Page 18 of Beguiled

What did the man think he was going to accomplish? While originally certain aspects of our less scrupulous business tactics were handled in the business offices of the renovated hotel, almost a year ago they’d been moved to a standalone building near where Kirill had purchased a home. Mikhail had wanted both men dead, Dimitri added for kicks and giggles.

The wine and cheese shop operated a small yet successful business while the space upstairs allowed for necessary meetings of the Bratva. In other words, there was little if anything that the man could siphon from working at the hotel. Other than executives, not a single person working in the resort had proof of our underground operations.

What had begun to trouble me was the fact that we were running thin. We’d grown too quickly, yet to bring on additional people who could be trusted. Not just with the legitimate side of our business either. Thankfully, all the lower-level positions had been filled, management topnotch, in part due to Sean McCarthy’s employees who’d proven to be worth every penny.

However, since Mikhail had escaped a second time, almost another full year had passed, allowing him to potentially find another way to weasel into our organization. Sending in a mole would provide him with juicy tidbits on how best to exact his planned revenge. But I’d been the one to remind Kazimir not to put all his eggs in one basket.

We had several organizations considered enemies, even if since my arrival, the streets had been filled with peace.

“Exactly,” Dimitri pushed. “The other man in the picture is Vardan Zargarian. After doing some digging, I learned he’s favored to become the nextAvtoritetof the Armenian clan. The man came out of nowhere to challenge the current leader and another contender. Vardan is American born, but his background is all Armenian royalty.”

The authority was the head of the crime syndicate and while I’d yet to have any dealings with him, from what I’d heard, the man was a true dictator in every way. Another potential enemy to add to the list. I knew little about the Armenian way of life exceptthat they were firmly entrenched in the old beliefs, much like the old guard in the Bratva.

“Did something happen to the old one?” I pressed, able to see that Dimitri was truly concerned.

“Not yet, but from all accounts, Kazmik Melik is being forced out either to retirement or death. Vardan is very young to take the helm—basically our age—but I heard he’s aggressive as fuck. He’d give you a run for your money.”

With Dimitri wearing a smile, I could tell he was offering a riddle of some kind.

“While as you already know I enjoy the mental exercises of solving a puzzle, I do have business to attend to today. Are you suggesting he is stealing information?”

“I’m suggesting having Davit in our employ is an issue.” Dimitri was always quick to eliminate any issues. My methods were different.

“What would you like to do with him?”

“At minimum, I think he needs to be taught a lesson.”

I understood the man’s need for precautions. We’d been through enough backstabbing for a lifetime. However, given our trend toward becoming more mainstream, starting a war over nothing wasn’t in our best interest. “Other than these photographs, do you have concrete evidence he’s sold us out?”

He cocked his head, his eyebrows lifted. “You don’t actually believe in coincidences. Do you? That Armenian restaurant is where Vardan does most of his business.”

“Armenian as in they serve Armenian food.” When my cousin nodded, I laughed. “What if they’re hungry and like the atmosphere?”

“I don’t think taking risks at this point is a good idea. Need I remind you of the damage Mikhail has caused?”

“May I remind you that we can’t jump to conclusions without concrete proof?”

Risks had been a part of our existence from the beginning of time.

“You honestly don’t believe it’s possible Mikhail is planning another attack?”

“What I believe is that bloodletting on a Wednesday isn’t on my list of business activities for the day. My suggestion is that discover how tight the connection is. If nothing more than casual, we could consider using him to ensure there’s not an issue. Yes, we need to keep a watchful eye out for Mikhail. We can’t let our guard down and we won’t. However, it’s also possible the potential new leader is surveying the playing field, which is something I would do.”

He slumped in his seat, a telltale trait when he didn’t like my suggestions. Which was almost always. “I think he needs to be taken off the staff roster.”

“What is really going on here?” From what I knew about Dimitri, this felt personal.

“Does it really matter?”

“Yeah, I think it does.”

He leaned over my desk, pulling one of the half dozen pictures to the forefront. “See that girl?”

“By the back of her head.”

“I have it on good authority she’s Russian.”

I stared at him, fighting laughter. “Call out the National Guard.” What in the hell was he thinking? Dimitri drove me nuts half the time, but his brain worked just fine.