Page 77 of Beloved
The question had certainly been on my mind. “I don’t know yet.”
“I don’t think I need to remind you that you should be very careful how you handle your return. She might not be who you remember.”
He’d been thoughtful in his attempt at sharing his concern, fearful I would blame Mikhail or even Stash. “Neither one of us are, Kirill.”
“You care about her.”
“I care about no one.”
“I know you too well, Kaz.”
Right now, I didn’t need to be reminded of my foibles by anyone. “I plan on being very careful, which is why we’re here. That ruthless man saved me for a reason.” And not just because of his friendship with my grandfather.
“I keep going back to the thought that someone wanted you to suffer while keeping you alive.”
“Of that I have no doubt. Death is much easier. And cleaner.”
“Yes, you’re right. Yet death would mean your demise wasn’t personal.” He scanned the street. “There are lots of rumblings on the streets of Moscow.”
“There always are. I’m more concerned about what’s being said in Italy.”
“When are we leaving for Sicily?” Kirill asked while keeping his voice low.
“In a couple days when I’ve finished business here.”
My second in command huffed in a way that allowed me to know he had something on his mind.
I waited until we’d made our way to the exterior of the location we were visiting. “Is there something you feel the need to tell me?”
We might be friends and I was extremely grateful for him risking his life to extract me, but that didn’t mean he could dishonor my family.
He took a deep breath, glancing in the opposite direction. “What you’ve endured the last three years was very personal. That’s all I’m saying. I would hate for you to be misled by anyone.”
Misled. He was right to tiptoe around the words he used. I was a ticking timebomb, but mostly in my need for a taste of revenge.
“Understood. Trust is earned, my friend.”
“And I mean no disrespect, but the woman could be of use. Plus, you already have a connection.”
Now I gritted my teeth. “Remember your place, Kirill. At this point, I’m not the same man I was. I’d keep that in mind if I were you.”
“Yes, Pakhan.” He noticed the box of Cuban cigars and bottle of Beluga Epicure Russian Vodka. “Wow. Do I need to ask how you managed to achieve making such purchases?”
“I still have connections.”
“You need to be careful, Kaz. That’s the last thing I’ll say.”
No, it wouldn’t be, but in truth, I didn’t pay him to be careful.
“I’m always careful. Where is he?”
Kirill took a deep breath. “Officiating a fight.”
He’d yet to be indoctrinated into the world. “You’ll enjoy this.” In the time I’d been imprisoned, several additional Bratva syndicates had sprung up through Europe and even in the United States.
Any of them could be considered a danger to our regime.
We moved to the club’s actual entrance where two bouncers were successfully preventing anyone from walking in without an invitation.
