Nathan was confident in his plan for tonight. He had used his many connections around the world to study Adrien Stone’s ways, and he was already one step ahead of the motherfucker. Finding the man and eliminating the threat of the Stone family was the first step to getting his wife back.
There were no words to describe how much Nathan missed Carter. She didn’t talk, laugh, eat enough, or sleep restfully anymore. She hadn’t even cried. Nathan missed her tears the most.
It was like she was there, but … not there. It was as if every bit of life and will to live had been sucked out of her that morning three weeks ago. Thinking back to that day in the office, he wished he’d have tried harder to get her to talk. Lately, she’d been falling deeper and deeper into her depression. Carter had lost herself. The revelations of her life had killed her spirit. And Nathan needed his Carter back. He missed her bad jokes, her flirty personality, her sassy temper. He wanted his spoiled brat back. And he’d tried everything, but nothing had worked. Now, having tried everything else, Nathan could only think of one more thing he could do to get his wife back. He had to eliminate every threat having a negative effect on his wife’s happiness. Starting with the Stones.
As he entered the meeting area, Nathan laid eyes on Adrien Stone. The motherfucker looked just like his picture. Although not as built as Alexis Stone, was about 6’0 tall and had the same long, black hair. Damn, Nathan hated to say it, but his wife resembled this piece of shit. As Nathan and his men approached, Kyle, Mickey, Dante and Lucca— who had already been there with Adrien— moved aside. Nathan took long strides across the warehouse to Adrien. As soon as Adrien saw him, his brows rose and the Stone family’s signature smile spread across his lips.
“You look like Angelo Salerno. But you do not look as Italian as he does,” he said with mirth in his voice, his thick French accent slurring his words.
Nathan’s answering smile was sinister, mirroring his intentions for the evening. “I am Russian,” Nathan replied.
“Russian? But Angelo is your father, yes? You get this Russian from your mother?”
Nathan stopped when he stood in front of Adrien. He smirked. “Yes,” he answered. “Did you know my mother?”
Adrien nodded and extended his hand, and Nathan extended his. They shook hands firmly. “Yes, I see the resemblance between you and your father now. You have features like Anastacia’s lover.” Adrien’s men chuckled. “Anastacia is like her mother when it comes to men. At the first sight of a white man, she opens her legs. Fucking whore,” he muttered.
Nathan’s jaw ticked. Adrien’s first mistake of the night— talking shit about Nathan’s mother-in-law. Nathan glanced over at Mickey and saw him fighting to contain his rage. Mickey loved Anastacia Stone, and Nathan could tell the comments Adrien made didn’t sit well with him, either.
Nathan drew in a deep breath, reigning in his temper. He looked at the men standing with Adrien in disgust. “You have a large amount of security with you tonight, Mr. Stone. Do you not trust me?” he asked.
“I trust no man,” he replied coolly. “Do they frighten you, Russian Salerno?” he asked through a chuckle.
Nathan had never seen arrogance that rivaled his own. Adrien Stone looked at him with absolutely no fear in his hazel-green eyes. It was something Nathan was familiar with. The men he went up against on a daily basis did not fear him— until he proved himself a force to be reckoned with.
Nathan smirked. “Do I look frightened to you, Adrien Stone?”
Adrien snorted. “You look like a baby boy to me. How old are you, boy? When I was told a Salerno knew where to find my niece, I assumed it would be an adult.”
Nathan loved being underestimated. He welcomed it. It made the element of surprise so much sweeter.
“Do I look like a child, Stone?” Nathan took a menacing step toward him.
Adrien’s men immediately went on the defense by taking steps forward toward Nathan. They were very good, very sharp. It didn’t concern Nathan, though. As soon as Adrien’s men moved, Nathan’s men moved.
Mickey motioned for Nathan’s men to surround Adrien and his men. They followed his command while keeping their hands on the weapons at their side. Kyle stood at Nathan’s right and Lucca on his left. Dante came up behind Nathan, and Mickey moved to stand behind Adrien and his men.
Adrien let out a dark chuckle. “What is this, boy?” he laughed “Some kind of attack?” he yelled, his voice taking on an edge. Suddenly, his tone got serious. “Do you have any fucking idea who I am?”
