CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
YURI
The last few weeks have been heaven with Charlie and then I go and fuck it all up. Why did I act like a possessive asshole? It’s not like she knows who Dominic really is or how dangerous it is for her to be around him. It’s equally dangerous for her to be with me, but I won’t let anything happen to her. I still can’t figure out why Dominic got close to Charlie in the first place.
I try to text Charlie and apologize, but she won’t respond to my message or answer my calls. Instead of blowing up her phone with texts and voicemail messages, I decide it’s best for me to give her a little space while she figures out how she is feeling.
I clean up the plates from breakfast and call Maxim to make sure he and Andrey are at their posts keeping her safe. Once I’m confident in her safety I decide to head to the club to let off some steam. I have to keep busy or I’ll march into Charlie’s office and force her to talk to me and that won’t help my case at all.
Once I’ve sparred with half the gym, I head home to get cleaned up for a meeting with my Pap to discuss the situation with Nico and his men. Plus I need to check in on Daniil at the hospital and see how he’s doing.
Being with Charlie this much has made it hard for me to go to meetings and check on important things, but she’s worth it and I’m thankful Maxim and Andrey have picked up some of the slack for me.
Andrey was glad to be off guard duty while I was with Charlie, so he wisely didn’t complain when they had to follow her after she stormed out of my apartment this morning. The boys have been checking in with me every hour to let me know where Charlie is and if they’ve seen Dominic. Luckily, she’s been at work, but they haven’t been able to pin down Dominic.
I’ll have to get some other guys to find and follow him for me. He’ll be an easier target to assign someone else to since Maxim and Andrey are the only two I trust to keep tabs on Charlie.
Now that I’ve showered and don’t smell like death, I decide to go check on Daniil before my meeting with Pap. On my drive to the hospital I get a call from Maxim.
“What’s up Max? How’s Charlie?”
“She’s fine. She went to lunch with some coworkers and then went back to the office. I’ve been having Konstantine monitor her phone; she’s been messaging Dominic all day and they are planning to meet up on Saturday for pizza and a movie.” He explains.
“I have Ivan and Mark trying to track down Dominic so we have his location. Just keep me in the loop.”
“You know it.”
We hang up just as I’m driving into the hospital parking structure. I’m eager to see how Daniil is since he was in a coma for a week. He’s been awake for at least that long now but I haven’t been able to talk with him about what happened. Pap said he couldn’t remember anything when he first woke up, so I’m hoping he’ll have regained some of his memory by now. We need to know how Nico’s men got the drop on him.
I park my car and head up to the intensive care unit to Daniil’s room. When I walk in, he’s looking better than I expected laying on his bed watching television. His eyes move from the TV on the wall to me as I take in his appearance.
He has a bandage around his head and I can see his hands are badly bruised. The bruising on his face has finally started to clear up and Daniil is starting to look human again.
“Hey Daniil, how are you holding up?” I ask.
“Long-time no see, man! I’m doin’ pretty good,” he says with a touch of excitement, but his voice is still raspy. He coughs and takes a drink of water before saying, “I’m better than I was a week ago! Those bastards really did a number on me, but I’ll live.”
“Yea, you will. They can’t say the same,” I say with a grin.
“Did you guys figure out how they were able to track me down?” He asks, his eyes growing wide with curiosity.
“You did a good job trying to shake ‘em, but they must have known where you were headed. Konstantine checked the security cameras all along that route and you shook ‘em off a few times,” I explain.
“That’s what the boss said, but it doesn’t make sense to me. They must have had some type of heads up about where I’d be going. Don’t you think?”
That’s been the running theory between Pap and the guys at the gym. We can’t figure out how they knew which car to follow and then where Daniil would go if he knew he was being tailed. We have back up plans in place for scenarios like that and they’ve never failed before.
“We’re working on it, Daniil. I’m glad to see you looking less like a corpse these days,” I joke.
“Yea me too!” He says with a laugh before a string of coughs cut him off. We talk a bit longer about when he’ll be healed up before I leave to meet up with Pap. Unfortunately, his memory still hasn’t come back, but I don’t think he’d be able to tell us anything the cameras didn’t show us.
I make it back to the club to meet with Pap around two o’clock. The meeting was small, only me, the boss, and a few of his trusted advisors.
“Hey boss,” I say as I head into his office.
“Son, how is Daniil?” He asks.
“Better, but he couldn’t think of anything to help us.”
“Damn, well, we'll just have to keep digging.”
“Did you get anywhere with Lev?” I ask. Pap seems to think one of the runners ratted us out. He’s been interrogating some of the new recruits in the basement of the club, but so far he hasn’t gleaned any new information.
“Nah, he hasn’t been helpful.” Pap says with a deep laugh.
“He’s been too busy stutterin’ and mumblin’ that he didn’t say nothin’ to nobody. Who recruited this pansy?” Pap asks.
“No one boss, he reached out to us a few years ago.” Viktor says, “Just showed up at the club wantin’ to learn to fight. He’s what? Eighteen?”
