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“Follow me,” is all he says.
We head through a corridor that leads to his office, with a dark desk in the center, bookshelves full of books that look like they have never been opened to the left, and a full bar to the right. The set, style, and decor are predictable, to say the least. He gestures for us to sit as he does the same. A few seconds later, Donny walks in, limping, and goes to his Capo’s side. I chuckle silently, and Marcos looks at me.
“Why did your brother think it was acceptable to disgrace my daughter and my home, Maxim?”
Oh! Straight to the point. Play it cool.
“My brother did not disgrace your daughter or disrespect your home,” I reply, matching his tone. He won't try anything with me if he doesn't want to start a war. He needs me. He lost the respect of his famiglia and most of the outfit members a long time ago. The Capo di Capo— the boss of the Italian mob—wants him dead because he made some mistakes in his old age that didn't bode well with the others. Marcos had an agreement with my father that was more valuable than family. He turned his back on his family when he was needed the most because of money. A traitor. He may have some people who are still loyal but not enough to protect him when I bring war upon them. I, on the other hand, own everything around him. The west, south, and north are my territory.
“You're going to sit there and lie to my face?” He seethes.
“I’m not lying.”
He slams his palm on the desk and seems to lose a battle with himself. He stares at me with anger, but then squashes it and reels it back in.
“So, answer me this. Kissing my daughter outside my home on the sidewalk is not disgracing my daughter and disrespecting my home?” Is this man serious?
“My definition of disgracing must be very different from yours because kissing is not considered a disgrace. Also, to my understanding, the sidewalk is public property, so how was my brother disrespecting your home?” He’s trying to hold it in. But I can see how hard this must be for him.
After a while, Marcos starts to laugh without humor.
“I like you, Maxim, but don’t think you can say anything and get away with it. This is your first warning.” I give him a bored expression. He can kiss my ass. Like I’m fucking scared of him. He’s a blink away from death, and his son is an idiot who doesn’t know the difference between left and right.
“Are you going to tell me why you are here?”
“I have a business deal for you. I think that you and I can benefit from each other.” I hand him the folder with the contract. After what feels like an eternity, Marcos finally finishes reading the paperwork, which is good because I was starting to get impatient.
“What made you finally decide to work with me?”
I shrug. “It was time.”
“We will meet again to discuss our arrangement in more detail. You seem to be in a hurry. I have some questions about a few things. I agree with most of the terms except for having my daughter leave this house before she's married.”
I knew he was going to give me shit about this.
“That is a part of the terms, and if you don’t agree to it, then the deal is off.” He looks like he’s about to lose that fake calmness he has held in place since his last outburst.
“That is not how things work. Give me a good reason, and then I'll consider it.” He doesn't give a shit about his daughter; he just wants to seem like he has all the control.
“What you’re asking me to do deserves more than just a cut of the money. I can't trust someone not to retaliate because you're going to work with the Russians and disgrace what belongs to the Volkov's.”
He seems to ponder this for a few seconds.
“You drive a hard bargain, but I agree.” He signs the contract and hands it back to me. This was easier than I expected. I’m suspicious. He might double-cross me, but I'm prepared for that.
“Perfect. I expect Elena to be at my home tomorrow bright and early. She belongs to my brother now. Once she’s settled into one of our apartments, you may come to visit.” If Andrei is surprised, he doesn’t give it away. He had no idea that I added Elena moving into one of our private apartments as part of the deal. I know he doesn’t want Elena here. We shake our hands, and I'm out the door. I move quickly, wanting to get out of this house. Andrei is right behind me. We don't say anything until we are a block away from the house.
“You’re a genius,” Andrei says.
“I told you it will all be okay.” I hit him in the back of his head.
“Ow, what was that for?”
“Fuck you for not trusting me.”
“Sorry, brother, I was scared.” How easy it must be for him to say that he’s scared. It's a weakness for me.
“She will be safe under our roof. I can finally have my brother back. I need you a hundred percent for what's to come.”
