Chapter 5 #2
“Trust me, Mr. Aristov, in the two weeks of our soft opening, we’ve been one hundred percent booked with a waiting list well into six months.”
“Impressive.”
While I should know every amenity offered, I had to admit with the last two weeks being a complete blur, I’d forgone learning about every inch of the hotel. I didn’t plan on indulging in many activities, carnal or otherwise.
There was too much at stake.
However, as soon as Cormac led me inside the darkened club, I sensed the reason for the private floor and the increased security. While drugs of any kind were being phased out of the corporation especially given the recent changes, it would appear just about anything else was allowed.
The dark foyer opened into a main room where there were bars and tables set up like any restaurant, both men and women enjoying a late-night dinner or cocktail, I could sense their companions were recent additions.
High priced escorts of top caliber. I could only imagine what other floors and their amenities might offer.
While I knew little about Dimitri other than the stories I heard from Kazimir, I hadn’t expected him to be a showman of sorts. Seeing him on the slightly raised level, the area only holding a few tables and currently only one being occupied brought a sense of concern.
Had he proven helpful in what had occurred with Kazimir and his brother’s betrayal? Yes, but by all appearances, he was enjoying the hell out of his newfound celebrity.
And he’d been deemed one of the hottest bachelors in New York City, which seemed to have gone to his head.
As I approached, both Dimitri and his lieutenant Dante Marichetti stood, the woman who’d been lounging on Dimitri’s lap scurrying away almost instantly.
“There you are,” Dimitri said, offering a handshake. “I was becoming concerned your plane had crashed.”
I shook his hand, protocol such that Dante didn’t offer his. As soon as the four of us sat down, a waitress brought a silver tray of drinks, the clear liquid meant for a toast.
“You can’t get rid of me that easily,” I stated while studying the area.
“What makes you think I’d want you dead?” His eyes were twinkling even as the limited light danced in shadows across his face.
“Because I threaten you.”
“Challenge is the word, but that’s welcome.”
“What are we celebrating?” I asked while lifting the crystal.
“Well, Chateau Elegance of course.” Dimitri leaned in. “And that once again you saved the life of my cousin.”
“Billionaire Vodka,” I said, more amused than anything.
The Russian vodka came in a bottle that was bulletproof, the interior of the box velvet encrusted with diamonds.
At several million dollars, the luxury was ridiculous.
“I’m not an expert with numbers but from what I’d seen on the financials, we’re several months away from this being offered as an employee incentive. ”
He burst into laughter and sat back in his chair. The two of us had an excellent vantage point, able to see the front entrance while keeping an eye on the dining room and bar. While our relationship was caustic at best, I was cognizant of his relationship with Kazimir.
“I can happily say this was a gift from a Russian oligarch, who was one of our first guests. That’s how much he enjoyed his stay with us. How was your flight?”
“Remarkable. Let’s cut to business. Shall we?”
“I like your style,” he offered. “You have at your disposal Cormac, Dante, and a few others who are aware of the truth behind your visit. For my part, I’ll be heading to Boston for both a business meeting and to help with your cover in being here.”
I scanned the room while sipping my drink. “How long will you be gone?”
“Three days. Give or take. You have a penthouse suite reserved for you. Unfortunately, the house where you’ll be staying for the majority of your time here won’t be ready until the end of the week. But I’m certain we can find something to occupy your time.” His grin was meant to be hospitable.
I wasn’t interested. “Any word within the Russian community about the incident in Moscow?”
He laughed. “Not a word about Kazimir or the Ghost. Are you certain what you heard wasn’t a wild goose chase, because I’ve called in every favor and talked to anyone who might have an idea about the assailant’s identity.”
I shook my head. “You know your cousin. He went to great lengths to ensure accuracy about the information received. The Ghost is real and enjoying keeping the Pakhan on edge.”
“Has word gotten out Kazimir has left the country?”
“Not yet. Two planes left going in opposite directions. That might provide us with some information at some point. We go about business as usual for now.”
Dimitri leaned forward. “Do you think this has something to do with the Pollizi Cosa Nostra out of Italy?”
We’d all but destroyed the Sicilian Cosa Nostra who’d been behind Kazimir’s capture, torture, and imprisonment, taking over their territory, including a lovely estate where award-winning wines were produced.
While we weren’t necessarily welcomed into the country where Cosa Nosta held tight reins within several prominent families, we’d yet to be attacked by any other regime.
That would come with time.
“I paid a visit to our vineyards in Sicily then onto Rome prior to heading to New York. All is quiet, or so it would seem. However, we have feelers on the ground in both areas.”
“You’ve thought of everything. In my mind, this vendetta has been brewing for a long time, perhaps even longer than the timeframe taken to ferment hatred in Mikhail’s mind.”
“Maybe. Or maybe this is nothing more than an attempt to keep the Pakhan from relocating to New York.” Perhaps it was a veiled threat. Perhaps not. However, both Cormac and Dante tensed.
Dimitri smiled. “I assure you if I’d wanted to keep Kazimir from spending time in New York, I would handle the insistence myself.”
I leaned back in my chair, studying him. “I’m certain you understand my concern.”
“Absolutely. I wouldn’t trust anyone at this point.”
“Who are you enemies with in New York? Other Russians?”
He laughed. “There’s always talks, especially within the old guard in Brighton Beach where a huge contingency of Russians lives, but they don’t have the numbers for a challenge. The Armenians are a pain in my ass, mostly on the low-level businesses we still manage.”
