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CHAPTER16
Kirill
“Chto, chert voz’mi, s toboy ne tak?” Alexei demanded.
“What the fuck is wrong with me? I was going to ask you the same goddamn question.” I made certain he knew I was ready to pull the trigger. The rage rolling through me was unacceptable, but I had one damn good reason. “First, I find out you’re bragging about issuing a kill order on Candy Lancaster. Then you have the fucking nerve to toss her apartment in your effort to take her off the street.”
He didn’t say anything at first, just sat up slowly, rubbing his jaw. There hadn’t been a single week that had gone by when we were kids where we hadn’t been pulled off of each other, our fists flying. We were more like brothers than the relationship he had with Viktor or Sevastian. That didn’t mean we’d ever been close.
“Are you going to allow me to stand?” he asked, his attitude just as surly as mine.
I took a step away, waving the barrel, watching as he climbed to his feet. He tied the sash on his robe, cursing in Russian under his breath. “Do you want a drink? I sure as shit do.”
I didn’t answer him, watching as he headed into his living room. Seconds later I followed behind him, leaning against the doorjamb. The fact he hadn’t denied either accusation was a clear indication Dimitre’s call had held merit. He’d heard the assholes trashing her place. By the time he’d moved down the stairs, prepared to confront them, they’d left, but not before he’d overheard a portion of their conversation in Russian.
He poured a drink, lifting the bottle in my direction until I shook my head. “It’s Saturday. Lighten up.”
“We’re not friends, Alexei, and I’m not here to play games.”
“And I’m not playing games, Kirill. That woman could be an issue.”
“She’s not.”
“You’re right. We’re not friends. We also aren’t blood; however, I respect you. My father worships the fucking ground you walk on. You have your reign and I have mine. It would not be in my best interest as it wouldn’t be in yours to cross into each other’s territory,” he snarled as he walked toward me.
“That’s not a denial. Did you not state that you would need to handle the woman if I didn’t?”
When he looked away, I had my truth.
“I should put a bullet in your brain right now. That woman is off limits. She had nothing to do with the situation.”
“You’re right, Kirill. I shouldn’t have spouted off at the mouth, but after Rian Walsh threatened you, I became concerned.”
“You stepped out of line.”
“Yeah, I did.” He walked closer. “As far as trying to extract her, that had nothing to do with me.”
There was a ring of sincerity in his tone. “Then we have a serious problem on our hands.”
We glared at each other for a full thirty seconds.
“Then we work together to solve it. Walsh was invited to the party,” he said, acting as if it would surprise me.
“I’m aware. I had an interesting conversation with Valentin Vincheti. What deal was made with the family?”
“Vincheti? What the hell?”
I cocked my head, finally returning the safety. “You don’t know.”
“I have no fucking idea what you’re talking about. Sure, Pops mentioned he’s had conversations with Cesare Vincheti, but I doubt a formal deal was made. What makes you think that?”
“Because he offered advice. He thinks the Irish mob is behind the attacks as well as framing the Walshes.”
He whistled but didn’t seem very surprised. “Not a bad plan. We spend time and effort turning on each other. They take a portion of our turf given our marred reputation and also claim control over the unions. Meanwhile, we just sit back and allow that to happen. How did Vincheti come by this information?”
“He didn’t say but if I had to guess, I’d say they’re experiencing the same pressure.”
“I wouldn’t put it past the Italians to double-cross us,” he insisted.
