Ivan’s POV: Engagement Party (Meeting Smith)
I adjusted my tuxedo jacket as I came down from the car. “Useless London weather,” I muttered to myself as I walked up the front steps of the rented grand hall, it was draped with long red and gold carpets. The flashes from the cameras of reporters and paparazzi made me dizzy and uncomfortable.
Stupid damn cameras. I detested them. But they were good for publicity, being in the public eye, putting on a good face, and winning the public’s heart.
Sidorov whistled. “No, seriously. Is this an engagement party or the MET gala?” He asked as he stepped up to me.
I ignored him. We got into the extravagantly decorated hall. I glanced around looking for the only person I was here for. Tom Smith.
Keep telling yourself that, the voice in my head mocked. I ignored it as I continued to search for Tom Smith.
My eyes fell on him. He was off to the other end, talking to his old pretentious, snobbish friends. The ones that viewed us as scums while they called us in the middle of the night to do or clean up their dirty work.
I go to walk up to him.
“Mr. Kozlov?” An obnoxiously loud voice called out. When I turned around, Charles Dickson, the foreign secretary, was grinning like a fool. “It really is you. How are you?”
He was one of those old pretentious, snobbish fools I talked about. I put on the professional business-like smile I’ve perfected over the years.
I shook his outstretched hand. “I’m doing great as always,” I said. I gestured to Sidorov by my side. “This is my cousin, Sidorov. Sid this is Charles Dickson, foreign secretary to the state.”
They shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. “What brings you to an event like this? All the way from Russia,” Charles asked, turning to me.
“I’m a friend of Tom,” I replied quickly. My eyes kept going to where Tom stood with his friends and the Duke. He hasn’t spotted me yet. I’m sure he doesn’t know I was here tonight, I mean, I wasn’t invited, and our invitation cards were fake. I had to go over to Tom, it had to be now.
“Mr. Charles, if you’ll excuse me, I need to speak to someone,” I said hastily.
“Oh sure, we could catch up after you’re done with them.”
I shook his hands one more time and I walked up to Tom with Sidorov by my side.
“…Our proposal for the new hospital.” I heard Tom say as we got closer to him. He snatched a pastry as a waiter walked by and stuffed it in his face.
Well, I’d like to stuff a gun in his face instead. “Hey, Smith,” I called out as I got closer to him.
His face paled, then reddened. He tried to school his features but I could see how scared and angry he was by my presence.
“Kozlov,” he said tightly as he extended his hand for a handshake. I kept a grin on my face. “It’s been a long time, my friend.”
He glared at me but kept his cool as he introduced me to his friends and the Duke. “Congratulations,” I said to Prince Philip and Smith with a tight smile.
“Thank you.” The older man grinned widely while Smith grunted his reply.
“Excuse me, I’ll be right back,” Sidorov called loudly as he walked away from the group, not bothering to wait for a reply. He had to make sure everything went as we’d planned for tonight.
I moved closer to Tom.
“How are you here?” He whispered-shout, maintaining his cool but his voice held so much venom.
I grinned widely at him, I pressed the pocket knife I’d withdrawn without anyone’s notice into the small of his back. “You’ll go with me quietly upstairs. Don’t even think of acting funny, there’s no telling how far I’ll go.”
His composure was calm, he didn’t look threatened at all. Only I could tell he was in distress because I’d leaned in very close to him, I could see the tension in his shoulders and the beads of sweat on his forehead and temple. “Alright, gents.” He said to the group. “I’ll need a little privacy with Mr. Kozlov.”
They nodded their replies as they turned back to continue their discussion.
He led the way as we walked up the stairs to the third floor of the building. We moved into one of the empty rooms, and I locked the door shut as soon as I entered.
“What are you doing?” He asked warily.
“Ensuring our privacy, Tom,” I said calmly. When I met his gaze he looked nervous and that made me smile.
“Now let’s have a conversation. You will agree to my terms.”
Tom’s face fell. Anger took over his features. “I already gave you my answer. I won’t let you take things I worked hard for!” He snarled.
“You should have thought of that before messing with me.” I snapped. “Honestly, my patience for your nonsense is hanging by a thin thread.” I yanked him forward, grabbing his throat and his eyes grew wide at the sudden movement.
“I did nothing! You’re no saint yourself!” He spat out.
I let out an angry laugh. “Double crossing me is nothing? Fucking everything up for me and my cousin losing his life in the process was nothing? Yes, I’m no saint but I don’t double-cross my business partner. I don’t think you learned any lesson after that stunt you pulled on me.
