Page 17 of The Enemy Protector
"Stability is important," I agree pleasantly, then ask the housekeeper about dessert.
After the meal, my father announces he’s tired.
I walk Yuri to the door. I don’t invite him to stay, despite there being more than enough room in the house. My father didn’t invite him either, and I have to believe there’s a reason for that.
“I’d like to visit again,” Yuri says.
“I’m sure you can call my father and arrange a time,” I reply.
He waits. I’m not offering.
I feel Anton’s presence. I can’t see him, but I know he’s there.
I keep my hands clasped. It does two things. Yuri can’t take them, and it makes a hug impossible.
“Goodnight, Yuri.”
Something in his face goes still. I hate that more than anger.
“Goodnight,” he says with a smile that lands like a warning.
I watch the car’s taillights disappear through the gate.
Then I go to my father's room.
He's awake. I know he doesn’t sleep much these days. He’s in the chair by the window. A lamp glows beside him. A glass of water sits on the side table. The television is on mute. He looks at me when I come in and waits.
I sit on the edge of the ottoman across from him.
"Tell me about Yuri."
He knew I’d come with questions.
"What do you want to know?"
"What I should know." I keep my voice calm. He would not respond well to an interrogation. "He's been here a few hours, and he's already asked me detailed questions about the business. He said the wordtraditionalat dinner in a way that wasn't about tradition. He doesn’t like me. He doesn’t trust me."
My father goes quiet, and I think he might redirect me. "Yuri believes his claim to the Baranov leadership is stronger than yours."
This doesn’t surprise me. Bratva men always want more. "On what basis?"
"On the basis that he is a man and you are not. Certain people in Moscow agree with him." He doesn’t soften it for me. Hedoesn’t care that I’m being told I’m not good enough simply because I’m a woman. "The bratva sends money back to Russia. Significant money. The Moscow leadership has interest in New York's operations continuing to produce. If they believe there is instability in the succession—" He pauses. "If they believe the heir is weak, or untested, or easily removed, they will support whoever offers them certainty."
"And Yuri has been talking to them."
My father says nothing, which is the same as yes.
"How long has this been a possibility?"
“Since I got sick.” He picks up the glass of water and takes a sip, then coughs hard enough to cut himself off. I don’t pat his back or ask if he’s okay. I wait for him to regain control. “Perhaps before I got sick.”
I take a breath and consider what he isn’t saying.
"What do I do?"
My father looks at me directly. "You hold your seat."
"That's not an answer."
