Chapter 22 #2
“An alliance bonded by marriage,” I stated for her.
“And what makes you think Sean McCarthy will go for it? They could simply talk to their Italian buddies and try and wipe out the New York Bratva,” Dimitri threw out, his concern notable.
“Because my uncle is many things including greedy. I will guess you have more clout, more power, more influence, and more money. Plus, I have a feeling the Savoys could be playing him as a fool.”
I did so adore hearing her act as if she was boss. Not of a household but of a regime. She’d learned much in her position as the niece of a powerful man.
“Playing him how?” Stash asked, completely enthralled by her.
And what was I thinking? That if he dared try to touch her, I would beat his ass. Christ. I’d never been jealous before.
“Using them to get a foothold into the United States or to simply formally take over the Lorenzo territory, which has been suffering with a family member as the Don who can’t handle the job.
You see, my former almost fiancé, Gabriel Lorenzo, was murdered, the act performed by someone from the Savoy clan but fueled by my uncle.
That was four years ago. My guess is the Savoys had plans on taking the Lorenzo territory then, perhaps with help of their good friend the Marichetti Don. Ring a bell?”
Rafaela grimaced for a few seconds while walking closer. “You are kidding me.”
“Nope,” Vivian said, popping the p. She had her eyes locked on mine, smirking since she’d been keeping secrets from me.
“With Kirill in a coma and me refusing to leave his side, I did a little snooping of my own, discovering a couple photographs with Don Savoy and Don Marichetti together years ago. They seemed chummy. I started going down a trail. Now, some of what I’m suggesting is just that, a suggestion of what could happen, but my uncle is greedy enough and highly competitive.
He does not want the Bratva here in New York. But…” Her eyes were twinkling.
“We’re going to need to talk about you keeping secrets from me. That won’t be the case when we’re married.”
“So you’re saying yes?”
The entire room was holding their breath. I couldn’t help but laugh. “I guess we have many things to talk about.”
“What about the Ghost?” Stash asked.
“I think he’s working with one of the Italian families and I suggest the Savoys,” I answered.
“Why?” Kazimir wasn’t convinced.
“Because Kirill and I were supposed to meet. And I think the Ghost made that happen.” Her voice finally held a slight tremor. “Whether or not the Ghost is your brother I don’t know. But you claimed the Marichetti territory. You’re a threat on both sides of the pond.”
Dimitri was obviously impressed, the words spoken in broken Russian offering her praise.
But he didn’t want her to know it.
“Families,” Dante offered. “They are the reason for a huge percent of cold-blooded murder.”
“And revenge,” Kazimir stated. “You think your father will honor the marriage and the alliance?”
“I think he won’t appreciate anyone betraying him,” Vivian offered. “Which I am certain you can prove.”
Chuckling, I lifted my glass in respect to my beautiful soon to be bride. “We both believe the Ghost won’t be able to bypass the opportunity.”
“To seek revenge,” Rafaela sighed. “We can’t allow that to happen, whoever is behind the intended act.”
“Agreed.” Kazimir studied everyone in the room, his last gaze lingering on my face.
“But we do this cautiously. And what I said to you a few days ago about Mikhail stands true. If he’s behind this, I will crush him myself.
Family is important, but I refuse to allow any member of my family whether immediate or because of affiliation to destroy any of us.
Including our new addition. If you’re serious, Vivian.
Welcome to the family, but you should know that I will not allow your father or uncle to continue playing a game.
If they insist on doing so, I will crush them. ”
“All I ask is that you spare my sister. She’s a victim. She still believes in love.”
Vivian’s words haunted me, more so than I cared to admit. I found it difficult to look her in the eye.
Kazimir nodded. “She will be taken care of as if she was one of our own. Now, I guess we have a business meeting to coordinate and a wedding to plan. It would seem our family is getting larger.” While he allowed a wide smile, tension lingered in the room.
We were still playing a dangerous game and one that could end in both violence and death.
But I would protect the woman I couldn’t get out of my system with my life.
Maybe that was what love was all about.
* * *
Vivian
There was something to be said about returning to a familiar place. The sights. The sounds. The smells. Everyone took comfort in being in an environment that presented memories.
