Chapter 22
TWENTY-TWO
I t’s been two weeks since Prescott’s visit, and things are growing tense with the Federovs. I don’t know if those two things are related, or if it’s because of the new shipments they’re bringing in, but I’m equally nervous about what lies ahead. Usually, Konstantin is open about the businesses he’s involved with— ultimately, he requires me to oversee things to make sure the movement runs smoothly— but he hasn’t so much as spoken to me since our meeting with Prescott. In the whole five years that I’ve been working for him, Konstantin has never withheld information, so this is unfamiliar territory for me.
Pacing towards my boss’s office, I contemplate how I’m going to approach the subject of being kept in the dark when my phone rings in my pocket. I glance down at the screen, inhaling deeply, because this isn’t the time or place to be having the type of conversation this person will want.
“You can’t be calling me,” I say, huffing down the line. I stop halfway down the corridor, turning to check my surroundings carefully. The last thing I need is someone listening in on this call, and with the proximity of Federov’s soldiers, it’s a distinct possibility.
“I thought you said you’d update me if there was anything I needed to clean up,” the voice says, the anger notable in his tone, just as much as the irritability over my greeting.
Leaning against the wall, I scrub a hand over my face. He’s referring to Grigori and the incident at the scrap yard, and as far as that issue goes, it was taken care of. “It wasn’t necessary,” I answer.
“It wasn’t necessary? Ashton fucking Greedy’s body was just found near West Village with his face ripped off,and you didn’t think it was necessary to tell me?”
I wince at his tone, unfiltered rage filling my ear. I get his anger– he’s under a lot of pressure and relying on me to feed back information that’ll help him. Unfortunately, I have no clue what he’s talking about.
My brows crease together. “The MMA Fighter?”
“Don’t act stupid, it doesn’t look good on you,” he grumbles, slinging more insults that I don’t care to listen to because I’m too focused on what he’s accusing me of.
I shake my head, confusion setting in. “That wasn’t us. We have nothing to do with him.”
“The fighting rings?” he suggests impatiently. “Is that not what the Federovs run?”
And someone else. But I don’t voice that thought aloud. The truth is, I don’t even know who Ashton would be involved with. The guy was a fighter, a good one. He got a name for himself so quickly that he retired early. He’s someone the kids look up to, someone who came from one of the roughest parts of the city and proved to the world he wasn’t just some cocky kid who was good at throwing punches. He funds charities, has a damn hospital wing named after him… the man is almost a saint.
So who would want him dead?
The morality my body still clings to tells me I should look more into it, but that’s not my job. Whoever wanted him dead succeeded, and it’s not my business. I have much more pressing matters to focus on— like the fact Konstantin ordered a hit on Black Jack, one of Genovese’s businesses. I have to anticipate the repercussions of the Federovs actions, come up with a game plan if shit goes sideways.
“Greedy’s death has nothing to do with us,” I repeat. “Look elsewhere. I have shit to do.”
“And how long will that take? You said you would get what I needed.” The desperation in his voice is noted. An operation like his takes years to build and seconds to destroy. The information he wants isn’t exactly easy to get ahold of, and it’s not just information he wants. He wants evidence .
“You’ll know when you have it,” I supply, glancing over my shoulder at the sound of someone approaching. “Now, I’ve got somewhere to be.” Before he can protest, I hang up the phone and slide it into my pocket.
Konstantin called a meeting today to discuss the next steps in his plan—a plan to ruin The Five and claim more territory. Though I don’t completely agree with his tactics, they work. Why fix something that isn’t broken?
“Having secret conversations, Sovietnik?” Vadim snarls at me. His appearance elicits a bitterness that spreads through my body like poison in the bloodstream. He’s the sinister presence you don’t want to be around, yet unfortunately, I have no choice. While he’s always made his thoughts about me known, he’s also clever at keeping shit to himself. That’s the dangerous part about Vadim Federov— anything worth knowing, he’ll use against me.
“It was just someone I don’t enjoy talking to.” It’s not a complete lie, but it still doesn’t appease him in the slightest.
