Chapter 21 - Lev

My muscles coiled, feeling like they might tear from my bones. I was on edge, a bit of fury simmering through my blood at the thought of finally learning something about this asshole who was trying to fuck me.

Take my money. Take Vadims' money. Oh, the fuck, I think not.

I hadn't even truly heard something yet. Still, the prospect of news lit me up like a damn firecracker, and I was so ready to aim that firepower at Pavel.

It had been a long while since someone had drawn out this feral anger of mine. In New York, they knew better. But this fucking prick was trying something, backing his bullshit play with family money, and I was as livid as I'd ever been.

"So spill. I want this information. Pavel's gone too far. He thinks he can fuck over the Vadims, and that isn't going to go without repercussions."

Ivan sat back in his chair, too damn nonchalant for my liking and obviously content with the information he'd found.

I rarely called all three of them to join me. Each one of them was a dangerous force to be reckoned with, even without their firearms - they were known as The Unholy Trinity. Their reputation was far-reaching, even getting back to me in NYC. The Vadims used them when they needed information, retribution, or delivery of assets fast and secure.

"He's expanding, and he's been paying well to keep it quiet." Ivan took a sip of the scotch that appeared in front of him, Georgio's service five-star as always. "He's been reaching out to other families and dealers across town. He's not planning on staying a loan shark for much longer."

I clenched my fists, squeezing the napkin on my lap hard enough to make my knuckles ache. "I fucking knew it."

Pavel"s actions, the unexpected presence of his men when we confronted him, all conveyed the clear message that he was more than just skimming off the top. This fucker wanted to make a stand against all of the Vadims when he had the chance.

I slammed my fist down on the table, making Parker jump. "That piece of shit. Who's he contacting? He's got to have help."

With a nod, Ivan recrossed his arms. His brothers flanked him on either side like the walls of protection they were, and Lev was reminded how glad he was that the three of them were still loyal to the Vadims. With their skills and level of violence, they'd make a killing on the independent market.

"Looks like a few rival families. His resources have been good. Staff, tech, he's keeping his dealings very close to the vest. And yeah, he's getting a lot of help from somewhere."

Ivan raised his brows at me, and it took everything not to rage at the damn table. I distracted myself, as I usually did, by studying the room. We were still clear. I couldn't spot any outliers in the restaurant, and the Trinity would notice someone coming from a mile away.

"I can tell you he's not discriminating either. Pavel's been talking with every other family in town. The Varettis, the O'Connels, Familia del Sol, Han's men, Kumamoto."

That's nearly everyone in the fucking city.

The clink of metal on glass pulled my attention back to Ivan as he set his scotch back on the table, his middle finger ring tapping the surface.

Objectively, he was a terrifying asshole, and I wasn't exactly a cuddly bear myself. He had light blonde hair, long bangs sweeping over his forehead, and gray-blue eyes. He also sported a permanent five-o'clock shadow. Clad in a leather jacket like his brothers, Ivan was cold, with harsh angles and imposing muscles strapped to a six-four frame.

"He"s been in a few meetings where I couldn"t get close to him. He would transfer to another vehicle and drive away to have a conversation. Pretty smart, honestly."

With his classic "hate to say it" frown, Ivan took another swig, and his brothers echoed the respectful frustration. Tracking an idiot was easier, and I could tell none of the three enjoyed having to chase Pavel around but couldn't help but admit the forethought of it all.

"I don't want him to be fucking smart, Ivan." I knocked back the rest of my scotch, the burn running down my throat doing nothing to ease the fire in my veins. "You get a look at any of the people he was meeting?"

Ivan shook his head, and I could see his own frustration there. "No, they didn't leave their car. Nice model, though, not flashy, good engine."

"Dammit." With another slam of my fist, Parker gasped lightly, and I looked over at her, his fucking daughter. I wanted to be angry with her. If she'd been anyone else, one of Pavel's lackeys, I'd have her tied to a chair and offering up everything that little head could.

But she wasn't just anyone. She was Parker, and despite everything I stuck to my entire life, I'd pulled this woman into the fold with me. I wanted revenge against Pavel for myself, but I also wanted it for her.

"Do you know anyone he might be talking to? From those special meetings?"

Her eyes went wide, her lips parting slightly, and I could see the distress behind the green of her stare. She looked between the three other men seated with us, and there was obvious apprehension there.

"Umm…No. I really…Only accents that I mentioned."

She looked to Ivan, who seemed a bit surprised that she actually had the balls to address him, which, of course, I enjoyed way too much.

"Did anyone sound like they were Irish or Scottish? Or maybe Italian?"

Ivan cocked his head, thinking back. "Perhaps. Never got to hear any of the higher-ups during the actual meetings, but we were driving through Irish territory at some point."

It was something, but it wasn't fucking enough. I sighed, shaking my glass for a refill from the server. They came over straight away, and I had them leave the bottle.

"Not concrete enough." I regarded Ivan and then glanced at his brothers. "Drop the tail on any family activity that isn't Pavel direct meetings. I want you on him like flies on shit. Follow every damn move the fucker makes. We'll get back to asking around town if you don't catch anything."

Ivan cleared his throat and nodded, resting his elbow on the table and propping up his chin with his hand. "He's got something coming up. The men around him have been talking about it. We"ll keep a close eye on him. You willing to have a bit of cleanup if we can get in before or after?"

Missing members of Pavel's crew could alert him but I wanted that information. Whoever he was meeting with was clearly a bigger threat to the Vadims than we all realized. They were probably just using Pavel to hack away a few chips from us while they planned for a bigger attack.

"Keep it tight. I don't want a commotion. Pavel can't see you."

"Understood, boss." Ivan rolled his lips across his teeth, then took the toothpick out from one of the appetizers and gnawed on the thin wood.

I jabbed a finger in his direction. "Don't let up. I need every fucking detail you can scrounge up. Got it?"

"Of course." Ivan and the boys stood up from the table, exiting through the curtain of beads with a final, "You know where to mail the check."