Page 19 of Beguiled

“You seem to forget that I’ve been in this country a lot longer than you’ve been. Let’s go under the guise your assumption is correction. The Armenians are true pigs. They have no issue using a young woman to try and garner symphony or an alliance of their own then toss her away.”

“Is she a daughter I didn’t know about, Dimitri?”

He chortled. “There are other Russians in this city, Stash. Many of whom work as soldiers in my army.”

“In our army. Besides, that’s what you said about the Irish before our tentative alliance with them. That they are brutal and would use anyone to get what they want.”

Dimitri grinned. “Yeah, which they do. Being cautious is why I’m still breathing. I’m telling you we have something to worry about. I’m also telling you if this is Mikhail’s doing, nothing Kazimir can say will stop me from killing that man, cousin or not.”

We both felt the same way. “Don’t worry. Kazimir isn’t going to risk his family.” He’d suffered enough at the hands of his brother. Our brother.

I had to continually remind myself that kind of evil ran through my veins. I was certainly capable of doing horrific acts. I’d proven that enough times after finally being accepted into the Chertov family.

“I should hope not.” Dimitri dropped the ball in my court.

“Either way, we’ll handle the situation when we have solid information. Including the identity of this girl. Maybe that’s something you can work on. At this point, you have rumors and nothing else. Right?”

As he jerked to his feet, I could tell he wasn’t thrilled with my lack of support. While he was right in that I didn’t know the New York scene but so well, I’d gleaned enough to realize there was enough business for everyone.

As long as they stayed in their lanes.

I could tell he was holding back information. Perhaps because he knew I didn’t tolerate information without documented backup.

“Yeah, rumors. Maybe ask one of your Irish buddies if they’ve heard anything. They’re low enough to the ground, being the cockroaches they are.”

My cousin didn’t like that we were doing business with the Irish mob, even with Kirill marrying the niece of the head of the mob. Just as with our corporate alliances, maintaining a limited friendship had proven beneficial. “Maybe I will.”

I also didn’t mind having the Irishman’s low standing relationship with New York. He had friends in every corner of the city and up and down the East Coast. He knew we’d pay a large sum if Mikhail was found.

Dead or alive.

My cousin grinned. “You are a strange Russian.”

Laughing, I nodded toward the door. He was right about that. In truth, I got along well with Sean McCarthy, the Irish patriarch. We understood each other, including our respective darker needs. He didn’t like being squeezed on the oil and gas deal, although he owed the Chertovs his life. However, with our combined efforts, in a year we’d all become even richer.

Did our alliance also place a target on their head? Absolutely. The Armenians were old enemies of the Irish, which could have me conclude that whatever was going on had nothing to do with us.

Except Mikhail was never far from my mind.

Even before my office door was closed, my phone rang.

“Your ears must have been burning,” I told Sean by way of answering.

His laugh was hearty, more jovial than normal. “You were talking with Dimitri again.”

“Maybe I was. What can I do for you?” Sean was well aware how many verbal altercations Dimitri had experienced with Kazimir.

“I have a situation you might find interesting.”

Code for something else altogether, an activity that appeased the anger simmering deep inside. “I’m interested. When?”

“Tonight. I’m sorry about the short notice.”

“I can always make time for the ring. I’ll be there.”

“I’m glad we both see value in my club.”

“Very much so.” There was no need to continue with our conversation. We were always careful in holding discussions. The FBI was an organization we couldn’t control.