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“Thank you all for coming today,” he says, looking around the room, which is divided in two like opposing teams.
On my side are my brothers, me, Charleigh, and a couple of our security guys.
On the other is Dimitri, wearing his usual maniacal grin, like he can’t wait for the show to get started. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was an old friend who’s happy to see me.
What I wouldn’t do to get my hands around his neck right now.
With him are a couple motley-looking guys I don’t know, probably part of his posse. Even though the man is as good as dead, he’s still stupid enough to drag his lackeys around so that when he goes down, he won’t be alone. He will expect them to defend him and in doing so, they will lose their lives too.
Not that I give a shit.
And overseeing this shitshow of a gathering is thePakhan, arms on his massive desk, his fingers intertwined, almost as in prayer. His head slowly swivels as he takes in all his visitors, and as usual, his expression doesn’t give away a damn thing except for when he offers Charleigh a polite nod, just like he would any woman.
Beside him but one step back is his second, that annoying fuck of a man. His chest is puffed out self-importantly, which almost makes me laugh out loud. It’s those who are overly impressed with themselves who are the most fragile and easy to knock over. And I am pretty sure this man’s delusions of grandeur are coming to a screeching halt soon. ThePakhandoes not suffer fools, and I have no doubt he can clearly see what’s just before him.
He clears his throat. “I don’t like this. I don’t like what any of you are doing. It has to stop.”
There’s really no question about what he’s referring to, but for clarification, Vadik speaks up. “I… we, my brothers and I, understand that. And we regret how that has negatively impacted the region.”
We knew fucking up Dimitri’s businesses would not go over well with thePakhan. Not only has our blowing up his buildings attracted the attention of the authorities, but interfering with his shipments hit everyone’s pocketbooks. It was a calculated move we made, one we felt was justified.
In time, everyone in the region will be whole again. We’ll make sure of it. But sometimes money is not the most important thing.
“As of today,” thePakhansays, “this open warfare willstop.”
I’m still gripping Charleigh to hold her in place, and her shaking legs starts to move faster, like a car with no brakes. Jesus, I’ve got to keep her under control. I understand the distress she’s in, but she’s got to keep it together, at least for now.
“I don’t know,Pakhan,” Dimitri says as if he’s offended, “these Alekseevs have caused nothing but trouble since my father died—”
“And that’s why you killed our parents, right?” Kir interrupts.
Dimitri slams his hand on the soft arm where he sits. “I’ve told you, I am not behind that. I did not do it. I did not kill your parents, nor did I kill Charleigh’s father.”
At the mention of her name, her head jerks in Dimitri’s direction, which was probably his plan. He tilts his head and smiles at her.
I hold her arm even tighter.
ThePakhanraises his hands before bringing them back together. “I’ve always said things are often not as they seem. I say that to everyone. For example,you, yes you, step over there.” He points a finger.
ThePakhan’s second is surprised he’s being singled out, proud he’s worthy of acknowledgement. He takes up position where thePakhanis pointing and holds his hands together in front of him, lowering his chin to affect some false modesty.
“I’ve always said your pride, boy, will be the death of you, and today it will,” thePakhansays.
Confusion crosses the second’s face and is quickly replaced with fear. “What? Sir? I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you mean.”
ThePakhansighs impatiently. “I know what you’ve been up to. Every action you take is to further yourself. You care about nothing else, not even the brotherhood. I know the role you played in the murder of the Alekseevs. You were afraid your position, that of my right-hand-man, might go to one of the brothers if they weren’t committed to running their father’s businesses. With Grigory Alekseev out of the way, you knew none of the brothers could take this position, because they had to carry on their father’s work.”
The second’s mouth flaps open, then closes, then opens again like a fish gasping for air. Before he can get it together and protest the condemnation, thePakhanstands, holding a pistol. He takes aim, fires, and the huge man crumbles to the ground.
Charleigh screams and grabs me, burying her face in my chest. I gladly hold her.
But the second isn’t gone yet. “You bastard,” he yells weakly at thePakhan, “I had nothing to do with the Alekseev’s fire. Dominika did.” His head drops back on the floor. He’s losing blood too fast to say much more. In moments, the life will leave his body.
What? Dominika?
That just doesn’t sound right. She was my father’s mistress. He was good to her, or as good to her as he was to any mistress.
I pull Charleigh tighter. She doesn’t need to see the blood splatter some poor slob will have to clean later.
