“Exactly.”
He clasps his fingers over one knee, legs crossed.
At first, when we were introduced, I didn’t understand how Beau had teamed up with the former Russian Pakhan, but after doing some research on Vassiliev, I got it.
Ruslan is respected by crime syndicates all over the world. He’s not just feared—he’s beloved. That’s rare in our line of work.
And it’s exactly because of that prestige that Beau brought him to the table tonight.
“I don’t want anything in return. Just go get her. Make her your wife,” he says, referring to Beau’s plan to make Jackie mine and thus shield her from kidnapping or assassination attempts.
“I don’t do favors. After your announcement, I’ll take on a contract of your choosing—anytime. But how do you know the plan will work?”
“There’s always room for failure, Lucifer,” Beau says.
They believe I should take Jackie as my wife to protect her. Ruslan’s first wife, Iris, was killed by a rival organization. Legend has it, the Pakhan was obsessed with her, and herdeath sparked an unprecedented war between the Russians and Sicilians—a war that, as far as I know, never really ended.
That war led to a meeting between all major mafia leaders around the world, and in an express agreement, they decided wives and daughters were off-limits. The boys, however, would still live with a blade hanging over their heads—just like their fathers.
We still have no idea who my hidden enemy is. Bringing Jackie to my side won’t guarantee her safety, but it’ll reduce the risks significantly.
If it’s coming from one of the mafias, she’ll be protected. If it’s coming from another contract killer like me, she will be too—because the syndicates would eliminate anyone who broke the code. But there’s still that one percent margin, the wildcard enemies. And against those, there’s only one solution: hunt them down.
“Like thoseLos Moralesbastards, who didn’t respect anyone or anything. We were at war with them for years,” the ex-Pakhan says, referring to a small cartel run by two megalomaniac Mexican brothers who targeted family members of the Russian Organization’s upper ranks. In the end, they were wiped out.
“You have no idea who might want you dead?” Beau asks.
“I’ve got a whole alphabet of possibilities, my friend. Wouldn’t be the first time. Won’t be the last.”
“But in all the others, I’m guessing you at least knew who you were fighting,” Ruslan says.
I nod.
“Whoever blew up that hotel in Bolivia used serious resources, planned it out, and took a lot of risk. That doesn’t sound like a pissed-off rival or dissatisfied client. It sounds personal.”
I’m inclined to agree.
“I’m working my contacts to find out who did it,” the ex-Pakhan says. “But you need to tie your girl to you now. Once you’re married, I’ll make an official statement: even if you’re not one of ours, any offense against your family will be considered personal.”
Family.
Yeah, Jackie’s always been my family. But now I’ll have to make her my wife, and I’m certain that, eventually, she’ll hate me for it.
“Have you thought about what I said regarding the clubs?” Beau asks after Ruslan leaves for the airport, heading to Atlanta where his grandson Yerik—the current Pakhan—lives.
We’re still in the library at his house. Amber came to say goodbye since I’ll be flying back to New York in an hour.
“Why are you letting them go?”
“They used to be one of my few legitimate businesses. But I don’t want to be in the nightlife anymore.”
“Because of your family?”
“Yeah. Amber gets jealous. And believe me, a war with your wife will make your life hell in ways no enemy ever could.”
I smile and shake my head. I never imagined Beau domesticated, and yet I don’t know a more devoted husband and father than him.
“I’m in. Once I take out my target, once my revenge is done, I’ll talk to Roman about our partnership.”
