Page 79 of Beguiled

He peered down at the man. “To a point. He’s no one special. Why?”

With my observation skills, he was curious as to why I had the photograph. “He’s working at one of our hotels.”

Relief passed across his face. “I see. You believe he was sent to gather information.”

“You can understand why I’m perplexed. He is pictured with your current authority.”

“Don’t read too much into the photograph. I assure you that he has nothing to do with business. As you can tell, my father’s establishment is considered a prominent location. Even Kazmik enjoys the food. I assume you’ve never met him. He is overpowering, insisting on an audience. It would appear my friend is unhappy in being caught near the man’s table.”

What he was telling me was potentially true. But there could be more. All I’d done was place the ball in his court. Nothing more.

“And the girl? Does she appear to be anyone you recognize?” What I’d yet to mention to anyone, especially Dimitri, was that from the back, the girl could very well be Saige. I’d tasked my men to check security tapes as well as when searching her background to see if there was any connection between Davit and Saige.

While he took the phone from me, studying it more closely, I could tell he had no idea. “Is she someone of importance, as she’s not anyone I could recognize from this angle.”

“Maybe. Just trying to put various pieces together. I don’t like to make mistakes.”

He allowed a slow spreading smile as he slid the cellphone across the table. “Then in that we are very much alike.”

Nodding in acceptance, I slipped the phone into my jacket. “I also don’t like games being played.”

“Mr. Chertov. We are both businessmen. I graduated from Columbia with a degree in finance and at that point wanted nothing to do with Armenian politics. I’m certain you’ve done your due diligence to know I moved to Chicago, determined to make a name for myself in the stock market. I’d been of the intention to avoid politics altogether. However, my father is very convincing. A change was needed in our world, moving away from brutality and daily violence into stocks and bonds. Much like what the Bratva have done in coming into New York. From what I’ve heard, your uncle was someone to be respected. I did not have the opportunity to get to know him before his death. This is the land of opportunity. Yes?”

“Agreed. My cousin is very much like his father. Only a little rough around the edges.”

“Aren’t we all. I also heard about your family’s betrayal.”

“Every family whether deemed close by blood or culture has skeletons in their closets, Vardan. Every leader also has weaknesses others enjoy exploiting. We will stop at nothing to protect our families, no matter the costs.”

“We are the same. Alliances are different than they once were.”

I took another sip of my drink, somewhat surprised he was being so open. “How so?”

“In so many other countries and within various cultures, men of power often came together through marriage. When bloodlines are mixed, wars are defeated. Isn’t that true for your Pakhan?”

Leaning further forward allowed me to notice the spark in his eyes. “Yes, an ancient if not barbarian practice.”

“That still works. As my father has reminded me, history reflects how kingdoms were reduced to rubble around kings who married for love.”

“Perhaps you’re correct, but as with secrets, everyone has a weakness. It’s their discovery and exploitation that builds new kingdoms.”

He lifted his glass in appreciation.

“As I said, Stash, I’m not interested in starting wars with anyone unless forced to. Do I have the manpower behind me if one is shoved into our face? Of course. So do you.” He was very certain of himself. Not that I minded his straightforward attitude.

“You are correct.”

He held his glass into the air. “Why don’t we share a toast to a possible friendship. At least to the point of enjoying peace.”

I allowed our glasses to touch, but I wasn’t leaving without making myself clear. “I’m a fair man, Vardan. In how we choose to create our futures, what we both know is that there is enough business to go around. What I will not tolerate is for a single member of my family or my employees to be threatened in any way. I can extend that to my friends as well.”

He cocked his head. “Someone else was involved in last night’s attack.”

“Possibly someone who enjoys playing puppeteer. Wars with cloaked enemies are often the bloodiest.” I was issuing a warning that I knew he was intelligent enough to understand.

Someone could be playing all the parties, moving them around on a game board until one grew tired of the game and initiated a war. Mikhail’s favorite tactic.

This time, he was the one to nod. “Interesting and something that I will keep in mind and I’ll ensure my eyes are left wide open. I have yet to win the election, but if I do, I will make a promise that no one will be touched within the Bratva. Without good reason of course.”