Chapter 16
Heavy Is the Head
Misha
I needed to get out of LaSalle’s home, but I couldn’t go home to my wife and children with all this anger seething inside. I sent them home in their own car when Logan demanded we talk. Then I needed time to cool off before heading there myself.
So we have come to Club Smoke, Fire, and Desire NY for drinks and cigars. I have come to like these new PG clubs. I lean back in my seat and stare at the embers of the expensive sigara.
“You know LaSalle was right,” Czar says.
I have just ended my call with Uri. As LaSalle has asked, I have told the other Italian the truth. This will most likely piss Logan off more when the truth comes out, but I will not open that box before it is time.
This my story to tell, and I will tell when time. Is time coming? Da, I believe will be soon.
I grunt. “Was he? Too many people in my business. I don’t like. Make things harder in end.”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
“Da, I think Czar right. You know secrets real problem here,” Vlad says.
I snort and look around the private room at the men sitting with me. They are nothing but products of secrets buried around me like land mines. Czar, Vlad, Alexei, one secret after another.
They have all jumped out of the shadows one by one, making my life feel like a lie. I didn’t think I could be more furious with my father, but he has outdone himself.
One thing has always been true. I would kill that man one day. He is lucky it was done before the deception was revealed.
I would have made his death much more painful and last much longer. I’m still cleaning up the mess of the Krupin family. I look into Czar’s blue eyes. I can’t help but wonder if he wishes he could drain all the Russian blood from his body.
Our family’s blood is enough to corrupt the soul. My stomach sours just thinking about it. I’m surprised I’m able to trust anyone after the last seven years.
If not for my wife, I probably wouldn’t. Everyone here has kept their lives because of her. In fact, the four of us have become like brothers in part because of that woman.
Everything we have been through has given us a bond like the one LaSalle and Logan have. I respect each of them.
My family respects nothing. They aim to kill and destroy. We all represent everything they’ve tried to destroy.
“How can you trust?” Alexei murmurs. “You do all this for what? Wash your hands and be done.
“Friends here show you loyalty. Family there try annihilate. Send them to hell and be free.”
“Da, I agree with Alexei. I fault you not for your choice.” Vlad snorts. “I open hell’s gates and pour water for hand wash.”
Czar laughs at the two. I’ve grown to like them both. They are almost as crazy as I am, but we know why. Once again, I want to be angry with Aunt Faina.
However, I know she has done all she has for me. She is the only one of my aunts I could ever trust. I remind myself never to cross her.
Her crazy is a bit different than her sisters’ and brothers’, but not by much. I shake my thoughts off and take in a deep breath.
“I decide nothing tonight. I want to know what Sammy saw. Then I decide,” I say as I stand and leave.
“Good to see you too, my friend,” Alexei calls after me.
“Da, tab on me. I leave in morning. Call if you need.”
“Why is he hesitating? I do for him if he can’t,” I hear Alexei say low to the others.
“He’s not protecting her. It’s because of—”
I close my eyes and move faster so I don’t have to hear my cousin’s words. Czar is revealing a truth I don’t want to listen to.
I have not gone soft. I’m sure that’s what everyone thinks, but I have not. I will handle this—at the right time.