Page 42 of King

“Andropov.They want both of us to meet.Gramps said he’s leverage, since they didn’t think we’d agree without something to convince us.I have the address.”

I give him the number and then return to the table where Leonard is waiting.“I’m sorry, but I have to go.Something’s come up, and I need to leave right now.”

“Let me write the articles and your book,” he says and stands up.“I guarantee it will meet with your approval.”

“I’ll let you know,” I say.“I have to go.”

I turn and leave the restaurant, not having done what I wanted to accomplish.Instead, I have a meeting to attend with a man who could have been the one to kill my parents.And Harrison’s father.

How can they expect us to cooperate with them, given everything?

But I realize that this is the way with the crime families.They accept that sometimes, people die, but that it shouldn’t get in the way of doing business.

I can’t believe I actually just accepted that, and so it reinforces to me how both Harrison and I have to do whatever we can to get out of their grip.

You can’t deny your blood, but you can refuse to associate with your family members.

Outside, my driver is waiting, and I take my seat in the back and give him the address of the warehouse in Brooklyn.

As the car makes its way to the location, the city streets and buildings pass in a blur.

Poor Gramps… I never wanted any of this to affect him, of all people.I know he’s tough, but still, he’s an older man, and the last thing he needs is the stress of being abducted and taken to a strange location in Brooklyn with a bunch of Russian thugs.

Sure, he spent his life in law enforcement, but still.He shouldn’t have to pay for Harrison’s and my mistakes.

When I get to the warehouse, I thank my driver and take in a deep breath, readying myself for what is about to happen.There’s a man in a black suit with slicked-back hair and sunglasses standing in front of the entrance, his hands folded in front of him.He looks at me as I walk up to the door.

“Identification,” he says and nods.

I take my wallet from my bag and show him my driver’s license.He nods, then motions for me to hand him my phone and bag.I do, and he then pats me down, like he thinks I carry a weapon.I realize that these people have to do that with everyone, and so I comply.What else can I do?

Finally, satisfied that I have no weapons and with my cell in his possession, he hands my bag back to me and opens the door.

“Please to go inside to second floor.They are waiting.”

I walk inside the cool, dim interior, wondering what the hell Harrison and I are going to do to get out of this alive.

I’ll do pretty much anything for my Gramps…

ChapterNineteen

Harrison

When I get off the phone with Natalia, I sit for a moment and think.

What the hell am I supposed to do?They can’t abduct my family members — or those of Natalia — and think we’re going to just go peacefully to the meeting and shake hands and agree to do business.

Maybe the Russians do it that way, but not us.

Not me.

I could go in with guns blazing, but that would accomplish nothing.I haven’t been planning an attack, so anything I do on the spur of the moment would be foolish.I know enough about war to know that.

Planning is essential.

I’ve done none, and so whatever happens today, it won’t be me going in with a gang of thugs to fight it out.

Instead, I have to be strategic.