Pap sighs, “Yeah, I don’t think he’s our rat, but the boy needs to toughen up. He might have said somethin’ without knowing. Viktor, you talk with him and see who he’s been hanging out with. Jeremie, see if Konstantine can do what he does and find anything on Lev’s computer.”
“You got it boss,” Viktor says and heads to the basement. Jeremie nods and goes to meet Konstantine.
“What do you need me to do boss?” I ask.
“You figure out why Dominic Romano’s back in town?”
“We haven’t been able to suss out any plans Nico might be putting into motion.” I say. “He might have just missed his son or wanted him close to home since we retaliated after the situation with Daniil.” I surmise.
“Maybe,” Pap walks to sit behind his desk. He pours himself a glass of whiskey before saying, “how’s our girl, Charlie?”
“She’s good. Safe. Andrey and Maxim are with her now.”
“Good. You three keep checking into Dominic. Maybe Charlie can help you get some information out of him.” He suggests.
“Pap. I don’t think that’s a good idea. We’re already using Charlie as a resource since we have the tech on her phone, but I don’t want her involved.” I respond, trying not to let my fear show through my voice.
“I get it son, but Charlie’s already involved whether you like it or not. Her friendship with Dominic puts her in a precarious situation. We need to utilize her otherwise the Romanos might use her to get to us.”
“That’s what I’m trying to prevent. She has no idea who Dominic is. She just found out I’m alive. I only just told her about our family. She doesn’t fully understand what our family does. That keeps her safe,” I try to explain.
“I’ll let you do what you think is best for now, son, but if she becomes too much of a liability, we’ll have to deal with her differently. I know you’re taking it slow in telling her about the family business, but it might be easier to rip off the bandaid. Then she’ll know what she’s in the middle of.” He suggests.
“I don’t want to overwhelm her. I just got her back. I won’t do anything to put her in any more danger. The less she knows, the better!” I say emphatically.
“Like I said, I’ll let you handle this for now, but if I have to step in for the sake of the family, I will. You know I’d never do anything to hurt Charlie. She’s like the daughter I never had, but if her ignorance will hurt you, your mother, or your brothers, I’ll have to handle the situation myself.”
I know my father means well, but he wouldn’t know the first thing about “handling” Charlie.
“Alright Pap,” I say, “I’ll keep you posted. Konstantine is working with Ivan and Mark to locate Dominic, so we should have some information soon.”
“Good.”
“I’ll talk to you later,” I say heading for the door.
“Son,” he says before I fully exit his office.
“Yes,” I say looking back.
“Remember, Charlie’s friendship with Dominic is a resource. Don’t let it go to waste.”
I know what my father wants me to do but I can’t put Charlie in that situation. She’s already pissed at me for going “caveman” on her earlier. If I try to tell her Dominic is the enemy, I’m afraid I’ll lose her for good.
“I know,” I respond and am about to leave his office when he gets a phone call and motions me to wait, “Who is it?” I ask.
“It’s Liam.” he says furrowing his brow and answering the phone. “Liam,” he says, “What’s going on?”
I don’t hear the other side of the conversation but Pap looks worried and pissed all at the same time. Liam starts talking and seconds later, Pap sits down.
“What’s wrong?” I ask while Liam is still on the phone.
Pap pulls the phone away from his ear, but doesn’t hang up, “Someone caught wind of our upcoming deal. A Detective Missy Graves is apparently assembling a group of ATF agents and is planning a raid.”
“The fuck?” I say shocked.
Putting the phone back to his ear, Pap says, “Liam, thanks for the heads up, we’ll take care of everything on our end.”
Hanging up, Pap looks at me with murder in his eyes, “I smell a rat…”
“Who in their right mind would go to the cops?” I ask.
“That’s a good question. One we need answers to, now!” He says standing up from his chair with purpose.
“What do you need me to do?” I ask.
“Nothing right now, you focus on getting Charlie to talk about Dominic. I’ll take care of the rat infestation.” He says and walks out.
I’m left standing in my father’s office confused and unsure what to do. I take a few heartbeats to gather my thoughts and then decide to head back to the apartment and get dinner started.
I’m hoping to convince Charlie to come over so we can talk. I’ve given her time to think, but we really need to talk. I can’t have her putting herself into a dangerous situation when I don’t know what her “friend” is planning. If Dominic does anything to hurt Charlie to make a name for himself in this business he’s going to regret the day he was born.
I am about to pull up to my apartment when I get a call from Maxim.
“What’s up Max?” I ask.
“We have a problem,” He says in his gruff, yet panicked voice.
“What is it?”
“Charlie invited Dominic over for dinner tonight. I guess she’s really pissed because they’ve been talking on and off all day,” he reports.
“Shit!” I say, frustrated as I hit my fist off the steering wheel causing the horn to blare.
“What do you want us to do?” He asks.
“What time are they meeting at her place?” I ask, trying to come up with a plan.