Nathan smiled. “I do know who you are,” he replied, thoroughly amused by the man’s anger. His wife and mother-in-law were a thousand times more intimidating than this pussy.
Seeing that Nathan was unaffected, Adrien upped the ante. “I don’t think you understand who you’re fucking with,” Adrien growled. With a snap of his finger, every one of his men drew their guns and aimed them at Nathan. “Here’s the deal, Russian Salerno. You bring me Anastacia’s little bitch, and I won’t have my friends tear you and your little play buddies apart.” He shrugged “This is the only chance I will give you to save yourself. And I’m only giving you this chance because I think you know where she is.”
Adrien Stone smile wickedly, crossed his arms over his broad chest, and waited for Nathan’s response. Nathan ground his teeth together tightly, trying his best not to mess up the plan. He didn’t particularly like being spoken to as if he were a simple-minded child. Not to mention that shit had just made the mistake of calling his wife a bitch.
Nathan forced a smile. “Very well,” he said reluctantly, knowing his time would come very soon.
Adrien’s smug smile widened to a grin.
“Cousin, do you mind grabbing Mr. Stone and me a seat so that we can discuss Carterina Stone?” Nathan asked Lucca, never taking his eyes from Adrien Stone.
Lucca nodded and retrieved the chairs.
With a wave of Adrien’s hand, his men lowered their guns.
Adrien was the first to take his seat facing Nathan. Nathan lingered for a moment, removing his suit jacket before taking his seat. After Nathan was seated, Kyle, Mickey, Dante, and Lucca pulled up their own seats beside him. Then the remainder of Nathan’s men sat behind The Five. Adrien frowned as Nathan and his men made themselves comfortable, looking as if they didn’t have a care in the world.
“You were right, Mr. Stone …” Nathan said, capturing Adrien’s attention. He crossed one long leg over the other and smiled. “I do know where both Ms. Stones are. She and that Russian have been living in New York for quite some time. They stay in the Manhattan area where my father and I reign. They actually occupy one of the penthouses in one of my buildings.”
“So why are you willing to take me to her?” Adrien asked.
Nathan shook his head firmly and frowned. “I am not taking you to her, Mr. Stone. I am merely telling you where you can find them. I want no part in your visit.”
“Why not?” Adrien asked in confusion “You must have heard about the reward I am giving— ten million. I assume you want to meet the girl that will be the reason for our riches.”
Nathan sat silent for a moment, needing to reign in his temper once again. It wasn’t easy hearing this bastard put a price on his wife.
Once he calmed, Nathan feigned fear. “I have no desire to go up against that Russian she’s living with,” he said, trying to keep a straight face. “The man has lost his mind. He’s madly in love with that woman, and I mean mad,” Nathan stressed. “He’s gone completely insane. Even more crazy than he was before. I heard he beat three men to death because they called her a bitch.” Nathan shook his head. “He’s a fucking brute.”
“But she is a bitch,” Adrien cut Nathan off. “And a crazy bitch, considering who her father is. I heard from an associate that Spook Steele had a brother. A twin. He told me that Anastacia didn’t fuck the hit-man, she fucked his brother. Silas is his name. I’ve seen him twice.” He let out a humorless laugh. “Anastacia is one stupid bitch. That b
astard makes me look like a saint.”
“Interesting,” Nathan interjected. “Tell me more of Silas Steele. I wasn’t aware Spook had a brother,” he lied.
If he was going to get any information on Silas Steele, this would be a good place to start.
Adrien shrugged. “I really can’t tell you much. He needs to be in a fucking padded room, far away from decent human beings.” He smiled. “But then again, don’t we all? I met Silas Steele only by accident. He wasn’t supposed to be at the gathering, but he showed up. He usually sends Aziz—”
“Who is Aziz?” Nathan asked, mentally taking notes.
