I would have expected a few more guys.”

She smiled at the observation. “I have what I need.”

He relaxed in his seat, shaking his head as the waiter approached them to inquire if they needed anything. They waited until he disappeared to resume speaking. “I’m going to assume Martinez doesn’t know that you arranged this little meeting.”

“You would be correct,” Isabella kept a hand wrapped around her teacup, fingertips tapping against the side. “I’m going to assume you didn’t inform him you agreed to meet me.”

“I was interested in what you had to say.”

She lifted her cup to sip her tea before settling it back down. “I find my use for Martinez and his meddling has ended. I’m interested in seeing if our partnership can be more lucrative.”

“Meaning?”

“I want more control, and you want your club out of the gun business. I think we can help each other.”

“And how do you plan to do that? Martinez controls the shipments. We simply transport them for you to buy. Without him, there are no guns.”

She pushed away her cup and crossed her legs as she leaned against her seat. She imagined briefly what a picture they made, three bikers in leather sitting with a woman in a business suit, a woman in all black at her back. “I have access to guns, Mr. Collins. That won’t be an issue.”

“Your plan cuts into our revenue as well as making an enemy out of another powerful cartel,” Xavier spoke, his gaze still locked on her. “Are you going to sit there and tell us that won’t be an issue?”

“I’ll deal with Martinez for you.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because in return, I’ll offer you another stream of revenue, one that is a legit means of business.” She directed her attention to Hunter. “I assume that is your main objective.”

He shot his VP a look before nodding. “We’re listening.”

Xavier grunted, but remained silent. He continued to stare at her. It sent many emotions through her, one she desperately ignored. She avoided looking at Kira, even as the woman had shifted closer to them during the conversation .

“I spend a lot of my time in Russia, Mr. Collins, but I own several properties in this area, including an abandoned winery. It’s difficult to be in more than one place at once and even more so trusting someone to manage those properties. The winery is my baby, a love of mine if you will, but I need someone trustworthy to oversee it.”

All three men chuckled. “Do we look like we know anything about wine?”

“All you need to do is maintain a license to sell liquor, beer, and wine from my private vineyard. We will split profits eighty-twenty, and I won’t charge you rent.”

“What are you getting out of it, Mrs. Romanov? Management of property?” Hunter chuckled. “You can hire a security detail for that.”

“I can, but again, we’re talking about trust and the fact that you would be more willing to overlook my private business transactions than a legal security business.”

Hunter and Xavier exchanged looks before he rubbed his beard thoughtfully.

“I need a legitimate business front established here, as do you, Mr. Collins. I need privacy when I require it and people that won’t ask questions. We need each other.”

“And you’ll take care of Martinez?”

“He won’t be an issue.” Glancing at her watch, Isabella slid back her chair and rose to her feet. “You have twenty-four hours to decide.”

“And then what?”

“My offer expires.”