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I rolled the window down and inspected the scene. The place was crawling with throngs of cops and medical examiners inspecting every corner of the building, while a growing number of rapacious journalists searching for the next big thing to write about clamored for a statement from the officers on duty.
From my limited vantage point, I scoured the area for Detective Lopez, but he was nowhere to be found.
“Let’s go,” I ordered Anton, and the car sped off. My mind raced, calculating a number of possible actions to take. The city itself was relatively calm, which made my thoughts seem all the more loud, like an echo reverberating in a large empty room.
I glanced at Vlad to catch his face already trained on me. I could tell from the mischievous radiance in his eyes that he was just on the verge of stirring some shit. I had enough of him.
“Stop the car!” I bellowed, and Anton, almost instantly, brought the car to a grinding halt.
“This is your stop, Vlad,” I said clinically, my eyes still fixed on the window.
“W-what?” he began to protest. “Where is this?”
“Don’t make me repeat myself,” I spoke in a severe tone, and I could sense from the silence that Vlad understood I wasn’t joking around. I could hear his laborious breathing as he stepped out of the car.
“Handle the media. Make sure it doesn’t trace back to us,” I instructed him. “Don’t come back until this whole mess has been sorted out.”
He said nothing. I could imagine the pained expression he must’ve had. It was the one he always wore when I became strict with him, but this was necessary to keep him in line.
“Do I make myself clear!” I thundered.
“Yes, boss,” he answered, and with that, I bade Anton to move.
I looked back at Vlad, and from the distance he resembled a lost little kid.
Soon after, I met with the organization’s personal doctor and had Anton question the survivors for any important information about how the cops had discovered the warehouse. Meanwhile, Dr. Langdon kept me updated on their health and how long the recovery time would take. I was considering calling for some of my men in Boston to come down here when my phone rang.
“Who is it?” I barked.
“Now that’s no way to talk to your only sister, dear brother,” the shrill voice of my older sister Vanya answered, “but I’ll forgive you this one time.”
“Now’s not really a good time, Vanya,” I tried to reason with her. She liked getting what she wanted but I couldn’t indulge her this time.
“But I’m back from my vacation with kids, Ivan.” Her voice fell low and serious.
“What?” She is already back? Vanya usually takes any opportunity to have a long holiday and spend time with her kids.
“I’m serious, brother dearest. I just got into town yesterday, and I’m done setting up, so I’m ready to catch up with my favorite brother.” Her voice now took on a playful tone.
“I’m flattered, but I don’t have the—”
“I’m not asking, Ivan. It’s just for a cup of tea or coffee, or whatever it is you take these days.” Her voice immediately switched to a harsher tone. She had always known which buttons to push, a skill I wished I mastered as much as she did.
“Okay, okay, I’ll be there. When?” I relented
“Now.”
I sighed. It was better to please her and be done with it once and for all. She had taken on the role of a spoiled Bratva princess from the moment our father had forbidden her to contribute in any way, simply for being a woman. “I am on my way.”
“Anton!” I called out and said goodbye to the good doctor and set out to meet my sister.
As we drove through the quiet and fancy neighborhood of Philadelphia, I remained silent throughout the entire journey, lost in my thoughts and strategizing the organization’s next moves.
Finally, we arrived at Vanya’s large mansion. I instructed Anton to watch the car, and I followed Vanya’s men to her enormous backyard. The neighborhood exuded an air of sophistication and tranquility, with neatly manicured lawns and grand houses lining the streets. It was a stark contrast to the dark and dangerous world I usually inhabited.
As I stepped into Vanya’s backyard, I was met with the sight of her enjoying a cup of tea under the shade of a large tree. The hem of her silk coffee-colored dress billowed in the wind. Her backyard was expansive, adorned with beautiful flowers and a lush garden.
“Alright, kids. Say hi to your uncle Ivan and go inside. Your uncle and I want to have a serious talk.”
