Chapter 18
Ivan
The elevator hums as it ascends, the floor numbers glowing one by one as each floor passes. Vivi stands beside me, her presence a constant anchor in the shifting sea of politics and power plays. My mind churns with thoughts about the Five Families, the recent upheavals, and my role in all of it. The alliance against Azrael has brought a tenuous unity, but the cracks are still there, just beneath the surface.
"Do you think Cassidy will ever fully accept Enzo?" Vivi asks, breaking the silence.
I glance at her, her eyes reflecting the concerns we all share. "Cassidy is stubborn, but he loves his sister. Enzo burning down the Marzano mansion didn’t help his case, but at least Cassidy knows where his heart lies."
Vivi nods, her expression thoughtful.
I am more worried about the Valachi. I hope Angel’s death—or the image of it, anyway—appeases everyone. The night I captured Angel Valachi and the unexpected turn of events that followed. Damon's a cautious man. He accepted the mansion as a peace offering, but he's still wary. They all are. My takeover caught everyone off guard.
The elevator dings softly, announcing our arrival. We step out onto the plush carpet of the Upper East Side apartment floor; the air tinged with the scent of expensive cologne and polished wood. I can feel the weight of the history and tension that this building holds, each apartment a silent witness to the machinations of power and influence.
As we approach the door to the largest apartment on this floor, my mind drifts back to the political landscape. The unity among the Five Families is fragile, held together by our mutual enemy, Azrael. But old grudges and new tensions simmer beneath the surface, threatening to boil over at any moment.
Vivi knocks on the door, and it swings open to reveal an old woman. Her eyes are sharp, taking in every detail of our appearance with a practiced gaze.
From what Vivi told me, this is Meredith, the housekeeper. Her sharp eyes miss nothing as she stands aside to let us in. Meredith is one of the few survivors of the war Evie O’Hanlon and Cassidy O’Rourke fought in Ireland. I’ve heard stories about that bloody conflict, the near-total annihilation of the O’Hanlon syndicate. Cassidy’s alliance with Evie changed everything, though. It’s remarkable how quickly the tide can turn with the right partnership.
Meredith leads us through the apartment, which exudes comfort and elegance. We pass the kitchen, where the scent of fresh herbs mingles with the aroma of roasting meat, and through the living room, which is tastefully decorated with modern art and plush furniture. The outside patio awaits us, a sanctuary of greenery and soft lighting.
A low growl interrupts my thoughts as a dog raises its head, eyes narrowing at our approach.
“Be nice, Pup,” a voice calls out, calm yet authoritative.
I turn to see a young woman with bright red hair stepping onto the patio. Before I can fully take her in, Vivi rushes forward, enveloping her in a tight hug. This must be Rowan O’Rourke. No, Rowan Scarpetta now—one of the newer mafia wives in the Five Families.
“I’m so sorry, Rowan,” Vivi says, her voice trembling slightly.
Rowan’s response is soothing, her hands rubbing gentle circles on Vivi’s back. “It’s okay, Vivi. It’s not your fault.”
I choose not to eavesdrop, my attention drawn instead to a movement on the other side of the glass door. A figure approaches, and I can’t help but feel the weight of another significant encounter.
Cassidy O’Rourke and Evie O’Hanlon are deep in conversation, their body language a study in contrasts. Evie, with her arms crossed and hip jutting out, exudes defiance and challenge. Cassidy, on the other hand, remains calm and composed, refusing to rise to her bait. It’s hard to decipher exactly what’s transpiring between them. They look ready to either tear each other apart or succumb to their raw chemistry right here on the patio.
Fire and gasoline. The rumors about their dynamic don’t do the reality justice.
As I observe them, trying to gauge the undercurrents, I stiffen at the sight of Luca Marzano emerging from the front door. I wasn’t aware that Luca would be here. This unexpected turn of events sets off alarm bells in my mind. Rowan is here, too. Does that mean Enzo is here as well? Have I walked into a trap?
My hand instinctively moves towards my gun, but Vivi’s gentle touch stops me. Her hand covers mine, and she looks at me with those pleading eyes.
“Trust me. Please,” she whispers.
I wish the world Vivi dreams of were possible—a world of soft touches, whispered words, and peace. But I know better. The reality we live in is brutal, a world that chews up and spits out people like Vivi. Still, for her sake, I nod and ease my grip on the gun.
