Chapter 22
Kazimir
The jewel of the game or perhaps I should call the prize was the lovely and talented Rafaela Marichetti.
She held a card in her hand that she might or might not be aware of. An ace of diamonds.
Using or exploiting it would be the killing blow, a moment when the truth would be revealed. Now I simply needed to learn if she was friend or foe.
Either way, she was mine.
Even if I’d need to keep her in a gilded cage for the rest of her life.
The thought was somewhat appealing, enough to let me know the D’yavol had returned and he was very, very angry.
“I don’t like the game being played,” Kirill mentioned, as he joined me standing across the street from the club I’d followed her to. While I’d been on my way to her apartment, one of the hired men had let me know she’d just stepped outside, obviously out for the evening.
I found so many things about her fascinating including that she worked at a local coffee shop. That meant she wasn’t using money from her trust fund. She’d had an obvious falling out with her father.
After changing clothes, both she and Golden Angel had jumped on the Paris Metro, which had made keeping an eye on her more like a game. Yet I’d been up to the task.
“It’s one night, Kirill. With the appearance of the Ghost and the details provided, I’ve changed my mind about the next steps taken. We will leave for Moscow in the morning. Make arrangements with Madame Dubois so there are no hiccups.”
“I can see that big brain of yours formulating something else altogether.”
“Perhaps, which is why it’s vital we discover who hired the Ghost. That will tell us everything we need to know.”
“You have no clue what you could be facing.” He appeared more stressed than normal.
“Are you talking about when I return home or tonight?”
He threw me a look. “Both. Between the Petrov and the Gusev regimes, word on the streets throughout Russia is that everyone should be prepared for a bloody war.”
“They are correct. Only at this point the final players for the championship round have yet to be chosen.”
“You’ve changed significantly in three years, my Pakhan.”
“How so?”
Kirill rubbed his jaw. “The game has become as enjoyable as the win.”
I hadn’t put my desires into a neat compartment. “You’re right. I do enjoy the game. I have no issue watching the bastards squirm. You’ve been in contact with Mikhail?” I’d had him check in more than once.
“I have. He feels the pressure as well. He knows something is going on.”
While our soldiers were certainly allowed vacations, a man of Kirill’s status would never completely shut off his responsibilities or contact much like a CEO of any notable corporation.
In his previous checks he’d sensed no red flags.
I had a feeling that wasn’t the case with his last check in. “Meaning?”
“One of the warehouses was demolished, Mikhail suspecting Petrov’s men.
We lost half the product. Get this. A portion of the merchandise was being sold to Don Pollizi, half being sent to your cousins in New York.
Even while relations have been tense with Giovanni, Mikhail has kept his eye on the ball.
What is that American expression your cousin loves to use?
You’ve stirred the pot. It’s about to bubble over. ”
The only way to catch the person who’d betrayed me. And I knew in my heart that while Don Pollizi had everything to do with the ambush and capture, there was more to the story. Much more.
“While I’m not usually a man to change his mind once a decision is made, this time is different. Given what we heard from Madame Dubois and from what you’ve learned, the pressure is building. Things are about to become much worse. We will do this the diplomatic way.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning I have a feeling the warehouse theft was just a warning. If the Petrovs were concerned about any significant damage to our regime, they would have captured every weapon in every warehouse.”
“So what are you thinking?”
“That the pressure is on to make the troubled alliance with the Pollizis work. They need to do something that will solidify an unbreakable alliance.”
He narrowed his eyes first. “You’re thinking a marriage between Mikhail and Rafaela was the reason for her being taken against her will. That would put an exclamation point on the troubled alliance that would filter into the United States with your cousin and at minimum increase his reputation.”
I shrugged. “Entirely possible, but a few pieces must fall into place. I wouldn’t blame Mikhail for thinking along those lines. Hell, I taught him that arranged marriages, while archaic, often worked to calm troubled waters.”
“But you don’t buy it.”
“I think it’s entirely possible the Italians believe they can still invade our territory. They could be working with the Petrovs. Or the Petrovs could be determined to find a way to break the alliance. We need to be very careful how this is played.”
“Then who sent you to prison?”
