Chapter 17 #2
I allowed myself to laugh. “At this point, I’d settle for our respective worlds to coexist as they’ve done for centuries.
However, I’m here about an incident that occurred at a fight club last night.
There was an attack. Now, while everyone is assuming the intentions were an assassination of the Irish mob’s leader, I have my doubts. ”
“Who do you think was the intended victim?”
“Myself for one. Now, as you’ve already determined, I have skills that don’t always reflect my day-to-day operations.
” I swirled the drink before taking another gulp.
Smooth like silk. “It’s entirely possible the current Armenian authority is interested in leveling the playing field of your election by eradicating a high-ranking member of the Bratva.
In doing so he could position himself as the only one who could stop a war before the weight of the bloodshed began. ”
Vardan looked away before leaning forward. “Am I to assume these assassins were handled?”
“They were.”
He blew out a heavy stream of air. “I wouldn’t put anything past our illustrious leader.
He doesn’t like to lose. He’s feeling pressure from all sides.
Russians. Italians. His popularity has waned over the years, mostly because he likes to play dirty.
As I’m sure you believe, we are businessmen and as such, there’s plenty of wealth to go around. ”
“Agreed.”
“Then I can assure you that my men had nothing to do with the attack on Sean McCarthy. That’s not the way to begin my reign. We have no beef with the Russians.”
“I agree and feel the same.” I pulled out my phone, noticing two of the men positioned casually against the wall tensed. “Relax. If there’s anything you need to know about the Bratva, you will never see us coming in an attack.”
My statement caused a smile. “You can never be too careful. What are you showing me?”
“Do you know this man?”
He peered down at the man. “To a point. He’s no one special. Why?”
With my observation skills, he was curious as to why I had the photograph. “He’s working at one of our hotels.”
Relief passed across his face. “I see. You believe he was sent to gather information.”
“You can understand why I’m perplexed. He is pictured with your current authority.”
“Don’t read too much into the photograph.
I assure you that he has nothing to do with business.
As you can tell, my father’s establishment is considered a prominent location.
Even Kazmik enjoys the food. I assume you’ve never met him.
He is overpowering, insisting on an audience.
It would appear my friend is unhappy in being caught near the man’s table. ”
What he was telling me was potentially true. But there could be more. All I’d done was place the ball in his court. Nothing more.
“And the girl? Does she appear to be anyone you recognize?” What I’d yet to mention to anyone, especially Dimitri, was that from the back, the girl could very well be Saige.
I’d tasked my men to check security tapes as well as when searching her background to see if there was any connection between Davit and Saige.
While he took the phone from me, studying it more closely, I could tell he had no idea. “Is she someone of importance, as she’s not anyone I could recognize from this angle.”
“Maybe. Just trying to put various pieces together. I don’t like to make mistakes.”
He allowed a slow spreading smile as he slid the cellphone across the table. “Then in that we are very much alike.”
Nodding in acceptance, I slipped the phone into my jacket. “I also don’t like games being played.”
“Mr. Chertov. We are both businessmen. I graduated from Columbia with a degree in finance and at that point wanted nothing to do with Armenian politics. I’m certain you’ve done your due diligence to know I moved to Chicago, determined to make a name for myself in the stock market.
I’d been of the intention to avoid politics altogether.
However, my father is very convincing. A change was needed in our world, moving away from brutality and daily violence into stocks and bonds.
Much like what the Bratva have done in coming into New York.
From what I’ve heard, your uncle was someone to be respected.
I did not have the opportunity to get to know him before his death. This is the land of opportunity. Yes?”
“Agreed. My cousin is very much like his father. Only a little rough around the edges.”
“Aren’t we all. I also heard about your family’s betrayal.”
“Every family whether deemed close by blood or culture has skeletons in their closets, Vardan. Every leader also has weaknesses others enjoy exploiting. We will stop at nothing to protect our families, no matter the costs.”
“We are the same. Alliances are different than they once were.”
