Page 73 of Beguiled

Why did I suddenly have a feeling something was about to go terribly wrong?

CHAPTER 16

Stash

“You know how I feel about the Armenians.”

Kazimir was currently playing father of the year with both children in the Pakhan’s home office. Artem was already walking like a champ, running around and trying to get into everything. I could see my brother’s frustration on the Zoom call.

Within the family, only Dimitri had a real issue with them from his past skirmishes. He knew nothing of traditional close ties between nationalities.

“No. I’m aware you don’t believe they’re an issue, but as far as whether you’d like to have one as a son-in-law, I don’t know about that.”

While I wasn’t in a joking mood, after the night and being scalded by hot coffee that morning, I was trying to find humor in something. Anything.

One eyebrow arched as he glared at me, the laptop screen unable to hide his obvious frustration. “Very funny. The fight must have been a doozy. Maybe you got your head bashed in and have a concussion.”

“I see Dimitri was determined to ruin my day.”

“So he called. Not about you, but he had the same concern. With every new regime, there is always some level of anxiety about how the new man or woman will prove themselves. There’s no difference in any culture, legal or underground. You’ve been exposed to our business now long enough to realize greed and power are no different.”

“I’m aware. How quickly you forget my circumstances.”

Kazimir lifted his head. “Untrue, brother. And your continued anger is noted.”

He had a way of reminding me our family wasn’t normal on anyone’s scale and that he was the supreme leader even before he was my brother. “Yours should be just under the surface as well.”

“Low blow, but you know exactly how conflicted I feel about Mikhail. You couldn’t possibly understand how destructive it was seeing him go through cancer. When he began to recover, it was as if I could breathe again. Half his damn childhood was taken from him.”

“Yes, I do understand. Then he betrayed you. You can’t forget that.”

“Don’t say it, Stash. Alright?”

“Yes, sir.”

We locked eyes. There was no need to return to the subject of our father’s wandering eyes. I would always be a living, breathing reminder of Vladimir Chertov’s infidelity.

“We find him, we end it this time. No more games.” His voice was strong, full of commitment, but I knew just how difficult it would be to end a brother’s life where he’d become the child’s closest parent. The murder of their mother had affected them differently, the tragedy stealing what had been left of their innocence. Nothing I would want for my child.

“Agreed. And my gut tells me he’s attempting another game.”

Kazimir sighed and kissed the little one on his head. “Your instinct has kept us from harm’s way more than once. Go with it. Just don’t get yourself killed in the process. If he’s true to form, he’ll go after you next. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s already been lying in wait. He has nothing but time on his hands, and he’s become a master of disguise. And never forget, he’s not unlike any other enemy. He’s going for the jugular.”

Meaning my Achilles heel. Up until recently, I’d had none. Until Saige. He was right. Mikhail had an uncanny way of fitting in, disguising himself. My thoughts drifted to Dimitri’s concern about a mole. If Mikhail was already entrenched in the organization, he wouldn’t make any noise. Until he was ready to strike. Something for me to keep in mind.

“I don’t like the buzz in the streets. It’s disconcerting.”

“What buzz?”

For lunch, I’d taken a trip to Bayside, Queens, an area where there was a heavy population of Armenians. What had struck me more than anything was how people on the street had shied away from me. I’d parked away from the business communityand hadn’t uttered a word to anyone while taking a stroll on a beautiful day. I didn’t look much different than anyone else, although the area had been more casual than Manhattan.

Still, it wasn’t as if I was a public figure. Had a warning been issued? As if I was the bad guy, which was close to what Dimitri had warned me about. That would be an interesting twist on Mikhail’s usual method of play. Something else to remember.

“Just a feeling. As if something is about to occur.”

Kazimir lunged away from his desk and the screen. Instantly, I bristled, as if I could do anything thousands of miles away. Hearing giggling brought a wave of relief.

When he returned to view, he had Artem in his arms.