Chapter Twenty-Four Maksim
Istood before a makeshift podium in the middle of the mansion’s foyer. Sarah, along with Aleks and Leo, sat in the chairs I'd dragged in from the dining room. Part of Sarah’s treatment plan for me included immersion in scenarios where my stuttering could become problematic due to stress.
Today we were practicing for my address to the Korolov men.
We’d practiced day and night since returning from Sammy’s.
She wanted me to have practically memorized what I planned to say, so I wouldn’t run into any issues.
More than anything in the world, I wanted to speak as clearly as possible this first time.
“Okay, let’s take it from the top,” Sarah instructed.
Even with my small audience, I couldn’t help feeling slightly nervous. While I’d worked on my speech patterns before with Sarah, it was the first time doing it with Aleks and Lev.
After relaxing my jaw, I mentally grounded myself with the three things I could see.
I see a beautiful woman I want to devour.
I see my brothers who appear supportive.
And I see Voxie who has demanded free rein in this house after Sarah tried keeping her pent up in her bedroom.
With one final cough to clear my throat, I began to speak. “Good evening my brothers. It is a pleasure to stand before you tonight.”
After not being tripped up by two of my triggers, I pressed on confidently. “You who have bled and fought for my family remain the true face of this brotherhood. With the death of my father, a new d-day has dawned for the Korolov family.”
After grimacing, I stared at Sarah. She shook her head. “That was amazing. Tonight, you just need to keep going. Missing a few triggers isn’t a big deal.”
When I glanced at my brothers, they nodded in agreement. “That was fucking amazing, brat,” Lev exclaimed as Aleks nodded in agreement.
With a smile, I said, “Now can you see why I was d-desperate to have her?”
While Sarah rolled her eyes, Lev and Aleks chuckled. At her frustrated huff, Aleks held up his hands. “I’m sorry, but after that performance, I gotta say we did the right thing.”
Sarah sighed. “As much as I hate the way you went about it, I do see how much I was needed.”
“Okay, let me go through it again.”
Just as I was trying to get back into the zone, my phone rang. Since it was Dima, I felt like I had to answer it. “Da?”
“I need you to meet me at the compound in an hour.”
“Why?”
“Matvey and Kirill have requested a sit down.”
“Can’t they just wait until the meeting with the men next week?”
“Apparently not.”
“D-Do you think they’re going to guilt us about not having a funeral?”
“I have a feeling it’s not that simple.”
With a groan, I replied, “Okay. I’ve g-got Aleks and Lev with me.”
“They only want the two of us.”
“All right. Just me. I’m leaving now.”
Once I hung up, Aleks and Lev stared expectantly at me. “What’s up?”
“Our d-dear dyadyas are requesting a meeting with me and Dima.”
Sarah glanced between me and my brothers. “Are you in danger?”
“Just family squabbles.”
Aleks rose out of his chair. “We’ll come with you.”
With a shake of my head, I replied, “Dima said just me.”
Smacking Lev on the arm, Aleks replied, “I see how we rank in the pecking order.”
Lev snorted. “I’m glad. Father’s only decent sibling is Aunt Masha.”
“Look, I would g-gladly send you two jackasses, so that I could stay here and work.”
Rising out of her chair, Sarah said, “Don’t worry. I’ll leave the chairs and podium, and we can pick up when you return.”
“Thanks.”
“Will you two hang out until I get back?”
Nodding, Sarah said, “I could use the company.”
At my frown, Aleks and Lev laughed. “Look at him getting jealous.”
“I am not.”
“Yes, we’ll stay,” Aleks replied.
“And we’ll stay a respectful three feet from Sarah at all times.”
While Sarah blushed, I said on my way out the door, “Make it five.”
***
When I arrived at the compound, my stomach twisted and clenched. Maybe it was all the negative memories associated with the place. I’d told Dima I wanted to have a Russian Orthodox priest come and bless the place to try to rid it of the negative karma.
My mother had always preferred the penthouse Father owned in the city, so she’d moved all of her belongings here. It was a good choice considering it had been left to Dima in the will made before his shooting.
After walking through the garage door, the smell of Matvey’s cigar assaulted my nose. It was a double assault since he smoked the same ones my father did.
At the sight of me, Matvey gave me a tight smile. “Ah, there’s our other leader.”
I nodded at him. “It’s good to see you, dyadya.”
Waving me with his hand, he said, “Come. Kirill and Dima are in the living room. I was just trying to find something to eat.”
