Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

V adim

Staying away from her was necessary.

I'd made it my business to spend the day outside of the house on purpose, which was better for my libido and helpful in reinforcing my rule over my kingdom.

I'd had two different soldiers look in on her from time to time, watching the estate like hawks. I also had a camera system that alerted an app on my phone if there were any breaches. Including those from inside.

I'd also dispatched one of my tech guys to see if he could identify Blackbird and the kid's whereabouts. It was entirely possible he'd roll over on Caroline, which wasn't acceptable.

I still found it unfathomable Caroline had taken such significant risks. While it would appear that her phone did have an adequate scrambling system, at least according to my team of security and computer experts, I'd had it destroyed anyway.

There would be no additional risks taken. Not while I was protecting her.

"When I suggested you go out, I didn't mean for you to jump into the freaking frying pan, for fuck's sake."

"What's wrong, Aleksander? You don't like my choice of restaurants to enjoy a late lunch with my counselor?"

He glanced around him at the good two dozen people staring at us. "I'm not an idiot, Vadim. This is not only a restaurant frequented by members of the Cosa Nostra, but it's also owned by Stefano Marino and his family."

"Exactly." The poor waitress was a nervous wreck as she placed drinks in front of us. She was close to either hyperventilating or running screaming into the parking lot. I had to know if Stefano was responsible. At least I'd put him on notice I was determined to learn the truth.

"You're certain these drinks aren't poisoned?"

"Stefano has no couth but he's not a dumb man. Given I have six of my men positioned outside, he's not going to do anything stupid such as trying to kill us. If he did, he'd start a bloody war. Relax, my attorney. What better way to make my presence known?"

I was grinning while Aleks was clearly uncomfortable. Not that I blamed him. Where the Russians had pretty much taken over Brighton Beach, or Little Odessa as the area had been called for years, the Cosa Nostra had tight reins on Little Italy.

"Yeah, well, maybe you've gotten too trusting in your advanced age." He sat back, still scanning the area while I laughed. "What is it you needed to tell me?"

"It's what I need to show you." I pulled the folded email I'd printed into my hand, sliding it across the table. As soon as he took a look, a smile crossed his face.

"Let me guess. Your new guest discovered this."

"Yes, she did. Caroline is a ballsy girl and almost got herself killed, but this is worth its weight in gold."

"That's why we're here."

"That's exactly why we're here. And I think I am going to heed to your recommendation of going to the governor's ball."

Aleksander grinned. "Good, since I already replied to the affirmative for you plus a guest. I wonder who that might be."

I laughed even as I noticed a slight scuffle occurring inside the kitchen through the oval window. While I only knew limited Italian, it was obvious our unscheduled visit wasn't being well received. "How did I know you were going to do that? But I've yet to decide on taking a guest."

"What about the new girl? How does she play into all of this?"

"The new girl happens to be my daughter's best friend."

Aleksander opened his eyes wide. "Ouch. I didn't recognize her. Cradle robber, you."

"Very funny and she's changed dramatically in just a few years."

"I'll say. Hot if you ask me."

While he was teasing, as soon as he said the words, the possessive side of me jumped in, my anger rising.

"Whoa," he said, knowing me far too well. "Down, Pakhan. I didn't mean any disrespect to either one of you. I was just making conversation."

"Just be careful, my friend. Caroline is an off-limits subject."

"Understood. Don't look now, but I think we've got trouble. In fact, I know we do."

In truth, I was hoping to have a nice visit from Stefano. As he sat down next to Aleksander, I knew what my counselor was thinking.

That he'd need a hot shower.

Stefano had aged since I'd last seen him, his once ebony hair now complete salt and pepper.

"To what do we owe the honor of the Pakhan of the New York Bratva visiting our humble little establishment?" Stefano asked. There was a shimmer in his eyes as if he enjoyed playing the game that had been initiated years before.

Maybe I did as well.

"My attorney and I found ourselves close by and the Yelp reviews on the restaurant were amazing." I smiled in my usual friendly way, although most called the expression diabolical.

"Yes, we do have some incredible food and very loyal customers. I often come here with my wife."

We were both dancing around the issue. He knew it. I didn't care.

"From the delicious scents, I can understand," I told him, doing nothing more than sitting back in my seat, casually sipping my drink.

He snuffed and glanced out the window. "I'm glad to see you're up and around. Horrific what happened to you."

"Oh, I've been up and around, just extremely busy with dozens of new diamond clients." I knew that would perk his interest.