Meaning illegal drugs, which Kazimir wasn’t interested in. We were still actively involved in arms deals, although less and less given the volatile state of the world.
“There must be someone you believe has the ability to make a serious challenge.” It was always difficult for powerful men to admit any weakness.
“Fine,” Dimitri admitted through gritted teeth.
“The Irish are up and coming. They have fresh blood all the time. But I don’t think they are prepared for a war, and just the word on the street of Kazimir’s interest in expanding has quieted their usual attempts at infiltration.
Although that won’t last but for so long. ”
There was an almost crazed expression appearing on his face.
I’d heard the stories, Kazimir’s telling of tall tales regarding his cousin that had seemed farfetched to me.
However, I could already tell Dimitri wasn’t a typical Bratva leader, which was one reason he hadn’t attempted to take the title of Pakhan.
He would have the right if the families had cut ties, but Kazimir was the one and true Pakhan.
Which allowed Dimitri to continue his playboy methods. In the months of working with the man from afar, I’d been privy to his wild hairs, ideas that would never propel him into full leadership.
“You know,” he mused as if to prove my point, rubbing his jaw. “If we could find a way to bring our two families together, we could easily squash any other opposition.”
“You’re suggesting an alliance? Haven’t you seen how well that worked with the Italians?” A false offer of alliance with the Sicilians had been all about betrayal, leaving Kazimir in prison, the Chertov kingdom in limbo. And a loss that Kazimir would likely never get over.
Dimitri’s laugh was far too jovial for the situation, another annoyance that I fought regularly. “Of course not. There is only one method that allows the peace to be kept intact, at least for a generation or so.”
I was growing weary of his antics and ideas already. “Then what?”
“Marriage.”
Now I laughed easily because I sensed he was only half joking, which was even more comical.
That’s why he hadn’t objected to my arrival.
I threw out a question anyway, forcing him to admit his scheme.
“Who do you plan on marrying?” It hadn’t been my job to do a deep dive on any of our proposed living in New York.
Dimitri had an entire staff of highly qualified people to do that.
Now I wished I’d had more time after the assassination attempt to make more than a superficial list of enemies, including their family trees.
“Hell, not me. Being faithful isn’t in my DNA and with the Irish, they expect the husband to be an honorable man.
At least at the beginning of the marriage.
But you’re single. I have no illusions of grandeur, Kirill.
You’re second in command, only third in line to the throne given Stash’s existence and from what I know about Kazimir’s half-brother, he’s not ready to take on such an important challenge. ”
“And I am?” While I wanted to laugh my ass off at his suggestion, he wasn’t necessarily wrong in how powerful the alliance could become. Especially with Kazimir’s desire to grow the business into other territories within the United States.
But I wasn’t that man.
“I’ll keep the idea in mind.”
“You should. Now that I think of it, it’s a damn good idea. You know how the older generations think a man isn’t ready to lead unless he’s tethered by a family. Ah, to be betrothed by a thick noose.”
“Then get one,” I snipped.
He just shook his head, annoying the hell out of me.
“What makes you think the Irish aren’t behind the Ghost?”
“They aren’t bright enough,” Dimitri said in all seriousness. “In truth, I’ve had a couple of my men paying attention. They’re still actively hunting success in expensive party favors and illegal weapons, although I heard there’s some talk about them getting into the oil and gas business.”
Something else discussed at a meeting round table. “Interesting.” At least Dimitri was actively thinking about the future.
“I do have a nefarious mind.” He pointed to his head while grinning.
I thought about the idea. While I wouldn’t be a good choice for any woman, he wasn’t necessarily wrong about Stash.
The man was fucking brilliant with numbers, in a year doubling our income through wise investments and altering how we handled laundering money, but he would not do well being forced into an arranged marriage.
And the idea of bringing oil and gas into the portfolio was enticing.
“I’ll mention it to Kazimir, but first things first with the Ghost.”
“Agreed, but I have no doubt this bastard will make himself known.” The look in his eyes shifted from amusement to concern. “Kazimir isn’t himself.”
“No, he is not.”
Russian men were all hardheaded, according to every woman who’d experienced more than one during their lifetime.
I would tend to agree. We wanted things to go our way or no way at all.
Dealing with Dimitri wasn’t any different.
He was cut from the same cloth as Kazimir.
They might as well be brothers, they were so close.
Another reason in my mind that Mikhail had betrayed the entire family.
This time as Dimitri leaned forward, he placed both his hands together.
“I can tell you will do whatever it takes to hunt down my cousin’s assassin.
All our differences aside, you are family, Kirill.
As such, you will have everything you need within my organization at your disposal.
Your reputation precedes you. The beast. I would prefer calling you the volk instead. ”
“The wolf. I’m curious as to why.”
He laughed again, lifting his glass even higher. “An easy answer, my friend. Wolves are extraordinary coursing predators, meaning they wear down their prey, chasing them over long distances. Wolves play a crucial role in nature’s selective force, ensuring only the strongest of prey survive.”
His words were cathartic. “A fascinating analogy of two species. However, you are wrong about one aspect.” I polished off the remainder of the vodka, twirling the glass in my fingers as I slowly brought it toward the table.
“How so?” He was genuinely curious.
“I have no intention of allowing any treacherous prey to survive.” When I slammed the glass onto the table, the force shattered the crystal into dozens of pieces.
And in the next few seconds, the two of us burst into laughter.