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I will succeed where others failed.
The door opensand Chase sticks his head inside.
“You available?”
“Come in,” I say and wave him inside, glad of a diversion from my darker thoughts.
My business partner and right-hand man, and my best friend, Chase is the CTO who makes sure our business flows and the technology we rely on is top notch. I not only buy companies that are failing and fix them or kill them, I also trade stock. It’s agame to me, an enjoyable pastime that tests my skills at spotting a winner or a loser and knowing how to profit off both.
Every penny of my earnings after expenses is reinvested in the business. I live well, but not too well. In fact, in the past year, I’ve seriously edited my life, getting it down to the barest minimum. Only the possessions I need and use. Nothing extraneous.
I can afford to buy every toy imaginable. The best of everything.
But that doesn’t make me happy.
Fulfilling the mission will make me happy, and ensuring I stay on the path to doing so keeps me on track.
“What’s up?” I ask when Chase enters and takes a seat facing my desk.
“Alexi called. He’s hosting a poker game on Friday. He wants to know if you’re available and interested in taking part.”
“Alexi’s back in town, is he?”
“He is, and he has some friends with lots of money to launder.”
I rub my jaw and consider. “Whose money? Anyone we’re interested in?”
“Yes,” Chase replies, tugging on his tie. “Some big players from St. Petersburg. One of Sidorov’s guys. That’s why I thought you’d be interested.”
My blood boils for a second, but then I take in a deep breath and calm myself.
“I’m always interested if Sidorov is involved.”
“I thought so. I can let him know you’re interested if you want. He’s reserved one of the back rooms at the club for tonight.”
I think about the club Chase owns. Known as “Nuage” by the general public, it’s a private very exclusive club for the wealthiest of wealthy Manhattanites who want a place to let their hair downwithout prying eyes of the media and no risk of scandal. There’s a bar, dance floor, kitchen, and several private rooms that can be booked for whatever the members want. Sex, gambling, business meetings.
Whatever.
The liquor flows, hormones rage, and egos battle each other for ascendence.
Most of the members go there to spend their dollars and enjoy themselves, but some, like Alexi and the Sidorov gang use it to launder their dirty dollars. When they have money, they indulge.
They indulge at Nuage. Women, drugs, poker games.
Chase lets it happen, despite the risk, as a favor to me.
He knows I want Sidorov’s head on a platter. His along with Sergei Andropov’s head.
Alexi is my way inside.
“That sounds perfect. When is Mr. Sidorov himself going to make it to the club? We have to make sure he’s invited and when he’s in the USA the next time, that he comes and enjoys our hospitality.”
“That’s the plan,” Chase replies. “Alexi is key. He’s friendly and sees our friendship as a way to get into the big money in the city. You’re seen as a star, and I think Sidorov would like to invest some of his washed money in the business. Become a partner.”
“Ha!” I laugh ruefully. There’s no fucking way that I would ever become a willing partner to Sidorov’s dealings.
But I’m more than happy to make him think I would.
