Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

N ikolay

The loan shark business.

In my mind, the chosen profession was akin to used car salesmen and nothing more. They were bottom feeders, those who enjoyed tragedy and financial problems of others while profiting big time. We'd allowed Bobby to survive simply because he'd once offered a tip that had led to another venomous snake who'd been planning a hit on the Pakhan.

Since then, he'd become nothing but an issue, acting like our best buddy.

He should have come to me about Charlie and he knew it. It was one rule that usually remained unspoken, but professionals understood what was expected.

He was no professional.

But hell, he even looked the part with his polyester clothes and slicked-back hair. The dude even wore long gold jewelry. That shit went out in the seventies, but he refused to act his age.

Danny, Maxim, and even Tanner, the ex-Marine I'd sparred with inside a bar years before were in tow. I had to give Tanner credit. Since that night, not only had we become pool and dart friends but since coming to work for me, he'd added an entirely different layer of protection I hadn't known I needed.

As the four of us stood in front of the neon-infused store, I think we were all groaning. His shitty business was right next to a quaint bookstore and an adorable coffee shop. He thought he was something and a bag of chips to boot.

"What are your plans for him?" Maxim asked, still chomping at the bit to do some damage, break some bones.

"As usual, it's going to depend on how he acts but at this point, I'm out for blood after what happened with Charlie. I think we need to teach him a lesson in manners and respect, which includes his precious store."

"I like your thinking," Danny said.

"Just remember, he's still considered some fucked-up pillar of this community. Ending his life could result in some additional trouble." Tanner always tried to be the voice of reason, which was good but often amusing.

"I know. However, the dude had plucked my last nerve."

"Let's kill him. I'll break a few bones first," Maxim said eagerly.

Chuckling, I walked to the door, forced to swallow to keep bile down. As soon as we walked inside, the two customers seemed antsy. The kid behind the glass counters obviously had no clue who we were, going on and on about how the dude could buy back his fake Rolex when he had the money.

Right.

The other guy, who appeared to have some trading cards of some kind in his hand, quickly left, skirting around the four of us as if we had the plague.

And the kid kept jabbering. While I stood just inside the door, both hands locked in front of me, my men perused the store, studying the various cases full of crap. Although I had to admit, what some people let go of was a crime in itself. I even noticed some diamonds, a Les Paul guitar, and several weapons.

However, I expected the really good stuff was in the back room. That was typical.

"Okay. There's your fifty dollars," the kid said.

"Fifty? We agreed on seventy-five!" the man wailed.

Now the kid shrugged, his shit-eating grin something I wanted to wipe off his face. "Take it or leave it but when you walk outside the door, the buyback jumps to one hundred."

The man pocketed the money, cursing under his breath. "You're a criminal." He stormed toward the door, smashing his hand against the glass.

When we were all alone, it was apparent the kid saw four whales, not dangerous men. "Can I help you? We have some fine pieces in our collection. Or, if you're selling, I'm prepared to pay you top dollar."

I noticed Maxim had taken a liking to several baseball bats hanging on the wall behind another set of counters.

"Actually, I'm here to see your boss," I told him as I walked closer. I kept a smile on my face. There was no reason to act like an ass.

At this point.

"Um, he's not here." The kid noticed Maxim had helped himself, walking behind the counter and selecting three bats, handing one each to the other guys.

The kid narrowed his eyes, acting worried.

"Let me give you a piece of advice," I told him, closing in on the counter. "Get him. I don't care if Bobby is in the dentist's chair or getting the fuck of his life. Let him know his good buddy, Nikolay is here to see him."

The kid swallowed. "I'm telling you, he's not here."

All I could do was sigh.

And unleash the boys.

I stood in the same position as they started swinging, the glass easily breaking. Alarms went off but that didn't bother any one of us.

The kid, meanwhile, was crouched down behind the counter, cowering with his arms over his head.

While the noise was horrific, it was Maxim's laughter that almost became annoying. I was going to suggest the man take up boxing.

"Hey. What the fuck?"

As the new voice piped in, Bobby racing into the room, the kid jumped up and headed for the front door. I didn't know anyone could sprint that fast.

I allowed the boys to continue as Bobby glared at me, his face puffy and red. He was wearing a fucking light blue leisure suit today. I could go blind just by seeing it.

When I threw out my arm, the smash and run effort completely ceased. The silence at this point was beautiful.

Bobby was still fuming, as if that was going to get him anywhere. When he came out from behind the counter, acting as if he was going to confront me, I simply unbuttoned my jacket, allowing him to see the weapon right there in my holster.

He stopped short, maybe getting the message.

"What do you want, Nikolay? We've always been buddies. Now this? You fuck up my store?"

"So here's the thing. We aren't buddies. We've never been friends. You are like a roach crawling the earth looking for crumbs. Up to this point, it was allowed. No longer. You fucked with Charlie, my man. Remember him? He's into you for fifty large. As of this moment, that debt has been released. Do you get it?"

"You know I can't do that. I'm a businessman."

My anger was usually fairly contained.

But not today.

With the desire that I couldn't get rid of, Charlie's blubbering, and the fact some asshole wanted our diamonds, I was spitting angry. Instead of shooting him on the spot, I shifted my forearm under his throat, pushing his beefy body back with ease and smashing it against another wall. Shit fell off onto the floor and I was certain he was about to start crying like a baby.

I was extremely strong, could easily break a man's neck.

He was choking, even though I wasn't using the full extent of pressure that I could. He was flailing, hitting me with open hands. Didn't his daddy ever teach him how to fight?

I pushed harder until his face turned beet red. "Head to the back where the good stuff is," I told my men. It took them all of three seconds to react.

Meanwhile, Bobby was pleading with his eyes.

Why should I care? The lack of respect was intolerable. At least if I decided not to kill the pompous fuck, I would hit him where it really hurt. His merchandise. His beloved store.

The smashing sounds resumed and there were tears coming from Bobby's eyes. I'd made the right choice, even if a part of me hated it.

It didn't take long until another wave of silence hit.

That's when I let Bobby go. He choked and bent over, acting as if he was going to die.

"You'll live, Bobby. This time. However, the debt has been released. You need to tell me that it is and I'll take you for your word."

I backed away, waiting for him to collect himself as my men returned from the back room. He coughed and wheezed as if attempting to win an Academy Award.

Sighing, I closed my eyes. There were times I felt far too old for this shit. We were supposed to be professional businessmen, the old ways left in the past. But more and more, especially since new crime syndicates and cartels popped up in the city, it seemed we'd needed to resort to how our fathers had handled business. Or anyone attempting to get in the regime's way.

"Okay. Okay. His debt is released."

I patted him on the arm. "Good boy. Now, I'll give you a piece of advice and one that won't occur again. You understand?"

He nodded like a bobble-head doll.

"Do not fuck with us or disrespect me ever again. If any of my men or that of my Pakhan or his Councilor even come to see you, not only will you turn them down, you'll pick up the phone and call. Is that clear? Because if you fuck with one of us again, I won't go as easy."

"Yes, sir. I got it. Crystal clear."

"Good boy. Take care of the mess. You don't want to be a burden to the neighborhood."

For about a dozen reasons this hadn't given me a single moment of satisfaction. Maybe I should have been wielding one of the bats instead.

Off to my home gym. I needed to sweat for a change.