David had nothing to do with Moscow, until I brought him back with me. In Paris, David put all his energy and efforts to get Emily back to me. For now, David would be my number one. The decision would definitely piss off all the other brothers, especially the ones who knew me since our teen years.
So far, I didn’t doubt Pavel’s loyalty. Although I gave him a hard time, I loved him more like he was my own brother. We’d grown up together—both born in Siberia. Same age. Same sort of family. Same unorthodox school of hard knocks—the sort that had no walls or ceiling. No books. Just bloody roads that led to mischief.
At ten, I’d already had a little gang—my young sister, Valentina and five cousins. They gave me my few happy memories of winter. We would stand around a trash can full of fire and sip vodka we’d stolen from our uncles. There, we boasted about all the money we would one day have.
Pavel had been one of the cousins from my first gang. At this meeting, I’d invited the other four too—Zahkar, Abram, Tisha, and Roman.
They had also been at the party where I officially introduced Emily to the brotherhood.
They were now the main ones I suspected in the messages.
David and Pavel will help me catch them. Out of everyone, I trust them the most.
Pavel had earned my respect. For the last monkey head message with the fishing line, he had been in Saint Petersburg getting shot by Misha. After that, he flew to Paris, injured, but still ready to serve me. And since then, he remained at my side.
I had barely spoken to Tisha and Roman since they’d come to Russia for the party. They also had spent years in low position never seeming to have any real ambition with the brotherhood. I doubted they had anything to do with these messages, but I would still have my people watch them.
Meanwhile, Abram and Zahkar had also placed themselves low on my list of loyal people. Zahkar had been in charge of finding the people involved. He kept Emily’s men out of the investigation, and someone killed her number three, Yuri. Zahkar could be the ringleader to the situation and obstructing the investigation because of it.
Zahkar may have been the one that killed Yuri.
If he did, then I’ll let my mouse shoot him right in the head.
And then there was Abram. In the midst of the party to introduce Emily to everyone, he left early and never met her. He still hadn’t said one word to her since we’d been back, instead treating Emily like she was a regular whore I kept on my arm. He appeared to have the most disapproval of my relationship out of everyone.
If he doesn’t fall in line, he’ll die too. In fact. . .I will test him and everyone else, when it comes to my mouse.
But there was a slight chance that he was innocent of the situation. For the second message, he wasn’t in Moscow. I had sent Abram to Prague to find my uncle’s body and deal with the mess that Misha had ignored. Unfortunately, his absence still didn’t make him completely innocent. Abram could have still instructed his men to carry out the orders while he was gone.
Regardless, I was certain that the main culprit resided with these men. No one had the balls like them to think they could do something so heinous. They held more power than most. While I would look at everyone, I would have a careful eye on those three.
Zahkar, Abram, Tisha, and Roman. Hmmm. Nikolay could go on the list too, but his head has been so far up his wife’s ass, I doubt he has time to plot.
I swayed on my feet as if feeling myself drowning in all the deceit washing up around me.
Who else could be guilty of this? Who else should I watch?
There would also be Sasha’s puppets. Surely a few hid within the brotherhood. Those would need to be sniffed out and discovered.
This can’t be ignored anymore. This week, I must find everyone involved.
Noise sounded behind me.
I heard the chatter of men entering.
I didn’t turn around.
Let them think that they’re beneath me. Let them understand that they’re unimportant until they prove their loyalty.
I checked my watch and went back to my daughter’s memorial outside of the window.
If I can’t kill the French yet, then I will torture and murder the people involved with the monkey heads.
Had it not been for the dead monkey, I would have never taken Emily to Paris. These people were as much involved with my annoyance as the Perfumed Pansies.
An herby scent hit the air.
I sniffed.
Weed? That must be Maxwell.
I glanced over my shoulder and confirmed the thought.
Maxwell and Boris entered together. Both wore gray suits with royal blue shirts and ties. Sleek and designer, yet it stood out from the typical black ones the brothers had on in the office.
The two men separated but kept the same pace.
Emily appeared behind them.
She wore a gray suit too, but it was much more.
Unable to help myself, I turned around.
The classic structured gray blazer had a notched lapel, two patch pockets, and single button closure. The gray slacks hugged her legs and were perfectly tailored. A blue seam ran from the ankle to her hip.
Emily’s top matched Maxwell’s and Boris’s blue one, but the stretch-silk elevated and hugged her full breasts. The neckline had a decent sized slit that displayed a delicious cleavage. Around her neck a diamond mouse dangling from a platinum chain.
I want to fuck you right now.
I didn't like the idea of everyone knowing about her. Not yet anyway. I still wasn’t ready to share her. With her, I would have to keep my possessiveness in check.
Unfortunately, today's outfit didn't help. The sight of her shapely curves being hugged and on display made me crazy. The exposed cleavage giving everyone a view to those full breasts would have me shooting someone by the end of the day.
She looked dangerous and sexy all at the same time.
Every man’s fantasy in the brotherhood.
I shoved my hands in my pockets.
