39. Alexander

Chapter 39

Alexander

I follow Lev through the crowd, completely on guard, not sure what the hell he’s up to now. Coming here, I figured he was going to take matters into his own hands. Kill Adriano, get himself out of the marriage, or die trying. Maybe just settle for sparking the war again by crossing a few too many lines.

But now I wonder.

Lev’s too clever for that. Guns blazing isn’t his thing. He might’ve gone charging off down at the docks, but he’s usually more levelheaded than that. With him, there’s an angle, there’s another layer.

I’m not seeing the play here, and it’s bothering me.

Lev turns down a hall. There’s a staircase that leads up to the private VIP lounges on the second floor. When we approach, the bouncer nods at the pair of us.

“Mr. Marino’s waiting in his private office. Turn right at the top of the steps. You’ll see the guard.”

He opens the rope and Lev starts climbing.

“Adriano knows you’re coming?” I ask him, confused. “What’s going on right now?”

“I told you. I’m here for revenge.” Lev looks determined, but I don’t get it. Why would Adriano let him through if Lev’s just here to murder him?

“Don’t do something stupid.” I grab his arm when we reach the top. The VIP sections are to the left on balconies overlooking the dancefloor and the private offices are down a blocked-off hall to the right. A guard lurks there, big arms crossed over his chest, gun visible at his hip.

Lev faces me. He puts a hand on my elbow and squeezes. “Listen, Alex. I care about my family. You know that, right?”

“Which is exactly why I don’t want you to go down the hall. Don’t go into that office. Let’s turn away and go home.”

“Trust me, okay? What you’re about to hear in there, just trust me. Can you do that?”

I don’t know if I can. Lev’s darkness is rearing its ugly head and I’m worried he’s about to get himself killed. But this is the last brother I have on earth, and I can’t turn my back on him.

“I trust you.”

He nods and turns away. The guard lets him pass and doesn’t seem surprised when I follow too.

Adriano’s office is at the end of the hall. The music is muted and entirely disappears when we’re ushered inside by a third armed man. The room is spacious with comfortable carpeting, a big wooden desk, and expensive paintings on the walls.

“Gentlemen.” Adriano’s in a dress shirt and slacks. He’s got a drink at his elbow and a laptop open on the left. He closes the lid and stands. “I was wondering when you’d come up to visit.”

“We had a talk first.” Lev approaches him. I’m tense and on edge, ready to lunge and tackle Lev to the floor at the first sign of violence.

Adriano looks totally at ease. “That’s fine by me. Club’s in good shape tonight.”

“Business looks steady.”

“You know how the club and restaurant business can be. One second, money pours from a firehose, and the next it’s all gone.” He gestures for us to sit as he settles himself back down. “Do either of you want a drink? It’s good seeing you again, Alexander, by the way.”

“You too, although I’m going to be honest, I’m not totally sure what this meeting is about.”

Adriano smiles. There’s always a sharpness to this man. Like even when he’s being friendly, there’s always the possibility he might decide to start murdering everyone in the room.

“I figured Lev would have told you. We’re here to discuss the terms of his engagement.”

I stare at my best friend. He doesn’t look back. His face is grim and he’s sitting forward in his seat.

“I have one request,” Lev says. “And it’s non-negotiable.”

“I find that most things are negotiable, but alright, let’s hear it.”

“I’ll marry your cousin. We’ll bring you into the Canadian business, and I’ll even make sure you get a more than generous stake. All I ask in return is your backing when I take down my father.”

My mouth opens. There should be words—protests—something—but nothing comes out.

Lev stares, face hard. Adriano looks back, slightly amused.

This can’t be happening.

Oleg’s an old bastard, but he’s a good leader. He took this family from a mid-level criminal organization with a decent jewelry front and grew it exponentially. Now, we’re deeply embedded in the Zeitsev Bratva, and growing all the time.

If Lev’s serious, this is going to change everything.

I’m not sure how I feel about it, either. On the one hand, Oleg’s an old bastard and probably deserves to get a bullet in the head.

On the other, he’s like a father figure. I’m angry with him right now, but he raised me. He trained me. He gave me purpose

I hate the way he treats his kids. I hate how he talks about my wife and uses Lev like a pawn.

Step wouldn’t be dead if it weren’t for Oleg pushing everyone into more and more dangerous situations, all in the name of power and glory.

But I still respect him. I still owe him so much.

“That’s not a small request,” Adriano says finally. “I take it things aren’t good at home?”

“My father’s time is over. I believe there’s a better direction for this family, and I’m prepared to do what it takes to make it happen. But right now, my father has the loyalty of his men.”

“You think it’s a good idea turning to a bunch of Italians for help in your coup? Perhaps you should get your own people on your side first.”

Lev turns and looks right at me. “What do you say to that, Alexander?”

Well, fuck.

He wasn’t sitting at that bar working up the nerve to go murder Adriano.

He was waiting for me . The devious fucking prick. He knew I’d come looking for him if he up and disappeared.

The fucker orchestrated this meeting to put me in this position.

Side with him or side with Oleg.

I should be a good soldier. I should be the best member of my Bratva possible and refuse. Oleg may be a bitter, nasty old fuck, but he’s still the head of the family. He’s still the man our Pakhan trusts and brought into his inner circle. That means something. That matters.

I want to be perfect. I need to be better than everyone else.

But I know?—

I know ? —

That’s not me.

It’ll never be me, no matter how hard I try.

Natalya taught me that I can strive to be a good man, but a perfect man?

That isn’t possible.

“I’m with you, brother,” I say.

And the smile Lev gives me is the first genuine one I’ve seen on him in a very long time.

“That’s a start,” Adriano says and knocks a knuckle on the desk. “Alright, Lev, this isn’t a bad deal. I’ll have to get my father on board, but I suspect he’ll be amenable.”

Lev stands and holds out a hand. Adriano gets up and shakes it.

“Here’s to the start of a good relationship then,” Lev says.

Adriano laughs and pulls Lev in, slapping his back. “Want to see the girl I have in mind for you? I think you’ll be happy.”

“No, that’s okay.” Lev turns away and heads to the door. “I have plans to make.”

I follow him. Back in the hall, we stop in the quiet shadow of a doorway, before we reach the second bouncer. “You sure about this?” I ask him. The only time I’ll let myself say it. Because I promised I’d trust him, and I will.

“It’s time,” he says. “I didn’t want to do it this way, but I couldn’t let my father get suspicious.”

“How long have you wanted this?”

That darkness again. It flits across his face. “A very, very long time. Come on, let’s get out of here before they start shoving Italian girls at me. Looks like you’re getting the truce you need, and I’m getting a wife.”