183|Lifeline

They met at The Empress.

It was the same restaurant where Andrei Ivanov had pulled a gun on him. The same table too.

Levi stood just inside the door, gritting his teeth. He hated that it had come to this. But there was no way he'd put Natalie through the trauma of a trial.

The interrogation the day before was brutal on her, and he knew it would only get worse once the case went to trial.

"Fuck it!" he growled under his breath and crossed the room.

Andrei looked up from the menu, his face splitting into a cold smile when he saw him approach.

"Well, well, if it isn't the mighty Van Holt," he drawled, a look of sheer glee dancing in his eyes as he stood up and shook his hand.

"I was very surprised when I got your call." Andrei continued as they sat down.

"You've been calling me like a little bitch; it was only right that I return at least one of your calls," Levi murmured as he picked up the menu and glanced over their signature drinks.

"So that's how you want to play this?" Andrei asked