Luca, Evie, and Cassidy join us on the patio. Meredith, ever the efficient housekeeper, brings out a tray of drinks and leaves them on the table. The tension in the air is thick enough to cut with a knife as everyone watches each other.
Evie is the first to speak. “I understand that you have some information for us.”
I lean back in my chair, maintaining a facade of calm. “I have information. Whether or not it’s for you depends on how useful you are to me.”
Cassidy’s eyes narrow, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Haven’t you lost most of your empire? I don’t think you’re in the position to decide who is useful to whom.”
Luca steps forward, his presence commanding attention. "He is more useful than you know," he says, a smile playing on his lips. He’s carrying multiple laptop bags, which he sets down on a nearby lounge chair. Reaching into one of the bags, he retrieves a laptop and opens it. After a few clicks, he turns the screen toward us.
A wave of revulsion, fear, and anger washes over me as I see the display. Luca seems to know everything about me. The unease prickles along my skin.
"Ever since Ivan marched into the Valachi house, took down Angel, and took our Vivi," Luca begins, his tone laced with satisfaction, "I have used every connection I have to try to find out exactly what kind of man we are dealing with. You have been a mystery to us, Romanov. Always keeping to yourself. Always sitting on the sidelines. We should have paid closer attention to you."
"You couldn’t," I retort, my voice steady despite the turmoil within. "You were too busy fighting each other over petty vendettas." I shift in my seat, and when I continue I can’t hide the edge of irritation. “And I did no taking . Vivi chose to be my wife of her own free will.”
Rowan snorts.
Luca ignores her, his smile widening and his eyes gleaming with triumph. "Which you used to your advantage. Ivan’s business includes smuggling, human trafficking, drug trafficking, black market weapons trades, and even kidnapping. When I found this out about you, and then Cassidy told me that Vivi was asking for help, I couldn’t possibly think of anything we could provide for you that you don’t already have."
His words echo a thought that has been in my mind since Vivi suggested the idea. In this world, alliances are crucial for survival, but the Romanovs have thrived for decades without firm alliances, learning to be independent. Yet, from Luca’s smug expression, it’s clear he believes he’s found something that will put me in their debt.
Luca leans in, his voice smooth and confident. "The only thing you don’t have is what I can provide: access to police resources. Cassidy says that you have video footage of the car Azrael was driving."
The USB in my pocket feels like a lifeline, the only leverage I have in this precarious situation. I'm not about to give it up without a fight.
"I do," I reply, keeping my tone even. "The church’s camera wasn’t advanced enough for us to get a plate."
Evie, who has been silent until now, interjects. "The plate wouldn’t matter, anyway. Azrael has false registries. They make copies of plates they find on the streets. We have already tried to find them that way."
Cassidy adds, frustration evident in his voice, "And they fight until death, so we haven’t gotten a chance to interrogate one, either."
A thought crosses my mind. Interrogation happens to be my area of expertise. The only person I’ve never managed to break is Angel, and that’s probably because he knew I wouldn’t butcher him, out of deference to Vivi.
While I’ve been dodging Azrael and managing my hostages, the other Families have been actively trying to bring ‘him’ down. Their lack of success is concerning, but it’s also revealing.
"What difference does my footage make?" I ask, my skepticism clear.
Luca’s smile broadens, and I feel a flicker of irritation. He seems like the kind of person who enjoys pausing during conversations, making others wait for crucial information. It’s a power move, one I recognize but rarely employ myself.
A bullet speaks louder than a man’s voice.
This is the mantra that has kept me alive all these years. As I sit here, observing Vivi and Rowan seated nearby, playing with the largest, fluffiest orange cat I have ever seen, I realize how much I rely on that belief. Vivi's ease around these people suggests confidence, a trust I find hard to comprehend. My father drilled it into me that anyone who isn’t Romanov isn’t to be trusted, and that belief has served me well. Yet here I am, tiptoeing around an alliance that makes me more uncomfortable than any danger I’ve ever faced.
But then, Azrael has done more damage than anyone we've ever encountered. The threat he poses is real and immediate, forcing me to reconsider long-held convictions. Teaming up with others feels alien, almost wrong, but it also feels necessary.
