That didn’t mean they hadn’t been used as pawns or commodities, including within the older generations of Bratva. Using their obvious qualities had prevented various wars over the years and started others. The intelligent syndicates when utilizing an arranged marriage honored the union, requiring everyone in the empire to do the same. That’s why Dimitri had so readily made the suggestion. He’d grown up knowing his parents’ marriage had been arranged.
Yet even in my thirty-some years on this planet, I’d heard of several horrific failures that had resulted in streets being lined with blood.
That was why I’d been cautious when Kazimir had married Rafaela. She was a true Italian mafia princess, although the failure of the alliance had little to do with their marriage. Still, it was a lesson in how fate wasn’t always kind to men of violence, no matter the adoration he had for her.
Their relationship was a caustic tale.
Neither Kazimir nor Rafaela would call what they shared an arrangement, especially since her father had succumbed to the very type of violence he’d been the master of. But others throughout the world saw things differently. A man who’d betrayed an alliance.
Even after the number of years he’d spent in prison, there were those unforgiving of crossing certain lines. How many times had I warned him his enemies wouldn’t look away forever?
Could I add the Irish to the mix? It made sense doing so given the recent regime acquisitions. Plus, there’d always been bad blood between us.
However, Kazimir and Rafaela’s union had brought an interesting dynamic, including with destroying the Marichetti hold on Sicily. Gaining control had upended the balance of power inside Italy. Kazimir hadn’t given a shit who’d remained in power and certainly hadn’t asked for approval from the remaining Italian powers. Which meant he hadn’t followed Italian protocol.
But the five families, now four for all practical purposes remained on edge, uncertain what the Bratva would do.
In turn, there were some people inside their organizations who were angry.
Was it possible those still holding some power in the Marichetti regime had found a home with another equally powerful Cosa Nostra? Yes. Was it also possible, given what I’d discovered about the reason Vivian had been in Rome, that she’d been used, our initial meeting a part of the game? Also yes.
With Mikhail being banished, I had no doubt one or more of the other Cosa Nostra regimes could have offered him a place within their regime.
For a price.
Kazimir’s death.
Why was I bothering to go over the history of Kazimir’s love affair? Because in a twisted way, my gut was telling me the scenario was about to occur all over again.
Vivian was my weakness, one that had been shoved into my life and my heart at the wrong time. In truth, she was my kryptonite, a woman who’d invaded my system with her laugh and her smile, eyes that could burn a man into the ground and a touch that had finally brought me back to life.
And she could very well be the reason the Ghost succeeded, but first he’d have to go through me. Would I lay down my life for Kazimir and his family? Absolutely. What bothered me was that I believed I would do so for Vivian as well. Was that feeling, the intense need realistic? Absolutely not, but my body, my soul, and yes, my heart told me otherwise.
Fuck. Fuuuccck.
I threw my head back, cupping both sides of my face. What in the hell was I thinking? Exactly what had kept me awake for hours.
All about Vivian.
Another princess. Another organization. Another ride straight into hell if I wasn’t careful.
Plus, she had a sister, another princess who’d just entered into another equally powerful arrangement. Planned of course as well as recent. There’d been no way of hiding the Bratva’s growth in New York. Why bother? The identity of that family would need to be secured.
Was there some purpose in putting the Irish together with the Russians? Or perhaps the Irish mob was part of the killing game.
While Vivian had been honest about her hatred of her family, she’d purposely left out important details. Not that I blamed her. She still had no way of knowing if what I’d told her was true. Visions popped into my mind, including the scene inside the church. Only they were even bloodier than before. The ultimate question was whether my beautiful weakness was herself using me. With me out of the way, Kazimir could more easily be killed? Or was the Ghost’s vendetta completely personal?
If my lovely guest wouldn’t provide details, then I’d use more modern methods of doing so. One thing was certain. I’d need to be careful what I told her.
What fascinating timing.
Tick. Tock.
Tick. Tock.
Tick. Tock.
Secrets.