He hums in disapproval, like he’s musing over my words, eyes narrowing on me suspiciously. “ I don’t know why my brother trusts you so much.” He steps towards me, running his fingers under the lapel of my jacket, pretending to neaten up what’s already pristinely set in place. Patting my shoulder condescendingly, he looks me dead in the eye. “ I’m watching you, Kyrovsky.”
Vadim pushes past me without so much as a second glance, leaving me with the distinct impression that I need to watch my back now more than ever. Usually, threats like that don’t bother me, but when they come from someone like him, I’m conscious that any wrong move I make will be noticed.
While his footsteps echo behind me, I head towards Konstantin’s office. He’s waiting behind his desk when I enter, gesturing for me to come in. I close the door, noticing Prescott is sitting in front of the desk with Kai standing beside him. Taking a seat beside Konstantin’s desk, I watch our new ally fidget nervously.
“Your man here has a plan,” Konstantin tells me. I resist the urge to tell him it wasn’t me who brought the cop into this, but I hold my tongue, noticing how he keeps his eyes trained on Prescott, watching him warily. He’s good at that; working people out based off their demeanor. Maybe he can figure out how trustworthy this guy really is, because I’m still undecided.
Getting comfortable in my seat, I gesture with a nod of my head towards the man in question. “A plan for what, exactly?”
Prescott clears his throat, his eyes bouncing between me and my boss. He looks like he’s unsure who to address, which is a clear indicator that he’s in way too deep. He doesn’t have a clue who holds the power and authority here, which is both stupid and dangerous.
After a beat of silence that stretches on for far too long, he finally decides on the right choice. “To take out The Five,” he responds.
“Go on,” Konstantin orders.
“Well… we keep hitting their businesses. Sooner or later, they’ll have nothing left to salvage. They’ll lose their income and resources, and…”
“And?” Konstantin quirks a brow.
“That’s when we swoop in,” I answer.
Prescott nods in confirmation. “Right now, Genovese has all his focus on his fight nights,” he states. “So I think we hit that first. I can pull out resources to raid it.”
“Raid?” I question.
“Drugs, illegal gambling, no liquor license. We could take them all out just for being there.”
I glance at my boss and he seems convinced, but I’m not. I know the laws, and their arrest won’t hold up for long. But maybe that’s what we need; just enough time to distract them so we can make our move.
“Do it,” Konstantin commands. “They’ve given us full use of the docks now, we don’t need them anymore.”
My fists clench at the intention behind his words. For a fair man, he’s letting his greed for power take over, and taking out The Five is going to come with more consequences than I think he realizes. This isn’t about claiming territory, this is about removing the competition entirely.
Once the meeting is over and Prescott has left, it’s just Konstantin and me in the office. The silence is loud, the tension thick. He sucks on his cigar, letting the clouds of smoke fill the room. “ I need you to make sure Prescott follows through.”
“ Me ?”
Konstantin snaps his gaze to mine. “ Did you misunderstand me?”
“ No,” I say, clearing my throat. “ I just thought you might want Kai to supervise, since he brought Prescott to us.”
“You offer that boy far too much grace. He should have consulted me before setting up meetings.”
Konstantin’s privacy is extremely important to him, so I can understand how Kai’s actions have upset him somewhat. Still, if this all works out, it’ll do my second a ton of favors.
“Give him a chance,” I reply, trying to keep the conversation calm. “ He might surprise you.”
“We’ll see,” Konstantin grunts, stubbing his cigar out in the glass ashtray.
I take that as my cue to leave, standing from my seat and heading towards the door. I’m just about to reach for the handle when Konstantin’s voice has me halting.
“ Have you found our mole yet?”
I turn to face him, shaking my head. “ Nobody has heard anything,” I respond. “But I’m working on it.”
With a nod, Konstantin dismisses me. It’s not a great feeling knowingly lying to him. I hate keeping secrets at the best of times, but that’s part of my job.
A job that I can’t wait to leave.