Chapter 27 #2
“Back away from the Armenians and we’ll ensure you and your holdings are protected, including through use of our control of the ports for brining your…
diamonds to this country. If you don’t, we’ll make certain your betrayal of your own people is widely known in every city and country possible.
And we do have those connections, Anton.
I’m sure you’re aware. All I need from you is proof of your relationship with Vardan. A copy of the signed contract will do.”
“That’s a lot to ask for. As you might imagine, Vardan is growing more powerful the closer to the election we get.”
“Is it really?” I smiled as I asked the question. “I assure you that will change.”
“You feel so certain.”
“Oh, I know for certain,” I told him.
He took a deep breath, studying Saige for a moment. “You look so much like my daughter.”
“She loved you, Mr. Pushkin, but she simply wanted to live her life on her terms.”
He closed his eyes. “That bastard.”
“Your help will preserve her memory, Mr. Pushkin,” Saige told him.
I pulled out a business card, handing it to him.
With a few seconds of mental debate, he took the card. “You’ll have the contract, but I’ll need your word.”
“You’ll have more than that. We’ll draw up a contract of our own. Just remember, Anton. We won’t be fucked with. Not now. Not in the future.”
He nodded almost as if respecting me.
I led her to the door, hoping that I never had to endure the loss of a child.
“Stash. When you were two years old, you fell onto a glass table. You had cuts and bruises, which is why you have the scar by your eye. But you also perforated your liver. As you might imagine, you lost a lot of blood. You were touch and go for a little while. Your father dropped everything to be with you. It was your father who matched. He remained in the hospital by your side for a week, making sure the bills were paid and your mother could take the time off. He did love you even though he didn’t often show it.
You’re very much like your father. I hope you’ll take that as a compliment. ”
As we walked out, I shook my head while Saige squeezed my hand.
“See, your father did love you,” she whispered. “But you’ve yet to forgive him.”
She was right. “You’re far too astute, my lovely companion. But he’s dead. What does it matter?”
“You mean I can read you like a book.” Once we were outside and away from prying eyes, she turned to me, pressing both hands against my chest. “It matters for your sanity, freeing you from mental chains. You won’t be free to embrace your family or anyone else until you do.
That will allow you to forgive your brother as well. ”
Now I laughed, feeling more exhausted than normal.
“He will never be forgiven if for no other reason than the horrors he inflicted on Kazimir and the woman he adores.” I’d told her more about what Mikhail had done over the last two years, the pain everyone had endured but most of all, Kazimir and Rafaela.
I wanted Mikhail found for no other reason than to allow him the full opportunity to handle the bastard who’d tried to destroy him.
“Kazimir needs to deal with the motherfucker or I will.”
“That’s not your place. Not really.”
“He wanted you dead. It is very much my right!” I realized I’d raised my voice, groaning as I did.
Her eyebrow lifted, the cute smile I’d come to adore sliding across her beautiful face.
“I can take care of myself and I’m standing right here.
The madness needs to stop. Mikhail isn’t well.
He’s suffering just like you did as a child.
Like you’ve all suffered. Killing him isn’t the answer.
Kazimir already faced part of his demons. It’s time for you to do the same.”
“And how do I do that?”
“By accepting who you are. You’re Vladimir Chertov’s son, Kazimir and Mikhail’s brother, something you should be proud of. If I were to decide to marry into the family, I’d be very proud to have the last name. As would my children.”
“Your children, huh?”
“Well, I guess it’s possible you’d make a good father.” Her eyes were filled with mischief.
God, I adored this woman.
“Does that mean you’ll say yes if asked in the appropriate manner?”
“The manner in which I so richly deserve? It means we’ll see.” She laughed softly as if we were playing a very personal game of our own. Maybe in a way we were. As we had been since our first meeting.
My thoughts were all over the place, desires that were completely inappropriate for the moment, but the reality of how I felt about her was stronger, more impactful, and more powerful than any other feeling I’d had before.
Love.
I was certain that’s the emotional state she’d left in me, the need to possess more intense than any longing for revenge. And I would have her.
Maybe she just didn’t understand.
The woman was already mine.
Soon, it would be made official.
* * *
“Walk with me, Davit,” I told the young man as soon as he left the elevator.
His face held a moment’s surprise, but as with all traitors, he knew the instant his cover was blown.
I was ceremoniously removing any obstacles as well as creating a safer working environment. Plus, no matter the changes that had occurred in the Chertov Corporation over the last two years, leaving treachery on the table without any formal punishment wasn’t good for morale.
So here we were.
“It’s David, sir.”
He stepped beside me as we walked down a long corridor.
The hotel had been renovated, becoming a luxury item for all visitors.
But we still conducted business inside the four walls, not only within our executive offices but also down this very hallway to a soundproofed room.
Dimitri’s idea, something he’d learned from his father.
“I think we can dispense with the lies. Don’t you?” When he didn’t answer, I tilted my head.
There was fear on his face. He was a low-level player, which was why he’d gone unnoticed. If what Anton had said was true, and from what we’d learned we were positive it was so, Vardan had been contacted by Mikhail while still in Chicago.
A perfect choice actually. A strong opponent with an excellent track record and to have his father as a long-time emissary to the Armenian people?
Well, that was the chef’s kiss. The groundwork had been laid, Davit put into place as doing nothing more than providing information that could be considered low-hanging fruit.
Maybe this guy deserved a break, a warning and nothing more, but my patience had run out. I was sick of playing games. So were the rest of my family members.
Plus, my beautiful soon to be bride to be had requested that I not go lightly on the man since he’d been abusive to her best friend. Everyone had been playing a goddamn game, women as the victims. I abhorred anyone physically or emotionally abusing women.
We all had tasks to complete before tomorrow night when the fireworks commenced.
And I for one was eager and looking forward to the spectacular event.
We neared the door where my two men were holding court. As soon as we approached, Davit acted as if he was prepared to run.
I slammed him against the wall, using my forearm to place pressure on his windpipe.
His eyes opened wide, his face immediately reddening.
“I’m a fair man, Davit. I’m going to make you a deal including protection of your family. But you must promise to be cooperative. Now, if I release my hold, can I have your promise that you’ll be a good boy?”
He nodded, his expression reflecting the terror I wanted him to feel.
“Good.” I backed away, allowing a soldier to open the door so I could guide Davit inside.
The room wasn’t anything but soundproofed and easy to clean.
“Here’s how we’re going to play this, Davit. You’re going to confirm you’re working with Vardan as eyes and ears within our organization. And you’re going to admit that you had a hand in Tawny Gaines’ murder.”
He was genuinely shocked by the last statement. “Tawny is dead?”
“Tossed off a building.”