Once the apartment door closed behind him, Mikhail strode to the elevator.The doors slid open, and he stepped inside, relieved to find himself alone.The couple from Moscow were worrying news because he suspected their identities.Bratva royalty, or at least as close as one came to nobility.They’d be high-ranked and want to extend their tendrils into his world.They’d take his contacts and control of everything his father had built, and he’d added to the business.Stopping a takeover would take power, and he wasn’t confident he’d still be standing at the end of the battle.His grandfather had told him he could walk into a powerful Bratva position, but he wanted none of it, like his father.
He dipped his head to the doorman and continued outside before coming to a halt.He didn’t have transport since they’d used the taxi Clarice had asked to wait.Hell.He might drop by his grandfather’s home and organize for Ivan or Gregory to meet him there.
Mikhail didn’t understand why his grandfather was determined to get his way.He’d kept from Bratva clutches for all these years and used his otherness and superior strength to repel attacks.Suddenly, his grandfather pressured him to change tack when they were successful and poised for greater success.The reasons were the key to this mess, but his grandfather remained mute about his rationale.
Mikhail set a rapid pace, striding down leafy avenues and catching glimpses of massive mansions behind high fences.Not one of these people understood the real world.They lived without fear or hunger and wielded the power that immense wealth offered them.
Mikhail had always wanted to help the workers who struggled to live and survive, and he thought he’d done a decent job.His workers stayed, and he didn’t have the staff attrition that other businesses faced.Any positions they advertised filled rapidly.Mikhail wished he could help more people, and if his expansion plans succeeded, he’d offer more jobs.
He turned onto his grandfather’s street and walked to the end house.He pushed the intercom to announce his presence.A security man appeared and allowed him entrance.
“I have informed your grandfather of your visit,” the man said.
Mikhail’s phone rang.He ignored the summons, but it continued to ring.He glanced at the screen and frowned.“Ivan?What’s wrong?Edwina?”
“No, it’s the new worksite.A group arrived armed with bats, knives, and other weapons and attacked the building crew on site.”
Fury blasted through Mikhail.“How many injured?”
“It wasn’t as bad as it might have been.Victor was there with his assistant.”
Relief flooded Mikhail on hearing this.“I’ll call Victor.Why didn’t Victor call me direct?”
“He tried.The call wouldn’t connect.”
Mikhail scowled at his phone.That made no sense.His phone had been with him the entire time and turned on.He thought back.He’d never received a call at Clarice’s apartment—not in his memory.Was that suspicious, or did Clarice have a way of blocking phone calls?He was only a few streets from Clarice’s apartment, so his phone should’ve worked.Something to consider and investigate later.He hit speed dial for Victor.
“Victor,” Mikhail said as soon as the bear shifter answered his phone.“What happened?”
“A group of thugs came with demands for protection money.I told them we didn’t require security and to fuck off before we handed them their arses.They didn’t take kindly to my advice.”
Mikhail pinched the bridge of his nose.Victor wasn’t the most tactful person on his team, but he always got the job done with minimal trouble.“Anyone seriously hurt?”
“A few cuts and bruises.Andre didn’t duck fast enough.He has a black eye.They got the worst of it,” Victor said, sounding unperturbed.“They won’t come around next month, not without reinforcements.These men misjudged us.We’re not weak, nor will we cave to their demands.”
“Do you need help?”
“I have everything under control.I’ll call you or Ivan if we have further problems, but we’re working with a full crew.There are plenty of bodies here should we require aid.”
“Thank you,” Mikhail said.“I’ll check your progress in a few days.”
“Will do, boss.”
Mikhail hung up and went in search of his grandfather.He found him sitting on the terrace to appreciate the afternoon sun and the cool breeze.
“Where have you been?”his grandfather demanded.His gray hair was straight and needed a cut, but his brown eyes were as sharp as ever, even though his legs were failing him now.He no longer stood alone and required help to bathe and dress.
“I took some private time,” Mikhail said calmly.His grandfather had always demanded a lot of him, especially after his father had died.
“I want to see you married before I die and the business settled.We must stick to the old ways.”His gaze bore into Mikhail, his will strong even if his body was failing.
“Did you know the Bratva is shaking down businesses for protection money?”Mikhail asked.
“That’s how I got my start.It’s right that the tradition continues, and we support others.”
“It’s illegal, and my father—your son—changed how we do business.We fought to gain independence, and my father died defending our rights.You want us to return to that way because you’re feeling nostalgic?I won’t do it.Not for you.Not for my cousin.My people are better off now.They and their children are flourishing more than when you were running the company.”
The old man glared because he couldn’t dispute facts.He wanted his familiar world where he had his old friends and the same power and prestige he had when he was younger.His grandfather didn’t understand that the traditional ways hadn’t worked for most.
