Chapter 18 #2
“I see you haven’t lost your touch,” Kirill said. “I was afraid you’d lost too much muscle mass.”
“It’s amazing what you can do without a single piece of equipment.” We were quickly motioned to come over, the two stunning women sitting with Igor scampering off.
He didn’t look at either one of us until after I’d placed the gifts in front of him.
A grin slid across the old man’s face like a kid on Christmas morning. My guess was rarely did anyone honor the old customs.
He stood, his smile wide. “Kazimir.” I was surprised when he pulled me into a bear hug, the gesture reserved for family only.
“You are a sight for sore eyes. I am very glad to see you alive and looking damn good for someone who died three years ago.” He didn’t acknowledge Kirill and I didn’t offer, although in going through my grandfather, Kirill had been given a carte blanche invitation.
I’d been lucky my grandfather had experienced a few lucid days, using his old connection with Igor.
The fact Igor pointed to the two seats was the only indication needed that my commander was welcome.
“I understand I have you to thank for that,” I offered.
He was already motioning for a waitress, holding up three fingers. “Your grandfather was quite adamant if there was any chance you were alive, I wouldn’t be forgiven until we were certain.” His attention was drawn back to the fight, the two matched more evenly than the one I’d seen years before.
They were both bloody as hell, taking low blow shots that would be disqualified in any legitimate club or gym.
“My grandfather is a tough man,” I said out of respect. “From what I understand, so are you.”
The glasses were brought, the vodka opened, and the liquid poured. He lifted his glass. “You should have seen me in my youth. Ask your grandfather how he got that scar under his eye. Za zhizn’—i za radost’ ot togo, chto otnimayesh’ posledniy vzdokh u drugikh.”
The toast was appropriate.
To life and the joy in taking the last breath from others.
Kirill grinned and we all tossed the shot.
“If you don’t mind, I’ll enjoy a cigar later. My wife gets very upset if she smells smoke. She said it kills our sex life.” He winked and once again turned his attention to the fight.
There were at least a hundred men screaming at one boxer or another, money in their hands. The old system of betting and if I had to guess, I’d say every one of them had already paid a huge entrance fee.
“Your imprisonment was meant as a warning, much like the fight you are witnessing.” Igor made the statement casually but with enough emphasis it was as if he knew for certain the circumstances surrounding my imprisonment.
“Any idea from whom?”
A sharp snapping sound floated above the din of the crowd and with a quick glance, it was apparent one opponent’s arm had been broken several inches above the wrist, yet he continued to fight.
He poured himself another shot. “My time and that of every thief in the old caste system is all but over, Kazimir. Your father, as so many his age did, moved away from the traditional code. From what I’ve seen, there is very little honor in our world any longer.
You can see that in the young Bratva soldiers of today.
The fucking men who think with their dicks, not their pea-sized brains.
Plus, there is more strength in the Cosa Nostra and the Irish than before.
It has become difficult to keep them in their place.
Greed is a powerful weapon, integrity and honor a thing of the past.”
I remained quiet, learning a long time before a discussion was finished when I was told it was. His knowledge was worth its weight in gold.
“You were considered old guard, very much like your grandfather. As if the honor of being a vory v zakone skipped a generation. Your advancement to Pakhan struck fear in the hearts of hundreds of people. You were thought of as a force to be reckoned with. There are any number of possibilities about who ordered your imprisonment and subsequent death. You should know there are men who do not believe you are dead, but prepared to rise again.” Igor chuckled before tossing back another glass.
Kirill glanced into my eyes, lifting his eyebrows.
“What do you believe?”
“I will offer you the same piece of advice, Kazimir, as I did when you were still a boy. Watch your back. However, the meaning is entirely different. There are a number of people eager to take what you’ve already achieved.
You already know which Bratva have the manpower, but they aren’t true leaders.
You are. There are others who would enjoy seeing you suffer because of your name and the horrors your father inflicted over the years.
There are some who will pledge allegiance while lying with a smile on their face.
And there are those who could destroy you.
Not by use of weapons, but by catching you off guard.
Yes, there is a war brewing with various factions across the world.
There are too many players in the world of crime, but what you’re facing is much worse. ”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning your thoughts on loyalty and respect will be challenged. Stay the course. You’re a natural born leader. Allow that fear others have to come to the surface and it will. Marry. Have heirs. But keep your inner sanctum small.”
“Advice I will not take lightly, Pakhan.”
He laughed before instantly coughing and wheezing, the years of physical abuse and indulgent behaviors taking their toll.
But I would much rather my grandfather spend his golden years gasping for air than grappling with mental deficiencies.
Dying of dementia wasn’t fair for men so powerful.
“It’s been a long time since anyone used the reference of honor.
It’s your time now, Kazimir. Your time to take hold of not only your destiny but the future of our great country as well. ”
“That’s a heavy burden to bear.”
“And one you’re ready for. One last piece of advice.
Take a wife, yet one who won’t cut your dick off in the middle of the night.
Alliances are necessary in our world and always have been.
I daresay more now than ever before. Europe is…
much more powerful than before and in the United States, the Bratva are young and aggressive.
And very hungry. They will challenge you more than all the others.
You know that better than anyone. Your cousin is very… determined.”
“Does that mean he would betray me?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. That’s for you to discover. You know better than I to trust your instincts.”
Perhaps he’d heard about my single taste of a creature so precious. Or perhaps he was merely providing advice from his own experiences. Whatever the case, the words were also damn good advice.
And which I likely wouldn’t take.
But his words regarding alliances I understood.
Even if the enraged man inside me didn’t care to listen.