Page 48 of King

“Sadly, that’s the truth,” I say and nod in agreement.On the monitor, Gramps looks pretty good for an old guy who was taken captive by the Russian Mafia and rescued by the FBI SWAT team.

We say goodbye and promise to get together for a nice Sunday dinner once all this is over.

Then, Natalia and I go to our rooms to get ready for a bath, but before we can, we kiss, and that starts everything.I can’t wait, and neither can she.Both of us feared we might never see the other alive, so our lovemaking is almost desperate, urgent and afterward, we both finally collapse, the pleasure momentarily wiping out all the fear and anger at everything that happened.

Natalia runs a bath, and we sink into it together, Natalia in my arms, the bubbles all around us, and just luxuriate in the warmth of the water and each other.

“I’m so glad that’s over,” she says and strokes my arm.“I still have to talk to my father, and I’m not so sure he’ll be very cooperative, but I guess if it’s jail time or helping the FBI, he’ll take the sane choice.”

“I’m sure he will.He’s not a stupid man.”

“I’m going to call him,” she says.“It’s not too late.He’s a night owl anyway.”

“If you think it’s wise.Maybe it’s better to wait and see what happens with the operation.”

She shakes her head.“I want him to know so he can be prepared for the new reality.”

I nod.We finish bathing and get out, dry off and get into our pajamas.Then, Natalia brings her laptop into her office, and we sit in front of it.

She calls him up on the laptop, and together, we wait for him to answer.

He does, his handsome older man’s face appearing on the screen.

“Natalia, Harrison, how are you?To what do I owe this pleasure?The two of you look like you’re ready for bed!”

Natalia laughs, and then her tone abruptly changes.“Father, we have to talk.”

His expression becomes serious.“I’m listening.”

She tells him about the operation and what’s happening.She confesses that we’ve been working with the FBI all along and explains why.Then, she tells him about the FBI’s demands.

“You have to agree to collaborate in cleaning up the Andropov mess, and if you do, you can remain free and can take over their part of the shipping business, but you have to keep lines of communication open.You have to become an asset.”

His face is impassive for a moment, and then he shakes his head slowly.“O boh-zheh moy,”he says.“My God, Natalia.What have you done?”

“I had no choice, Father.And neither do you if you want to be free, and if you want our family to be kept out of prison.If you do, call your lawyer and have him contact the FBI tomorrow.You need to sit down with them and make a deal.It’s that, or they’re coming for you next.And me.And Harrison.All of us.I don’t want my baby to be born in prison.”

He says nothing for a moment and looks away, like he can’t bear to look at Natalia and me.Finally, he looks at the screen again and sighs audibly.

“I was afraid this day would come,” he says.“Given how honorable a man Harrison is and you,solnyshko.”

“We had no choice, either,” Natalia says.“Once I was involved with Harrison, because of what I did in the bank, they had me.I would have gone to prison otherwise.The same with Harrison.It’s our deal with the lesser of the two devils.”

Stepan nods in understanding.“So, Harrison, my new son-in-law.This makes you the King in your family.You will soon understand what that means and understand how difficult it has been for me to,” he says and shakes his head.“Extricate myself from our business.”

“I do understand,” I say.“But I’m no King.I have to cooperate with the FBI until they’re satisfied that my debt is paid, but once it is, my family’s business will be shut down, sold off, and I’ll probably go back to heading my investment firm instead.”

“That’s sad,” Stepan says.“To end such a long-standing family business like O’Connor Enterprises.There must be a way to get out, no?”

I shake my head.“If there is, my father would have succeeded.You can see what it did to him when he tried to leave.Two sons dead, and he’s dead, too.I’m afraid the business is far too tied to the underworld to survive.”

“You are a very smart young man, Harrison.If anyone can figure out how, I’m sure you will.Think of the future.”

“I’d love to keep it going, but right now, it looks like selling it off once the FBI clears us of our debt is our best bet.We’ll see how it goes over the next few months.”

“Well,” Stepan says and nods.“I will let you two go.Now, I must call my lawyer and figure out how to proceed.”

“Please, Father, cooperate,” Natalia says, her voice almost tearful.“I don’t want to lose anyone else.”