I released him from my grip and walked over to the door, turned the lock, and pulled it open. “Boys,” I called out.
My men and Sidorov, who had been waiting for my signal, moved in quickly. Tom’s eyes widened with fear, he tried to make a run for the door but my men were faster taking him down as Alek slapped tape over his mouth. Not that the tape mattered but we couldn’t take any risk.
“Don’t hurt his face, can’t have him walking out of here looking all fucked up,” I ordered. They took off his suit jacket as he struggled to get away, they unbuttoned his dress shirt and started landing blows to his belly.
I let them go on for a moment before I held a hand up to stop them. “That’s enough. Sidorov, the papers.” Sidorov handed me the big brown envelope.
I crouched in front of Tom, who was kneeling, and his hands held back behind him by my men.
I kicked his stomach hard, earning a grunt from him and more sweat decorating his forehead. “Now let’s try this a better way, shall we? You’re going to give me whatever I want, yes?”
He glared and shook his head violently.
I smiled. “Well, I already knew this wasn’t going to be easy. It’s okay, I always get what I want.” This time, I brought out my pocket knife and pressed it against his stomach with just enough pressure to make him anxious but not enough to cause any damage. Yet.
His eyes widened and his breathing quickened as he began to panic. He gestured wildly, sweat sliding down from his temples to his bearded chin.
I held a hand up. “Let him speak,” I ordered.
Sidorov ripped the tape from Tom’s mouth, making him cry out. He looked up at me, there was fire and venom in his eyes, but fear was much more prominent.
“Fine!” He said panting hard. “I’ll give you 10% each from the oil company and international shipping company. I won’t sell the bank, especially not for the amount you are offering.”
I drove a knee straight into his abdomen, hard enough to force air out of him.
“Bloody hell,” he grunts in pain.
“You’re going to give me everything I ask for, got that?” I barked.
“Fucking arsehole! You want the impossible from me, things I worked so hard to build for years even after fucking my daughter!”
Real laughter bubbled from my lips. “That hurt your ego?”
“I don’t care! She’s useless anyway, what use is a daughter to me?” He scoffed.
Anger bubbled inside me, I fought the urge to slit his throat. I already knew he was a shitty father yet hearing him say that made my blood boil.
But I had to control myself, so I smiled instead. “You’ll do as I say, Tom. No negotiations.” I held out the envelope in front of him. “My men will let go of your hands and you’ll sign these.”
“Why? You’re still going to kill me in the end! We both know that’s why I’m still alive!” Tom pointed out.
He’s not wrong though, I was still going to kill him in the end. I mean, what really is the point if I don’t finish off the bastard? I’ve killed for petty reasons in the past so Tom Smith wasn’t above dying. A life for a life, if he hadn’t double-crossed me, the business would have gone smoothly, and the cops wouldn’t have shown up and killed some of my men and my cousin in the end.
“Alright then, you leave me no choice. What do you think will happen if I expose you for what you are? What would the duke think about that?” I clicked my tongue. “What if he finds out you’re not what he thinks you are? Hmm? He won’t be happy when you tarnish his and the royal family’s image?”
A war stirred inside him and it was obvious. I knew he was weighing his options trying to save himself, he valued his ego and reputation. I was sure he’d be scared if I threatened to expose him. I bet he didn’t think it through when he decided to use Prince Philip as a shield through an alliance.
“I’ll do as you say, but you have to promise to spare my life. I’m already giving you so much,” he begged. “Please.”
“Let him go,” I ordered, and as soon as they released him I shoved the documents and pen to his face. It was an agreement document that he would give me what I’d asked. “Sign it.”
He took the documents and pen from me, and he started signing. “The processing may take time and it won’t be easy talking to the board members, it’s a sudden change and big percentages. Please give me time.”
“I know, that’s why one of my men will be with you until it has been processed.” I turned to Marco. “Marco, you will keep a close watch on him. Any funny movements report back to me.”
“Yes, boss,” he replied.
Tom was done signing the agreement forms and handed them to me “You’ll spare my life and never disturb me again, right?” He asked expectantly.
Did he really think I was going to spare him? Not in this lifetime.
I ignored him. “Let’s go boys.” I turned and left, leaving him terrified and worried.
My job here was done, I don’t need to hang around any longer.
I was heading for the exit and the moment I saw that smile, every rational thought I had flew right out the window.