Page 97 of Lord of Justice

Both of them plead, alternating with each other, demanding their release, frantically offering money, or power, anything. We endure it for a full three minutes until there is another knock on the door.

"Your guests are here," Trofim intones. He's stiff, not liking the variables of two potentially explosive crime families being here.

Valentin and Sofia Kuznetsov enter first. Fortunately, they were vacationing in the States andcould arrive quickly. When I called Valentin and told him what we'd discovered, he told me no power on Earth would keep them from being here. They're a beautiful couple, though remote. Sofia has a blankness in her eyes that can only come from the loss of a child.

Elana catches sight of them. She lets out an involuntary whimper, and I suspect she's beginning to understand her fate.

Three men walk in after the Kuznetsovs. They're not nearly as welcome, but I'm willing to tolerate them for now.

"Good evening, Mr. Morozov." The speaker steps forward with his hand out. He's dignified, wearing an impeccable suit. He shakes our hands politely. "I am Yuxuan, Liu Lìxin’s representative this evening."

The other two are boorish, Damyan Naydenov's sons, both fond of donning mobster chic; two-thousand-dollar cashmere tracksuits and excessive gold chains. But the sight of them packs an extra punch for Carlisle, and he shrinks in his seat.

"I'm sure you all know each other, but allow me to make introductions in case you may not," I say courteously. "Georgi and Dimitar Naydenov, of the NaydenovMob, and our new associate Yuxuan from the Lìxin Triad. You can imagine howeager they were to meet you personally after you'd stolen seven hundred and fifty million from them, as well as failing to keep your promises about the data center. Your estateandyour life will repay them."

"No! No, no, I have a family, you know that." He's shaking his head frantically. "Youcan't-"

I like the associate from the Triad. He lands a quick, crisp backhand on Carlisle's face, shutting him up. "Hush," Yuxuan says. "Your betters are speaking."

"Now, Elana, I'm certain that you are quite familiar with Valentin and Sofia Kuznetsov. You stole their daughter Yelina, five years ago. You forced her to give birth. After tearing through your records, we know who you sold the child to. Yelina took her life when she was rescued, but you knew that, didn't you?"

Sofia's hands shake. Her husband puts his arm around her, and she leans against him like her knees are about to give out.

"Do you know one of the things that our Bratva is known for?" Valentin asks. "Geriatric medicine. We have found ways to expand life far beyond what you think an aging body can endure." He smiles, as if he's been waiting his whole life for this moment. It stretches wide across his face, showing all his teeth. For a moment, he looksmore like a bear than a man.

"We will save our grandson. For you, there is no salvation." Sofia's emotionless voice is as terrifying as her husband’s smile.

Elana shakes her head. "No, you have the wrong woman. I- I would never do such a terrible thing." She ends with a squawk when Sofia grabs her chin, fingernails digging deep, and spits in her face.

"I believe negotiations are done?" I look at both groups, who nod. Elana and Carlisle’s protests are ignored, of course. "The level of suffering you two are about to face will beunparalleledin the history of organized crime."

Dmitri shakes hands with the grace of a seasonedPakhan,already talking about future partnerships, the sly bastard. To the Kuznetsovs he only says, "It would be our honor to assist you in any way we can in safely retrieving your grandson."

The guards drag Elana and Carlisle from the room, as they scream, bargaining, still thinking they can save themselves.

"A pleasure to meet you, Andrey Morozov," Yuxuan says, shaking my hand. "We must meet again to discuss business."

"It would be an honor," I say courteously. "Now I must return to my wife."

"I hope she is well," he says. I sense he knows exactly what happened earlier. He's smooth. I wouldn't mind working with him again. If I'm fortunate, he'll be high up in the Lìxin Triad.

Before leaving, Sofia grasps my arm. I freeze. The contact is unwelcome, but I endure it. "Thank you. We cannot have our daughter back, but we'll have our grandson."

"I wish you a happy life," I respond, hoping that she'll take her hand off my arm. Her husband guides her away with a nod.

The room is silent, with only family left. I step out onto the balcony, taking a deep breath, letting the salt-tinged air fill my lungs. Surprisingly, Uncle Maksim follows. We watch the waves crash against the shore.

"Your Aunt Ella was kidnapped," he finally says. "It was one of the Sokolovs. She tortured my wife. I know what you felt tonight, what Iris and Rose went through. Allow yourself to move past this. It is not your fault."

"With respect, Uncle, it is," I say tightly. "My first responsibility as her husband, even above caring for her, is to protect her."

He turns his head, regarding me sternly. Even now, as an adult, I can feel my shoulders curl in slightly. "In this life, there will always be risk.And you will protect her to the best of your ability. If I were your father, I would wrap my arms around you now and pat you on the back." His thin mouth twists with distaste. "I would find that deeply uncomfortable. No offense."

"None taken.”

"Instead, I will tell you that I am proud of you, that we are all proud of you. That you are both a principled man and a vicious criminal." A ghost of a smile flits across his lips again. "In this life? It is the best of all things that a man can be. Good night."

"Good night, Uncle," I echo, watching him disappear through the door.