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His name was Roger, Nikolai remembered, another senior associate. He didn’t want any newbies on this operation. They could cut their teeth on less dangerous missions.
Loyalty, Nikolai learned long ago under his father’s mantle, could not be bought, although some mafia leaders seemed to think it possible. His men made way for him. Nikolai knocked on the door.
“We won’t surrender Vito to you scumbags,” answered a brash voice.
“Vito, this is Nikolai Baranov speaking,” Nikolai said in a calm voice.“Enough ofthis last stand bullshit. Let us come to an understanding. Tell your men to put their weapons down so we can talk.”
Nikolai could hear furious conversation instead. Finally, Vito said, “Don’t fuck with me, Nikolai, if that’s even you. Why would you want to talk when you have the advantage here? If I open this door, you’ll just end up killing me.”
“Because, it’s not you I really want, Vito. It’s your brother,” Nikolai answered.
“Paolo? My stinking brother’s the reason you raided my fucking house andkilled all my men?” Vito demanded, sounding incredulous.
“Indeed, it was your brother who tried to kill me and my new bride,” Nikolai said.
There was a pause from behind the door. “I had nothing to do with that. Paolo’s insane, if he did what you claimed,” Vito yelled back.
“Paolo hired Hyde to assassinate my dear friend and my wife. You’re close to your brother, so you ought to know that. You ought to know pissing me off isn’t the wisest course of action,” Nikolai said.
“I told Paolo he was an idiot for executing such a bold order,” Vito grumbled. He sounded more disgruntled than scared now. “Fine, you really want to make a deal?”
“This is a terrible idea, Vito,” said a voice.
“Shut it, Donald. You’re not in charge here. Open the damn door. Nikolai, do I have your word that you and your men won’t shoot me the moment my lackey opens this door?” Vito asked. There was a whiny aspect to his voice that annoyed Nikolai.
“I promise,” Nikolai answered, lying through his teeth. Ivan clasped his shoulder.
Nikolai took several steps back, allowing his men to flank him. Donald, or whoever, opened the door, revealing an expansively built study lined with blackwood shelves filled with books, richly colored rugs, and a large mahogany desk, which Vito hid behind.
Vito’s girth practically filled out the space. Behind his desk was a cabinet filled with, no doubt, expensive liquor and cigars. Clearly, Vito enjoyed his vices while he allowed his victims to suffer under his roof. The man disgusted Nikolai.
He noted Vito had three men with him, all armed to the teeth. Members of the mercenary troupe Vito hired as security. He had his hacker look into these men as well. All of them were scum like Vito, and were only there for money.
“Guns down,” Nikolai said.
“You first,” Vito said. When neither party obeyed the command, Nikolai flashed Vito a thin smile.
“What do you want me to do, betray my brother?” Vito demanded.
“Will you do such a thing? Now, I’m wondering if I should retract my offer,” Nikolai mused out loud. “Because, according to rumor, Paolo and you are close. You would not betray your family, would you?”
“I’ll do anything you want,” Vito blubbered. He looked nervously at the men surrounding Nikolai.
Nikolai stepped forward, so Vito and his men could clearly see him. One of the mercenaries raised one scarred eyebrow, clearly impressed Nikolai had made such a bold move while his charge continued to cower behind his desk.
Ivan cursed behind him, clearly his second didn’t approve of this idea. Still, Ivan wisely didn’t make a single move to stop Nikolai. By now, his men were disciplined enough to follow his lead.
“Who’s Donald?” Nikolai asked. The same scar-faced man nodded to him. “How much is Vito paying your team?”
“Not enough,” Donald grumbled.
A glint appeared in the hardened mercenary’s eyes. Donald knew a gunfight would only end up in more bodies and this mercenary team leader looked like a man who didn’t plan on dying yet.
Nikolai met all breeds of scum in his life. Men like Donald were easy enough to understand. Money motivated them, as well as standing on the winning side.
“I’ll double what he’s paying you for doing nothing,” Nikolai said casually.
“Deal,” Donald said, flashing him an ugly smile. Donald nodded to the two men with him.