Except if the location was inherently evil. That’s the way I considered my uncle’s bar. It might as well be his and in truth, maybe his name was on the deed. I honestly wasn’t certain.
However, the location seemed the perfect choice, at least when I’d initially made the suggestion. Now I wasn’t so certain given there were at least triple the number of soldiers hanging in and around the location.
To counter the Irish, there were at least thirty Russians who’d arrived in several vehicles, most content to wait in nearby locations or on the street. The local coffee shop. Another bar that was still full of Irishmen. Even the local Mexican joint.
Four accompanied Kirill, Kazimir, Dimitri, Stash, and me as I opened the door.
We were expected and the dead silence was uncanny. The only thing that ever stopped the chatter was the appearance of an enemy. Nothing could stop the binge drinking.
Especially so close to the magical five o’clock hour.
Yet my guests weren’t greeted fondly, as I’d known they wouldn’t be. The largest of the Irishmen were waiting near the front, all standing and puffing up as if they would gladly engage in a brawl.
They were surprised to see I wasn’t in chains, unhappy when I offered every man who stood in an arc around us a nasty glare.
From my vantage point, I couldn’t see my uncle, but I knew he was sitting in the same spot as before with my father in tow. I’d talked to Kathleen, learning that he’d already left, returning to the States. This could end up being a bloodbath.
Although I was a sneaky girl and mentioned the possibility of betrayal and additional wealth all in the same breath. An irresistible combination.
“I suggest you move aside,” I offered with no emotion in my voice.
Kazimir as the Pakhan moved beside me when not a single Irishman responded. “I suggest you do as the lady asks.” He even unbuttoned his jacket in a clever manner, allowing them to see his heavy firepower. Not that either side wanted a bloodbath. Not here and not now.
While I was well aware my interference wasn’t traditional, I had no intention of being a wife in name only, providing heirs one after another.
In fact, up until recently, I’d had no real desire for children.
Then Kirill had come into my life in the most unexpected of ways.
“Let them pass, Rory,” my uncle called from behind. “We have business to discuss.” I’d left my uncle hanging with what business except for the two lead-in points.
The Irishmen slowly inched away, the well-armed men forming a narrow path.
My father was more surprised than anything, thinking that I understood women weren’t involved in negotiations. He had no understanding of what I was made of. This wasn’t a negotiation, but a warning.
They would enter into an agreement with the Chertov family or risk losing everything. And if they dared try to betray that agreement, they would lose more than just territory and business. In truth, I was fine with that.
Why?
Contrary to what I’d said about love, I’d already fallen hard for Kirill. He was everything I shouldn’t crave yet the one man who truly understood me. And I knew in my heart that he would do whatever it took to keep me completely protected.
And cherished.
With the feel of his hand on the small of my back, I wasn’t worried or frightened in the least. In fact, I’d never felt so in control in my life.
As well as happy. The powerful Russian knew exactly how to make me very happy.
This time and in a rare occurrence, both my uncle and father stood. While my father was the most unhappy of the two, he had no say in the meeting. At least that’s what I was counting on.
Introductions were made and seats offered. When it was obvious I wasn’t supposed to sit with the men, in a shocking move that would be heard about all around the city of New York, Kazimir offered his chair.
The murmur in the bar was incredible.
“While my niece was kind enough to make the introductions, Kazimir, she is not party to our discussions.” My uncle offered me a generous if not dismissing smile.
Kazimir took his time leaning over the table beside me, planting his fists on the surface.
“That’s where you are wrong, Sean. Without Vivian’s encouragement, we wouldn’t be here.
In fact, at this point we would be laying claim to several of your properties.
” He pulled a group of papers from his suit jacket, placing them in front of my uncle.
It didn’t take long for his smug smile to fade. Through using hackers, Kirill had discovered every dirty little secret regarding my uncle’s regime. Warehouse locations. Contents. Financials. The false financials. Contact lists. Even a few items used for blackmail.
In forty-eight hours, a lot had been accomplished.
In seeing pictures Kazimir still kept of his brother Mikhail, I could tell how anxious he was at the possibility Mikhail was behind the attacks.
I’d heard a few stories about him, including how Kazimir had cared for him during Mikhail’s lengthy chemo treatment after the murder of their mother.