"That is excellent to hear, Vadim. I know your business was almost decimated after your attack and you and your father worked so hard to achieve your goals. l would hate for you to lose it altogether."

"Oh, I assure you, Stefano. That's not going to happen. You seem to forget I have an army of men to keep that from being the case. All highly trained. All very dangerous."

"Yes, as all men in our position should have."

I took another belt of my drink, noticing Aleksander was watching me intently.

"I agree completely." Now the two most powerful men in the city were studying each other, as if drawing a line in the sand.

"Well, I wanted to offer you a greeting," Stefano said as he rose to his feet. "Incidentally, if you're looking for recommendations for a delicious meal, may I be forward enough to suggest the linguini with the red clam sauce." He pressed his index finger and thumb together, kissing both. " Magnifico . The chef adds a very special ingredient no one else does inside this fine city."

"I just may take you up on that," I told him.

"Excellent. Enjoy your meal, gentlemen." He started to turn away, even buttoning his suit jacket. But he turned back, his expression graver than before. "I don't believe I need to tell you this, Vadim, as you're a highly intelligent men but I suggest you find another Italian restaurant in the future. I mean our food is amazing, but I can't honestly promise that you and whatever companion you bring will be safe. You understand. My men find Russians… deplorable. Pig-like, I think, is what they told me."

"Mmm… Yes, I understand, Stefano, although that sounds mysteriously like a threat, which is something I know you wouldn't dare offer a man sitting in one of your fine establishments. Still, duly noted. Just like I suggest when you take a vacation with your lovely wife, you don't do it in Brighton Beach."

He laughed. "Also duly noted and I wouldn't dream of doing so. But I do appreciate the heads up. Please, enjoy your meal, compliments of the house."

After giving me a nod of respect, he walked away and I did nothing more than sit back and enjoy my drink.

Aleksander finally let out the breath he was holding. "I will give you credit, Pakhan. You haven't lost your touch. You know how to play a mean game of Russian roulette."

"Yes, well, my father taught me well, but in this case, it's more like tossing out the gauntlet or showing our weapons so to speak. He wants me dead. I want to destroy him. It's simply going to be who tackles the task first."

My phone buzzed, indicating an incoming text. I'd given Caroline the number for emergencies. Before I had a chance to look, another one came in. I tugged it into my hand, realizing there were two different texts from two different people.

When I glanced at the first one, I had to smile. The second one made me laugh.

"What is it?" my counselor asked.

"If you thought my guest was formidable, don't ever cross my daughters. They arrived from Italy and are wondering why I have a new house guest. Sadly, we'll need to take a raincheck from our friend."

"Suits me just fine."

There was something to be said about dealing with women that a lot of men couldn't tolerate, even strong men.

When I arrived home, Sofiya and Caroline were already together, chatting outside by the pool as if nothing was going on. I watched them initially from the window in my office, shaking my head more than once. Sofiya's text had been her usual gruff self.

What the hell happened with Caroline? You didn't hurt her, did you? If you did, I will kill you myself, Father.

I did adore my daughters with everything I had and had taught both to be independent and speak their minds, but there were times I wished they were more demure, instead of taking every bull by the horns.

Speaking of taking the bull by the horns, I finally walked outside. Neither noticed me until I was only a couple of feet away.

"Daddy!" Sofiya jumped up, throwing her arms around my neck. "I missed you. Shocking given you're a grumpy old man, but I did."

I coughed in response and hugged her back, keeping my eyes on Caroline. She seemed slightly intimidated but if I didn't know better, I'd say there was lust in her eyes. Something I'd need to shut down quickly.

"I have so many stories to tell you. Sorry Daniella left. She had some things to do." Sofiya backed away, her face beaming.

"You mean she has a boyfriend to visit."

Sofiya laughed. "You weren't supposed to know about that."

"A father knows, sees, and hears everything. Something you should keep in mind. I need to chat with you for a couple minutes in my office. Have the time?"

"Sure." She looked at me quizzically, following along behind as I headed in through the patio doors.

Once closed, I turned to face her, sitting on the edge of my desk. "I know you're wondering why Caroline is here."

"Yeah, and she told me shit."

I lifted a single eyebrow. The girl could cuss like a sailor. "Well, she got herself into some trouble and came to me for help."

"What kind of trouble?"

"We'll just say the kind that could destroy her life. In fact, it already has."

"What the hell? What happened?"

