Dimitri shrugged. “I do not force anyone into a life of sin, I only demand that they obey my particular laws, and in return I offer them my protection from those predators who are without honor.”
“Arrogant bastard.”
“So I have been told.”
“You may think you are better than me, but I am the one who came out the victor. I captured the notorious Dimitri Tipova.”
Dimitri lifted a mocking brow. “Surely you cannot believe that I stumbled into such an obvious trap? I did not rise to my current position by being stupid….” His gaze returned to the hulking gu
ards. “Or careless.”
The sneering smile faltered and Valik waved a dismissive hand toward his companions.
“Leave us,” he commanded, waiting until the men had lumbered from the parlor before returning his attention to Dimitri. “You cannot fool me. You are desperate to rescue your lover.”
Stark, brutal fury speared through Dimitri at the realization that Emma was even now in the filthy brothel, being held against her will and no doubt terrified.
“Oh, I fully intend to rescue Emma,” he said, his soft voice only emphasizing his lethal intent. “It is in your hands whether you end this encounter with enough wealth to begin a new life. Or as a corpse.”
Dimitri hid a smile as the man took an instinctive step backward.
“You are in no position to threaten me,” he snarled, obviously angered by his display of cowardice.
“You think not?” Dimitri smiled. “I assure you that you have only moments to decide whether you wish to conduct a profitable business arrangement with me or be escorted to the pasha’s citadel by Caliph Rajih’s guards.”
Dimitri watched in satisfaction as Valik paled at the threat.
Rajih had not been pleased when Dimitri had insisted that he enter the brothel alone, insisting that they wait until he could call for his servants and they could surround and attack the brothel in a coordinated effort. And Josef had treacherously agreed with the bastard. But Dimitri had refused to yield.
There would be no guards, no attacks and no shots fired until Emma was safely in his hands.
“You are bluffing,” the large man rasped.
“If you have heard anything of my reputation then you should know that I never bluff.”
Valik clenched his hands, suspicion tightening his features as he paced the floor.
“The caliph knows nothing of me or this brothel.”
“How do you think I found you?”
He shot Dimitri a skeptical frown. “You want me to believe he sent you here?”
“Do not be an idiot,” Dimitri retorted. “The caliph dared to steal Emma away from me while I was occupied in London and brought her to this godforsaken country.” He did not have to pretend his surge of annoyance. “I intend to punish him, not become his lackey.”
The beady eyes narrowed. “I did wonder why the woman was in the caliph’s harem.”
“A mistake I had every intention of correcting.”
“So if you are not friendly with the caliph, then how would you know he is planning to send his guards to this brothel as you claim?”
“I called upon the palace earlier in the evening.” Dimitri allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. “Of course, I took the precaution of slipping in unnoticed.”
Valik snorted. “Of course.”
“Why trouble the servants?” Dimitri lifted his shoulder in a nonchalant movement. “I am perfectly capable of opening a door. Or window, if necessary. It allows me to discover information that might otherwise have remained a secret.”
Valik returned to his pacing, his expression hard as he sensed his opportunity for revenge slipping away.