I took another sip of my drink, somewhat surprised he was being so open. “How so?”
“In so many other countries and within various cultures, men of power often came together through marriage. When bloodlines are mixed, wars are defeated. Isn’t that true for your Pakhan?”
Leaning further forward allowed me to notice the spark in his eyes. “Yes, an ancient if not barbarian practice.”
“That still works. As my father has reminded me, history reflects how kingdoms were reduced to rubble around kings who married for love.”
“Perhaps you’re correct, but as with secrets, everyone has a weakness. It’s their discovery and exploitation that builds new kingdoms.”
He lifted his glass in appreciation.
“As I said, Stash, I’m not interested in starting wars with anyone unless forced to. Do I have the manpower behind me if one is shoved into our face? Of course. So do you.” He was very certain of himself. Not that I minded his straightforward attitude.
“You are correct.”
He held his glass into the air. “Why don’t we share a toast to a possible friendship. At least to the point of enjoying peace.”
I allowed our glasses to touch, but I wasn’t leaving without making myself clear.
“I’m a fair man, Vardan. In how we choose to create our futures, what we both know is that there is enough business to go around.
What I will not tolerate is for a single member of my family or my employees to be threatened in any way.
I can extend that to my friends as well. ”
He cocked his head. “Someone else was involved in last night’s attack.”
“Possibly someone who enjoys playing puppeteer. Wars with cloaked enemies are often the bloodiest.” I was issuing a warning that I knew he was intelligent enough to understand.
Someone could be playing all the parties, moving them around on a game board until one grew tired of the game and initiated a war. Mikhail’s favorite tactic.
This time, he was the one to nod. “Interesting and something that I will keep in mind and I’ll ensure my eyes are left wide open. I have yet to win the election, but if I do, I will make a promise that no one will be touched within the Bratva. Without good reason of course.”
“Of course.”
We drank to the tenuous friendship. Then I stood as the business I’d hoped to conduct had been concluded. If Sean was a part of the game, I wouldn’t be there to get his ass out of a sling next time. If this was a fight between two syndicates, it was their bloodbath.
If this was the final act in a devilish game of revenge, then shit was about to get messy.
From what I knew about bad blood, skeletons with blades always appeared from the depths of hell.
There were two other scenarios that were possible. That I’d been the intended target or that Saige was. Although in my deep dive into her background, including what she hadn’t wanted me to discover, I could see no indication she was anything but what showed on paper.
With one exception.
She’d gone to the same university as Vardan. That could mean nothing but would remain in the back of my mind. I was growing weary of having Mikhail’s ghost lingering over my shoulder.
“Lav kiny ayn amenn e, inch’ anhrazhesht e hzor tghamardu hajoghut’yan hasnelu hamar.”
His words brought a full smile to my face. “A good woman is all that is needed for a powerful man to succeed.”
“You’ve heard the old saying,” Vardan said.
“Yes, I have. Something my mother taught me as a boy. A reminder that men would never be in full power if a woman wasn’t involved.”
He shook his head. “Yes, even my father is pushing for me to find a wife so my reign will be successful. An old wives’ tale that plagues both our cultures.”
Marriage. Wives. Alliances. He was being pushed toward a future he wanted no part of. Much like I’d been.
While he wasn’t much younger, it was enough that I could tell he was still trying to prove himself in whatever way possible. “What I do believe is that there are some old ways that worked then and will work long into the future after we’re dead and buried.”
“Then let us both wish we find the right ones to strengthen our powerful reigns.”
I’d always thought I’d wanted a father who would push me into succeeding in whatever method possible. After meeting my father, I’d wanted no advice from the man.
Now, after his death and my rise to power, I could admit I wished I’d been privy to some of his wisdom.
And why?
Because I ached to feel the strong arms of a woman standing by my side through everything life had to throw at me. As I walked out, I realized I was just a little bit jealous of Vardan and his relationship with his father.