Our eyes met.
You’re going to distract me the entire meeting. My cock is already getting hard.
With a wicked smirk, she turned away and stood off to the right.
I shook my head and gestured to the leather seat next to mine.
She frowned, probably not wanting so much attention brough her way.
Get used to it. You’re the most important person in this room. It’s time they know it.
Maxwell and Boris followed behind her as she walked over to me. The way her hips moved in those pants should have been illegal. The way they swayed was absolutely hypnotizing.
I caught a few men looking her way. Lust blazed in a few eyes. When they spotted me, they cleared their expressions.
You all are lucky I don’t have a gun in my hand.
I stifled the roar in my chest.
The men on the right side of my desk would clearly fuck her. Most likely, I could take them off my list of racist suspects.
Finally, Emily stepped to me and whispered, “I can stand. I don’t have to sit, and especially not right next to you.”
I leaned her way and brushed my lips against her ear. “Sit right there, or I’ll put you in the seat myself.”
She arched her eyebrows but did as I said.
I chose that moment to sit down too.
Let the games begin.
Chapter 14
Game of Zones
Kazimir
Everyone else arrived on time and surrounded us. Over thirty men crowded my office. Killers, thieves, and thugs.
David rolled in a massive map of Russia. This meeting would cover Sasha, Luka, and Uncle Igor’s top territories in the country. Other parts of Europe would be dealt with later this week.
A few men kept a low chatter among them.
I rose from my chair, placed both palm downwards on the desk, and leaned forward. “Let’s begin.”
Silence filled the space.
“Before we get into the top properties, I w
ant to discuss a small district.” I scanned their faces. “Kapotnya.”
Emily spun around to me. Concern covered her face. Boris stirred behind her.
“Abram.” I directed my attention his way. “Kapotnya is part of your territory?”
He stepped forward looking like he was heading to a funeral—all black suit, shirt, and tie. Everything dark and sad. He kept his hands low and crossed in front of him. The good hand hid the cut-up one. Long ago, Abram had dated one of the brother’s daughters. While they were both teens—Abram seventeen and her fourteen, the man found him to be too old. Abram had argued that the three year age difference was just a number—unimportant to their love. And so the father showed him the importance of numbers by cutting off his three middle fingers.
“Kapotnya?” Abram held a grim expression. “Yes. It is in my district. It’s a very insignificant area. There’s not much there, so I have made no money in that area. But, I would like to keep it.”
“No.”
“No?” Abram tightened his lips, looking like he wanted to curse me out.
“I’m going to give Kapotnya to the mouse.”
Abram widened his eyes. “Excuse me?”
“Is there a problem?”
“No. That is just a very dangerous area to give to one. . .so delicate. Perhaps in a few months I can think of an area from my territory for her—”
“My mouse is not delicate, and you’re offer is unnecessary.” I turned to the others. “Kapotnya belongs to Emily. If anyone has a problem with the people or operations in that area, you take it to her.”
No one said anything.
Let’s see how Abram handles himself now.
“There are other things to discuss. Positions. I need three filled.” I sat back down and gestured to David. “Many may know him as King David. At this time, he will also be my number one.”
Pavel adjusted his tie.
Relax, cousin. I didn’t forget about you.
I motioned to Pavel, before he burst into tears and messed up his pretty hair. “Pavel is my number two. He has been loyal and productive in these past weeks. More than I can say about many of you in here.”
Pavel still didn’t look relieved.
I continued, “And from the Harlem Crew, Maxwell will be my number three.”
No one appeared happy. Zahkar’s face reddened. Surely, he cursed me out in his head. Emily glared at me. I hoped she wouldn’t make a scene in here. The last thing I needed was a couple’s dispute in front of all my men. Meanwhile, Maxwell glanced behind him as if I was talking about another Maxwell from Harlem.
A few men stirred in front of me. I checked Tisha and Roman’s responses. Tisha looked like he was close to falling asleep. Roman smiled and checked out everyone else as if he was taking note of all the good brotherhood gossip to blab about.
“Onto other news.” I rested my hands on the table. “When I went to Paris, there appeared to be problems with mistreatment toward Emily’s men. Today let’s have some clarification with this situation. In regard to this house and the investigations of the monkey corpses placed in my bedroom, her men will have full access. If anyone gets in their way, then her men have my full permission to put a bullet in the center of that person’s forehead.”
Silence continued.
However, all faces shifted to stunned.
“We’re done.” I motioned to the map. “Now, David will announce the division of territories in Russia.”
David pulled out a long stick and tapped the map. “Okay. Let’s discuss Sasha’s territories. . .”
With a frozen fake smile, Emily leaned my way and whispered in my ear, “You’re not taking Max, I already told you this.”
I whispered back to her, “I just did. I’m putting Zahkar next to you.”
She kept her voice low. “I don’t trust him.”
“Exactly. Your people will watch him. It’s time to find the monkey head guy.”
She gave me a skeptical look, silently questioning my logic, but knowing there would be more to the story.
Of course there would be.