"I'm not going to go into details right now, but I need a favor. I need you to take her shopping, with the bodyguards. I'm giving her my credit card. She can buy anything she wants, but I need an entirely different wardrobe for the girl. I also need you to have her hair done."

"What's wrong, Pops? Are you too old for pink hair on a pretty girl?" She was laughing until she took a good look at my face.

"This is serious, baby. Some very bad men are after her and know what she looks like, partially because of her hair color. I need her unrecognizable. Plus, I'll need a very nice ball gown or two."

"For what?"

"For some covert operations. Nothing more."

"Just what are you up to, Dad?"

I chuckled. "Nothing for you to worry about."

"Right. You are a terrible liar, Daddy. But I will enjoy shopping with my bestie. It's been a long time. So tell me," she cooed as she batted her eyelashes as she always did when she wanted something. "Does that credit card privilege extend to your sweet, intelligent, highly loyal daughter?"

I pinched her cheek. "Absolutely. Within limitations. You have a decent job. You can afford anything you want."

"I know but I'm making less than sixty thousand a year. I need to pay rent and electricity and purchase food."

"And you don't have any student loans or a car payment. You also have a huge trust fund."

"That I don't have access to yet."

"Like I said, enjoy yourself, but do remember I'm not made of money." I pulled out my wallet, handing her my American Express. The way she snatched it from my hand made me laugh. I'd tried not to spoil my daughters completely but there were times I was certain I'd failed.

She rose onto her tiptoes, pressing a kiss against my cheek. "You are fabulous, Daddy, and you have more money than God."

As she scampered off, I sighed. I remained on heightened alert. I had a very bad feeling about the next few days.

I watched the girls as they laughed, finally jumping into the pool and wondered for the first time in as long as I could remember what my life would be like if I was a regular Joe, the kind of guy who worked eight to six, five days a week, bringing home just enough to keep the household floating.

That wasn't me. That had never been my life. I laughed as I scanned the massive tropical pool. Maybe I was the one who was spoiled.

The knock on my open office door made me sigh all over again. When I was interrupted in the afternoon, that usually meant something was wrong.

I turned just as Nikolay walked in. Instead of the usual grin he wore, he had a pensive face, a file in his hand. "Sorry to bother you, Pakhan. But we might have an issue."

After glancing down at the file, I could feel my muscles tensing. "What are we talking about?"

He walked closer. "I think one of our most trusted men may be cooking the books."

"Meaning what?"

I grabbed the folder from his hand but wanted an explanation first.

"Meaning it appears costs were inflated for the two construction sites, the difference pocketed."

In a place like New York City where real estate was a premium and the union was a pain in my ass, costs were damn high. I'd gone to bat with the fucking labor union more than once, the assholes really thinking they could strong-arm me. A few explosions, a loss of a couple million bucks on influential sites and they'd calmed their asses down.

"It's all in there. Our accountant suspected something a couple months ago, but it took him until now to get solid evidence. The guy was good at hiding his tracks."

Exhaling, I walked to my desk, sitting down on my office chair with a hard thud. As I opened the file, I started thinking all over again that I was too old for this shit. I leafed through the pages first. I'd always been good with numbers, taking various business classes so that when I took over as Pakhan, I'd know what the hell I was doing in running a billion-dollar business.

Yet it took me a full two minutes to figure out Nikolay was right. The traitor had been very careful, using the most notoriously expensive construction items instead of those that were dollars and cents. It had taken him months to amass his gains, and at the tune of over two million dollars, it wasn't chump change to me.

When I flipped to the last page, I growled. The guy who'd betrayed me had been an outstanding employee for a long time, someone who'd been promoted over the years.

"What do you want to do, boss?"

I glanced up at Nikolay, thinking about the options. "Where are we at with the two sites?"

"The one is eighty percent complete but the second, the gravel for the foundation is being brought in tomorrow. Concrete will be soon after."

Nodding, I closed the file, shoving it across my desk. "I'm certain our boy will be there to ensure the foundation is handled perfectly."

Nikolay grinned. He knew what I was capable of. "I'm sure he will be."

"I have a meeting with my financial advisor tomorrow, but I think we can squeeze in a little visit early in the morning. A private one."

"You got it, boss. I'll be ready. And eager."

"Sometimes I worry about you, my friend."

We both laughed. In this business, you either enjoyed your work or would burn out quickly. Fortunately, my most brutal men had been born to do the job.

Including performing murder without guilt or conscience.

And almost always in very creative methods.