“Maybe someone who wanted to keep me on ice. If I had to guess, I’d say Don Pollizi was behind the situation. The question to the answer will be revealed. Have faith. Have you discovered anything that would lead you to believe the lovely Ms. Marichetti is determined to gun me down?”
His snort was loud, obnoxious even though the club’s music was pumping through the walls and consistently opened doors. “Not really. Other than a brief look for social media. She has none. I’ve put out a few feelers, but I need to be careful.”
As with everything else about her, every action was a bit of a surprise. However, she was far more cunning than I’d originally believed. So much for innocence. Her manipulative abilities only made me crave her even more. “What else?”
“What I do know is she works a lot, two different part-time jobs, but mostly her world is centered around school. She has few friends and from I’ve been able to find, which isn’t much, she hasn’t dated anyone.
Not a soul. As you’re already aware, her father even in retirement is still considered highly influential, although I must admit, I’ve found no real connections in Paris. But he is still indebted to Giovanni.”
“Yes, and would do anything the man asked. Keep checking into her past. Just in case. There could be a reason the Ghost was hired to kidnap her that we aren’t aware of.”
Kirill moved slightly in front of me. “In order to prepare a full dossier, I’ll need to utilize additional connections that were developed by your father and not often used by Mikhail. Even a single night could blow the surprise.”
“Mikhail is strong enough to handle the news and it could place the person responsible in a frenzy.” It struck me that even though I was still considered dead to some, to those who had a part in imprisoning me, they could be very worried that I’d escaped in the prison break.
Terrified I’d hunt them down, which would make their actions unpredictable.
Perhaps I should make a quicker appearance whether as a ghost or having been resurrected.
He cocked his head, studying me. “Betrayal. You think someone very close to you was responsible.”
“I do. When I return, every person working for me will face scrutiny.”
“Stash.”
In the few days since being born again, I’d also felt Kirill’s concern that someone inside my regime had provided enough information or promise to Don Pollizi to make the betrayal of our alliance palpable.
“It’s possible. He has more of a reason to want me punished than anyone.
” Yet not nearly as much to gain, which would add credence to the imprisonment being very personal.
To make me suffer the way he had growing up.
“Do what you can the old-fashioned way. Make phone calls to the school and contact her teachers if necessary.”
“When do you need the information?”
When I glanced in his direction, grinning, he groaned. “Before we land in Moscow.”
“What about the phone in the Ghost’s possession? When are you going to make the call?”
“We wait until I have a handle on the regime before making a call. I want Rafaela protected.”
“I’ll do what I can, sir.” He took the phone from my hand, pocketing it. “You know, on second thought, maybe I should have left you rotting inside that prison. Your obsession for this woman is… unusual.”
Yes, it was, and while my feelings weren’t anything I would apologize for, I also had no intention of losing track of what I was doing.
His attempt at making a joke only brought ire.
“From the odd silence and lack of activity, it’s as if she’s no use any longer or someone is well aware I escaped the prison.
” Yes, I was leaning in an entirely different direction, the wheels of my mind turning at a much faster pace.
As my father said, I had to be the master of my own destiny. I was tired of being dead.
“That’s difficult to believe but let me see what I can find.”
“No. Don’t worry about that. There’s one more action I need you to take.
” I moved in front of him so there was no doubt about what I wanted or what was necessary to have happen.
“I want a rumor circulated that because of the prison break at the Black Dolphin, I managed to escape. Use whoever you want, but I need the rumor to spread quickly.”
I could swear I noticed him paling. “You’re not just playing with fire any longer, Pakhan. You’re playing with grenades without the pins.”
Laughing, I clapped him on the shoulder. “Yes, I am. But I have no intention on being the one caught in the explosions.”
His laugh was strangled. “I mean no disrespect, but I hope you know what the hell you’re doing.”
“Have some faith in me, Kirill. Have a little faith.”
The desire was so intense I’d asked Kirill to come with me to ensure someone had my back. It wasn’t every day a man admitted his weaknesses to anyone. But I gave myself a one-time pass since I’d spent the last three years in prison.
And because she was much more beautiful than I’d thought possible.