Chapter 5
Petrov
My hatred for Chicago grew each time it was necessary for me to return to it. It was not my city. I was uncomfortable every minute I remained in it. It was a no man’s land and trouble was brewing around every corner.
This city was crowded, more people in a smaller amount of space than my beloved Houston.
Oddly, I missed the humidity of the south and the nearness of the ocean.
The respect I was given in Texas was missing in Chicago as well.
I did not take pleasure in knowing I would have to earn the confidence of my brother’s people.
It angered me that my orders were not immediately obeyed.
It took persuasion and money to force these fools to do as I ordered.
Worse, I was to meet Damien yet again. We had many issues that needed resolving and there would be arguments between us as always.
We did not agree on anything when it came to overseeing this territory.
Our methods were vastly different despite being raised in the same household with the good of the organization always at the forefront of our education.
Damien vastly enjoyed cruelty whereas I used it only when necessary. To him it was a game and the more he played it the more inventively evil he became.
I was tired of making the trip back and forth to oversee the search for Aguilar and repair the trouble he had caused.
While I was forced to divide my allegiance, Damian remained in Chicago gathering the backing of several mafia bosses, ones who liked his form of ruling.
He did not have a disloyal daughter or an enemy like Aguilar to worry about.
I was hampered by both, losing votes while I fought battles at two fronts in two territories.
“Aw, I see you have finally arrived to do your duty, Drago,” Damien declared with dry amusement in his tone.
He was ensconced behind our brother’s desk smoking a cigar with his feet on the desk and a glass of Russian vodka in his hand. He appeared perfectly comfortable, as if he were already in charge of Chicago.
“I have not neglected my duties, brother. I have done everything I needed to do and more for my territory as well as this one. You, however, have chosen to remain here rather than see that Miami is not going to hell in your absence,” I replied.
“I can rule from here quite easily. I have trained my second in command to do as I do. No mercy for those who do not comply with my rules, whether they are inside the organization or not. This way I do not have to concern myself with the daily humdrum dealings. You are too easy on your men,” he stated with a sarcastic chuckle.
“My men are loyal. They are obedient. If I automatically killed everyone who is not perfect in my eyes then I would not have an army for long. Some allowances for human failings are necessary,” I retorted.
He shrugged and laughed. “There are many others who can replace those I lose.
One is as good as the next. Large, stupid and obedient men are easy to find and manipulate.
Most of my recruits were forced into subservience due to owing me money and wishing for their families to live. You, dear brother, are too soft.
“I hear that Aguilar has not been found and that he has somehow still managed to make you appear to be a slave trader in yet another district, which does not make for good alliances with those you desire to impress. You will make enemies rather than friends. I am more than willing to help or even take over these problems for you as you seem to be having difficulty attending to business.”
Anger rose swiftly and I clenched my hands into fists at my side.
I did not care for being taunted by anyone, especially family.
I so badly wished I could knock his teeth out of his head to shut him up.
That enjoyable activity would have to wait until I had secured my place in Chicago, which I would despite Damian’s best efforts to be the new Boss.
Through gritted teeth I answered, “I do not want or need anything from you. Stay out of my business. Do we have things to discuss about Chicago now or not? You all but demanded my presence, so there better be news.”
He nodded briefly and said, “There is much to be discussed. However, I was forced to call a meeting so that several other leaders could vote on what has become a small issue. Since neither of us has received the honor of taking Dominik’s place as of yet, I am not allowed to simply do as I please.
You will have to wait for the meeting like everyone else since you were not available when the issue was reported. ”
If looks could kill then Damian would be ashes on the floor. At that moment I hated him for his obnoxious, superior attitude.
“Give me a time and I will be here,” I managed to get out in a deadly tone.
“It is set for 2 but be here early so we may present a united front,” he demanded.
I could not reply or there would be bloodshed. I turned and walked out. His laughter followed me.
I rushed toward the elevator, but Dominik’s assistant stopped me with the words, “You have received a fax from Houston, sir. It’s marked urgent and entitled simply Zoe.”
She cowered at the rage upon my face as I ripped the papers from her hand.
I knew before looking at the printed words that Zoe was causing trouble.
It was inevitable. She would never allow herself to be caged forever even by me.
She had my fighting spirit and no patience.
I despised the fact that it was my duty to rid her of what I saw as the perfect personality to be my heir to the throne.
The report was full of the trouble Zoe was causing.
Though she was now locked in her suite the problems were not ending.
I was done trying to deal with her as well as Aguilar.
It was time to take action on both problems, though the solutions were not ones I liked.
In fact, both resolutions angered me beyond measure, and I blamed Damian for the need to use them.
For Zoe I was being forced to find her a husband, one worthy of taking my place in the far future, one who would not be manipulated by my very intelligent daughter. It was clearly time to put her in someone else’s hands as I was no longer able to control her without completely breaking her spirit.
Aguilar was a different story. I needed an assassin who would do the job. Only one man came to mind, mostly because he owed me for allowing him to live. As I stepped on the elevator I reluctantly called Prime.
“Do not speak my name,” I commanded when he answered.
“Just listen. If you do not want retribution taken on you or the Sinners then you will take the alternative offer.
Aguilar remains free. He is ruining my name, and I cannot let that continue.
He must be exterminated like the vermin he has become.
I am certain you are still seeking him for the harm he did to your man, so it should be a simple matter to make his death profitable as well as vengeful.
“You will be compensated monetarily for this, an astronomical amount, and all previous debts and retaliatory measures will be cancelled upon completion of this task. The amount of money I pay will be significantly more than my usual recompense. However, the longer it takes to rid me of him and the more he destroys my name, the less money you will receive. Did I make myself clear?”
“Very much so. However, I need to know if Zoe is safe and unharmed? Will her supposed sins be forgiven as well?” Prime asked.
“Zoe is no longer your concern. She will be married immediately to someone more in line with my needs. Stop trying to reach out to her. She is finished with the business side of things. Rest assured she is safe and will prosper as a wife and mother, but never be a part of your world again.”