The fact Mikhail had betrayed him would forever weigh on his mind.
For most men in this world, the one thing they hated the most was betrayal, which was why we were about to use that idea to our benefit.
My uncle’s face turned beet red. When he started to stand, Kirill made his place in the regime evident. “I suggest you remain seated. Keep in mind we have enough men and explosives to destroy this entire block. I don’t think you want that to happen.”
Hissing, my uncle glanced in my eyes before parking his ass on the chair. “What do you want?”
“An alliance between our families. Partners in a new business. Oil and gas.”
Both my uncle and father laughed. “Why would we want to do that?” my father asked.
“Well, for one thing, if this information is turned over to the FBI, I imagine you won’t be able to make the purchase of the Central Oil as you’re intending on doing. Regulators are very fickle about who can make a purchase. But there’s more.” Kazimir was enjoying himself.
So was I.
“What?” my uncle managed.
Kazimir offered me the floor.
“Kirill and I are getting married. Both for business and personal reasons. It would seem even chained princesses can have both.”
“Absolutely not!” My father jerked to a standing position, slamming his fist on the table.
“Sit down, Gerald,” my uncle demanded. “We’re in the middle of a meeting.” He leaned over the table closer to me. “Is this what you want or are you merely angry with your family?”
“I am angry with you, furious in fact given we’re not living in the nineteenth century.
However, I have learned there is a benefit to certain…
contracts.” I offered Kirill a shameful look at which he grinned.
We fed off each other in multiple ways. “These are my terms that happen to coordinate with what the Pakhan and his family want given their move to New York.”
“I see.” Uncle Sean sat back, fiddling with his whiskey. “You mentioned betrayal. By whom?”
“By the Savoy family. You’re merely muscle for them, Uncle Sean. Nothing more. What did you discover about my initial meeting with Kirill?”
I sensed he didn’t want to admit the truth, completely uncomfortable in his chair. But he also knew what was at stake.
“While there was denial that an upgrade was made, I located the credit card where the charges were applied.”
“Enzo.”
He nodded, immediately taking the time to glance from one to another of the Bratva members. “What else is in it for me?”
“By way of marriage and some unpleasantries, I own one fifth of Italy, the Marichetti Empire to be exact.” Kazimir smiled once making the announcement. “The same deal will apply as made with the Savoys only more lucrative. If the alliance is maintained.”
“What about your sister?” my father asked. “You surely don’t want her hurt in all this.”
“If we’re correct, her marriage will ultimately be annulled as it was entered into with false pretenses.” She wouldn’t be happy with me, but I only cared about her life at this point.
“What about yours?” My father thought he had me over a barrel.
In a surprise move, my uncle answered. “They’re in love, Gerald. Can’t you tell? They beat the odds, a chance we never gave ourselves.”
“This is bullshit,” my father continued.
“And you don’t have any say in either the business arrangement or in your daughter’s life. What about this Ghost I’ve heard about? My niece seems to think this creature could be an issue.”
“He will try to harm the family,” Kazimir said with conviction. “And he will be killed.” He hesitated before pulling out a photograph of Mikhail. “Have either one of you seen this man either here or in Rome?”
While they both took a long look, only Uncle Sean shook his head. “You seem to forget. Russians stink.” As soon as my uncle pushed the photograph away, Kazimir bristled for the first time.
I was concentrating on my father’s facial expression. But as quickly as it was there, it disappeared. He was concerned, more so than he’d admit.
“Make note of his face, gentlemen,” Kirill quipped. “But if you see him, contact us.”
“Understood,” Uncle Sean agreed with an easy smile on his face. “So you know, if you are wrong and I wasn’t betrayed by the Savoys, I will stop at nothing to destroy you as you’ve threatened with me.”
“Understood. If my information is correct, the Ghost is on their payroll,” I tossed out. “He will make himself known.”
“We will honor our end of the bargain,” Kazimir stated. “See that you do as well. You won’t like becoming our enemy.”
Uncle Sean nodded after a few seconds. “Vivian. Is that man worth giving your heart to?”
The question was one I’d toyed with for several nights. I glanced into Kirill’s eyes and knew as I had from the first moment I’d met him how strong our connection was. “Yes.”
“Then so be it. Let fate have its say.”