I followed him out of the kitchen and down the hall. When we reached the living room, you could’ve cut the tension between Kirill and Dima with a chainsaw.
“Glad you could make it, Maksim,” Kirill said as he rose from his seat.
“It is both a d-duty and a pleasure to speak with family.”
Kirill pursed his lips. “I’m sure you’re wondering why we requested such an abrupt meeting.”
With a shrug, I replied, “Not really. Issues arise all the time.”
“Like business opportunities,” Matvey remarked.
I exchanged a glance with Dima before focusing my attention on my uncles. “I can assume this isn’t about your d-displeasure over us not having a funeral for Father?”
Kirill narrowed his eyes. “Despite your rejection of tradition, we ensured that Danill received a proper Order for the Burial.”
I didn’t bother asking how that was possible without a body. In the end, I didn’t care what was done for my father’s alleged soul.
After puffing on his cigar, Matvey said, “Some distressing news has come to us about business dealings with non-Bratva members.”
Dima cocked his brows. “Since when have we not reached out to the Irish or Italians or Yakuza? After all, Father planned to unite our sister with an Irish family.”
Matvey grunted. “I sure as hell didn’t agree with Danill on that one.”
“Neither did I,” Kirill replied.
“It’s not good to dilute the Bratva blood,” Matvey mused.
“Well, Dima and I d-don’t see it that way.”
“No. We don’t.”
“And that’s understandable,” Kirill replied. “What disturbs Matvey and myself is the fact you’ve gone into business with the family who shamed Danill,” Kirill argued.
“So you’re pissed about the nightclub?”
“Absolutely. While alliances are important, you should look within your own family for opportunities.”
And there it was. The real reason they were pissed is that we didn’t ask one of their jackass sons to be a part of our nightclub deal. I’d never been close to my cousins despite my mother trying to foster relationships with them. I think she wanted me to choose them over my half-siblings.
Matvey’s only son, Artom, was tolerable, but Kirill’s sons, Konstantin, or Kostya as he was called, and Gleb, were psychotic assholes. I didn’t want to share a room with them, least of all a business.
When I threw a glance at Dima, he nodded. “After the mess Father created with the Kavanaughs, it was in our best interest to form a business alliance as well as Mila’s marital alliance.”
Kirill shifted in his seat. “While that is understandable, you didn’t even ask your cousins if they wanted a stake in your club?”
“This was strictly between us and the Kavanaughs,” Dima replied.
“And the Neretti’s,” Matvey shot back.
Since I was losing my patience with my uncles, my speech began to slip. “B-Because they also have a connection t-to the Kavanaughs and are in this city.”
“Regardless of how you want to paint it, it was an obvious slight,” Kirill replied.
Although I wanted nothing more than to clench my jaw, I knew I couldn’t if I wanted to speak clearly. “I’m sorry you see it that way,” I replied.
If Dima wanted to apologize, he could, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to.
When Kirill and Matvey turned expectantly to him, Dima narrowed his eyes. “It would be good for both of you to remember who you are speaking to. Maksim and I are your pahkans. From what I remember, the two of you never questioned Father’s authority. We expect the same treatment.”
Silence hung heavy in the air after Dima’s declaration. Finally, Kirill cleared his throat. “My apologies if we overstepped.”
Although it appeared to hurt Matvey, he replied, “Yes, I apologize.”
“As we move forward, we will remember your allegiance and your sons,” Dima said.
“We appreciate that,” Kirill replied.
With those words, Dima rose from his chair. “We look forward to seeing you at Mila’s engagement party next month.”
At the mention of being anywhere near the Kavanaughs, both their expressions soured. “Of course,” Kirill replied.
“We wouldn’t miss the chance to celebrate with all of our family,” Matvey said.
After shaking their hands, I nodded to the butler. “Please show our uncles out.”
Once we were alone, I headed straight to the liquor cabinet. “Fucking hell,” I muttered as I poured a tumbler full.
“They’re going to be trouble,” Dima mused as he joined me.
“Like pain in our ass or we end up p-putting them under?”
With a laugh, he replied, “It’s a toss up.”
“Great. I guess we’ll have to throw our psychotic cousins a bone to keep the peace.”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
Grinning, I held up my glass. “This pahkan shit is for the b-birds.”
He grunted. “Don’t you dare think of ditching and leaving it all to me.”
“Never. We’re in this b-bullshit together.”
He clinked his glass with mine. “To us.”