“Aziz is Silas’s voice, at least that’s what I call him. He’s the middle man between Silas and the rest of the world. Silas deals in human trafficking. I’ve gotten a few spoils from him myself,” he said. “Maybe after this, I’ll send you a nice gift, boy. Unless you’re sensitive to that kind of thing because of your mother and all … The Steeles train their whores much better than Ivan. Just tell me your preference— young women, young men, little girls, little boys. Hell, I’ve heard some of them have been his own offspring. He keeps them caged.”
Nathan held his breath for a moment and willed himself not to react to what Adrien had just said about his mother. What the hell was he talking about? Knowing what was coming next, Nathan reached out and placed his hand firmly against Lucca’s chest, holding him in his seat. Lucca had loved his Aunt Anya dearly, and it had broken him nearly as much as it had broken Nathan when she was killed. Nathan knew Lucca wanted to know what the hell Adrien was talking about, too, but they couldn’t focus on that, not yet. This is what he told his cousin silently. Lucca gave him a look, and Nathan gave him an understanding nod, silently telling him that his time would come.
Be patient, he thought. He’d ask his father what Adrien had meant about his mother later. Nathan stared at him with cold, emotionless eyes. “Do not ever speak of my mother, Adrien. This I will only say once,” he warned menacingly. After giving his cousin a loving pat on the cheek, he turned his gaze back to Adrien. He could tell that Adrien had noted the change in his accent and his eyes.
Adrien shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “That doesn’t matter.” He swallowed and looked at Nathan, flanked by two men at each side. “What matters is you telling me where I can find the girl … I should be … I …” Adrien continued to scrutinize Nathan and his men. The more he looked, the more uneasy he became.
Then Nathan saw it flash through his eyes— realization.
A dark laugh erupted from Nathan’s chest. “There it is,” Nathan said, pointing at Adrien. “I was wondering how long it would take you to count to five. I have to say, you’re not as sharp as my mother-in-law— or my wife,” he said coolly. “They would have put it together the moment I walked through the door.”
Shock and surprise registered on Adrien’s face.
Nathan nodded. “It is true. I am Carterina’s husband. And you will not be going anywhere near my wife.”
Adrien opened his mouth to speak, and Nathan silenced him with a look. He knew what Adrien was going to ask next— he didn’t need to hear his voice.
“And before you ask— yes, I am the Russian they speak of. The men sitting next to me are my brothers.”
“The Russian?” he stuttered. “Are you fucking kidding me? Angelo Salerno’s fucking kid? Bullshit.”
“I bullshit you not, Adrien.”
“B-but I don’t understand. They should have known this,” Adrien mumbled as if her were talking to himself.
“What’s there not to understand? I’m The Russian and Carterina is the Russian’s girl.” Nathan shrugged. “You came here to harm what belongs to me, and I came here to warn you against fucking with me,” he sneered. “Now, Adrien, what you have found yourself in tonight is a bit of a … bind.” Nathan explained calmly. “Now here is the real deal. Your search has come to an end. You will be escorted back to your home in France tonight and no later than that—”
“Hold on, hold on,” Adrien cut Nathan off, shaking his head.
Nathan arched his brow. “I don’t like being interrupted, Adrien. I’d advise you not to test me,” Nathan warned.
Adrien didn’t listen. “Don’t fucking test me? Just because I’m a little shocked that Angelo and that whore actually produced a competent human being does not mean I’ll allow you talk to me as if you are something more than some Russian whore’s bastard. Hell …” he said with an angry wave of his hand, “you could have just as easily been my son, as many times as I paid Ivan to fuck Anya!”
Rage paralyzed Nathan’s body and seemed to radiate from his skin. “What the fuck did you just say?”
“Nathan, he crossed the fucking line. You need to kill him,” Lucca stated from his side.
Both Salerno men were now fighting to contain their murderous rage. If they snapped, neither Adrien nor his men would leave the warehouse tonight.
Adrien didn’t relent. “You fuckers aren’t going to do shit! You don’t want a war with me, boy! The blood that runs through my veins is that of a king! You lucked out, just like your gutter trash, peasant father!” His venomous tone was saturated with arrogance. “You think I will allow myself to be beaten by the son of poor trash and a whore who didn’t even know how to suck a fucking dick properly!”
That did it. Nathan and Lucca shot up from their seats so fast that it took a second for everyone to register that they’d moved.