I hand over the USB to Luca, and he starts distributing laptops to everyone. Watching him type with practiced speed and efficiency, it’s clear this kind of work is second nature to him. In contrast, I’ve been raised in a more traditional manner, and it takes me a bit longer to navigate the machine in front of me.
Luca outlines his plan to us all. “I’ll take the date from the church footage and connect it to the city’s street camera database. We’ll follow the car using street cameras until we figure out where it goes. It’s a simple plan, but its execution requires precision and coordination from us all.”
We spread out, each of us monitoring different street cameras displayed on our laptops. A dozen cameras on each page, clicking to switch between feeds. It’s tedious work, and not every street has a camera, causing us to lose sight of the car several times. The frustration is palpable as we struggle to maintain a continuous track.
The car leaves Manhattan, and a wave of worry washes over us. The further it goes, the higher the risk that it will reach an area without camera coverage. But just as hope begins to wane, the car stops at a place in Brooklyn.
Cassidy leans in, his eyes narrowing at the screen. “What is that place?”
I study the image of the oddly-shaped building, taking note of its bulbous roof, the number of windows, and the general line of the structure, then snap my fingers. “It looks like a greenhouse.”
“That’s because that’s what it is,” Evie interjects, her tone confident as she peers at the screen over Cassidy’s shoulder. “That’s the Weir Greenhouse. It’s a historic building that’s been abandoned for years.”
A strange choice for Azrael's hideout, I think. Flowers seem frilly, even for the Italians, but then Luca speaks up.
“It fits. The greenhouse was built in the 1800s and hasn’t been in use in decades,” he says.”It’s an unassuming place they could’ve been using for decades.”
That makes more sense. No one knows how long Azrael has existed, but it’s possible they’ve been around since the beginning of mob presence in New York. The greenhouse is definitely old enough to be a traditional meeting spot for them.
Luca packs up the laptops as Cassidy and Evie start discussing plans. I seize the moment to ask, “Have any of you directly confronted Azrael?”
Cassidy nods. “I have.”
“And?” I prompt.
“It took Evie and I both to take them down. They are highly trained,” Cassidy admits.
“Which means we can’t just go in there without a plan,” I state firmly.
Evie crosses her arms, her gaze steely. “That is exactly what we are doing, Romanov. Making a plan.”
I shake my head. “No, your plans are easy to predict. Azrael is made up of your own people. It was easy for me to do everything I did because I was an outsider.”
Cassidy smirks. “It was easy, eh?”
“Cassidy,” Luca cuts in, “he’s right. Azrael has been watching us a lot longer than they have been watching him. Romanov’s been flying under the radar for years.”
Evie looks at me, her eyes challenging. “Then, what do you suggest, Romanov?”
I pause, considering the vision I had once harbored of leading these people, making them more like my capos than fellow Dons. But now, they want to play Avengers and team up. This is not something I prepared for.
“With all due respect to the Valachis, none of the other Dons in the United States have the power of the Five Families. Not individually,” I say, looking around at them.
Luca nods. “Not every major city has multiple Families in operation. You know as well as I do, that there’s individual mob activity scattered all over the United States. On the east coast alone, we have the Italians and Irish in Philly and Boston…the cartel down south…fucking cowboys in the midwest…hell, there’s even a southern mafia. Called the syndicate-something-or-other.” He looks sideways at me, a tiny smirk curving the lines of his mouth. “And the fucking Russians are everywhere.”
“Exactly,” I continue, not rising to the bait. “NYC is unique. Special. A new era is coming, and I see this city…and us…thriving without the influence of the Commission.”
Evie’s eyes widen slightly. “You want to break with the Commission?”
“I want to break the Commission,” I confirm. “We will be our own Commission henceforth. We will chase Azrael from this city, and the Commission won’t rule over us anymore.”
It’s a bold proclamation, a crazy idea, but no one argues. They share glances mixed with incredulity and uncertainty and dawning excitement. They know I’m right; we are powerful enough to do this.
My eyes land on Vivi, who is no longer paying attention to her friend and is looking back at me instead. An understanding passes between us. Angel tried to get rid of the Five Families to protect her, but he thought too small. In order to ensure her safety, no one will have power above me.
The Commission will cease to exist.