My men would be surrounding her too. With these new changes my suspects would react this week. Any of the loyal would go on about their days doing what they could to regain my trust. The pissed would make threatening move and mistakes.
And my mouse and I will kill them all, one by one.
David continued, explaining all the breakdowns. I tuned him out. Every now and then, I glanced back at the memorial outside of my window. Birds had landed on the edge. A few nipped at the water. For some reason, that little sight caused me to smile.
More time passed. A few men asked David questions here and there, but he had a good handle of everything.
He may succeed in this probationary period and end up truly becoming my number one.
Halfway through the meeting, my focus went to my mouse. I enjoyed her filling my office with her sweet perfume.
Yet, under the desk, Emily tapped her thigh.
I leaned her way and whispered, “Are you wearing panties?”
“It doesn’t matter. You won’t get to see.”
I grinned. “You’re still mad?”
“Max is mine. He stays with me.”
“The Harlem Crew is mine. I decide where he stays.”
“Since when?”
“Since you stepped on my plane and left New York.” I directed my view to those thighs, wondering how my pussy was doing.
Thank god she didn’t wear a skirt. I might have sped up this meeting.
She kept her voice low, but anger radiated off her. “Max can be used from time to time, but—”
“End of discussion, mysh.”
“Fine. Then, he’ll be your number three in spirit but there will be no physical presence.”
“Don’t make me shoot Maxwell for no reason.” I cut her with a hard look that did nothing. Anyone else in the brotherhood would be running, but she just narrowed her eyes at me and then rolled them.
David took another ten minutes to hand out areas and new positions. The majority of the men looked pleased. A few disappointed. I didn’t expect everyone to be happy.
At the end of the meeting, everyone turned to me.
No need to speak, I nodded.
They left.
There would be several more meetings today, but I knew my mouse and I would need a discussion.
She’s mad. I might as well get this over with.
Pissed, Emily remained in her seat. Maxwell and Boris stayed behind her.
When everyone else left, I stood.
She rose.
I looked at Maxwell and Boris. “Go. We need to talk.”
“I wonder what the conversation will be about.” Maxwell whistled.
Boris gazed at the map, rubbed his bald head, and left the office.
Once the door shut, Emily spun around. “Absolutely not!”
I smirked. “Is that a question or answer?”
“I don’t know what’s up with Misha and you trying to kidnap my brother, but both of you need to get over it.”
“I want someone next to me that has your interests at heart. That’s Maxwell. You have him for this week. Next week, he’s with me. Pick someone else for his spot. Maybe, the girl with blue hair.”
“You don’t tell me who I assign and change. I’m not a part of the brotherhood or—”
“Unfortunately, you are brotherhood. That’s why the monkey heads were put in our bedroom. Some don’t like it.”
“You could have talked to me first about this—”
“I’m the lion. I don’t talk to anyone about anything.”
“Kaz, when it comes to my brother or me, you—”
“Are you happy with control over Kapotnya?”
“One topic at a time—”
“No.” I closed the distance between us. “And no more suits like this. Too tight. Too fitting. Too sexy. I wanted to fuck you, when you stepped into my office.”
She cleared her throat
. “What does it mean to have control over Kapotnya?”
“It’s your territory. Make some money there. The brotherhood gets a percentage.” I pulled her into my arms. “Any disputes with other territories are handled among you all. I’m only called in for the big stuff.”
Still in my arms, she leaned away and gave me an odd look. “So. . .you’re giving me Kapotnya to control?”
“I am.”
“What’s the catch?”
I leaned my head to the side. “Catch?”
“Last night, you didn’t want me to leave the bed for meetings. Now I can go off and hustle?”
“My men will be with you the whole time, when you enter the area. Kapotnya is full of your men and other people who owe their survival to you. They will protect you more than their own family. Most of all, it keeps you busy and distracted.”
Kapotnya may be the safest place for you in Russia. They love you there.
She let out a long breath. “Any advice?”
“There’s two rules when it comes to the criminal underground in Russia.”
“Okay.” She left my hold and crossed her arms over her chest. “What are they?”
“Abram will still have people in the district. He may not take them out, in order to test you. I can handle that—”
“No.”
“Fine.” I adjusted my jacket. “Then, you deal with his men, but stay safe.”
“What are the rules, baby?”
“Rule one, figure out the ringleader to any of Abram’s remaining men in the district. The ringleader will always move first to show how big his cock is. Therefore, when he shows it or even before, immediately chop his cock off and never back away. A strong first impression is vital to dealing with the brotherhood.” I frowned. “Of course this is hypothetical. I expect you to remain safe at all times.”
“Of course.”
“Rule two, act, don't react. Always remain the person making the moves, never the one dealing with the moves.”
“Okay.” She appeared to be placing mental notes in her head.
“I probably shouldn’t have told you those rules.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’ll cause mischief.”
“I won’t.” She gave me a smile. “And while I’m being safe in Kapotnya, will you be figuring out the monkey head guy?”
Dirty Passions Page 17