Nathan pulled Adrien Stone up from his seat and used every bit of strength in his body to hurl the man across the room as if he were a rag doll.
Adrien’s men advanced Nathan.
“Do. Not. Move!” Lucca roared with so much authority, the men actually paused where they stood and looked over to him.
Like magic, fifteen red lasers appeared in the room.
“Goodbye,” was the only word Lucca said with a flick of his wrist before bullets flew through to room, connecting with the heads of Adrien’s men. Blood spewed from the backs of their heads, and their lifeless bodies fell to the floor hard, giving every man a clear view of the underboss nearly beating Adrien Stone to death.
Nathan had thrown his weapons to the side and had gone in with bare hands. Adrien tried his best to fight back, but his attempts were futile. Nathan was stronger, faster, and fiercely brutal in his quest to teach Adrien Stone a lesson in respect. Nathan didn’t like losing his temper like this, but he couldn’t help it, he couldn’t stop. He knew it wasn’t a part of his plan, but Adrien had pushed him too far …
Blood spilled from Adrien’s mouth as Nathan slammed his body against the wall repeatedly. Adrien’s face was unrecognizable. One of his eyes could barely open to a slit, but Nathan didn’t stop. He released Adrien, and his body fell to the floor where Nathan proceeded to kick him over and over again.
“Brother.” Kyle’s calm voice cut through the thick cloud of rage surrounding Nathan.
Nathan immediately stopped. He didn’t want to, but he did. His loud, angry breaths filled the warehouse as he stood over Adrien Stone. Adrien opened one eye wide and stared at Nathan in terror, silently begging him to cease his brutal assault. Nathan wanted to beat the fucker to death.
“Nathan,” Kyle said his name in a disapproving tone as if reading Nathan’s thoughts.
Nathan whipped around to shoot Kyle a deadly glare. “Did you hear what he said about my wife? My mother?” he growled in Russian.
Kyle nodded his head. “I did, brother. But if you continue like this, you will kill him. That isn’t the plan,” he replied calmly in Russian.
Nathan shook his head. “I’m going to rip his insides out, Kyle. I like this new plan better.”
“You know that won’t work just as much as I do, Nathan,” Kyle tried to reason with him. “His family will mourn him, and then avenge him. You’ll start a war,” he countered.
“A war that I would easily win,” Nathan countered.
“A war you have no time for, brother. Listen to me. You need to follow the ori
ginal plan, but make an addition. Adrien knows more than he’s letting on, I can feel it. He has information we need about Silas and this Aziz. We will drain him of the information he has and use it to locate Silas before he finds Carterina.”
Kyle saw something flash through Nathan’s eyes at the mention of his wife. Kyle knew he was getting through to him. He moved forward. “You need to move forward wisely, Nathan. You must think about her safety—”
“I am!” he snapped.
Used to Nathan’s anger, Kyle was unfazed. He nodded and took a step toward his best friend. “Good. Then where do we go from here?” he asked.
Nathan immediately began to pace.
One of things Kyle most admired about Nathan was his quickness. No matter how severe the situation, Nathan was always able to come up with a new plan— if need be— on the spot. It was not a talent Kyle possessed, nor did he want to. It was Nathan’s job, not his.
As Nathan continued to pace, Kyle glanced down into Adrien Stone’s fear-stricken eyes. He was having a hard time believing it was the same man who had been running his mouth only moments before. Now beaten to a bloody pulp with no men to back him up, Adrien Stone revealed his inner bitch. Typical, Kyle thought. The man was afraid of death, yet he had the nerve to practice such stupidity in the face of it.
“You fear death, Adrien?” Kyle asked the terrified man.
The pride and arrogance Adrien once had was no longer present in the man’s pleading voice.
“I don’t want to fucking die!”
Kyle had to look away from the man, disgusted by his weakness. This world was no place for a man who feared his own demise. Kyle did not fear dying, and he knew his brothers didn’t, either. They feared each other’s deaths, not their own. They fought fiercely with each other to avoid the pain that would come with losing a brother.
Dangerous Beauty: Part Two: A Mafia Princess Page 34