“Six o’clock.”
“Okay, that gives me two hours to convince her to…”
“You want us to stay here?” Maxim asks.
“Yes! Of course!” I nearly shout, “Why would you even ask that?”
“Andrey wanted to know.”
“Put him on the phone,” I demand.
“Hey Yuri,” Andrey greets lightly a little tremor in his voice.
“Andrey, why the fuck would you ask if you need to stay at Charlie’s place until I get there? Are you stupid?” I seethe.
“No, it’s not that, I … I just thought since you’re already on your way…”
“Do you have someplace to be?” I ask, curious.
“No, not really. I just wanted to stop by the club and talk to the boss. I’d like to help. I know he was talking to Lev this afternoon, so I thought I could be useful. Lev and I train from time to time, you know, I kind of took him under my wing.”
“Wait, what? You’re training Lev? Since when? You know what, I don’t care! Why do you think you get a say in what you help with? Are you the boss now?”
“No. I’m sorry Yuri. I am just trying to be helpful.”
“Well, you’re not! I thought after the last few weeks you would have realized that! Just stay put until I get there, got it?”
“Yea. You got it.”
I hang up the phone trying not to smash it against the dash. Andrey is going to be the death of me I swear! What an idiot!
I change direction and head for Charlie’s apartment. How am I going to talk her out of hanging out with Dominic? Why doesn’t she want to talk to me about this morning? Shouldn’t we be processing this together?
My anger has simmered down a bit by the time I arrive at Charlie’s. I park my car behind Andrey’s car just as they are getting out of the vehicle.
“Maxim, you can head back to the club. I’m going to have a quick chat with Andrey.” I say, dismissively. I don’t like talking with my friends like a dick-head, but sometimes my anger gets the best of me.
“Okay, Yuri. I’ll see you later,” he says as he heads to his car.
Andrey stands tall and I can tell he’s trying to put on an air of confidence. He makes a point to push his shoulders back and point his chin further in the air. He’s unsuccessful because he looks like an arrogant bastard, not the confident, helpful friend I used to know.
“Before you yell at me,” he starts, “I just want you to know that I have been supportive of you and this business since birth. This ‘stop being an idiot’ and ‘you’re not the boss’ attitude you’ve got going for you is pointless. I know I’m not the boss, but can you really say you’re acting any better?”
I stare at Andrey in shocked awe. Is he serious?
“Andrey, I don’t know what is going on with you, but you need to get your shit together. I always knew you weren’t Einstein, but I never thought you were dumbass!” I slap him in the back of the head, my anger flaring.
“See, this is what I’m talking about! When did you start talking to your friends like that!” He shouts, rubbing the spot I just smacked.
Stepping in closer to him so I don’t have to shout, I don’t want to bring unwanted attention to this conversation, I say, “Listen Andrey, I wouldn’t talk to you like a damn toddler if you would fucking act like a responsible member of this Bratva!”
“I have only ever thought of the brotherhood Yuri! That’s what you’re not understanding! Charlie is a risk! A fucking liability! Following her around only brings unwanted attention onto her and us. We should have left well enough alone. There’s no way Dominic knows about her and you. At least he wouldn’t have had a way to find out if you didn’t talk to her and hang out with her twenty-four-seven like a fucking love-sick puppy!” He surmises.
“You are acting like a jealous bastard, this is getting ridiculous!” I seethe.
“I’m not fucking jealous. I just want you to think with your head and not your dick! Getting rid of the bitch is better for her and us!”
“Andrey, what have I told you about talking about her like that? Charlie is part of this family and we take care of our own! She may not have been born into our pack, but she is still a member, she is mine. Do… you… understand?” I say between clenched teeth.
Andrey takes a step back and puts his hands in the air like he’s surrendering. “Yeah, whatever man.” he says nervously.
“Good! We better not have this conversation again, because it will not end well for you. You’re one of my best and closest friends, not that you have been acting like it lately. I get that you’re trying to be a protective brother, but it’s not necessary. I’ve talked with the boss, and he knows what is going on, so I’m not making decisions lightly. Got it?”
“Yea.” he replies coldly. His attitude is a conversation for another time.
“Good,” I sigh rubbing my hand down my face, “Now sit your ass in this fucking car until I text you that it’s clear for you to leave. Then you can go back to the club, understand?”
“Yes.” He says as I turn my back on him and head toward Charlie’s apartment.
I can’t tell if he’s just pissed or what. I hate having to talk to Andrey like that, but he needs to learn his place. He isn’t going to advance with the attitude he’s been sporting lately. I don’t know if I can trust him. I sure as shit am not giving him more duties if he can't even handle the ones he's got.
I reach Charlie’s door and knock lightly. I have a key which she gave me just over a week ago, but since she’s mad at me I don’t want to push my luck at the moment.
I hear light footsteps walking toward the door and see the shadow of two, petite feet just on the other side. Charlie must have looked in the peep-hole because the next thing I hear is, “Go AWAY!”.