Page 40 of Assassin: Part 1

Anticipation thickens my blood.

The Bratva Butcher’s days are numbered. His best creation is about to become his downfall.

I just have one stop to make first.

16

ILYA

“Simeon is going to be a fucking problem,” Oleg warns as he sinks into the chair across from me. Like a normal person and not like my hulking brother whose big ass broke another chair the other day.

“Of course he fucking is.” I give Oleg a bland stare. “He’s an idiot on a good day. What’s he done now?”

“He’s blabbing to everyone he can that he’s doing so well, that he and his father are going to come to terms soon so he can take over. The only thing saving his ass is that Timur seems to be preoccupied, or he just doesn’t care.”

“Why the fuck would he care?” Zakhar demands with a snort. “He knows his son who has no leverage is talking out his ass. The only thing I care about is that he doesn’t mention our role in this. Then Timur will definitely start to pay attention.”

On that, we can agree, but Timur Belov is no fool. If he’s aware of his son’s visit to me, he won’t act yet.

“What are the informants we have in their camp saying?” I ask Oleg.

He shakes his head. “Nothing. They’ve heard nothing other than some rumblings from the soldiers that they’re tired of dealing with Simeon and his demands. He’s gotten bold in giving orders, but Timur isn’t stopping him.”

“He’s sowing his own descent.” Zakhar grins at me. “When we take down Timur, they’ll be begging to join us to avoid dealing with Simeon.”

“There’s only one problem.” Oleg gives me a pointed stare. “Simeon is being cagey about the Chameleon and if they’ve agreed to take this job.”

It doesn’t surprise me, but it worries me. Few things rattle me, but the knowledge that an assassin as feared as the Chameleon might be gunning for my head because of Simeon’s recklessness certainly puts me on edge.

I’m also not stupid enough to waste resources to keep them out, but Oleg has the men on high alert. Anyone trying to get in, we’ll know about it.

Hopefully. Maybe.

If Simeon is trying to find information to hold over my head, he’s got another thing coming.

“Put men on him and get taps on his phones and computer,” I order. “Anything he knows, I want on my desk in twenty-four hours.”

“You think he’s going to try and double-cross us?” Zakhar asks, scowling.

“Of course he is.” Oleg scoffs. “Fucker is probably stringing us along to do as much of the hard work as we can before he has the Chameleon take us and his father out so we’re all out of the way and he can take everything over.”

“He’s not that fucking smart,” Zakhar argues. “And no fucking way an assassin is going to take out two Pakhans for a lowly wannabe.”

On that, I have to agree.

“He’s keeping us in the dark to have some kind of leverage, and I want to know what that is.” I narrow my eyes at Oleg. “And you’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen. Twenty-four hours, not a second longer, or we start cutting off digits for every hour they’re late.”

Oleg nods as he stands. “Consider it done.” He leaves without another word.

Zakhar mutters something under his breath I can’t catch, lips twisting when he finally returns his gaze to me. “I don’t fucking like this, brother. There are too many unknowns. Too many things that can go wrong. I am not becoming fucking Pakhan because of Simeon fucking Belov.”

“They’ll hit you before they hit me with how big your ass has gotten.” I look at my watch, ignoring his glare. “We’ve got a couple hours before we have to be at the warehouse to inspect the new shipments. Tell Oleg I want double the men on guard but carefully hidden. I don’t want anyone tipped off until this has been cemented.”

Our tentative agreement with the cartel to move drugs through to Canada is almost settled, but I don’t trust those fuckers as far as I can throw them. They’ll be testing me to see if I catch whatever they’re hiding, and I don’t plan on giving them anything to pull out of this deal.

Especially since a move like this will cut into Timur Belov’s profits very nicely.

“Already done. Oleg’s got some of our best snipers hanging out in the trees too in case the cartel tries to double-cross us.”