AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Da. I get it. Man wants what he wants, da.”
I look over at him and nod. Enforcing for the Bratva and boat sales are how I make a very good living. I’ve combined them when I could, but my former partner, Dmitry, the big, giant, scary man, got seasick. It was a secret of his I never told anyone because he was not just my partner, but my friend. And a giant scary man too. I would have to meet him in dank basements, and then, if it came to it, I’d take care of the bodies and bring them out here myself. I love boating, so I never complained about it.
Before my father was killed in a mob hit, he would bring me out on this same trip with him when I was a kid. It wasn’t until later I figured out why he called the bags we dumped into the sea ‘his chums’ and fed them to the fish. Now I’m continuing the tradition, sort of. It’s not likely I’ll have a son of my own, and I wouldn’t take a kid out here on trips like this anyway.
“Yosef, I know why you chose this punishment,” Artyom says. Holding up his hand, he continues. “You need my help right now. But when you can run entertainment division all by yourself…” he’s not really that bad of a poker player.
“Artyom the Agent, chum, you are a smart man. Let’s agree on a few things right here and now. When the time comes, I will reinstate you as a captain and put you next in line for Alec or Mikhail’s spot. You will agree to be loyal to me. You will never try to take me down and take over,” I hold my hand out, and we shake.
“I would never think about doing such a thing, not to a man like you anyway,” he says, sounding legit. He definitely is a poker player, throwing in that last part to let me know that he knows what I’m capable of. If he does make an attempt to take me down, it won’t go well for him.
“Good. That’s settled,” I say. “Now tell me about the Depths. I have a general idea of how the income is generated from it, but explain it in more detail. Oh, and you’re right. I should focus on things that are probably less hassle and more fun than one girl. I still want to meet with her about business, though. Go to Dmitry’s old house when you get back, meet Brenda there, and get the singer’s clothes.”
Arty raises an eyebrow.
“It’s not what you think, Artyom. Brenda took her clothes. Andthat’snot what you think it is, either. Bring Marika’s stuff to her and set the meeting,” I instruct him. Artyom has no one he cares about in the States that could be used against him. It is a smart way to be in our business.
“Of course, Boss. And once I explain Depths, maybe you will tell me how it was found out that I was taking out a little bit for what I needed to get job done,” he says, still sticking with his expenses explanation.
“Explain, Arty,” I order without agreeing to tell him anything. I’m his boss now, and I would never tell anyone about Ivan’s KGB spy history.
“Okay, I start at top. Many production companies, as well as talent start out with need for helping hand. We help with loans and connections, but you know once hands like ours are let in, we don’t let go. Agreements have been made by the bosses of different outfits. Signed contracts, as well as other arrangements, will be absolutely abided by until contract is sold or inherited.
“We Russians control Russian and Eastern European talent. Italian organization controls American, Italian, and Western European talent in this country. Asian talent is controlled by Chinese Triad and Japanese Yakuza organizations. Siren Sound was controlled by two Yakuza factions. Sonomi the Siren’s crew became stronger and tried to push the other out, but they made agreement with us. You know most of this, I know.”
“Go on,” I tell him.
“Da. Talent signs contract. Production company markets and advertises. Talent makes money, company takes percentage in perpetuity. Controlling syndicates also take cut in perpetuity. If talent tries to back out, we step in and keep them and their lawyers in line if need be by visits from, well, men like you. Though this is rare occurrence in music business.”
I nod and signal him to continue.
“Talent that does well are sometimes taken advantage of but are mostly left alone as long as they keep earning.”
“I have an idea what happens to the talent that doesn’t do well. But keep going.”
“Da, yes. The Depths. Mostly talent that does not get good return on investment at Siren Sound are sent below to test for and work at what they are good at, from kitchen staff up to more lucrative jobs, even executive assistants sometimes. Then there is the part of the Depths that is not written in the contracts. Some talent agree to other arrangements, like prostitution. Some don’t agree, but if Siren determines that is best way to get her money, or if there is a buyer willing to pay extravagantly for someone, then talent is left with little to no choice. Either way, it’s called side work. If talent plays along, they get to keep their housing and get paid fairly well. If they don’t play along, they could be trafficked out to other countries or held in Depths in a house arrest situation.
“Ivan’s policy is no forced prostitution or trafficking. What if the talent resists going down to the Depths?”
“It’s not our place to interfere with their rules, Yosef. The hookers are willing participants for the most part, but even Ivan must turn a blind eye to certain things that go on in other organizations.”
“I get it,” I say with a sigh. “What else should I know about Siren Sound contracts?”
“There are also Siren’s pump and dump contracts where talent is talked up as a real up-and-comer before she sells contract at high price. Then if talent goes downhill partying too much with free booze and drugs provided by the studio, she buys back cheap. If talent straightens up, good. Money is made. If talent does not straighten up, to Depths they go, and money is made. No-lose situation for Siren, and for us too now.”
I might be a monster and break the bones of those that steal from the Bratva or make them pay the ultimate price even, but those people understood what could happen to them if they screwed up and broke the rules. Forcing someone into giving away their body because they didn’t have what it takes on a stage? I’ve always been thankful Ivan is against those sorts of things. As I’m staring out onto the water, wrestling with the conflict I have dealing in this kind of operation, something comes into view in the distance.
“There’s the boat,” I say and hold up my binoculars to see a small yacht similar to mine. “I don’t see any harbor patrol around. I’m going to pull alongside.”
“Wait, what is that on portside?” Artyom asks, gesturing with his crushed hand.
“Don’t worry,” I say, peering through my binoculars again. “ It’s just the ferry. Good looking out, though.”
I pull up close to the other boat. It’s in good shape. I should make a nice profit on it after I cut Artyom in and kick some money up to Ivan. I’ll still do alright, even though I’ll have to give Ivan a big discount if he decides to buy it himself. He may want to give it to Katana in exchange for some burner cars. Our organization keeps the cars stashed around the city, and its outskirts, for emergencies. The boat is anchored with no one aboard as usual.
Artyom is definitely an asset. Asset, that’s a good word for him since he’s an ass, but also useful. He does know the music business well, and he might even be better than me at handling boats. He was a captain on one of those Russian deep-sea fishing boats before they caught him violating all kinds of fishing regulations. He was even on a television show over there, like the ones they have here about crab fishing crews. That’s how he got involved and learned about the talent agent business. He used his connections to come here and captain a Bratva crew. Artyom is in pretty good shape and would normally be able to climb over on his own except for the broken hand, so I help him over the side and onto my new boat.
“There’s not likely to be patrol now near marina I use in A.C., you know,” he says.
