14. Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Aleksandr

The scent of fresh paint mingled with the faint aroma of cigar smoke lingered in the air as I gathered my senior vors for a meeting in my art gallery. These are my most trusted men, my inner circle. It has been a long time since I called the council to discuss Bratva business. The low murmur of their voices echoed through the spacious gallery, each of them understanding the importance of this meeting.

"We're ready," Dimitri announces. The room goes silent, and all eyes are fixed on me.

"I'm sure you've all heard about Andrey," I begin, anger simmering in my chest. "He was one of my most trusted vors and my cousin. His death will not go unavenged." I hold up my glass of whiskey, and my men follow, honoring Andrey. The weight of his loss hangs heavy in the air, a shadow that darkens the gallery's distinguished ambiance.

"I have contacted Denis and reviewed the surveillance footage. Last night, four men broke into the gallery, injuring two of the guards and killing Andrey. This was a targeted attack, and we have identified the men as part of the San Francisco Yakuza, led by Haruto Adachi." Just saying the name leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

"His men have stolen six paintings. There was more than three million dollars of heroin hidden inside the frames." My anger morphs into a full-blown firestorm. "Adachi has been a thorn in my side since my trip to San Francisco, and now he strikes at the heart of the Avilov empire!" I slam my fist on the table visualizing Adachi's smug face.

"He seeks to challenge us," Dimitri says, his voice tight with restrained rage. "To seize control of our territory since you denied him a piece of it."

The vors nod grimly in agreement. "He's a thief and a coward," one of the men calls out. "Slice his throat and be done with it," another mutters.

"He wants to control distribution from New York to San Francisco with or without your approval," Anton chimes in.

"Adachi has made a grave mistake, one that he will soon come to regret," I mutter, my voice a cold whisper. "I will show him the price of betrayal."

Directing my full attention to my vors, I formulate a plan. "I want all of our men tracking down the Yakuza scum that dared to enter these walls. Contact our network of informants and spies in the city. Their eyes and ears must be everywhere, scouring the streets for any whispers or murmurs that might lead us to Adachi's men." They pull out their cell phones and begin shooting off text messages.

"Dimitri, you will contact our connections in the underworld. Offer them a generous reward for any information leading to the whereabouts of the stolen paintings and Adachi's men. So far, they have proven to be cunning and elusive, but that ends now."

"Da, pakhan. " Dimitri's phone rings, and he steps away to answer the call. After a brief conversation, he returns to the table. "It was Denis," he announces. "He will discreetly leverage his contacts in the police department to access their resources and help us track down Adachi's men."

"That's good, but he can do more. Call him back and tell him I want him to plant false leads and rumors that will be spread around the criminal network. Maybe we can draw Adachi's men out of hiding by dangling bait in front of them." A cruel, vicious smile spreads across my face. "And when they least expect it, we'll strike. Then I'll find Adachi and cut off his head."

A dangerous glint flickers in my eyes as my plan is set in motion. Each calculated step, each deliberate move, will bring me closer to hunting down Adachi's men and ensure that justice is served with ruthless efficiency. In the world of the Bratva, loyalty is everything, and betrayal is met with a fate worse than death.

I end the meeting and listen to the echoes of footsteps fade into the distance. Dimitri follows me into my office and closes the door behind him. " Brat , we have a lot of shit on our plates right now." Going to the small bar, he pours a glass of vodka and then sits on the black leather sofa. "The Yakuza, Mikhail's killer, and Talia…how are you handling all of this?"

If Dimitri was anyone else who dared to question me, I'd put a bullet in his chest to prove I was in control. But I know he's asking as my brother, not as my second-in-command. "I can handle it," I assure him. "We'll find Adachi's men and the drugs. And then I'll find Adachi." Loosening my tie, I cross the room and pour whiskey into a crystal glass. Relishing the way it burns my throat, I pour another.

"And what about Talia? How are you handling her being here…being in the mansion?" He tries to cover his smirk by taking a sip from his glass.

"The only reason she is in the mansion is so I can protect her until we find Mikhail's killer. She's the only witness." I try to sound convincing, but I know Dimitri can see right through me.

"Really? You could have sent her to the hotel with her sister for protection. Is there any other reason you insisted she stay in the mansion?" His eyebrow raises in question, and he no longer hides his smirk.

"What have you heard?" I ask, steepling my fingers in front of my face.

"I might have heard you had her begging you to fuck her in your office," he replies, sucking on his front teeth. "Are you protecting her with your cock?"

His guttural laughter frays on my nerves. What the hell does he know? I fucked her, so what. It didn't mean anything. I fuck many women. Although Talia is the only woman I've fucked since that night in San Francisco, but I'm not telling him that. "What I do in my office is my business. And who I fuck is my business."

"Of course, brat ," he says, his smirk still firmly planted.

"What's happening with the sister, Sandy?" I question, attempting to change the subject.

"She's safe. We have men watching her and another man watching the apartment. If anyone suspicious is spotted, I'll be notified immediately." Dimitri glances at his watch and then stands. "I'm going to stop by Echo later and see if I can get more information on Lupani's men. Why don't we go get some dinner first? I'll call Trattaro's and reserve a table."

"You go," I insist. "I have work to do." I'd rather stay here and work than go home and bump into Talia. I don't know what it is about that woman, but she's gotten under my skin, and I don't like it.

"I'll call you if I find anything out." Turning on his heels, Dimitri leaves the office.

Closing the laptop, I go to the bar and pour another glass of whiskey. I can't concentrate with thoughts of Talia bombarding my mind. This is going to be a long night.