Retribution Read Free Page A

job but he had to make this look good. He rubbed
his forefinger over the stubble on his chin and set his eyes on the
stacks of cash. After a moment of mock consideration, he leaned
forward, reached over and fanned his thumb through one of the
stacks of crisp one hundred dollar bills as if it was normal to
receive a stack of untraceable unmarked bills. Then he took both
stacks and placed them inside his suit jacket pocket and met
Peter’s eyes again. “When do you want me to start?”
    “Today. Now.” Peter turned
back to him finally letting his expression soften a little. There
may have been a hint of relief there also, but it was gone
quickly.
    Ryan remained seated. Peter
may have been done, but he wasn’t. “First, we need to be clear on a
few things.”
    “Clear?”
    “Yes. I’m not an assassin.
No matter what that file says, or what I’ve done in the past. I’m
only here to protect your daughter. I also do not take orders from
your men—only you and only in regards to your daughter’s
safety—well, most of the time I’ll do my own thing
anyway.”
    “Is that right?” Peter
obviously didn’t like someone telling him how things were. His
expression darkened.
    “You wanted the best Mr.
Nickolov. These are the reasons I’m good at what I do. I’ve also
done my homework. I know what you do and I don’t care. I’ve worked
for more powerful men, but my terms are always consistent. I’m here
for your daughter. If you expect something else, I’ll walk.” There
was no way in hell he was going to help this bastard run drugs or
protect shipments in any way. He had to be clear and he had to be
in control of this job. There was a slight twist in the man’s
expression and Ryan knew it was anger, but he did his best to hide
it well. He thought he might have blown it until Peter
spoke.
    “You’re hired as of right
now. Ivan will get you settled upstairs.” He waved two fingers
toward one of the two sentinel men standing behind Ryan.
    Well, apparently he
accepted his terms. “All right,” he said turning and looking at
Ivan, studying him with a quick expert glance like he did everyone
he met. His experience allowed him to sum up someone’s skills in
that short time. Ivan was a thick bodied man that looked to be in
his mid-forties. He already knew who Ivan was. In fact, he knew the
names of all the men in Peter’s employ.
    Ivan Demetrev, was Peter’s
most loyal and would do anything for him. Well, if Ivan was his
best man, he certainly didn’t have anything to worry about. Ivan
seemed more on the chubby side unlike him who was solidly built,
but he still didn’t underestimate any of the men who Peter had
under his employ because they had no limits on what they would do
for him. He was adamant only to hire those that were fiercely
loyal, preferably his own countrymen, and they usually had specific
talents. They were fearless. Not particularly smart though. Take
Ivan for example. He could tell from the scarring on his knuckles
that he was familiar with busting facial bones. He was also the one
that patted him down when he first came into the office. Ryan
handed over his handguns he kept in his shoulder holsters without a
second thought. He didn’t need them to cause damage if needed. Yet
he missed the knife he kept strapped on the inside calf, an easy
find. There was a look in the man’s eyes when he first came in too.
It was a look that basically said he didn’t belong there. Obviously
Peter’s men didn’t like outside help.
    “Mr. Casey.”
    He turned back to Peter at
the sound of his name.
    “My daughter is getting
released from the hospital today. She needs someone to go and get
her—preferably you. She will not see me now.” His eyes went to his
men. “Or them. I need someone else. Someone she will learn to
respect. She needs to be brought back here. Nowhere else is safe
until we find the bastards who killed my other
daughter.”
    “I understand.”
    “She’s been through a lot
so I